A SILVER TANKARD PRESENTED TO CAPTAIN A.J. KINGSTON R.N., H....

Estimate

£600 - £800

A SILVER TANKARD PRESENTED TO CAPTAIN A.J. KINGSTON R.N., H.M.S. PERSEUS, NAGASKI, 1864

plain tapering tankard with scroll handle and glass bottom, the front inset with Japanese gold koban -- 1½ x ⅞in. (3.5 x 2.5cm.) and inscribed Captain A.J. Kingston R.N. H.M.S. PERSEUS, From His Sincere Friend Thomas B. Glover ESQ. Nagasa ki [sic] June 7th 1864 -- 4¾in. (12cm.) high, 616g.

Perseus was one of eight 'Cameleon' Class wooden screw sloops designed by Isaac Watts. Built at Pembroke Dockyard with 614hp engines supplied by George Rennie & Sons she was launched in 1861, completed fitting at Devonport the following year and was in the Steam Reserve until 1863 when Commander Augustus Kingston commissioned her for service in the Far East. Following attacks by the Japanese on foreign legations she took part in several bombardments, attacks and even an attempted cutting out operation and, to punish the Prince of Satsuma for dishonoring the flag, proceeded to burn several vessels and engage shore batteries during which Perseus' accurate gunnery proved very effective. As a display of strength, from April 1864 she visited several ports including Nagasaki in May and June when this tankard was presented, presumably by a British merchant relieved that order had been restored. Remaining on the China Station based at Honk Kong for several years thereafter, she returned to Britain and became a training ship in 1886, re-named Defiance II in 1904 and was finally broken up in 1931.

Glass needs resealing.