Cuthbert Collingwood (1750-1810, Vice-Admiral at Trafalgar and Nelson's second in command)
ALS written to Admiral Sidney Smith
£1,764
Auction: 05 February 2025 from 10:00 GMT
Description
Signed “Collingwood”, 19 x 30.5cm, dated “Ocean, off Cadiz”, 21st October 1806, on paper with seated Britannia figure:
"Sir, The convoy from England, with a large reinforcement of troops, has this moment joined me, and I have directed Capta[in] Rutherford in the Swiftsure, with the n[?] to protect them to Malta, and Sicily…" and requesting Rutherford to assume command of the ships on their arrival'.
Some darkening with slight loss affecting some words, some older restoration work
Footnote
A letter written to Admiral Sidney Smith on the first anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, as Collingwood continued to lay siege to Cadiz. Upon Nelson's death in 1805 at Trafalgar, Collingwood assumed the position of Commander-in-Chief, and wrote this letter as such.