The First of June - the inglorious side of battle The' butcher's bill' of the Royal George

[nodbear]

I just could not quite get it to post on the date itself but inspired by anteros_lmc post on various aspects of the First of June in naval terms and also wanting to celebrate volgivagants earlier thoughts on sharing interesting MSS and other treasures I am pleased to be posting about another of mine

Comments

[eglantine_br]

Something good about the man. Would there have been letters sent to all the families of lost men?

I am thinking of how in the books by POB, even with all the distance that rank created, there was a feeling of them all being in it together. If future-Bridport knew, or was able to find out, family details like this, that seems like something the same.

(And he has better handwriting than EP)

[nodbear]

he does have better hand writing than EP = though EP's is not as bad as all that -except in later life when it does get pretty wayward !

I think that he will have had officers find these things out but yes it is a sign of standing together to have made the effort to find out.

I imagine someone - not the admiral perhaps but the ships captain wrote to the bereaved relatives. Sometimes reading one of Ned's letters about why he found the anniversary of Algiers not something he wished to celebrate because it brought him sad memories I think part of that was a lifetime spent writing consoling words to parenst and girlfriends and wives and best friends etc

[anteros_lmc]

That's splendid! I don't think i've seen this one have I?

Btw, I'm reading C. Northcote Parkinson's Britannia Rules at the moment and he is absolutely scathing about Bridport's performance as CinC of the Channel Fleet and his failure to pre-empt the Spithead Mutiny.

[nodbear]

no - I tend to forget I have it ! will show it to you next visit - it is a quite important MS really and I think I will be donating it to the Caird sooner than later - it was a departure from my normal collecting anyway but I will tell you the story of why some time .
but interesting re PArkinson and Bridport - looking forward to hearing more of that !
of course it was for the part in this battle that he was made Lord Bridport
but maybe making him C in C of anywhere was the principle of promoting above the level of competence bigtime !

[mylodon]

It's the little details (the notes about the families) which choke me up much more than any account of the battle. Thanks for posting.

[nodbear]

yes exactly so
its wonderful that things like this survive and tell that
story

i have probably quoted this before but they tell the story of what
Sassoon called
"human failure humanly confessed" in such an eloquent way

[vespican]

I wonder if some of the information might have been gathered when the individuals signed on. Today, when one joins the service, information such as home of record, next of kin, etc. all gets recorded.
Dave

[nodbear]

I think some of it had been indeed - and some of the annotations may well then be additional information perhaps acquired for in light of the death.

YOu have reminded me of the beginning of Brittens' version of Melvilles Billy Budd where three pressed recruits are brought aboard the Indomitable and the officers are woefully shsking their heads and muttering about the useless landsmen they get- we seem to have the devils own luck "
all the while the Master at arms is questioning them in these deep tones "Your name?Your age ? Your trade ?
It captures the fear and indignation of the pressed men and Billy's happiness in being at sea but also is I am sure something like what went on
in fact one day I must make the effort to ocmpare the list with the ROyal George paybook for the time.