NAVAL RELICS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1931, Page 6

NAVAL RELICS

NELSON’S FLAGSHIP.

PIECES OF. PANELLING

Only two pieces of tlie original panel, ling of ■ the saloon of H.M.S. Foudro.yant, Lord Nelson’s flagship before lie took over the Victory, are stated to be in New Zealand. One of* the pieces has within the last few days come into tlie possession of Mr W. A. Gunn, of Christchurch, who will be remembered as the man who sought some time ago to obtain a. suitable yacht with which to compete in the trans-Tasman race. The other piece of panelling is in the possession to? Mi J. K. Menzies, of R o slyn, Dunedin. The Foudroyant met her fate many years ago in a storm off the harbour at Blackpool. She was anchored out in tlie stream, and was under police guard. Souvenir hunters were, eager in their search for flotsam after the vessel had become a total wreck in the storm, but only a few pieces were washed ashore. One of them was picked up by Mr A. Clegg, who was then a schoolmaster in England and who is at present in Christchurch. A part of the bulwark of the Foudroyant is also in the possession of Mr Gunn. The wood, which measures about fourteen inches by twelve, has been fashioned into a tea-trav. The dark-grained wood is in a fine state of preservation. Mr Gunn states that the relics may he seen by anyone interested at /8 Street.