New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
Log of Trafalgar
Is Sold for $4,000
Offered to Nation
Famous English War Relics
Will Rest in British Mu-
seam as Result of Act;
Tells of Famous Battle
NeaU York Tribune
ForeiUn Press B,yedu

"Served wine and grog" Thus did
Thomas Atkinson, Nelson's bluff sailing
master, finish his log entry on the day
after Trafalgar in the Victory deck
logbook, and perhaps there may be an
other splicing of the main brace in tEc
navy when it is known that at Sothe-
hy's this sea stained record was finally
saved for England, at the sum of
$4,000, by the patiotc act of James
Buchanan.
The word finally" is used deliberate
ly, for readers, says "The London
Daily Telegraph" will remember that
in 1911 the late Thomas Barratt inter
vened when Atkinson's descendant sant
the logbook for public sale. Within
forty-eight hours of the announcement
Mr.. Barratt was able to inform us that
he had secured the relic, and, although
he often thought of presenting the
precious book to the nation it re-
NAMED with his other Nelson relics at
his death.
Is Patriotic Relic
The fair copy Of the Victory log is
now at the Public Record Office, but
Atkinson's deck log, written day by
day during the momentous weeks pre-
vious to Trafalgar, just before and
after that memorable action, and dur
ing the long sea funeral home with the
immortal Nelson's remains, is a relic
which makes strong appeal to the
imagination. Moreover, - was admit
ted by the Admiralty that this original
contained details omitted from the fair
copy, and six years ago, when the evi-
dence of the tactics employed by Mel
son at Trafalgar were being carefully
weighed: It wps stated in the official
report that "thc private logbooll o. the
master Of the Victory has been of great
assistance to us when considering the
period Immediately preceding the mo-
ment al which the Victory cut into the
enemy's line"
This was "at 20 past 12," and before
this Atkinson's deck log alone gives the
signals which passed between the Vic
tory and the fleet up to 9:15 a. N.
Bidding Was Brisk
Since it was known that this Vic
tory relic was again to be offered for
public sale there have been many ap-
peals in the press for patriots to be up
and doing. Sir Montague Barlow, NJ. p.
(of Sotheby's), made valiant attempts
to persuade friends to come forward
on the nations behalf, and he had the
satisfaction of seeing one determined
patriot present yesterday. although
doomed to be the under bidder
The affair was sharp and decisive.
Nov we come TO the sale Of this
amazing logbooH. Let me have bid
worthy of the occasion,' Sir Montague
Bar ow remarked, and an opening Of
$4,000 was forthcoming. 1t was quick
ly noticeable that the contest was tri-
angular between Fred Banks, acting
for James Buchanan. a commission on
the book. and q gentleman who asked
that his name be not disclosed, be-
cause he was defeated in carrying out
his generous intention. He made the
bid of Of s2o'4oo, but at Mr.; Bsnks's nod
Of $4,000 was silent. Forthwith the
auctionecr announced that Mr.. Banks
had been bidding for Mr. Buchanan,
and that it was this gentlcman's wish
to present the Victory logbook to the
nation as some recognition of the
great part played by the navy in the
war.
To Join Other Mementoes
1t should agsuredlv receive warm
welcome at the BritiFh Museum, where
lies Nelson's last and unfinished letter
to his Emma, written on the morning
Of Trafalgar and found in the cabin
of the Victory. And with it is the
glorious Nelson Memorandum. copies
of which We're sent as instructions to
the captains of the feet on that great
day This famous document, it will be
recalled, was lost for many years, but
in 1906 it was found in tn possess on
of London bus driver, who had law
fully inherited it. Offered at Christle's.
il fetched SIS 600 and the late Frank
Sabin, who had rescued it from Ameri-
can competition, announced he would
sell it without profit, but only to a
purchaser who would give it to the
notion eventually. The late Benjamin
Wocllan, of Tunbridge Wells, bought
1t on those terms, and at his death a.
lew years ago he beoueathed it 20 the
British Museum