- Author
- A.N. Other and NHSA Webmaster
- Subjects
- History - general
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- March 2003 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
LLOYDS PATRIOTIC FUND SWORD AT LADY DENMAN MARITIME MUSEUM
Further research in the Library of NHSA has discovered a little more of the story behind the presentation of this sword to Midshipman William Pitt, RN of HM Sloop Swift in August 1805. Steel’s NAVAL MONITOR (being a Supplement to the List of The Royal Navy) records the following under Spanish Ships of War captured etc.
‘La Caridad Perfecta (schooner) 12 guns –Taken by the schooner Marianne (Lieut. James Smith) under the batteries of Truxillo, after a very heavy and constant fire from the fort, in addition to the resistance of La Caridad.’ Another entry records, under British losses etc: ‘Swift, hired cutter (Lieut. T.M. Leake) 8 guns – taken by a French privateer of 8 guns and 56 men, Mediterranean, April 1804. Captain killed.’
(Owing to the incompatible dates, this HMS Swift may not be the same vessel. Ed)