Cuddy's Diary

[anteros_lmc]

Charles Miller's autumn auction is coming up at the end of the month and the star lot this time round has to be this "Diary written by Admiral Lord Collingwood whilst commanding the British Fleet in the Mediterranean dec 1807 to January 1810." There is no information about the provenance of the diary but Miller's are a reputable auction house so I presume this is the genuine article. The diary is estimated to fetch between £6,000 and £8,000 so you'd better start counting your pennies now! Of course there are lots of other covetable lots in the auction too, including some beautiful POW made ship models, which I'll post some pictures of later.



The catalogue describes the diary as follows:

Approximately 45 pages of laid paper written in a hasty hand and comprising a sporadic sequence of memoranda and remarks describing operations, movement of ships, allies, enemies, navigational conditions etc.: Russian manoeuvres cause alarm: ..a letter from Capt. Harvey informing me that all the Russian vessels of war - Viz 4 Ships of the line, 3 frigates, 3 Corvettes etc. - had sailed from Corfu up the Adriatic on the 26th last - they passed near the English ships - had Russian colours up but showed no disposition to chase them. I suspect the French frigates have been escorted by the Russians.. ...No account yet of the French fleet - I shall therefore proceed of cape Sapienza for a few days and getting to advise of them return to the coast of Sicily.. (2/1/1808); later that year: A Portuguese boat from the Nilia Real, and brot.[sic] information that on the 13th July a numerous Body of Portuguese 7 Spaniards attacked the French at Lisbon - they continued the assault for 6 days.. (3/8/1808); continuing with similar content and ending with an interesting account of the Battle of the Roses: ..the Enemy is in possession of some of the end works - in this town is a Military company of women - of 260 called the Company of St. Barbara - armed and doing duty on the Garrison - they are Commanded by a Lady of fashion, the officers are women of quality - this [illegible] Corps is distinguished for its gallentry -- (10/12/1809), bound between original vellum boards inscribed on cover -- 7½ x 6½in. (19 x 16.5cm.)

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

I like how he made little decorative squiggles on the front. There is always something a little wistful about Collingwood--

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

There's something endearingly boyish about the cover isn't there?

[azdak.livejournal.com]

in this town is a Military company of women - of 260 called the Company of St. Barbara - armed and doing duty on the Garrison - they are Commanded by a Lady of fashion, the officers are women of quality - this [illegible] Corps is distinguished for its gallentry -- (10/12/1809)

Wait a minute, what?! How come I have never heard of these [illegible] Corps? How come their gallantry has sunk into the swamp of history? How come I always thought only men could be officers?

Surely it cannot be because history was written by men for so long?

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I had never heard of these gallant ladies either but from what I've read now, the Company of St Barbara certainly deserve to be remembered, as does their remarkable Commandant, Lucy Fitzgerald, who died alongside her husband defending Girona. I've written a wee post about them here.

[esteven]

Military company of women?
^ ^

Also, would not dear Molly love this?

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Military company of women?
Military company of Irish women no less! I've done some digging and have written a wee post about them here.

Also, would not dear Molly love this?
Yes I think she would :) I was thinking of her and volgivagant when I posted this.

[esteven]

Oh, Stephen Maturin would have loved that thought! Shame he never met them. :)

*goes to read*

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Yes, Stephen Maturin was exactly who I thought of when I read about Lucy Fitzgerald and the Company od St Barbara. I'm sure he (and Jack!) would have been fascinated by Mrs Fitzgerald.

[esteven]

*nods*
Esp since SM is a Fitzgerald on the wrong side of the blanket

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

A Fitzgerald? Really? I didn't know that! But then I am only half way through Post Captain :)

understands Irish of the seamen without trying to
Ahem. That would have been Gaelic they were speaking!

[esteven]

*G* Sorry if I spoilered you, and I hope I have not given too much away.

You are reading PC? Why not join us at the MandC Read on DW where we will be starting with PC this week (one chapter per weekend)?

*nods*
Sounds like our captain speaking ;)

[esteven]

Btw, the illegible is this Amazonian Corps...

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Oh well deciphered! *applause* :D

[elin-gregory.livejournal.com]

That's priceless. Well, £6=8k, but invaluable to researchers.

I love the anecdote about the amazonian ladies. :)

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

invaluable to researchers
Invaluable indeed. Though sadly suspect this will end up in a private collection. I hope who ever has the privilege of owning this will make it available for study.

I love the anecdote about the amazonian ladies.
It appears that Cuddy was mistaken. They were Irish, not Amazonian! But is seems they were extraordinarily brave and heroic.

[mylodon.livejournal.com]

Not sure I can sneak that onto my Christmas list.

Why is your journal full of things I want?

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Erm yes. I think you'd have to be specially good to find that in your Christmas stocking!

Why is your journal full of things I want?
Because we both have impeccable taste? Of we're both daft as brushes? You choose :P

[amaraal.livejournal.com]

He had a beautiful hand, but still readable although he wrote very fast. I love the flourishes too :) *sigh* Why are things like this so expensive? I mean - if I had the money I would buy it for you (or mylodon... or my nodbear). I think I'm in love with the Royal Navy :)

PS: I wasn't aware that Lord Collingwood is called 'Cuddy' *sniggles*

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Awww! It's the thought that counts! :D