Figureheads of the Royal Navy by David Pulvertaft

Author:David Pulvertaft
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781473814172
Publisher: Seaforth Publishing

8.23

HMS James Watt – Hellyer design.

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Other military figures are far less obvious candidates to appear on the bows of British warships, HMS Brunswick was named after the Duke of Brunswick (1735–1806) who commanded the Prussian and Austrian troops at Valmy in 1792.40 Perhaps more significantly for the first ship of the name (launched 1790), the Duke was married to Princess Augusta, sister of George III. The name was, however, repeated in Queen Victoria’s reign, the 1855 HMS Brunswick (80) being built at Pembroke Dockyard. The Hellyers of Portsmouth offered two designs, a simple bust at £14 or the rather more flamboyant demi-head with a plumed military hat [8.21].41 The records appear to show that neither of these were accepted and that the work was undertaken by Nemiah Williams of London.

The introduction of the steam engine to the fleet was a slow and evolutionary process and, with old traditions dying hard, it is interesting to see that James Watt (1736–1819), a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer, was amongst those commemorated in the names of the navy’s warships. The first attempt was not successful as before HMS Watt wood paddle frigate was completed at Chatham Dockyard in 1844, her name was changed to Retribution. The Hellyers of Portsmouth had, however, forwarded a design42 of a simple bust with a scroll in the trailboards saying ‘WATT on Steam’ and an estimate of £20, but whether this was ever carved is not recorded [8.22]. Ten years later, HMS James Watt (screw 80) – was launched at Pembroke Dock and the Hellyers again submitted a design, although this time he is portrayed as a rather older man [8.23].43

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