This plaque was made from the wood and copper sheathing from Nelson's flag ship HMS FOUDROYANT.when it was broken up in 1897. The outer frame is hand carved with oak leaves and surrounds a central copper repoussé plaque. Motifs include the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom and a bow portrait of FOUDROYANT at sail. The ship sits above an anchor with cross and rope in a heart shape- a common Victorian emblem of faith, hope and charity also used on memorial items. Scrollwork states that this was "Made from the old FOUDROYANT" and shields include the ship's date of launch and wreck. Most of the original certificate of authenticity remains verso.The piece is very attractive and in good condition.
Launched in 1798, HMS FOUDROYANT was an 80-gun third rate of the Royal Navy, one of only two British-built 80-gun ships of the period. Though she had a long and successful career, she is best known as Nelson's flagship in the Mediterranean in 1799-1800 during which time she took part in the recapture of Naples from the French, the recapture of Malta and the taking of several French vessels.
After Nelson, FOUDROYANT would go on to serve as the flagship for several other Royal Naval Admirals. In 1812 the ship returned to its home port of Plymouth and would serve as a harbor ship for the next 50 years. In 1862 FOUDROYANT was converted to a training ship and would serve another 30 years in that capacity.
The Royal Navy sold FOUDROYANT for breaking up in 1892, to a German firm, but because of the association with Nelson the public was outraged. Popular newspapers featured a Punch cartoon lambasting the decision as well as a satirical poem by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle of Sherlock Holmes fame.
Entrepreneur George Wheatley Cobb stepped up and purchased the ship for 20,000 pounds to restore her and travel with this ship as a tourist attraction in various ports. FOUDROYANT was at mooring in Blackpool in 1897 when she was badly damaged by a storm. The company recovered some of their expenses by making souvenirs from the ship's timber and copper and selling them, with this plaque being one of those objects.
