On Saturday 20th. October several Plymouth Branch members attended a superb 'Pickle Night' laid on by the WO's & SR's Mess, HMS Drake. "Authentic" rigs were worn by all, including Sec. Arthur G. who hadn't washed or shaved for a week (as you do)!!!!. A great time was had by everyone, and our thanks go out to the Mess Pres. and all Mess Members.
After the battle of Trafalgar and death of the Commander in Chief, it fell to Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood to write the dispatch for the Admiralty. He selected the schooner, Pickle, one of the fast advice boats, to take the news back to Britain. John Lapenotiere had been in command of the vessel in 1802 and had previously served with Admiral John Jervis. The schooner set off on the 26 October and took 9 days to reach Britain, enduring a gale off Cape Finisterre. The vessel was blown off course and Lapenotiere ordered that 4 carronades to be cast overboard to lighten the load.
At 9.45am on November 4, the Pickle anchored in Falmouth Bay. By midday, Lapenotiere was on his way to London in a hired post-chaise coach, displaying a Union Flag and a tattered Tricolour on a broomstick as a flagpole. The normal journey took a week, but within 37 hours, after 19 horse changes, Lapenotiere arrived at the Admiralty at 1am on 6 November. He was shown through to the First Secretary of the Admiralty, Mr Marsden. Lord Barham, First Lord of the Admiralty was raised from his sleep to receive the news. The Prime Minister, William Pitt received the news at 3am and King George III and Queen Charlotte heard at 7am. As the news was being broadcast across the city with saluting guns from the Tower of London, the news was also received by an hysterical Emma Hamilton. Lapenotiere was later given an audience with the King and Queen and was presented with a silver cruet, the first thing the King could find to hand. He was also promoted to Commander.
