The Duke of Brunswick's Hat

The Duke of Brunswick's Hat 

I'm currently reading a range of books, completely immersing myself in all things Royal Navy.  One book I found by chance online while looking for another book was 

We Joined the Navy, 

Traditions, Customs and nomenclature of the Royal Navy. 

Petty Officer Writer Robert Burgess & Leading Writer Roland Blackburn

1943

This hand little pocket-sized book is full of useful facts and information. Having gathered the relevant information I needed I was drawn to the "True Sailors Yarns, Customs and Traditions" chapter, knowing how sailers like to spin a good dit. One such dit caught my eye as relevant to my research.

The Duke of Brunswick's Hat

During Lord Howe's famous victory of the "Glorious First of June" an incident occurred which again illustrates the Bristish Sailors indomitable light-heartedness, even in the stress of the fiercest action. The (HMS) Brunswick had for its figure-head an effigy of its namesake, the Duke of Brunswick, and when the ship was locked in a close-range duel with the French Vengeur the "Duke's" gorgeous gold-laced hat was shot off.

Now a sailor can stand so much, but there comes a point where a halt must be called, and this was the point. It was little short of sacrilege that any Frenchman should dare so to affront the Duke. A meeting was instantly held, in midst of flying shot and all kinds of missiles, and finally, a stern-faced deputation approached the Captain. Their request must not bot be considered flippant, for these trifles matter much to Jack. They asked the Captain for a loan of his own personal gold-laced hat to replace that so blatantly removed by cannonball !! The request was granted, the hat produced and nailed firmly in place on the effigy's recently bald head. There it stuck until the conclusion of the action when it was returned, , none the worse for wear, to the Captain. 

The 'Brunswick' and the 'Vengeur du Peuple' at the Battle of the First of June, 1794 

Situation of HMS Brunswick 1 of June 1794

 

I can not find any reference to this incident anywhere else, so have no idea if the story is true or not. However the Captain of the Briunswich for the battle of the Glorious First of June was John Harvey, who dies from his wounds in the battle, with Lieutenant William Edward Cracraft taking command of the ship for the remainder of the battle, so maybe it was his hat. 

Captain John Harvey 

Is it true, maybe, maybe not, but it is a good dit and that's what the navy does best.