Description:

Royal Navy Doc Re: "Deceased & Invalied'd," from East Indies Ship "H.M.S. Worcester" Months After 2nd Battle of Cuddalore, the Last Battle of Rev. War

A 1p manuscript document signed by Captain Charles Hughes, commander of the Royal Navy war vessel "H.M.S. Worcester," as "Chas Hughes" at lower right. Dated June 4, 1784 at "Worcester, Madras Road," meaning aboard the "H.M.S. Worcester" somewhere along the road to Madras, or modern day Chennai, India. Inscribed in beautiful secretarial script on a leaf of cream laid paper. Docketed verso. Expected wear including light toning, paper folds, isolated edge chips and closed tears, and minor water stains along the right edge. The left side of the page verso is currently adhered to a strip of heavier paper, which could be trimmed. Else near fine, 7.375" x 9." Ex-Norman E. Flayderman (1928-2013), whaling antiques dealer.

Hughes commanded the "H.M.S. Worcester," a 64-gun third rate ship of the British Royal Navy originally launched in 1769. Before Hughes's time, in 1776, the future Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) would be appointed acting lieutenant while serving aboard this same vessel. The "H.M.S. Worcester" was stationed in the East Indies during the Revolutionary War, and was involved in multiple naval battles against the French, the American colonists' new-found allies.

On June 20, 1783, the British fleet tangled with the French fleet off Cuddalore, on the eastern coast of India, during the Second Battle of Cuddalore. This battle has been called the last battle of the Revolutionary War, since it took place before news had arrived that hostilities had ceased. During the battle, the "H.M.S. Worcester" suffered 8 killed and 32 wounded. Our document relates to injuries or deaths sustained during the period of November 1783 - April 1784, in the months following the Second Battle of Cuddalore. Deaths and injuries during this period were probably due to illness or accident, not warfare.

Captain Hughes wrote in part:

"Gentlemen

Herewith you will Please to Receive Monthly Books for November & December 1783, and Januy. & Februy. March & April 1784, together with Twenty nine Tickets for Men (Deceased & Invalied'd) late belonging to His Majesty's Ship Worcester, under my Command, the Receipt of which you will Please to Acknowledge to,

Gentlemen,
With the Greatest Respect
Your Most Obedt. Servt.

[signed] Chas Hughes."

Charles Hughes was active in the Royal Navy between the 1770s and 1804. In November 1782, Hughes was granted command of the "H.M.S. Worcester." Between 1785-1787, Hughes served as Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station.

Provenance

This document came from the estate of Norman "Norm" E. Flayderman, a whaling antiques dealer and arms enthusiast of some note. Flayderman's book "Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders: Whales and Whalemen" (1972) contains many photos from his personal collection.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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