The Dusty Archive

Naval Re-enactment

by Paul Chamberlain


Have you ever fancied splicing the mainbrace, taking part in boarding actions, being keel-hauled and becoming involved in sundry other nautical activities', If so, then the Bellerophon's Boatcrew is the place for you. This consists of a group of enthusiasts within the Napoleonic Association who have an interest in the naval history of the period. They portray a naval landing party at NA events, and re-enact smaller events such as smugglers and excise men, and pressgangs at places such as Chatham Historic Dockyard and the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich.

They dress in the manner of the lower decks of the Royal Navy.

Incidentally, HMS Bellerophon was the 74-gun ship that brought Napoleon to England after Waterloo. On 15th July 1815 the Emperor had surrendered to her commander, Captain Maitland, at Rochefort. On the 24th the vessel arrived at Torbay, being ordered to Plymouth to await the decision of the Government. Napoleon was later transferred to the Northumberland, on a one-way passage to St. Helena. The Bellerophon very shortly afterwards experienced further prisoners, though none so famous as Napoleon, when she became a convict hulk.

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