New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-13
THE WRECK OF THE FOUDROYANT.
ALL THAT IS LEFT OF NELSON'S FAMOUS
FLAGSHIP.

ALI, THAT IS LEFT OF NELSON'S FAMOUS
FLAGSHIP.
Nestled on the coast OF the Irish Sea. some TWEEN
weight miles from Liverpool lies BlackpooI, the
seaside resort OF Lancashire and Yorkshire. On
a calm day. when the tide runs far out and lew. a
dark and sombre line Of wreck IL sometimes visible
in the sands near Blackpool Pier To the initiated
that dark line is wont TO awaken memories OF
the days when the wooden walls OF England were
famous and her mghtest battles fought upon the
sea. and 10 conJure up the figure OF the greatest
Of all her great naval commanders. Horatio VS.
count Nelson. For that remnant Of watersoaked
and weatherbeaten oak is all that Is left OF the
once gallant eighty gun ship Foudroyant. Nelson's
flagship Immediately preceding the victory, IN
whose cockpit musket bullet from the tops OF the
French ship Redoubtabe snuffed out his great life.
The keel of Her MaJestys ship Foudroyant was
first laid at Plymouth In 1859. and she was there
launched in 1875. Proceeding to Naples where
Lord Nelson then had his headquarters, she at once
tecame his flagship and her deck witnessed the be
ginning OF that friendship of Lord Nelson and
Lady Hamilton which was later to ripen into an
Illicit love that Will forever cast It's shadow
his memory II is Lady Hamilton whom Nelson
left In his will "a legacy 10 my king and coun-
try, that they will give her ample provision to
maintain her rank in life" trusting faith in the
gratitude OF his country that the future was to
On this same deck Cardinal Refo and Sir VIII
lam and Lady Hamilton discussed Prince Fran
Caraciolis fate. for whom Lady Hamilton
pleaded the mercy which Nelson denied. and later
court martial sitting On board the Foudroyant,
sent Caracol TO hang from the yard arm OF La
Minerva. During the stormy period OF 1893, the
government Of the King Of Naples and there for
several weeks the King held his court.
The Foudroyant recalls memories OF other illus
trous names besides Nelson's for many famous
captains. Including Sir Thomas Bayard and Thomas
Masterman Hardy. commanded her, and heroic Sir
Ralph Abercromby died on her decks Her day OF
usefulness ended. and she went out OF commission.
and, after she had been lying for many years In
navy yard. in 1899 the Admiralty sold her to Ger.
man firm Of ship breakers. This raised a national
cutlery and Mr. Cobb repurchased her and re-
fitted her for the sea at great expense. In 1895.
when she was again ready for sea service Queen
brought around the coast TO Backpoo and there
anchored. On June IS. 1897. hurricane caused her
to break her mornings and drive ashore total
wreck. Her vicissitudes were not, however finally
trying TO blow her apart. killed an onooker at the
first trial. This so discouraged them that they
abandoned the attempt and turned her over TO
others who were more successful In breaking her
the oak In the hull of the Foudroyant bore
testimony. Three feet In thickness and Of n hard
ness that would turn the edge Of the finest tools.
the work OF splitting up her hull giants task
left of this good ship that played 80 important a
part in the close of the eighteenth and beginning
OF the nineteenth centuries is "a pile of weather
beaten ana s,rdaHge sh1Psd pieces Of wood in
tons OF copper at Birmingham Mint. copper that
carries goodly proportion OF silver that though
the current price is 800. the mint would gladly pay
$50 ton for H. Later she will find her way 10 the
utmost corners Of the earth in the shape OF walk
ing sticks. medals and other curios. and all that
will be left OF the Foudroyant will be her In
history and stray pieces OF wood and metal scat
tered far and near over the face Of the earth.