Admiral Sir John Duckworth’s George III Silver Salver, by John Mewburn 1813

Admiral Sir John Duckworth’s George III Silver Salver, by John Mewburn 1813. This heavy, solid silver tray is of oval form with two handles. It has a gadrooned border and is finely engraved in the centre with the coat of arms of Sir John Duckworth, 1st Baronet, which includes the battle honours ‘St. Domingo’ and ‘Minorca’ and the motto ‘Disciplina Fide Perseverantia’. It is raised on four triangular scroll feet. Assay marks for John Mewburn, London, 1813. 

Provenance: Admiral Sir John Duckworth in 1813, presumably to commemorate his elevation to the rank of Baronet in November of that year.

John Thomas Duckworth, 1st Baronet (1748-1817) joined the Navy as a midshipman aged 11. His stellar career did not get off to the best of starts when he was concussed by the decapitated head of one of his shipmates. Not to be daunted by this horrific experience, he was appointed lieutenant in 1771 and captain by 1780. On the Glorious First of June in 1793 he was awarded one of only 18 Naval Gold Medals by Admiral Howe. After his role in the capture of Minorca, Duckworth was promoted to Rear Admiral and added the word ‘Minorca’ to his coat of arms (as seen on this tray).

Duckworth’s actions in 1800 led to the capture of a rich Spanish trading convoy off Cadiz, his share of the prize money netting him some £75,000. In 1801 he was tasked with capturing the Caribbean islands of St. Bartholomew, St. Martin, St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix by defeating the occupying Swedish and Danish troops. On the successful conclusion of this campaign, Duckworth was promoted to the Order of the Bath. Undoubtedly Duckworth’s finest hour came during the war against Napoleon. As the Commander in Chief of the Jamaica Station his blockade of San Domingo and engagement of the French ended in such a catastrophic defeat that was the final naval battle of the war. After his return to Britain, Duckworth received a hero’s welcome and continued serving until his death. In his final role as Commander in Chief at Plymouth, he was the final senior naval officer to speak to Emperor Napoleon before he was exiled.