Company Treasures

Inscribed on one side:

The officers of the 44th. Regt.

to Captain S Potter Ship Athletce

in token of their esteem for him

and acknowledgement of his

kindness to them during the

Chinese War of

1860

 and round the base:

 Presented to the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights by Ralph Slazenger, Esqre. on his admission to the Livery, October 1907.

 “Athletce” is in fact a mis-spelling (probably by a Chinese engraver misreading European script) of  “Atheletae”, a ship rigged wooden vessel of 988 tons built inNew Brunswickin 1854 and owned by Wilson & Co ofLondon. She is believed to have carried the 44th. Regiment fromMadrastoHong Kongearly in 1860, and may have accompanied it during the rest of the campaign againstChina. The Regiment distinguished itself in capturing the Taku Forts, winning two Victoria Crosses;  and later became the East Essex Regiment, itself later merged in the Essex Regiment, now part of the East Anglian Regiment.

Captain Ralph Slazenger, late of the 4th. Dragoon Guards, became Sheriff of London 1909-1910

Parcel gilt decorated tankard,  with serpent handle, but no lid.   Weight: 43 ozs.   Height: 9.1/2 ins.  Made inChina (Chinese mark on base)

(027/1907)

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