• Title
  Item 1: Sword said to have belonged to William Bligh
• Call number
  LR 5
  Status: On display. Objects Gallery. Case 2, Shelf 39
  
• Level of description
  item
• Date
  
  1790-1811
• Type of material
  Objects
• Reference code
  457688
• Issue Copy
  Digitised
• Physical Description
  1 sword - steel, brass, copper - 88.8 cm (with hilt)
  1 scabbard - leather, brass - 76 x 2.7 cm
  
• ADMINISTRATIVE/ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
  
  William Bligh, 1754-1817, was born in Plymouth, England on 9 September 1754, the son of a customs officer. In 1770 he joined the Royal Navy as an able seaman, rising to Midshipman the following year. His aptitude for navigation earned him appointment as Master of HMS Resolution on Captain James Cook's third voyage to the South Seas (1776-1780). In 1796 he was promoted to HMS 'Director', a 64-gun ship. On 11 October 1797 he commanded the 'Director' in the Battle of Camperdown when the British fleet under Admiral Duncan defeated the Dutch under Admiral de Winter. Bligh captured de Winter's flagship, 'Vrijheid', during the battle. It was reported that his performance showed that he 'could handle his ship and company with skill'. For further information on William Bligh and provenance please click on Main Record, Bligh Family Collection.
• Scope and Content
  Sword said to have belonged to William Bligh.
  
  Probably of French design, to be used by the Paris Militia. The blade was manufactured in Germany, possibly in Solingen.
  
  The sword is steel with brass fittings and has a brass stirrup hilt. The pommel is in the form of a lion's head; the mane running into the back-plate. The ornate bronze hilt appears to be of French design, and has a braided copper grip. The cross-piece and stirrup guard are fluted. On the reverse side of the hilt there is the appearance of a piece broken off. The blade is slightly curved, single-edged and flat backed. It has one long broad fuller and one short narrow fuller, and is decorated with stylised wreaths.
  
  The scabbard is black leather with two gilt brass lockets, each with a suspension ring. The tip is protected with a gilt brass chape. The scabbard fittings appear to be of British design and do no relate to the sword. Possibly taken from another sword, the suspension rings are attached back-to-front.
• Access Conditions
  
  Access via appointment
• Copying Conditions
  Out of copyright: Created before 1955
  Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
• Description source
  
  Additional information on the sword's manufacture and design was provided by Dan Collins, 2023.
• General note
  
  It has not proved possible to accurately date the sword. Bligh first entered the Navy in 1770, the Battle of Camperdown was fought in 1797, and S. Brunn was sword maker to HRH Prince of Wales from 1800-1811. It appears to be a hanger or cutlass sword, but it is unclear if the sword is a navy or presentation dress sword. The missing piece from the hilt may have provided extra protection for the hand and markings of a navy sword, but on its current presentation it appears to be a dress sword.
  
  The Bligh family have stated that the sword is believed to have been captured from Admiral de Winter at the Battle of Campderdown on 11th October, 1797 when the Dutch flagship, 'Vrijheid', surrendered to HMS 'Director' under Bligh's command. In the 'Copy of memorandum re the capture of Admiral de Winter's ship 'Vrijheid' during the Battle of Camperdown', ML Z Safe 1/39, William Bligh states, "Admiral Duncan gave Captain Bligh orders to take possession of the 'Vrijheid' which he did. Admiral de Winter was sent to Admiral Duncan and the next in command, Captain Lieutenant Sicame was sent to the 'Director' ...".Another sword reputed to have been owned by William Bligh is in the possession of the National Maritime Museum, London. This sword has been identified as of Dutch origin and is likely to have belonged to the Dutch Vice-Admiral Reijntjes in his flagship 'Jupiter', surrendered to William Bligh at the Battle of Campderdown. Sources: 'Copy of memorandum re the capture of Admiral de Winter's ship 'Vrijheid'e of Camperdown', ML Z Safe 1/39. Naval swords: British and American navel edged weapons, 1660-1815 by P.G.W. Annis, London, 1970. SRL N739.72/14.
  
  The naval officer's sword by Henry T.A. Bosanquet, London, 1955. SRL DS399/14. Swords for sea service by W.E. May and P.G.W. Annis, London, 1970. SRL NQ739.72/3-4. Mitchell index card catalogue for Realia. Australian Dictionary of Biography. Online edition.
  
  William Dixon's notes: "In order to present it I had it nickel-plated." (Source: WD notes on relics Sp.528)
  
  Copy Print : LR 5 available on open access in the Mitchell Library Reading Room
  Digital order no:Album ID : 946088
• Signatures / Inscriptions
  
  At the throat of the scabbard on the first locket is the inscription, "S. Brunn Sword Culter to his Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, 55 Charing Cross, London". The blade on the reverse side has the motto "Pour la patrie" (For the Fatherland). On the obverse side is "Vivre libre ou mourir" (To live free or die).
• Creator/Author/Artist
  Bligh, William, 1754-1817
  
• Topic
  ceremonial objects
  swords
  
• Exhibited in
  
  Possessed : an exhibition of treasures - State Library of New South Wales (4 March - 29 June, 1997)
  Museum of Sydney, Mar. 1995-Apr. 1996 - (March 1995 - April 1996)
• Open Rosetta viewer
  IE3151232

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