Trying to identify ship and/or photographer. Maybe the initials are the photographer. "J T 1858". Not even sure it's an English ship. Print size 20.5 cm x 15.8 cm.
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Hi, David. I checked with a former colleagues, Charles Miller, who is an expert in maritime history and runs Charles Miller Auctions which holds specialist maritime auctions. He also checked with ship figurehead specialist David Pulvertaft who wrote:
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You are right in all your assumptions as the ship is HMS Royal William - a First Rate of 120 guns, launched 2 April 1833 and served as such until 1859 when she was cut down to a two-decker of 72 guns and fitted with engines, etc.
Her figurehead was a standing figure of King William IV, crowned and in full ceremonial robes. When the ship was cut down to allow engines to be fitted, her figurehead was too large and was replaced by a bust of the king; the original figurehead being landed at Devonport where it was mounted at the south tip of the dockyard and welcomed back the ships of the Fleet from their various operations.
A few years ago, and to avoid deterioration, a replica was made to perform its welcoming duties and the original was conserved. It is now one of 14 warship figureheads displayed in the new Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery - The Box. For a brief summary of the history of this ship, your chum might like to find a copy of A Flight of Figureheads from British Warships at The Box, Plymouth [Amberley Publishing, 2020] - that I wrote in time for the museum being officially opened.
Your photograph of the ship is the best that I have seen of her before she was cut down so I have added it to my files.
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So it seems that the date is right, just before the ship was modified. There were a number of photographers based in Devonport, associated with the navy. Linnaeus Tripe was there (when he wasnt in India) and there are another ship pictures credited to him, HMS Duke of Wellington and a Devonport view. and this.
I suspect the initials are actually his, LT.
Dr Michael Pritchard
Hi Michael
Thank you. I had been trawling through the Wikipedia pages of "List of ships of the line of the Royal Navy" and this was on my shortlist but so much more information from your contact and with your experience. You're right too about initials LT not JT. I found the picture in a pile of old ephemera in a small provincial antique and bric a brac store and recognised just enough to know it was a high quality image of that period, though quite small. I'll do a proper scan now as the picture above is just an iPhone photo.
David Garcia
What a great find - congratulations!
NB. I've replaced original image with a better scan to show full photograph. Sadly it's got drawing pin holes and creases but it's clearly from a talented photographer.
David