28th Apr, 2010 12:00

Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Undaunted)

 
  Lot 49
 

49

[M] AN 18TH-CENTURY IRON-BOUND DOME CHEST,...

AN 18TH-CENTURY IRON-BOUND DOME CHEST, FORMERLY BELONGING TO ADMIRAL CLARK GAYTON
constructed in pine with decorated iron strapping, lock plate and end handles -- 29½ x 46 x 25in. (75 x 117 x 63.5cm.); together with a watercolour by Anna Maria Gayton after Hoppner's portrait of Gayton in the NPG; an admission disc to the R.A. and two newspapers with anecdotes of Gayton
(5)

Admiral Clark Gayton (1712-1784) was the son of a sailor and elder brother of George Gayton (1724-97) who became a Vice Admiral. He enjoyed a steady naval career and his most significant deployment came in May 1774 when he left England, with his flag in the Antelope (54), to take command of the Jamaica station, where, during 1776 and 1777, he had frequent and troublesome correspondence with the French commodore at Cap François, and with the French governor, concerning right of search and alleged breaches of neutrality. Like his fellow station commanders on the American coast, Gayton lacked the number of ships required to stop supplies from reaching the American revolutionaries. Having been promoted Vice-Admiral in February 1776, in April 1778 he returned to England in the Antelope. Gayton was in poor health and his ship in poor condition. On the way they met a larger warship, initially mistaken for an enemy vessel. As his crew beat to quarters, Gayton, who was too ill to stand, encouraged them by a celebrated remark: I cannot stand by you, but will sit and see you fight as long as you please. He saw no further active service and, although promoted to full Admiral, died in 1784. According to the Telegraph, 18th November 1886 (copy with this lot), Gayton had a habit of keeping his possessions and money with him at all times: ...he had several chests of dollars belonging to himself, proceeds of the sale of American prizes. His friends pointed out the inconvenience of transporting specie and advised him to remit his property in bills. "No.. I know nothing so valuable as money itself and should be a fool to part with it for paper.."

Provenance: Admiral Clark Gayton and thence by descent.

Sold for £992
Estimated at £500 - £800

(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)


 
AN 18TH-CENTURY IRON-BOUND DOME CHEST, FORMERLY BELONGING TO ADMIRAL CLARK GAYTON
constructed in pine with decorated iron strapping, lock plate and end handles -- 29½ x 46 x 25in. (75 x 117 x 63.5cm.); together with a watercolour by Anna Maria Gayton after Hoppner's portrait of Gayton in the NPG; an admission disc to the R.A. and two newspapers with anecdotes of Gayton
(5)

Admiral Clark Gayton (1712-1784) was the son of a sailor and elder brother of George Gayton (1724-97) who became a Vice Admiral. He enjoyed a steady naval career and his most significant deployment came in May 1774 when he left England, with his flag in the Antelope (54), to take command of the Jamaica station, where, during 1776 and 1777, he had frequent and troublesome correspondence with the French commodore at Cap François, and with the French governor, concerning right of search and alleged breaches of neutrality. Like his fellow station commanders on the American coast, Gayton lacked the number of ships required to stop supplies from reaching the American revolutionaries. Having been promoted Vice-Admiral in February 1776, in April 1778 he returned to England in the Antelope. Gayton was in poor health and his ship in poor condition. On the way they met a larger warship, initially mistaken for an enemy vessel. As his crew beat to quarters, Gayton, who was too ill to stand, encouraged them by a celebrated remark: I cannot stand by you, but will sit and see you fight as long as you please. He saw no further active service and, although promoted to full Admiral, died in 1784. According to the Telegraph, 18th November 1886 (copy with this lot), Gayton had a habit of keeping his possessions and money with him at all times: ...he had several chests of dollars belonging to himself, proceeds of the sale of American prizes. His friends pointed out the inconvenience of transporting specie and advised him to remit his property in bills. "No.. I know nothing so valuable as money itself and should be a fool to part with it for paper.."

Provenance: Admiral Clark Gayton and thence by descent.
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