Capt. Broke's Sword

[CutlassCollector]

Sim Comfort has produced a presentation on Capt. Broke's sword and the frigate battle between HMS Shannon and USS Chesapeake.

Worth a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5I6xj8clfU

[Victrix]

Excellent! Well worth watching.

[CSinTX]

Thanks for sharing! I subscribed.

[David R]

Does anyone have a link to a good image of Capt. Broke's sword.

[M ELEY]

Excellent post, CC! Mr. Comfort really catches the tension of this amazing sea battle. It is incredible how long it often took for two ships to get into 'battle' position, all while fighting the weather gage. It would certainly try one's nerves!

[CutlassCollector]

Hi Mark, yes these sea battles are fascinating and some are well documented. Check out my favorite HMS Ambuscade v. Bayonaisse. The small French corvette with half the number of guns and a much smaller crew took on and captured the British frigate!

Hi David R. Yes the internet is sadly lacking on any further pictures. The only ones I know of are in Vol 1 of Comfort's 'Naval Swords and Dirks' but they are the same as in the video.

CC

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Excellent post, CC! Mr. Comfort really catches the tension of this amazing sea battle. It is incredible how long it often took for two ships to get into 'battle' position, all while fighting the weather gage. It would certainly try one's nerves!

Well noted Capn!
It is amazing how much gentleman's courtesy was observed in the communications between these two captains, and as you mention, there was a great deal of maneuvering by both ships to get into place. This had all the elements of a personal duel, with all the protocol and panache of such arrangements.

It sounds like at one point Broke virtually had the 'weather gage' but restrained any raking or fire, and was considered valiant action for this. Actually it seems he was brilliant at gunnery and training his men, and had a distinct battle plan with his shots carefully preplanned, needing his ship to be in proper position to be carried out.

It is hard to imagine, as you note, the anticipation of all hands as these maneuvers carried out, knowing at the final position it would be intense combat. It would be hardest at the waiting point as only fear and anxiety would preside, and no adrenalin would extinquish those until the chaos of combat ensued.

I agree with your observation that this is likely a Scottish broadsword blade heirloom, and refitted on a stirrup hilt in the style of turn of the century naval officers swords by Francis Thurkle in London (as per Mr. Comfort).

Mr. Comfort mentions in his presentation that at some point someone had suggested a Toledo blade, while he notes there is a misconception with the obvious ANDREA FERARA marking, clearly from Solingen. I think that Toledo suggestion may well derive from the notions in 19th century that Ferara had for some time been in Toledo. This has been thoroughly proven incorrect many years ago.

Thank you CC for posting this fascinating item.