Cornwallis Remembered: HMS Pickle coming to Lymington

HMS Pickle intends to be arriving in Lymington Harbour on the afternoon of Thursday 4th June, and it will remain in dock on the 5th and 6th July.

The story of HMS Pickle “shifts the focus of naval warfare in the age of Nelson from great fleets, frigate actions and outsize heroes to the essence of sea power, the quiet connections that linked admirals to the Admiralty, fleets to bases, and defeated the greatest of Napoleon’s schemes without firing a shot.” Andrew Lambert.

click image to enlarge

In 1803 Pickle was attached to the fleet of ten sail of the line and some frigates under Admiral William Cornwallis, Commander-in-Chief of the Channel Fleet, which sailed from Plymouth with orders to cruise off Ushant and watch the French fleet in Brest Harbour.

Pickle had three main roles: communications - carrying despatches between Cornwallis and the Admiralty; work with the Channel Fleet’s Inshore Squadron both close observation of the enemy and interception of the enemy’s coastal craft; and finally rescue – coming to the aid of damaged and stricken ships in Cornwallis’ fleet such as the Atalante and the Magnificent. 

Admiral Sir William Cornwallis was Milford’s most distinguished resident and his outstanding achievements are being commemorated on 5th July in Milford-on-Sea in a programme of events called Cornwallis Remembered. There will be a commemorative service at All Saints Church followed by refreshments and entertainment on the village green where it will be possible to enjoy a recreation of the arrival of news of the victory at Trafalgar with a two-horse post chaise. Incidentally, that news was first carried from Trafalgar by HMS Pickle.

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Cornwallis Remembered Weekend: 

Friday 5th July 2019: includes a family friendly celebration on Milford on Sea village green and much more. Keep the date free!

Click here for event details.