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MARK OF WILLIAM BENNETT, LONDON, 1802,
Details
A RELIC OF THE WRECK OF THE "ABERGAVENNY", A GEORGE III SILVER CREAM JUG,
MARK OF WILLIAM BENNETT, LONDON, 1802,
Oval with reeded rim, engraved band of Greek key decoration around the moulded girdle, the collet foot similarly engraved, the front engraved with crest & motto of Jardine, gilt interior, the base inscribed "Taken from the Wreck of the Abergavenny, 1806", 4½ in. high (11.5 cm.), 6.75 oz.
MARK OF WILLIAM BENNETT, LONDON, 1802,
Oval with reeded rim, engraved band of Greek key decoration around the moulded girdle, the collet foot similarly engraved, the front engraved with crest & motto of Jardine, gilt interior, the base inscribed "Taken from the Wreck of the Abergavenny, 1806", 4½ in. high (11.5 cm.), 6.75 oz.
Special notice
VAT rate of 17.5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.
Further details
The East Indiaman, "The Earl of Abergavenny", was captained by John Wordsworth, brother of the poet, William, whose family had invested twenty thousand pounds in goods on board. The vessel sailed for the East Indies from Portsmouth on 1/2/1805 in convoy, with an unusually large number of passengers & comprised 400 souls in all, of which 160 were crew, 50-60 were passengers, the rest being some 239 recruits & soldiers for both the armies of the Crown & the Honourable East India Company & 30 Chinamen. Caught in a severe gale on the night of 5/2/1805, a strong tide caused the "Abergavenny" to drift into the breakers when the wind suddenly died down. The captain thought he could manage the situation but then a leak was discovered near the bottom of the chain-pumps, water poured in with such force that the crew were unable to bail her out & an hour later, with more leaks apparent & the gale having recommenced, the vessel was dashed severely upon the rocks. By 10.00 p.m., the ship began to sink whilst the officers were obliged to forcibly prevent some of the sailors from storming the spirit room in search of liquor. An hour later the ship sunk in 12 fathoms of water with only 80-90 survivors. These were ferried to Weymouth by a sloop which anchored nearby & sent a boat to rescue those they could, Captain Wordsworth & his Chief Mate, Mr. Baggot, both choosing to go down with their ship despite the pleas of one of the mates, Mr.Gilpin, to save themselves.
The salvage work on the "Abergavenny" was carried out by John Braithwaite in the "Endeavour" & continued until the end of March, 1806, when the wreck was blown up.
The salvage work on the "Abergavenny" was carried out by John Braithwaite in the "Endeavour" & continued until the end of March, 1806, when the wreck was blown up.