COLLINGWOOD (Cuthbert, Lord, 1748-1810, Admiral, Took Command at Trafalgar after the death of Nelson)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed to the Right Honourable Thomas GRENVILLE (1755-1846, Politician and Bibliophile, First Lord of the Admiralty) thanking him for his letter "which is extremely gratifying to me, that my conduct and my care for the publick service has obtained your approbation. I assure you Sir it has ever been the first object of my life, diligently to execute my publick duty - I spare no pains to provide for all its exigencies - and if the results have not been always fortunate - it is my misfortune. In the multiplicity of affairs that pass my direction - with all my care & assiduity I know I must still have been often imperfect, and, feel how much I have required the indulgence of the Admiralty - and beg Sir to give you my genuine thanks for the good construction which you have always been pleased to put upon - what I assure you was always a good intention ...", 2 sides 4to., Ocean off Cadiz, 6th June

Grenville was, with one interval, a member of parliament from 1780 to 1810, and for a few months during 1806 and 1807 President of the Board of Control and then First Lord of the Admiralty. In 1798, he was sworn of the Privy Council.
In the Battle of Trafalgar, on the death of Nelson, Collingwood assumed the command-in-chief, transferring his flag to the frigate Euryalus. Knowing that a severe storm was in the offing, Nelson had intended that the fleet should anchor after the battle, but Collingwood chose not to issue such an order: many of the British ships and prizes were so damaged that they were unable to anchor, and Collingwood concentrated efforts on taking damaged vessels in tow. In the ensuing gale, many of the prizes were wrecked on the rocky shore and others were destroyed to prevent their recapture, though no British ship was lost. In November 1805 Collingwood was promoted Vice-Admiral of the Red and raised to the peerage as Baron Collingwood. He also received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament and was awarded a pension of £2000 per annum. Together with all the other captains and admirals, he also received a Naval Gold Medal, his third, after those for the Glorious First of June and the Cape St Vincent. Only Nelson and Sir Edward Berry share the distinction of three gold medals for service during the wars against France.

Item Date:  1807

Stock No:  40109