Item #304965 ALS lauding the state of the English Navy. John Edward Commerell.

ALS lauding the state of the English Navy.

Portmouth: 11 May 1891.

Price: $300.00


About the item

Manuscript in ink. Single page on embossed Commander in Chief's Office stationery. 12mo. A small hole to top right corner being carelessly removed, else fine.

Item #304965

With a touch of false modesty, Commerell writes: "Peaceful times in the English Navy for the last half century have not given us much chance of adding many bright pages to the annals ..."

Commerell's early career could hardly have been more auspicious: he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Crimean War. He went on to serve in China during the First Opium War and assisted laying the Trans-Altantic Telegraph cable on the S.S. Great Eastern in 1865. His later career was equally distinguished, appointed Commander in Chief of the Cape of Good Hope Station, the North America and West Indies Station, and - at the time of writing this piece - Commander in Chief Portsmouth. He was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet the following year.