Item:
ON5952

Original Napoleonic Spanish Cash Chest Captured by H.M.S. Minotaur at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805

Item Description

Original Item: One of a Kind. Just fabulous, a treasured relic from the great Battle of Trafalgar that took place on the 21st of October 1805 when Admiral Lord
NELSON defeated the combined fleets of both France and Spain and lost his life doing so. This famous battle saved England from Invasion and contributed to Napoleon Bonaparte's final defeat in 1815.

This is truly a "TREASURE CHEST". It measures 7" tall by 9' deep X 18" wide. It is beautifully constructed from wood and hand forged iron. It is heavily dovetailed and pegged. It bears an oval SILVER plaque to top stating:-

a Prize
Treasure casket of
Capt. DON CAYETANO VALDES Y FLORES
Taken from
NEPTUNO
by
The Officers and Men of
H.M.S. MINOTAUR
21st Oct. 1805

The Battle of TRAFALGAR of 1805 was a rout to the French and Spanish combined fleets.The Spanish 80 gun warship had a compliment of 800 men. In the battle the NEPTUNO was lead ship of the Spaniards but got surrounded by the British and virtually annihilated. She suffered 37 killed and 47 wounded including her Captain who was rendered unconscious. She struck her colors but two days later was lost in the great storm that followed the battle. The Spanish Captain survived, later fighting against the French and lived until 1835.

The British Man-o-War H.M.S. MINOTAUR had 74 guns and a compliment of 625 souls. In the battle she suffered 3 killed and 22 killed. She was commanded by CAPTAIN CHARLES JOHN MOORE MANSFIELD.

The most fascinating thing about this treasure Chest, which in truth I feel was more of a Petty Cash dispenser used on a War Ship is that when you open the lid there is a LARGE SILVER SPANISH COIN dated 1803 showing the profile of the SPANISH MONARCH KING CHARLES THE FOURTH screwed to the bottom plank. This rather bears out the old adage that the "Coffers were never empty".

I never thought I would ever part with this as one can argue this is a REAL TREASURE CHEST and from History's most famous English SEA BATTLE.

Wonderful and ready to display. A true PRIZE from one of the most legendary naval battles in history!

  • This product is available for international shipping.
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