Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Rare and Emotive Commemorative Object regarding the H.M.S. Eurydice Disaster, 24 March 1878.
In the form of a miniature ship’s capstan and made from the recovered oak timbers of the above. The hinged top with an inlaid brass disc inscribed, ‘HMS Eurydice Foundered March 24th 1878’. The inside of the lid and small compartment are lined in rich blue velvet, the latter with a raised/padded centre, external size 110mm high x 145mm diameter, some minor faults otherwise sound condition £140-£180

H.M.S. Eurydice when launched in 1843 was a sixth rate 26 gun frigate, later converted for training purposes but still sail powered. The ship was returning from a period of training in the West Indies and had made excellent time. On the afternoon of the 24 March 1878 just south of the Isle of Wight the ship, caught in a sudden snow storm and high winds, capsized. Only two Ratings survived: the Captain, M. A. S. Hare and fifteen other officers, 268 men, mostly trainees, 26 Marines, a Royal Engineer officer, 2 N.C.O.s and 4 Privates were all lost. All personnel are named on a large memorial at Haslar, Gosport. The ship was recovered and taken to Portsmouth where she was broken up.