ANTIQUE 20thC BRITISH SOLID SILVER & WOOD 'H.M.S MAJESTIC' BOX c.1905

DESCRIPTION

Antique early 20thC British solid silver & wood large presentation box, of very impressive size and heavy gauge, bound by two sterling silver straps and diamond shaped escutcheon. Hallmarked English silver (925 standard), Chester, year 1905 (E), Maker's mark Stokes & Ireland Ltd (William Henry Stokes & Arthur George Ireland)

The lid engraved 'This Casket made from a plank of H.M.S Majestic's Quarted Deck is presented to Mrs C.E Kingsmill by the ship's company as a souvenir of her husbands successful command of H.M.S Majestic, January 1905 to March 1906.'

MS Majestic, a pre-dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy, belonged to the Majestic-class. She was commissioned in 1895 and held the distinction of being the largest pre-dreadnought vessel of her time. Initially, she served with the Channel Fleet until 1904, at which point she was reassigned to the Atlantic Fleet. By 1907, she became a part of the Home Fleet, first with the Nore Division and later with the Devonport Division. Starting in 1912, she joined the 7th Battle Squadron.

As World War I erupted, HMS Majestic, along with the rest of her squadron, played a crucial role in the early stages by serving with the Channel Fleet. Subsequently, she was deployed for escort duties, safeguarding Canadian troop convoys. She then assumed roles as a guard ship at the Nore and the Humber. In early 1915, she was dispatched to the Mediterranean to take part in the Dardanelles Campaign. There, she contributed to the bombardment of Turkish forts and provided support during the Allied landings at Gallipoli. Tragically, on May 27, 1915, she fell victim to a U-boat torpedo attack at Cape Helles, ultimately sinking with the loss of 49 crew members.

Admiral Sir Charles Edmund Kingsmill, CMG (July 7, 1855 – July 15, 1935), born in Canada, was a distinguished naval officer who held the notable distinction of being the inaugural director of the Department of the Naval Service of Canada. His extensive career in the Royal Navy concluded with a pivotal contribution to the formation of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in 1910. Alongside Rear-Admiral Walter Hose, he is widely regarded as one of the principal figures instrumental in establishing the foundation of the Royal Canadian Navy, earning them the esteemed title of the "fathers of the Royal Canadian Navy."

CONDITION

In Great Condition - No Damage.

SIZE

Height: 11.5cm
Width: 33 x 14cm
Weight: 1490g