Admiral Lord Collingwood 2010: Link Collection of Celebrations, Part 2 11 March, 2010
Posted by Molly Joyful in Cuthbert Collingwood, Events, General, Online articles, Royal Navy.Tags: Art, Bounce, collingwood, collingwood 2010, Cuthbert Collingwood, Events, hms cumberland, monument, Online articles, Royal Navy, st. paul's cathedral, trafalgar, tyneside
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Still working my way through the mailbox. I’ll eventually reply to everybody, thanks for your patience.
More links are trickling in. I hope I can apply my google-fu more effectively this weekend, I’m sure there’s more. If you’ve been to any of the last weekend’s events and want to share your thoughts, impressions and/or pictures, please do so! You’re more than welcome. I’d also like to thank all the regulars here who helped me so much with their comments and links.
This video on youtube must be my new favourite:
HMS CUMBERLAND – 21 GUN SALUTE
Narration by Bounce!
(19, actually. Two dog barks might have been included to make for 21…!)
Some thoughts about and information by Nana – heart and soul of every discussion about Admiral Lord Collingwood:
The ever-lovely Jen took pictures and generously shares them with us. Please scroll down the gallery to see all pictures and also have a look at the second page:
Meanwhile, back in London…
… flowers were laid at Admiral Lord Collingwood’s tomb, which can be found in the crypt of St. Paul’s cathedral. Pictures were taken with permission of St. Paul’s and are used here with permission of the photographers.
We’d like to thank staff at St. Paul’s for their help and hope to make this a (bi-)annual event. While Admiral Lord Collingwood probably would have shaken his head about the general idea of fuss being made about him, we feel it’s very important to keep his memory and the values he stood for alive.
Tourists made a beeline for the admiral’s tomb as soon as they noticed the flowers. “London Guides” were pulled out and consulted in considerable numbers!
Also, donations to various charities have been made in honour of “Old Cuddy”.
"Old Cuddy" 
Aww, you’re pretty lovely too!
I didn’t know anything about Collingwood College when I took those pictures, I was just intrigued by the name. Apparently it’s a great-great-nephew (if I’ve counted right) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Collingwood
I didn’t know there was another member of the family famous enough to have things named after him :)
Nice to see the flowers – I’m glad the St Paul’s folk were nice to you :)
(I do do some work sometimes, there’s just almost no one around and nothing happening today!)
Never heard of Edward Collingwood, either, so thanks for the information! Those Collingwoods, they are everywhere! :-D Interesting family history they have.
(My own grandfather is a dedicated genealogist, and has tracked the different branches of our family back to a time when my anchestors still breathed through gills. I wish I had his patience!)
Prepare to be enlightened, yet still, arguably, confused….
http://www.british-towns.net/sh/statelyhomes_album.asp?GetPic=48
No argument here. :-) This seems to be one of the pages the site owners have yet to update from the mid 19th century.
Sorry, this is really a new topic but what the hell, let’s make WordPress implode with too many comments:
Am I right in thinking Susan Collingwood-Cameron is a descendant of John Collingwood?
For his book Denis Orde apparently traced the latter-day descendants of Lord Collingwood himself. I don’t have the book here but IIRC he says that C’s direct line of descent has been in Ireland since the mid 19th century.
However it’s been stated here and there in the media that Ms. Collingwood-Cameron is Lord C’s closest living relative.
So… ? Does Lord C have any living descendants?
I’m sure Sir Mark Stanhope would be flattered, but he commands a 19 gun salute, not 21.
I lost count around 15 – everything seemed to be happening at once anyway.
Thanks for the information! It’s the title of the video, though, so rather not change it (but I’ll make a note). And now I have to figure out where that grisly pink avatar of yours comes from, looks like wordpress has switched pictures…
You´re too kind. :) Where would we Cuddyettes be without you?
I was thinking our Admiral would’ve been quite embarrassed by all the observances the other day. But the thought of Cuddyettes might fluster him even more.
Or would it? In 1808 he writes to Mary Moutray of a visit to Cadiz on diplomatic business:
“When I went on shore I was received with every demonstration of joy and respect; the streets were never more crowded at any great show, and all were glad to bid us [welcome]; the old [women] in the street seized on my hand to kiss and some of the young ones I thought looked as if they would [like] to have had a kiss too – whether they were gratified in their longing or not is immaterial…”
He just closed his eyes and thought of England.
But the thought of Cuddyettes might fluster him even more.
Oh, he had quite some things to say about the Cuddyettes:
“… the mischief they never fail to create wherever they are.”
“I never knew a woman brought to sea in a ship that some mischief did not befall the vessel.”
“Cuddyettes” – ladies following the fleet in pink-painted cuddies, wearing bonnets with the names of their favourite naval heroes embroidered and holding up prints with their paintings, hoping for the officers to sign them with their names!
He just closed his eyes and thought of England.
Pretty young women wanting to kiss him? Yes. I’m sure he suffered terribly…!
Oh dear – what have I done?
In the role of plenipotentiary one must seize every occasion to maintain good relations with the natives.
Awww! “Cuddyettes!” :-D Now I imagine us as a girl band, in Mary Quant mini skirts and giant beehives! “He’s so fiiiiine… oh oh oh…”
Umm. Now I´ve got that idea stuck in my head… “Miss Molly and the Cuddyettes – Hearts of Oak (uuuh – huuu!)”
Biannual, meaning his birthday and date of death?
Would be excellent.
(I don’t suppose they could slip in one of these
http://tinyurl.com/yz9uy6z
next March… ;-)
I heard cabbage was planned, but not available. The suggestion of adding chewing bones and sow ears was made (Bounce!) but then dropped.
Birthday and date of death, yes. But no further news on that yet.
Two miscellaneous links:
http://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/Collingwood-The-man-who-saved.6105313.jp
(Reprinting of Cuthbert Collingwood: The Northumbrian Who Saved the Nation, and a bit about the quarterdeck walk and poop deck summerhouse, with a picture)
http://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/Hotel39s-adding-an-extra-touch.6122274.jp
(A hotel opening a bar called after him)
I haven’t actually done any googling, just keeping an eye on the local paper website I know of :)
Photo of the quarterdeck walk in 1936 (let’s see if this works):
and a bit more on Collingwood’s attitude to postmortem observances
In 1808 he writes to his wife [these passages are from Newnham-Collingwood’s book, therefore possibly ‘improved’]:
“You know, when I am earnest on any subject, how truly I devote myself to it; and the first object of my life, and what my heart is most bent on, (I hope you will excuse me,) is the glory of my Country. To stand a barrier between the ambition of France and the independence of England, is the first wish of my life; and in my death, I would rather that my body, if it were possible, should be added to the rampart, than trailed in useless pomp through an idle throng.
I suppose at Newcastle every thing is in its usual style of mirth and festivity; so that you would know nothing of the war, were it not for a newspaper. I seldom read newspapers, having quite enough of war without them….”
Fatigue and bitterness sharpen his innate distaste for display and commotion.
However, he had a long perspective and a strong sense of transience…
‘On the 6th of December [1807] I came to Syracuse. . . . there are reflections which press upon the mind irresistibly in viewing the ruins and tracing the extent of this once famous city, which was twenty-two miles in circumference, and is scarcely half a mile long. Where the palace of Dionysius was, there are now a little mill and a pig-sty. The foundations remain of the amphitheatre, where formerly 100,000 people assembled to view the public spectacles. . . . Within the ancient wall there are farms, and vineyards, and pastures, as, in the course of time, there may be corn-fields and hop-grounds in St. James’ Street or the Royal Exchange.’
So… Could he have known he’d be remembered, let alone celebrated, 200 years later – I think he would have admitted that embarrassment can be enjoyable. ;-)
Forgot to say the photo is from Geoffrey Murray’s “Life of Admiral Collingwood”, 1936
Nelson also considered the remote future in his own fashion.
‘His Lordship had on several occasions told Captain Hardy, that if he should fall in battle in a foreign climate, he wished his body to be conveyed to England; and that if his Country should think proper to inter him at the public expence, he wished to be buried in Saint Paul’s, as well as that his monument should be erected there. He explained his reasons for preferring Saint Paul’s to Westminster Abbey, which were rather curious: he said that he remembered hearing it stated as an old tradition when he was a boy, that Westminster Abbey was built on a spot where once existed a deep morass; and he thought it likely that the lapse of time would reduce the ground on which it now stands to its primitive state of a swamp, without leaving a trace of the Abbey. He added, that his actual observations confirmed the probability of this event.’
– Beatty, _Authentic Narrative_
Now that’s interesting! I’ve never seen that, thinks for sharing (is there still space for you in your home? It must be filled under the roof with books! :-D )
He added, that his actual observations confirmed the probability of this event.
And he’s not even that wrong, if you look at London’s current problems! I prefer St. Paul’s as well, the atmosphere is very different from Westminster Abbey – more peaceful, despite the many visitors.
>It must be filled under the roof with books!
Too near the truth… but I own just 2 books about Collingwood and about 4 others on Nelson and the RN.
Everything else I’ve read on the Royal Navy over the past few years has come gratis from our excellent Vancouver library systems. Or online.
The books I actually collect are in the area of natural history, which is where my long-standing interests lie (did I just write that? “The barefoot boy with shoes on stood sitting on the grass”)
Last time I was in St. Paul’s I was a 12 year old tourist and I got lost. Found my parents again after what seemed forever but was probably 15 minutes. I had time to wonder if any other children had gone permanently missing in St. Paul’s. Eventually someone would have found my pitiful remains in an alcove still clutching a tourist brochure… At least I’d have been in distinguished company.
Eventually someone would have found my pitiful remains
Oh, absolutely. Every spring, a special skeleton crew removes the remains of tourists who got lost during the year by means of a giant hoover…
The “quarterdeck garden” is still one of my favourites. I don’t think many could have come up with that!
Of course the thought “would he have liked that” came up when looking at the scheduled celebrations. My aunt, for example, promised she’d return from the other side if anybody dared to lay wreaths at her grave, as she hated them. One has to respect such a wish, and not only because she was the kind of lady who was true to her word.
It’s safe to say that Collingwood wouldn’t have wanted a giant event in the league of Nelson’s funeral. That would have been over the top – not for Nelson, who’d have loved it, but for Collingwood, who’d have cringed. At the end of the day, the parades, salutes, flowers (and beer!) are just our way of saying: “thank you”. People had a good time. They discuss his achievements and his dog. He’s still remembered. No matter how humble the man was: I think he’d been flattered.
There’s another comment somewhere, writing to Sarah to discuss some future plan – possibly planting trees at Hethpool – and saying that by the time it happens, he will be under a yew in a churchyard. It’s never about coming back to glory. It’s just about getting home.
Deserving St Paul’s is a wonderful thing, but I think I would prefer a quiet spot in the north :)
It’s so tragic that he was never allowed to spend his last years at his beloved home, with his family. Boo on Britain for that.
It’s good to see he had the same taste in plants as me… I’ve set in my last will that my ashes will be scattered under a yew tree on a forest graveyard. No fuss for anybody and good company. Just like you, I prefer a quiet spot. :)
Thanks a lot for the links. It’s impossible for me to track everything down, without you guys here, I’d be lost. Consider yourself hugged!
I understand the latter is in some way associated with the Festival, although the article does not make reference to it.
I’m going to Menorca!
*excited*
We await your report (and photos) with bated breath
I will try not to disappoint.
Did you see the Tynemouth report?
http://community.livejournal.com/anything_aos/79934.html
Yesssssssssssss! I’m so happy that you could arrange it. I hope you’ll have a fantastic time and enjoy yourself a lot! Huzzah!
Aww, thanks :) I hope so too!
Seeing as we’re all on line here, response to 1. above
We need a discussion board…
(say what’s on your mind ShipRat, don’t just think it) I mean a discussion board of the kind where the latest comments, like merit we hope, appear at the top
Well, there are many free options available online (proboards, for example); just set one up.
Edited to add: you could also use one of the existing boards, of course, like Sailing Navies etc.
I’m thinking… I’m thinking…
(one thought is, I don’t want to steal Molly’s thunder :-)
BTW – quite honestly Sailing Navies is intimidating to a dilettante like yours truly who doesn’t know futtock shrouds from… well…
Sorry, that was supposed to be a reply to #9. !!!
Bounce could do a better job playing the violin…*
*”To force upon them that which is repugnant to their nature ’tis like teaching a rook to sing, or Bounce to play upon the fiddle – long labour lost – for though Bounce is a dog of talents, I suspect he wou’d make but a discordant fidler.”
Collingwood – the musical: “Bounce – The Fiddler on the Poop Deck”… :-D
Just leave off the word “Deck” and you’ve nailed it
Yes, I see how Sailing Navies can be a bit intimidating. But the people are really nice from what I can tell. We all have to start somewhere, nobody’s born a naval expert. :)
You could also try Anything AOS on LJ.
(one thought is, I don’t want to steal Molly’s thunder :-)
Molly couldn’t care less about thunder of any kind. I set up this blog because I like Collingwood and thought he deserves some recognition. I didn’t want to expose the no-Collingwoodians who read my regular blog to “suffer” for a year. Set up five message boards and six blogs if you feel like it, I don’t mind. :)
Please, can anyone tell me if they know of Emma Pymm ?
I believe she was a grand-daughter or great granddaughter of Admiral Collingwood; she married a George Goddard left England and died in 1941.