Minutes of a court martial holden on board his majesty's ship Prince of Wales, in portsmouth harbour, On monday, the 23rd Day of December, 1805, And the three following Days, for the trial of Sir robert calder, Bart. Vice Admiral of the Blue.
Portsmouth.
Sold by J. C. Mottley, [1806?].
First edition.
8vo.
98pp. Uncut. Stitched, as issued. Scattered spotting.
A rare account of the proceedings of the court martial of Royal Navy officer Sir Robert Calder (1744/5-1818) on charges of misconduct during the Battle of Finisterre.
On 22nd July 1805, Calder, commander of the British fleet, engaged Franco-Spanish forces in what would prove to be an indecisive conflict. Many of the enemy were captured, including two ships of the line, however Calder failed to wrestle into submission the squadron under French Admiral Villeneuve, resulting in their escape.
Calder erroneously considered his conduct commendable and thus was greatly surprised to find he had been admonished by the British Press. He immediately applied for a court martial though his commander-in-chief Vice Admiral Nelson had already received orders to send him home to face a board of inquiry. The court martial sat on 23rd December. Calder maintained that he had done his utmost to renew the engagement with Villeneuve. Three days later the court found Calder guilty of an error of judgement and he was sentenced to be severely reprimanded. This proved the end of his seagoing career.
OCLC records copies at just six locations (California, Harvard, NLS, NMM, NYPL, and USNA); COPAC adds no further.
£ 500.00
Antiquates Ref: 27313
On 22nd July 1805, Calder, commander of the British fleet, engaged Franco-Spanish forces in what would prove to be an indecisive conflict. Many of the enemy were captured, including two ships of the line, however Calder failed to wrestle into submission the squadron under French Admiral Villeneuve, resulting in their escape.
Calder erroneously considered his conduct commendable and thus was greatly surprised to find he had been admonished by the British Press. He immediately applied for a court martial though his commander-in-chief Vice Admiral Nelson had already received orders to send him home to face a board of inquiry. The court martial sat on 23rd December. Calder maintained that he had done his utmost to renew the engagement with Villeneuve. Three days later the court found Calder guilty of an error of judgement and he was sentenced to be severely reprimanded. This proved the end of his seagoing career.
OCLC records copies at just six locations (California, Harvard, NLS, NMM, NYPL, and USNA); COPAC adds no further.
