An Unusual Royal Navy Campaign Cabinet Belonging To Captain J Stopford Rn

A rare and unusual Royal Navy campaign cabinet belonging to Captain James John Stopford RN.   Stopford came from a well known naval family, his father, Admiral Hon Sir Robert Stopford who had served with Nelson.   James John Stopford entered the Royal Navy on 14th February 1829 aged just 11.   In October 1837 he was promoted to Lieutenant and served on his father's ship, the CHARLOTTE.   Admiral Sir Robert Stopford, his father, was the and Earl of Courtown.  Admiral Sir Robert Stopford fought the Battle of the Glorious First of June in 1794 commanding the frigate HMS AQUILON.  During the battle he towed the MALBOROUGH out of the line and fire when she was dismasted and was thanked personally by Lord Howe.   In 1803 Sir Robert Stopford became Captain of HMS SPENCER in Nelson's fleet.  He saw many more battles and action  including taking part in the Battle of Copenhagen in 1806.     As a young Lieutenant on his father's ship, James would have heard his father's stories of his days with Nelson as the officers dined together.

 By 18th February 1840 James John Stopford was promoted to Commander.   He became a Rear Admiral on 4th June 1861.

Stopford was Commander in HMS ZEBRA, until it was wrecked during a gale off Haifa.  He was honourably acquitted in a court martial of all blame.   He later was the Captain on HMS AMAZON, and then HMS CALCUTTA and carrie out transport duties to and from the Baltic during the Crimean War.

As Commander on HMS ZEBRA he played a vital role in the attack upon Tortosa on 25th September 1840.

In 1863 he is shown in the London Gazette as moving from Rear Admiral of the Blue to Rear Admiral of the White.

The cabinet has handles either side clearly for being carried on and off the ship.   Inside the cabinet is lined with blackened tin and shelves .  Whilst a highly unusual piece of campaign furniture, it is most likely that the purpose was to smoke fish whilst on board - something only the Captain would have had his own cabinet for due to the limited space on board.  At the top is a vent that can be opened or closed.

Captain J Stopford RN's name is recorded on the rear as the owner.   The mahogany cabinet is of good colour and the backboards are wide - the centre board being 32 cm across.   It would be more common to have wider boards on furniture at the time, when supply was plentiful.  The cabinet stands over turned feet and is a truly rare survivor that would have travelled around the world as  Stopford went into battle and travelled to the Crimean War.

Measuring: Height 90 cm tall, 95 cm wide, 32 cm deep

English, c. 1840