THE SOCIETY FOR NAUTICAL RESEARCH

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE OF MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, 2019, of the Society for Nautical Research is to be held at the Princess Royal Gallery, The National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth, at 3.00 p.m. on Saturday 15 June 2019

(Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available from 2.30 p.m.)

AGENDA

The business to be transacted at the meeting will be: 8 To elect the officers of the Society for the year commencing 1 July 2019. The following nominations 1 Apologies for absence. have been received:

2 Chairman’s Report. For Chairman Admiral Sir Kenneth Eaton, GBE, KCB, BA, 3 To adopt the report of the 2018 Annual General FREng, FSNR Meeting.1 For Honorary Secretary 4 To consider, and if thought fit, adopt the Annual Alistair Roach, MA, MPhil, ACIfA, FRSA, Report and Accounts of the Society, and of the Save FRHistS the Victory Fund and the Macpherson Collection Endowment Fund for the year ending 31 December For Honorary Treasurer 2018.22 Peter Nash, MA PhD, FRSA, FSNR

5 Members will be brought up to date with the 9 To re-elect Vice-Presidents whose elections are work of the: reviewed in 2019:

• Publications and Membership Committee Professor Richard Harding, PhD, FRHistS, FSNR • Research and Programmes Committee Dr Pieter van der Merwe, MBE, DL, Dip.Drama, • Heritage and Historic Craft Committee PhD, FSNR

6 Report by the editor of The Mariner’s Mirror. To re-elect Council Members whose elections are reviewed in 2019: 7 To determine the annual subscription rates from 1 January 2020. Dr James Davey, MA, PhD On 6 December 2018 Council approved the Dr Christopher Holt, MSc, PhD proposal that there be a change in subscription rates Nick Hewitt, MA and recommended that there be an increase of £5.00, Paul Bugden, LLB, FCIArb making the rate £45 per annum (half price for students). It was emphasized that there is a continuing The following nominations have been received: rise in the cost of distribution for The Mariner’s Mirror and, in recent years, there has also been a huge Christopher Brandon in place of Lorna Campbell improvement in services provided, e.g. new website who resigned June 2019. with access to over a century’s articles, Topmasts online magazine, etc. Christopher Brandon graduated in Architecture at Bristol University, where he also took his Diploma in 1 As circulated previously in The Mariner’s Mirror, No- Architecture in 1975. After founding Brandon Pringle vember 2018, 104:4, 496–509. 2 As circulated electronically. in 1986 he developed an extensive practice with

1 projects in the UK and Europe, and is currently statement signed by the person so nominated that he Managing Principle of Perkins+Will, the global or she is willing to serve if elected. multidisciplinary architecture and design firm. Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and 10 Re-appointment of Auditors the Society of Antiquaries of London he was and is a (to re-appoint Kingston-Smith) contributor to research in maritime archaeology. In 1991 he became a committee member of the Nautical 11 Presentation by the National Museum of the Archaeological Society and was made chairman in Royal Navy 1998. A special interest has been the history and technology of Roman concrete on which he has 12 Any other business published extensively, and from 2002 to 2014 was a research associate of the Leon Ricanati Institute for (NOTE: After the business of the Annual General Maritime Studies, University of Haifa. Since 2012 a Meeting has concluded those present are invited to go member of the Mary Rose Archaeological Trust, 2013 across to HMS Victory. Members and their guests a Trustee Director of the Mary Rose Trust, and since who do not have places at the dinner may tour HMS 2014 Chairman of the Mary Rose Archaeological Victory at will until 6.45 p.m. Those members and Services. their guests who have places for dinner obviously stay on board and will sit down to dinner on the lower gun NOTE: Other nominations must be received by the deck at 7.00 p.m.) Honorary Secretary not less than seven days before the date fixed for the Annual General Meeting, always Alistair Roach providing that such notice is signed by at least two Honorary Secretary members of the society and is accompanied by a April 2019

2 THE SOCIETY FOR NAUTICAL RESEARCH

CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2018

The Society continues in good health and to be active President of the Society and a notable authority and and successful in an operational sense illustrated by a extremely well-respected maritime historian. David is continuing healthy income stream, which has held up best known by maritime historians for his well despite the slight decline in investment income. exceptionally well researched books of the The publication of The Mariner’s Mirror and Restoration period. Kings of the Sea: Charles II, Topmasts, as well as the important mandate to provide James II and the Royal Navy discusses how the two research grants and conference sponsorship has monarchs developed the navy but also provides new continued to be strongly supported, whether funded information about Charles II. As in recent years the by the Society itself or from its various Funds. presentation was made after a Council Meeting at the Over the last year membership of the Society has National Maritime Museum. The event provided an again risen slightly to 1,279 members of whom 150 occasion at which members had an opportunity to are students; in addition we have 653 ‘Free Forum meet the prize-winning author and listen to a lecture Members’. During 2018, a further 2,543 copies of The arising from the winning book; after the lecture there Mariners Mirror are distributed to institutions by our was a reception. It would be splendid if more publishers, Taylor & Francis. members took advantage of this wonderful setting; The Society as a whole however has recorded a the annual event also cements our special relationship deficit for 2018 amounting to £193,304 but this is after with the National Maritime Museum. The director, we have had to take into account the net losses of Kevin Frewster, was once again most welcoming; £277,373 on investments compared to a healthy net Kevin is retiring later in the year. gain of £350,785 in 2017. The majority of the Following last year’s AGM and on the occasion of investment losses, some £182,000 were incurred by the Victory Dinner, The Centenary Medal was the STVF. Investments for both unrestricted and awarded to Dr Susan Rose, for more than 50 years restricted funds decreased in market value by 5.9 per exceptional service to the Society. The Victory Medal cent from £4,677,435 to £4,399,889. As a result when was presented to Captain George Hogg RN Rtd, taking everything into account the balance sheet who, subsequent to his naval career, has had a showed at year end a 3.7 per cent decline of net assets distinguished second career in the study and from £5,140,353 to £4,946,449. In 2018 we had a restoration of small heritage craft. George became the relative dearth of donations from members of the Honorary Curator of the Cornwall Maritime public which is one way we should try to increase our Museum from 1993 until the creation of the National ability to fund more researchers; I therefore hope Maritime Museum Cornwall in 1998 where he was members might be encouraged to consider whether one of the first trustees. With a wealth of knowledge the possibility of leaving a bequest to the Society in about the UK’s smaller historic craft, he founded the their legacy could be of value and interest. Although National Small Boat Register and sat on the National the Society’s finances are currently considered Historic Ships UK Registration Working Group for healthy, costs continue to rise and consequently a number of years. Council has agreed that Member’s annual In conclusion I would like to take this opportunity subscriptions should be increased by £5.00 per. to thank the Chairmen and members of the annum. In 2005 the subscription was increased from committees that make the Society function smoothly. £32 to £37 per annum. Seven years later, in 2012, there The Publications Committee is Chaired by Lorna were again increased by £3, from £37 to £40. Inflation Campbell, the Research and Programmes Committee means that £37 in 2005 would equate to £50+ in by David Davies and the Heritage and Craft today’s money. Council is therefore recommending at Committee by Richard Bateman. The Society would this AGM that the annual subscription fee be also not run so smoothly without the considerable increased to £45 p.a. and £22.50 for students with an efforts and dedication of our Honorary Officers; equivalent increase for overseas members e.g. $80 for Honorary Secretary Alistair Roach and Honorary US and Canada and €50 for Europe. Treasurer Peter Nash. At last year’s AGM, I The 2018 the Anderson Medal was presented to Dr mentioned the intention that Martin Bellamy would J. David Davies for his book Kings of the Sea: Charles stand down from his Honorary Editor position. II, James II and the Royal Navy. David is a Vice- Martin remains as Editor of The Mariner’s Mirror and

3 given the increase in work involved, he is now course it is the Society’s Council that controls the receiving an honorarium as recompense for the time running of the business and I am grateful to all he spends on work associated with the journal. members of Council for their time, commitment and Together, the Officers of the Society and the three contributions. Committee Chairmen make up the FGPC who Ken Eaton endeavor to steer things in the right direction. And of April 2019

4 THE SOCIETY FOR NAUTICAL RESEARCH

HONORARY SECRETARY’S REPORT OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, 2018

The Society’s Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday 3 To adopt the report of the 2017 Annual General Meeting 16 June 2018 in the Princess Royal Gallery of the National The report was proposed, seconded and approved. Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth. 4 To consider, and if thought fit, to adopt the Annual 1 Apologies for absence Report and Accounts of the Society, and of the Save the Apologies were received from Mike Baker, Mark Brady, Lorna Victory Fund and the MacPherson Collection Endowment Campbell, Chris Donni thorne, Nick Hewitt, Katherine Fund for the year ending 31 December 2017 Parker, Cathryn Pearce, Lawrie Phillips, Tony Naish, Anne The honorary treasurer referred those members present to the Shirley, Digby Wall and Richard Wilson. financial statements that had been circulated with the Notice of the Annual General Meeting and in particular to pages 13 2 Chairman’s report and 14. The Society had recorded another useful surplus this The Chairman reported that the last year had seen a number past year with net gains on investments. These, both in of initiatives which would be covered in the various committee restricted and unrestricted funds, had increased the market reports, one noteworthy event being the holding of the value by 8.3 per cent. The balance sheet remained strong with Society’s first conference held at the University of Greenwich our net assets reaching over £5 million for the first time in the last September. history of the Society. Of this total 80 per cent is held within Membership stands at 1,222, of which 131 are students. In the restricted funds. No call has been made this year on the addition there are 534 free Forum members, and a further 2,412 Macpherson Collection Endowment nor the Save the Victory copies of The Mariner’s Mirror were distributed to institutions Fund but we were able to increase our grant money made by Taylor & Francis, our publishers. A survey of how and why available from the Tomlin and Anderson Funds. members joined the Society was conducted last autumn with The report on the accounts was proposed, seconded and an amazingly high response. Members will also be aware of the adopted. Save the Victory Fund, which we administer, and since 1994 we have donated over £1¼ million to the ship. A formal 5 Committee reports presentation was made to the First Sea Lord earlier in the year. Publications and Membership Committee The archive of the Society is held by the National Maritime The report was read by Chris Holt. Museum and papers forming this collection have now been Following approval by Council, the Publications deposited in the Caird Library after much work by Byrne Committee formally became the Publications and Membership McLeod. The complete catalogue will be on the Caird website, Committee in 2017. The remit of the committee has expanded under the prefix SNR and be available for researchers to study to incorporate all activities relating to membership liaison, without having to request permission from the Society. recruitment and retention. In order to learn more about our The amount and pressure of work undertaken by the Hon. member’s motivation for joining the Society, the committee Editor has been carefully analysed and, as a result, at the last undertook the first ever survey of members, which met with a meeting of Council it was agreed in principle that a regular very positive response. honorarium should be made to the editor. Times had changed Lorna Campbell continues in the role of chair, and Cathryn and the amount of effort involved in the production of The Pearce continues as publications secretary. The Society’s Mariner’s Mirror has to be acknowledged. The Hon. Editor website and social media accounts continue to engage our would not become an employee; a draft contract is in the members and the general public alike. Topmasts is an process of being drawn up, setting out the relationship between increasingly popular resource for our members and an the SNR and the editor. Once this has been done the necessary important channel to communicate the Society’s activities. The consent would be sought from the Charity Commission and committee has continued to liaise closely with Research and the formal contract completed. Hopefully, this procedure will Programme Committee in order to co-ordinate the Society’s not take too long. research and publications activities. This year the two The Chairman gave thanks to the members of council, vice- committees worked together to organize and publish as a presidents, members of com mittees and overseas correspondents Topmasts special issue the Society’s first and highly successful for their time, contributions and continuing hard work on behalf conference on The State of Maritime Historical Research. The of the Society. He gave particular thanks to Byrne McLeod who chair also liaised with the Hon. Secretary to ensure the Society was stepping down as the Hon. Secretary. She had been of fulfilled its responsibilities with regard to the new General enormous help, not only to himself, but also to the other Data Protection Regulations. officers, vice-presidents and members of Council as well as the membership. Her work over the years on The Mariner’s Mirror Committee membership abstracts and the Society’s archive in particular, which will be a Two members of the committee have stepped down this year, long-lasting legacy of her term in office. Steven Gray and Lawrence Phillips.

5 Lawrie joined the SNR in 1956 and has been involved in Topmasts. There has been a good flow of articles for most aspects of the Society at one time or another, resulting in publication, and for the first time all the articles published in almost 60 years of service as a member, councillor and vice- one edition (no. 25, February 2018) were derived from papers president. This service was recognized with the award of the presented at a conference, Maritime History North’s Centenary Medal in 2014. He chaired the then recently formed Newcastle conference in November 2017. Also for the first Recruitment and Publicity Committee after the restructuring time, a Topmasts supplement was published in May this year, of the Society in the 1980s. His long service and experience as making available detailed research information relating to an a former media specialist in the Ministry of Defence on the article. I am sure that other uses for such a supplement will be staffs of naval commanders has always given him a special found. The last year has also seen more contributions understanding of how publicity and publications should be highlighting aspects of the Society’s work, and it is satisfying deployed. Lawrie has brought to all of his roles enthusiasm, that Topmasts has moved to a position where members feel that understanding and a shrewdness in appraising proposals, they want to use it as a means to spread the word about what which has been valued by colleagues who have used him as a they are doing on behalf of the Society. As the Society’s touchstone in judging what members will find worthwhile. newsletter, Topmasts simply reflects members’ interests and That coupled with a sometimes mischievous sense of humour, their involvement in the work of the Society, and I believe that a sheer joie de vivre and bonhomie has made him a Society members increasing engagement with their newsletter since I treasure. The chair would like the thank Lawrie for all his took on the role of editor reflects the increasing health and valuable contributions to Publications and Membership vigour of the Society. Committee. He will be much missed. Another first in the last year was the publication of all the The chair would also like to thanks Chris Holt and Nigel papers presented at the Society’s September 2017 conference Blanchford for their additional support and contributions to at Greenwich, The State of Maritime History Research. Thanks the committee this year. Chris regularly represents the to a very helpful group of speakers who, at very short notice, committee at Council and Finance and General Purpose wrote papers based on their presentation at the conference, it Committee meetings, and has undertaken the analysis of the was possible to publish the Topmasts Conference Special membership survey data. Nigel’s professionalism and diligence Edition within three months of the conference itself, providing as editor of Topmasts deserves to be acknowledged, particularly a lasting record of SNR’s first conference. for the additional conference special edition of the newsletter Thanks must also go to Bob Smith for sharing the burden he edited this year. of editing and collating the contents of the newsletter and Paula Turner, for her work as production editor and typesetter. SNR web presence and social media James Goldrick offered a vote of thanks for the newsletter: Since June 2017 25,908 users have viewed 115,165 website I was particularly impressed by the latest edition of pages. Encouragingly, 88.2 per cent (a large increase from 66 Topmasts and the reporting of the many activities of the Society per cent last year) have been new users, which suggests that the as it adjusts to contemporary challenges and the needs of its Society’s social media channels are working to draw people to membership. the website. 48.05 per cent of these are based in the UK (compared with 55 per cent last year), demonstrating that the SNR membership survey Society’s international reach is growing, and the website has In 2017 the committee undertook the Society’s first been accessed by users from 162 different countries. membership’s survey in order to ascertain members’ The Society’s twitter account (@NauticalHistory), has 3,014 motivation for joining the Society and what they hoped to gain followers (compared with 2,382 last year) and an active online from their membership. The response to the survey was community. Twitter remains an important way of keeping in remarkable with 525 members completing the questionnaire, touch with the public and allowing them to contact us. representing over half of the membership. The survey was co- We are making excellent progress with the Forum, which ordinated by the chair and Chris Holt; Chris is in the process now has 529 dedicated free forum members all of whom are of undertaking an analysis of the data. The questionnaire was updated on Society news. The Forum is building up to become completely anonymous and no personally identifiable an important archive of queries and questions to aid maritime information was collected in the course of the survey. research and pubic engagement with maritime history. Since June 2017 37 topics have been posted with 100 replies. In total Q1 How did you find out about the Society? 383 individual queries have been posted with 898 separate • The Mariner’s Mirror: 249 (47.4%) replies. • Word of mouth: 155 (29.5%) Our Facebook community is growing with 790 page likes, • Other: 99 (18.9%) up from 509 last year, and it remains an important way of • SNR website: 81 (15.4%) making contact with potential new members and interacting • Conference: 29 (5.5%) with our own members. Some people, for example, answer • Flyer: 12 (2.3%) Forum posts on Facebook. Posts reach anywhere between 100 • Email: 12 (2.35) accounts and several thousand. • Topmasts: 15 (2.9%) The Society’s Instagram account, maintained by the Hon. • Twitter: 10 (1.9%) Editor of The Mariner’s Mirror, now has 779 followers, up • Facebook: 8 (1.5%) from 235 last year. Many of the images posted relate to articles • Postcard: 0 in current issues of the journal. All of these separate channels are important in their own The Mariner’s Mirror is the main means by which people find right but used together they are helping the Society grow. out about the Society, followed by word of mouth. Flyers, email other forms of electronic communication and the ‘Topmasts’ newsletter postcard are all quite low – possibly because of their recent The past year has been one of steady development for addition to the SNR, but also due to the fact that a majority of

6 the members joined before these were in place. officers, etc). Also of note are technical specialists, those Q2 Why did you join the Society? working in maritime heritage, or construction of boats and • Interest: 169 (32.2%) indeed model boats. • The Mariner’s Mirror: 107 (20.4%) • Research: 97 (18.5%) Q5 Which SNR services and publications have you accessed • Knowledge: 59 (11.2%) in the last 12 months? • The Mariners Mirror and Topmasts: 29 (5.5%) • The Mariner’s Mirror: 458 (87.2%) • Community: 25 (4.8) • SNR website: 379 (72.2%) • Meetings: 2 (0.4%) • Topmasts: 364 (69.3%) • Forum : 92 (17.5%) Over 400 statements were submitted in response to this open • Events: 78 (14.9%) question, which provide a wealth of detailed information that • SNR Facebook page: 54 (10.3%) requires in-depth analysis. Responses include: • SNR Twitter page: 46 (8.8%) • SNR Grants 10 (1.9%) • Membership of a community of like- minded researchers. Unsurprisingly The Mariner’s Mirror comes out top with • To join a community of interest in maritime history. To regards to what people have accessed over the last 12 months, give more focus to what has been a lifelong interest in both online and in hard copy. The website and Topmasts also matters maritime. To provide a disciplinary ‘scaffolding’ have a significant following. Forum, events, twitter, Facebook, for developing maritime history interests. etc., all have access percentages of less than 20 per cent, but as • I have a lifelong interest in the sea and ships. I hope to these are relatively new channels, we would expect access to read interesting research into the history of merchant grow. shipping, particularly under sail. • After many years of legal practice, I am now working Q6 How many times have you attended the following SNR in legal history. I kept coming across articles in The sponsored events over the last five years? Mariner’s Mirror that I wanted to read, but as I live abroad, I couldn’t find The Mariner’s Mirror anywhere. The numbers for all events are relatively low, but further In desperation I searched the Internet, and found I analysis of the data is required to see whether there are overlaps could access it on line just by joining the SNR! Magic. in the groups attending different events. One factor that comes • Access to HMS Victory and The Mariner’s Mirror, to through strongly is location; a number of respondents mention help research for the biography of an RN seaman, 1803– difficulty in getting to the locations, usually because they live 21. outside the UK, or find it difficult to travel for various reasons • For maritime articles across all eras and especially medieval and sixteenth to eighteenth centuries and Research and Programme Committee maritime masculinities. The report was read by the chairman, David Davies. • Naval history and bibliography. I seek to be informed, It had been a particularly memorable and successful year for but not at scholarship level. I particularly enjoy the this committee, and it was a delight to be able to report book reviews. positively on their work. • I am interested in almost all aspects of maritime and It continues to meet three times a year, currently on the first naval history, and these topics are well covered by The Monday in February, June and October. Meetings take place Mariner’s Mirror. As an overseas subscriber, what I look on HQS Wellington on the Embankment, and we continue to for mostly are interesting articles and notes in The be very grateful to the Honorable Company of Master Mariner’s Mirror. Mariners, and to Angus Menzies, for allowing us to use this wonderful facility. Q3 What kind of membership do you have? • Full members 460 (87.6% of respondents) Committee membership • Student members 43 (8.2%) There have been no new additions to, or departures from, the committee this year. With the ‘elevation’ of our secretary, Q4 Which term best describes your interest in maritime Alistair Roach, to greater things as Hon. Secretary of the history? society, it was pleasing to announce that John Ross, a long- • Independent researcher: 182 (34.7%) serving member, has agreed to take over as secretary of the • Enthusiast: 150 (28.6%) committee, and to welcome him to the role. • Academic: 106 (20.2%) • Maritime sector (worked in or currently working in): Grants and conferences 46 (8.8%) One of the main elements of the committee’s work continues to • Heritage : 24 (4.6%) be the award of grants from the Anderson and Tomlinson • Model boat building: 5 (1%) Funds. The usual grants were made to the British Commission • Boatbuilder: 2 (0.4%) for Maritime History seminars at King’s College, London, and to the conference for New Researchers in Maritime History at The majority of members who responded see themselves as the University of Bristol; it was particularly gratifying to note either independent researchers (not affiliated to a university, the revival of this vitally important event after a worrying hiatus. but including those working in a different field within higher The remarkable thing about this year’s grant-awarding education). Those working in the maritime sector represent a process was the dramatic increase in the number of surprisingly small proportion especially when one considers applications. Compared to the average for recent years, this the original membership make up of the Society (Royal Naval more than doubled to 20. While this was a little disconcerting

7 at first, particularly in terms of the amount originally budgeted War during the Napoleonic Wars and the Social for, it was also deeply gratifying; for some time, one of the Expectations placed on them by Honour’. committee’s key objectives has been to increase awareness of Katherine Roscoe, a fellow at the Institute of Historical the existence of our grants, and to encourage more researchers Research and researching ‘The Aspects of Coercive to apply for them. There had been close liaison with the Labour’s Importance in the Maritime Infrastructure’, was Publications and Membership committee, which provided awarded £775 to assist her to travel to Australia to carry out additional publicity, and this strategy has clearly borne fruit. research and also to present a paper, ‘Connecting the If this level of interest is sustained, then there may well be Colony: Convicts, Lighthouses and Dockyards’ at a implications for future years in terms of the amounts that need workshop. to be allocated to these awards; but, as the chairman has written Phillip Reid, a post-doctoral student from Wilmington, in his recent piece in Topmasts, the Society’s very name USA, was awarded £350 (subject to supplying further establishes this as one of our principal priorities, if not the information) to assist in his research on ‘Old Technology principal priority, and it is therefore clearly something to be and the New World: The Ordinary Merchant Ship in the applauded and encouraged. British American Atlantic 1600–1800’. Following discussion, and the rejection of several of the applications for a variety of reasons, individual grants were The diversity of topics – and, indeed, the diversity of the made as follows: recipients – surely sends out a number of powerful and important signals. John Kuhn from State University of New York has been Finally, of course, the committee was gratified to note the awarded £550 towards his research on the ‘Cultural and success of the conference staged at Greenwich in September Material History of the Hammock’s Adoption by the 2017, in association with the Greenwich Maritime Centre. Navies of Post-Columbian Europe’. Much has been said and written about this event, for example in The Mariner’s Mirror and Topmasts, so it was not discussed Maritime History North was awarded £500 towards the at length in this report, but, as the original idea for such a conference on ‘The Battle of the Atlantic’. conference emerged originally from this committee, it was Maritime History North was awarded a further £300 noted that it was only fair to place on record the committee’s towards administration costs and general running of the complete satisfaction with the outcome. Following general organization. approbation from Council and the Finance and General John Bolt from the University of Portsmouth has been Purposes Committee, the committee is taking forward the awarded £600 to assist in his research on the ‘Service, proposal to hold a second conference, again with a partner Identity and Social Mobility in the Royal Marines, 1815– institution, namely the SS Great Britain, with a provisional date 1914’. in September 2019. Further details will be announced to Simon Hill, director of Liverpool Centre for Port and members via the usual channels. Maritime History, was awarded £1,000 towards researching ‘Hanoverian Liverpool’s Understudied Business: The The Anderson Medal[s] Whaling Trade 1750–1815’. At its meeting in October 2017, the judging subcommittee decided to award the Anderson Medal for a book published in Cerian Griffiths, a lecturer at Lancaster University, was 2016 to Innes McCartney of the University of Bournemouth awarded £750 towards her research into ‘The Royal Navy: for his book Jutland 1916: the Archaeology of a Naval The First Public Prosecutor’. Battlefield, published by Conway. Innes gave an excellent and Jake Dyble, Lewis Wade and Gijs Dreijer, all PhD students very well-received talk related to the subject of his book at the at Exeter University, were awarded £200 each to attend the National Maritime Museum on 26 April. 2018 Datini-ESTER Advanced Seminar on ‘Global This year, following positive feedback about its first Exchanges and Maritime Trades’. ‘outing’ last year, the system of having a small ‘subcommittee’ They are all presenting papers at the conference, Dyble on of volunteers to judge the entries for the Anderson Medal ‘Deception and Collusion in Livornese Average Cases continued. At the recent meeting on 4 June, the following titles about 1600–1800’, Wade on ‘Maritime Trade and State were shortlisted, with the winner to be decided at our October Regulation: Maritime Averages in France during the meeting: Seventeenth Century’ and Dreijer on ‘General Average and the Development of Legal Institutions in the Southern The Royal Navy in Eastern Waters: Linchpin of victory Netherlands: Fifteenth–Nineteenth Centuries’. 1935–1942 by A. Boyd, published by Seaforth Publishing. Cheryl Fury, professor at the University of New Kings of the Sea: Charles ll, James ll and the Royal Navy by Brunswick, Canada, was awarded £800 towards her J. D. Davies, published by Seaforth Publishing. research into ‘That Implacable East India Neptune: Health The First Atlantic Liner: Brunel’s Great Western steamship Care in the English East India Company 1601–25’. by H. Doe, published by Amberley Publishing. Elizabeth Libero, a PhD student at the University of The Admiralty Sessions 1536–1834 by G. Durston, Portsmouth, was awarded £500 to attend the American published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Society for 18th Century Studies at Orlando, USA, and also for her to present a paper on ‘For the Good of His The Aberdeen Line: George Thompson Jnr’s incomparable Majesty’s Service: Concepts of Professionalism, Valour, shipping enterprise by P. H. King, published by The History Judgement and Enterprise in the Court Marshal of Sir Press. Henry Popham’. The Shipwreck Hunter: A lifetime of extraordinary Kelsey Power, a PhD student at King’s College London, discoveries on the ocean floor by D. L. Mearns, published was awarded £438 to assist in her researching ‘Prisoners of by Atlantic Books (Allen and Unwin).

8 The committee is pleased to record that, following the all his hard work on the committee’s behalf; best wishes, from institution of a second Anderson award, in this case for lifetime all the members, go with him as he takes on his new role. achievement (as reported to last year’s AGM), the presentation to the first recipient, Professor John Hattendorf, took place at Heritage and Historic Craft Committee the Greenwich conference last September. The report was made by its chairman, Richard Bateman. The Heritage and Craft Committee’s remit is to oversee all Broader aspects of the committee’s remit aspects of the Society’s activities related to matters of maritime It is both appropriate and important to repeat the statement heritage and historic craft, to make recommendations to that was made at this point in last year’s report. Council on policy and to provide advice on national and For some time, it has been felt that, in addition to its regular international developments in this field. annual work of awarding grants and the Anderson Medals, the Discharging the committee’s remit over the last year has committee ought to become more proactive with regard to a been achieved in a variety of ways and through the monitoring number of the broader aspects of its remit, which have always of numerous projects, including the following. been set out in its terms of reference: HMS ‘Victory’ 1 To lead the Society’s encouragement of nautical research The SNR continues to support HMS Victory through its Save in all its aspects including nautical archaeology and the Victory Fund. While some conservation work continues, technical history and its encouragement of high it is understood that current efforts are focused on the new standards in nautical research and education. propping system for the hull. Presentations attended over the 2 To recommend to Council projects in nautical research last year, on the work being carried out on HMS Victory and worthy of support. in respect of the events held on board, have been of a con - 3 To identify for Council neglected areas of nautical sistently high order and have thoroughly engaged those research. attending. There will be an opportunity later in the meeting to 4 Where necessary to propose to Council new nautical hear further about these, through the presentation due to be research projects. given by the National Museum of the Royal Navy. 5 To lead the Society’s promotion of public and government awareness of the importance of the HMS ‘Victory’ Cutter maritime past, nautical research as a discipline and work HMS Victory’s cutter has not been operational since 2012. being carried out in the field. However, former Sailing Master Keith Chittenden, in 6 To draw up and administer the Society’s programme of conjunction with former members of the cutter’s crew, has conferences, lectures, and symposia to develop the above now completed a history of its operation which was published objectives. during the last year. It has been well received and copies have 7 To establish and maintain the Society’s contacts with been presented to a number of interested organizations. other organizations in related fields, to encourage Copies of the history were also presented to former cutter crew communication between them, to encourage members in January this year at a commemorative lunch organizations with similar interests and to maintain constructive liaison. HMS ‘Victory’ 1744 Policy on this project continues to be a matter for SNR’s The most notable manifestation of this in the past year was the Council. The role of the committee has been to keep a society’s conference, The State of Maritime Research, and the watching brief only and monitor the complex and proposal for a second conference on a similar scale, to be held controversial developments concerning this project during the in conjunction with the SS Great Britain, both referred to year, which it has continued to do. above. Additionally, the committee feels that, at least as far as its HMS ‘Caroline’ provision of grants and awards is concerned (and acting upon Caroline is the last remaining British First World War light our principal remit, above, of encouraging ‘high standards in cruiser still afloat and the sole survivor of the battle of Jutland. nautical research and education’), the SNR ought to look The National Museum of the Royal Navy and the Department beyond its traditional focus on the university sector, and above of Enterprise Trade and Investment have worked as partners all, that it should attempt to ‘spread the word’ about both its to restore and interpret HMS Caroline, a lone survivor and work, and maritime research more generally, among younger living legend. With the help of a grant of £11.5 million from generations. Consequently, the committee is currently actively the Heritage Lottery Fund, the ship opened to all for the first investigating the feasibility of providing a prize of some sort time in June 2016, in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast. for an A level student who produces one of the relatively new EPQs (= Extended Project Qualifications). HMS ‘Unicorn’ It is understood that the condition of this vessel is still a matter Co-operation with the Publications Committee for concern and we are currently ascertaining what steps are There was nothing further to add to comments in last year’s being taken to address this. report, except to say that such co-operation is ongoing, and continues to benefit both committees and the wider work of HMS ‘Invincible’ the society. Artefacts recovered from the wreck of HMS Invincible, which sank in the Solent in 1758, were put on display in Poole earlier Conclusion in the year. Thanks are given to all members of the committee, for their Part-funded by money from a LIBOR grant, Bournemouth support and hard work during the course of the year. Special University, alongside partner organizations, The Maritime thanks once again, and for the final time, to Alistair Roach for Archaeology Sea Trust and the National Museum of the Royal

9 Navy, excavated a selection of finds from the wreck. vessel assessment framework. His often timely interventions have, in many cases, been directly responsible for saving and Steam Pinnace 199 conserving significant collections or individual craft that would The committee is pleased to learn that this vessel is now afloat otherwise have been lost. and looks forward to her return to full operational status. It is pleasing to report that he was present on HMS Victory, accompanied by his wife, to receive the award of the medal. Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust Over the last year, the committee has taken the opportunity It was reported last year that the committee was delighted to to review its membership, with a view to increasing its learn that the trust had been granted £2.4 million in LIBOR outreach, resulting in links with three other bodies. It has been funding for its ‘Memorial Fleet’ project, which would create pleased to welcome Hannah Cunliffe, director of National an operational fleet of small craft, which had played a Historic Ships (UK) and Nick Ball, assistant curator of ship significant role in the defence of the nation during the models at the National Maritime Museum, as ex-officio twentieth century. members. It has also been pleased to welcome the honorary Maintenance work continues on vessels under their care and archivist of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, John particular note has been taken that a 40-f00t long African Tough, as a full member. mahogany tree, a metre in diameter, has been delivered, for the All members of the committee are thanked for their support building of an operational replica of a 1919 Coastal Motor over the last year. Without their enthusiasm, the work of the Boat. committee could not go forward. Our secretary, Janice Gooch, had to step down shortly after the last AGM, owing to the Dunkirk Little Ship ‘Count Dracula’ pressure of other commitments, and a record of thanks should This vessel was originally a German admiral’s barge and be given to Keith Chittenden, for so willingly stepping into the somehow survived into private British ownership when the breach since. German fleet was scuttled at Scapa Flow in 1918. During Operation Dynamo, she ferried more than 700 troops from the 6 Report by the Hon. Editor of The Mariner’s Mirror beaches at Dunkirk to larger vessels waiting offshore. Martin Bellamy reported on the articles published between £10,000 has been provided for the protection and repair of this August 2017 and May 2018 (2016–2017) vessel and the last report received was that immediate work Date Naval Maritime Total was likely to take until 2019 to complete. The vessel received Classical World 0 (0) 1 (1) 1 ( 1) some publicity during the year in a BBC television programme, Med./16th c. 1 (1) 0 (1) 1 ( 2) along with the Bristol Pilot Cutter, Kindly Light, owned by 17th c. 3 (1) 2 (0) 5 ( 1) SNR Victory Medallist, Malcolm McKeand. 18th c. 1 (3) 3 (0) 4 ( 3) 19th c. 3 (3) 0 (2) 3 ( 5) HMS ‘Warrior’ 20th c. 3 (4) 2 (1) 5 ( 5) This vessel is now under the care of the National Museum of Total 11 (12) 8 (5) 19 (17) the Royal Navy. Other Materials The Plymouth Collection Notes 9 ( 13) Last year the committee’s attention was drawn to the closure Documents 2 ( 3) of the Plymouth City Council Museum/Art Gallery/ Correspondence 0 ( 0) Reference Library and the development of a new ‘Plymouth Obituaries 5 ( 6) History Centre’, due to open in 2020. A significant feature of Reviews 68 (81) this is the figureheads in the Devonport Collection. It has not Short notices 0 ( 1) been suggested that the SNR should become involved at this Society Business 1 ( 1) stage but the committee continues to monitor developments. Last year there was a bias towards naval articles, but this has Award of the Victory Medal balanced out to a certain degree this year. It was also was the For many years, the Society awarded its Victory Medal to first time in several years where we had articles in each of the deserving individuals and shipwrights whom in the judgement chronological periods, and this has continued into this year as of the Society have served HMS Victory and assisted in her well. We also had our first article that touched on twenty-first- conservation. More recently, the award has been extended to century matters with an assessment of the Principal War deserving individuals, whom in the judgement of the Society Officers course. As always there is an inevitable bias towards have assisted in the conservation of other historic ships, the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. however constructed and whether on a statutory list or not. The number of notes being received continues to be Following consideration by the committee and Council, this reasonably healthy, with a wide range of subjects and periods year’s award is being made to Captain George Hogg (RN, covered which help to balance the subject and chronological retd). spread of the articles. Notes ranged from an eighteenth- Captain Hogg served in the Royal Navy for 37 years. He is century shipwright’s journal to a Russian minelayer in the First a keen maritime historian and was honorary curator of the World War and the marine artist Thomas Luny. Cornwall Maritime Museum from 1993 until the creation of As before, a small number of ‘documents’ were published the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, in 1998, where he along with a brief commentary to explain their significance. Of was one of the first trustees. particular interest this year was a journal of a visit to Russian He has a wealth of knowledge about the UK’s smaller America by the Russian admiral S. O. Makarov, which has historic craft and has always been generous with his time, made this material available to an English-speaking audience sitting on the National Historic Ships UK Registration for the first time. Working Group, for a number of years, to help develop a new The number and range of submissions continues to be

10 healthy with a considerable number of notes and articles seconded and passed unanimously. received from the Unites States and Spain. For the first time an article by an author from Montenegro was also published. 11 Re-appointment of Auditors Kingston-Smith The journal continues to appear to be a very white- and It was proposed, seconded and passed unanimously that these male-dominated publication, with only five female authors in auditors be re-appointed. the last year and, as far as can be told, none from an ethnic minority. It would be advantageous to work towards 12 Presentation by Professor Dominic Tweddle, director increasing this diversity in future years to more accurately general of the National Museum of the Royal Navy reflect the breadth of diversity currently working in the field A brief overview was given regarding the museum’s current of maritime history. and future work. This included the development of major new Considerably fewer reviews were published this year and exhibitions and interpretations and future plans for the unfortunately Reviews Editor Steven Gray had to step down. refurbishment of the Fleet Air Arm’s museum at Yeovilton, I am pleased to welcome Innes McCartney as the new reviews Somerset and a multi million pound complex to be created in editor, who will be taking over as of the November issue. We Plymouth with a permanent museum at Devonport. The hope to get nearer to the challenging target of approximately museum had had a record- breaking year for visitor numbers, 20 reviews per issue. with a footfall through its sites of 1.4 million people. Paula Turner has continued to prove invaluable as Portsmouth alone had over 965,000 visitors bringing an administrative editor, typesetting the journal and providing the estimated £110 million to the local economy. technical assistance needed to ensure that The Mariner’s Mirror appears on time every quarter. HMS ‘Caroline’ The publishing partnership with Taylor and Francis The second phase of Caroline’s restoration had been completed continues to prove extremely beneficial in boosting the global and she was now fully open to the public along with the profile of The Mariner’s Mirror and income from royalties restored Alexandra Dock which forms part of the Titanic remains very healthy. The number of institutional subscribers Quarter in Belfast. continues to grow and is currently around 2,500. Around 30,000 articles are downloaded every year. LCT 7074 The social media presence of The Mariner’s Mirror This landing craft is the last vessel of its type surviving in the continues to grow, with new content being announced and UK from the Second World War and is also a sole survivor and discussed on Twitter and images from articles appearing a campaign veteran of the D-Day landings. There is a £5 regularly on Instagram. million project in hand involving the craft’s condition and The Editorial Board met in December and the support and conservation and she has benefitted from LIBOR money and advice from its members is very much appreciated. Three new a grant from the National Memorial Heritage Fund. appointments were made to the Editorial Board this year: Innes McCartney, Hanna Hagmark-Cooper and James HMS ‘Invincible’ (1744) Goldrick. Artefacts from the wreck have been donated to the museum for display and a wider project called ‘Diving Deep: the HMS 7 To determine the annual subscription rates from 1 Invincible 1744 Project’ is now underway. This project is a January 2019 partnership with the Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust (MAST), No change was proposed. the museum itself, and Bournemouth University. The remit is to archaeologically excavate record, conserve and display the 8 To elect the offices of the Society for the year remains of the shipwreck and the project is supported by the commencing 1 July 2018 National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund. The following nominations have been received: ‘Spitfires of the Sea’ For Chairman: Admiral Sir Kenneth Eaton There is a plan for a major new £1 million permanent gallery For Hon. Secretary: Alistair Roach to be developed depicting Coastal Forces, called Spitfires of the For Hon. Treasurer: Peter Nash Sea, which will be at Gosport’s Explosion Museum of Naval For Hon. Editor: Martin Bellamy Firepower. It will incorporate the recently saved CMB 331, one of the last 55-f00t Coastal Motor Boats produced by These officers were all proposed, seconded and voted in Thorneycrofts. No. 4 Boathouse is also producing a replica of unanimously. a First World War 40-foot CMB in its workshops.

9 Vice-Presidents 13 Presentation by Andrew Baines, deputy director of It was confirmed that during 2017 David Davies was elected Heritage at the National Museum of the Royal Navy. as a vice-president in place of A. P. McGowan who had died It was reported that the new ‘Historic Ships Conservation on 3 June 2016. Structure’, that relates to the various staff positions held within the organization, was virtually complete. Nick Ball, previously 10 To re-elect two members of counciland to elect two the assistant curator of ship models at the National Maritime further members of Council. Museum, had been appointed as the new archaeological data Ann Coats and Cathryn Pearce, whose elections were manager and he, with other staff, would be part of the reviewed in 2018, were re-elected. conservation team that would ensure all work is undertaken to The following nominations have been received: Nick the highest professional standards. Much of the work involved Hewitt in place of Justin Reay who resigned in December 2017 is set out in the National Historic Ships Conserving Historic and Stuart Bligh in place of Alistair Roach who becomes an Vessels which relates closely to the implementation of the officer of the Society. These nominations were proposed, HMS Victory ‘Conservation Management Plan’.

11 Stabilization of the ship’s structure is still a priority, The Lower Gun Deck continued to provide another superb particularly with the ongoing problem of addressing the venue and, since the last report, Lower Gun Deck dinners have problem of water ingress and painting. It was gratifying to included the Graham Gooch Scholarship Fund dinner, the report that a great deal of money was being saved by the use Society for Nautical Research AGM dinner, the Royal Navy of the in-house team for painting, as opposed to having to rely Benevolent Trust Charity dinner, Help for Heroes Charity on external contractors. dinner, North Hampshire Medical Fund Charity dinner, A ‘Heritage Impact Assessment’ was being undertaken for SERFCA dinner, HMS Victory Senior Rate’s Mess ladies’ all the proposed work that impacts on the fabric of the ship night, an NMRN VIP rum festival, HMS Alliance Charity and No. 2 dock, and in particular the ongoing task of installing fund-raising dinner, the Britannia Association Dinner, the the 134 props that will be the new support system of the hull. Royal College of Defence Studies Trafalgar Night dinner and Part of the assessment will be to record and manage the data the Navy Club of 1765 & 1785 dinner. MBDA, 1SL All Ranks resulting from the work and ongoing restoration of HMS Trafalgar Night dinner and HMS Victory SR Mess pickle night, Victory. It will also be used to oversee the development and the Friends of HMS Victory and the Royal Navy Museum implementation of the information data base plus the reception, Old Carthusian’s Nelson’s Chaplain dinner. associated archives. HMS Victory tours are always in demand and the ship has The ‘Conservation Management Plan’ is due for its seen a huge variety of visitors in the last year, including, VIP quinquennial review this year and the vision of the museum is tours for the HMS Victory Preservation Trust Trustees, Admiral for the ship to survive for at least the next 50 years as it is not Pitts USN, US Army 3* General, His Excellency Cheikh only a national asset but also one of international importance. Ahmadou Dieng Ambassador for Senegal, the Italian Ambassador, 2* Sri Lankan Officers, Admiral Mewbourne 14 Presentation by Lieutenant CommanderB. J. Smith, USN and Rear-Admiral Hahn USN, Vice-Admiral Ray USCG, Commanding Officer of HMS Victory the Duke of Devonshire and Admiral Piercey USN. 1* Quatari Lt Cdr Smith, the 101st Commanding Officer of HMS Victory, Delegation and the Fleet Commander and RFU guests. reported on the past year of Victory’s life, particularly with Other notable visitors to Victory have included army, RAF regard in terms of her ‘Defence Output’. He explained in his and Royal Navy units, CGRM presentation recipients, New introduction that although he had officially ‘retired’ he Entry chaplains, South Korean delegation, Indian FOST remained as CO as a full-time reserve service officer. He then delegation, RNZN officers, French Navy officers, Italian reflected on the amount and variety of functions, events and military band, International College of Policing, USCG Master tours that HMS Victory has delivered for the Royal Navy, for Chiefs, Pakistan National Defence University, Sea Scouts, wider defence and for defence related charities. HMS Perisher reunion, Peruvian navy cadets, Falklands War HMS Victory continues to have a lot of work done to her veterans, HMS Queen Elizabeth affiliates, Turkish police with the new support system coming into place, internal and officers, HMS Illustrious Reunion, Hampshire Fire Service, external painting and updates to the audio tours and International Maritime Communicators Course, Chilean naval presentation of the ship. officers, Defence Academy students, Alleyn’s School CCF, The Great Cabin, being the Royal Navy’s most prestigious BAE management, Southsea Fire and Rescue, NRCEE Diwali venue, is of course the jewel in HMS Victory’s crown and has students, Foreign Defence Attaches, Truro College, MoD Fast- provided the venue for the Second Sea Lord, our Admiral-in- stream Course, Polish Army, BAE US VIPs, National Charge, to present meritorious service medals and Maritime Information Centre, Netherlands Armed Forces commendations onboard. Young Professionals Network, Pussers Rum, EU Ops HQ The Royal Navy’s most senior course, the Com manding German officers, CPNI representatives, DSTL NATO Officers’ Designate Course and its most difficult, the ‘Perisher’ delegates, Southampton Royal Naval Officers Association, Submarine Command Course, have both used the Great Cabin Royal Marines Association, RNRU and RAN rugby teams, as the centrepiece to ‘launch’ courses this year and it was also US Air War College, British Embassy Tbilisi, Under-18s used for ceremonies for recipients of the First Sea Lord’s England and Ireland rugby teams, RNRMC, HMS Queen Greenwich Hospital Prize. The Great Cabin also saw the Elizabeth Associates, BAE F35 Team, UK Armed Forces supersession ceremony this year of the Second Sea Lord with Rugby Squad, Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force Vice-Admiral Sir Jonathan Woodcock handing over to Vice- delegation, Advanced Command and Staff Course students, Admiral Tony Radakin. the Gibraltar and HMS Neptune Field Gun teams and the Victory’s centrepiece events are the Great Cabin dinners that Indian Staff Course. take place at least monthly when seeking to win friends and Events held onboard and around HMS Victory have influence people, the Great Cabin is a dinner venue second to included filming by the National Museum of the Royal Navy, none. Great Cabin dinners have been held for held in support a reception for the launch of the NMRM Membership Scheme, of International Aid and Domestic Resilience, the Joint Bournemouth University filming, Rowans Hospice Starlight Expeditionary Force Maritime Operational Commanders, Walk, filming the BBC Pitch Battle, the SNMCMG2 Change Maritime Trade, the Dreadnought Submarine Supply Chain, of Command Ceremony and the Royal Navy Winter Sports the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and Navy Wings, Association drinks reception, the Great South Run, and a BBC Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers and Carrier Logistics and Naval Radio Solent interview on Naval Superstitions. Filming for Service Ethics Studies and 2SL’s Trafalgar Night Dinner whose BBC Civilisations, Rebecca Nelson singing in Hardy’s Cabin, guests included the Secretary of State for Defence and all of the 2SL MSM presentation ceremony, RNRU Mariners Shirt Armed Forces Ministers. European Heads of Navies Channel presentation, and 2SL Supersession ceremony. Commanders’ Conference, the Executive Oversight Council In conclusion, while HMS Victory and her ship’s company and Science and Technology, Google UK, the Navy Board, the continue to deliver a significant defence output, five years since Armed Forces Covenant, Humanitarian Aid and Disaster her gifting to the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the Relief, Vice-Admiral Terry Benedict USN, the Year of working relationship with the NMRN is continuing to develop Engineering and Catering and Hospitality. and grow stronger than ever.

12 15 Fellows of the Society elected since AGM 2017 Byrne McLeod was Hon. Secretary of the Society from 2013– James Goldrick has been the Society’s Overseas 18, and during that time she took the lead in many projects, Corresponding Member for Australia for many years. His including the archive analysis which enabled many members distinctions as an author include winning the Society’s to contribute to the availability of over 100 year’s worth of Anderson Medal, and an impressive bibliography of authored articles, notes and documents on the Society’s website. In and edited works. He has a number of significant academic addition she organized a review of the Society’s archive at the appointments, including Commander Joint Education, National Maritime Museum which has made it fit for purpose Training and Warfare. and available to researchers.

H. J. K. Jenkins has contributed over 110 articles, notes and 16 Any other business reviews to both The Mariner’s Mirror and Topmasts over 45 The Chairman invited the members present to join him on years. His two key areas of work are the Fenland Lighter board HMS Victory for the presentation of the Victory medal Project, founded in 1978, and the study of French privateering to George Hogg and the Centenary Medal to Susan Rose. in Guadeloupe in the Revolutionary and French wars, work There being no further business the meeting was closed. which has been published in both England and France. ALISTAIR ROACH, HON. SECRETARY 15 August 2018

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