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Captainˇ¦s speaking trumpet |
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In the old days, there was no broadcasting system on a ship, the captain had to stand on the quarterdeck or bridge and shout his orders through a speaking trumpet. In the days of sail they would then be relayed by the bosun using his call ˇV a beautiful example of which is in our collection. This fine silver speaking trumpet was used by the captain of a National Steam Navigation Company Limited ship. The company was founded in Liverpool in 1863 and went into voluntary liquidation in 1914. |
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Red Rover |
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On 11th March, the museum was very pleased to receive a donation of an oil painting of the first opium clipper, the Red Rover, from Mr Anthony Nightingale on behalf of the Jardine Matheson Limited. Built in Calcutta for Capt. William Clifton and his employers, Alexander & Co, the Red Roverˇ¦s design was thought to be inspired by the French built American schooner and privateer, Prince de Neufchâtel.
Launched in 1829, the clipper made its first, history creating voyage to China against the NE Monsoon in December that year, completing the round trip voyage in 86 days and showing that 3 trips a year to China were possible, instead of the traditional one. This created a massive increase in opium imports and a concomitant outflow of silver from China and eventually precipitated the Opium Wars. In 1846, Jardine Matheson bought the Red Rover. Red Rover made a noteworthy passage from China to Bengal in 1834 in only 23 days, 19 hours, and another voyage from Calcutta to Lintin in 18 days. Such remarkable speed made this clipper a good moneymaker until it was lost at sea in the 1860s. |
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