NAVAL INTEREST: GEORGE II SILVER LIDDED TANKARD

NAVAL INTEREST: GEORGE II SILVER LIDDED TANKARD possibly by Richard Bayley, London 1733 of tapering circular form with domed hinged cover, scroll thumbpiece and scroll handle, scratch initialled H/IA, with reeded girdle, the whole on a spreading foot, the body engraved with a coat of arms depicting figures being saved from a burning ship, above the motto "From Fire, Water, Famine, Preserved by Providence", the underside engraved William Boys, 20cm high (c.24.6oz) "An account of the loss of the Luxborough Galley by Fire, on her voyage from Jamaica to London; with the sufferings of the crew in the year 1727" by William Boys, second mate." The Luxborough Galley was a fine ship of thirty two guns fitted out by the South Sea Company under the Asiento Contract, and commanded by Captain Kellaway. Her crew, including two passengers, consisted of thirty nine. On June 5th, on their way from Jamaica to England, the ship took fire by the careless application of a candle to a puncheon of rum. The head was heard to burst off with the explosion of the cannon and the flames seized her without hopes of remedy: the yawl was hoisted out as twenty two men and boys crowded into it. The longboat remained on board on fire. In this situation without clothes, provisions or compass, at the distance of 120 leagues from the nearest land, they experienced all the miseries of cold, hunger and thirst. Mr Scrimsour, the surgeon, proposed the eating of the bodies of the dead, and drinking their blood. They cut the throats of their dead companions as soon as life was departed and found themselves refreshed and invigorated by this unnatural beverage. By the twelfth day the number was reduced to twelve, the raging sea added to their miseries. By accident, Mr Boys raised himself and saw land. On communicating the news to the survivors they were instantly reanimated and took to their oars. They soon found themselves on the coast of New Foundland. They were taken on shore and treated with the utmost humanity, by Captain Le Cras of Guernsey, Admiral of the Harbour. Mr Boys returned again into the Royal Navy, rose to the post of Captain and hoisted the broad pendant as Commander in Chief of His Majesties Ships and Vessels". £1000-1500