The Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund was originally established as the
with engraved borders and applied with naval trophies and fouled
Patriotic Fund and inaugurated at a meeting on 28 July 1803 at
anchors, the former framing respectively the figures of Hercules
Lloyd’s Coffee House. On previous occasions Lloyd’s had raised
and the Hydra, the Nemean lion, and a neo-classical nude wrestling
money for casualties and their dependants, but its Patriotic Fund
a tiger on an anchored leash beneath the inscription ‘Coutts 1804’.
received support from all over the British Empire. In fact, by March
Fitted with two suspension rings, the top edge of the scabbard
1804 the fund had received over £174,000 – a massive amount by
locket signed by the cutler R. Teed, Sword Cutler, Lancaster Court,
the standards of the day. The Patriotic Fund Committee not only
Strand. Fitted with curved single-edged hollow-ground blade
granted money to the wounded and gave annuities to dependants,
profusely etched and gilt against a bright blued ground, decorated
but also rewarded those who distinguished themselves with
with foliage including roses, acorns and shamrocks, a naval trophy,
‘successful exertions of value or merit’.
the patriotic figures of Britannia and Hope, the former with a pair of cherubs supporting garlands above and with a conch shell
The rewards took the form of a piece of plate, a sword or a cash sum.
below; also including the crowned arms and cypher of George III,
A competition was organized for the design of these rewards and
a cornucopia supported by Mermen above, and the presentation
though no prize was given for the winning design of the sword, the
inscription:
contract for making them was given to Richard Teed of Lancaster Court, Strand, London. Three types of sword were awarded: one
‘From The Patriotic Fund At Lloyds To R. Torin Esqr. Com.ng
of £100 value would be given to commanders and naval captains,
The H.E.I. Co.s Ship Coutts, One Of The Fleet Of Merchantmen
a £50-sword was given to naval lieutenants and Royal Marine
Which On The 15th. Feby. 1804 Defeated And Pursued A
captains and a £30-sword was awarded to midshipmen, masters’
Squadron Of French Men Of War Under Command Of Adl.
mates and marine lieutenants.
Linios In The Marengo Of 84 (sic) Guns, As Recorded In The Gaz.te Of The 11th Aug.t.’
The ormolu neo-classical stirrup-hilt is formed with quillons as Romanic fasces, the knuckle guard as the club of Hercules
The hilt, the blade and the scabbard each retain most of their
entwined with a snake and retains its original sword-knot of gilt
original bright blued and brilliant gilt finish. The committee
bullion and blue silk. The langets are cast with acanthus foliage and
awarded Robert Torin this sword for his heroism on 14 August 1804,
applied with naval trophies, the back-piece is cast as the pelt of the
though it was not delivered to him by Teed until 20 December later
Nemean lion and encloses the chequered ivory grip. In its original
that year.
fish-skin-covered and ormolu-mounted scabbard, the mounts
Dance's action in the Strait of Malacca, 14 February 1804 by William Adolphus Knell, oil on canvas, BHC0533, © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
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