Collection: Edwin Augustus Porcher Collection, 1849-1861 - CAO: Powered by ArcLight and hosted at Western CT State University Search Results

Edwin Augustus Porcher Collection, 1849-1861 6 Linear Feet

Porcher, Edwin A., 1824-1878

The collection comprises the drawings, diary, and log books of Edwin Augustus Porcher, from tours of duty to South and East Asia (1849-1853) aboard the HMS Cleopatra and the Mediterranean and North Africa (1857-60) aboard the HMS Hibernia, HMS Kertch and HMS Boxer.

Collection Context

Envelope, 1901-2000 Box Vol. 2, no. 12

A small manila envelope that once housed letters and fragments from the YCBA Porcher collection. Bears notes in red ink.

Collection Context

Envelope, circa 1860 Box Vol. 2, no. 5

Pale blue envelope, addressed to "Lieutenant Porcher, HMS Hibernia." On the front of the envelope is printed "On Her Majesty's Service." The envelope previously contained the two small drawings listed above (items 3 and 4).

Collection Context

H.M. Despatch boat 'Lapwing' May 14th, 1859., 1859 May 14 Box Oversize 2

Collection Context

In the palace at Malta. The trumpet on which was sounded the retreat, on the final departure of the Knights of St. John from Rhodes. December A.D. 1522. Presented as a relic with great care by the Grand Masters. Sketched 29th March 1860., 1860 March 29 Box Oversize 2

Porcher's image represents an artifact from the Siege of Rhodes (1522), when the Ottomans under Sultan Suleyman I expelled the Order of St. John from the Island of Rhodes (now Greece). Sir Ernest Barker describes the events: "Early in the morning of New Year's Day, 1523, the trumpet of the Knights sounded for the last time in Rhodes; their fleet of thirty-one ships, with the refugees on board, put out to sea." (Baker 51). Fifty vessels and approximately 5000 Rhodians departed the island, which was of strategic importance to the Turks, lying between Constantinople and Alexandria. In 1530, Charles V of Spain gave the Knights of St John control of the Maltese islands, but they became vassals of the King and pledged oath to the King of Sicily (Atauz 82).

Collection Context