Monument in Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London commemorating Vice Admiral Charles Watson RN d. 1757 at Calcutta, India
Location
Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
Transcript
'TO THE MEMORY OF CHARLES WATSON / VICE ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE COMMANDER IN CHIEF / OF HIS MAJESTIES NAVAL FORCES IN THE EAST INDIES / WHO DYED AT CALCUTTA THE XVI OF AUGUST MDCCLVII / IN THE XLIV YEAR OF HIS AGE / THE EAST INDIA COMPANY / AS A GRATEFUL TESTIMONY OF THE SIGNAL ADVANTAGES / WHICH THEY OBTAINED BY HIS VALOUR AND PRUDENT CONDUCT / CAUSED THIS MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED'
[Under captive] GHEREAH TAKEN FEBRUARY XIII MDCCLVI'
[Under woman] 'CALCUTTA FREED JANUARY 11 MDCCLVII'
[On palm tree] 'CHANDERNAGORE TAKEN MARCH XXIII MDCCLVII'
Details
Description: Watson in a toga, the other two figures in native dress. [James Stuart]
'The scene of this Monument is composed of four palm trees set at equal distances, in the middle space is represented the Admiral holding a palm branch, the symbol of Victory; in one hand, & extending the other towards a figure designed to represent Calcutta; he commands her to be freed; she appears loosed from her manacles, which are seen hanging on the palm tree behind her, & is returning thanks to her Deliverer. Under this figure on a shield is inscribed Calcutta freed January 11 1757. On the right hand of the Admiral is a Captive chain'd, under whom on a Shield is this inscription Ghereah taken February 13, 1756. Over the captive on another Shield inscribed Chandernagore taken March 23 1757. The first of these two important Places was conquered from the Indians, the latter from the French.'
Type: Monument
Position: North transept, west aisle
Materials: Marble
Date Erected: 1757
Artists: James Stuart, Peter Scheemakers
'The scene of this Monument is composed of four palm trees set at equal distances, in the middle space is represented the Admiral holding a palm branch, the symbol of Victory; in one hand, & extending the other towards a figure designed to represent Calcutta; he commands her to be freed; she appears loosed from her manacles, which are seen hanging on the palm tree behind her, & is returning thanks to her Deliverer. Under this figure on a shield is inscribed Calcutta freed January 11 1757. On the right hand of the Admiral is a Captive chain'd, under whom on a Shield is this inscription Ghereah taken February 13, 1756. Over the captive on another Shield inscribed Chandernagore taken March 23 1757. The first of these two important Places was conquered from the Indians, the latter from the French.'
Type: Monument
Position: North transept, west aisle
Materials: Marble
Date Erected: 1757
Artists: James Stuart, Peter Scheemakers
People
Watson, Charles
Age: 44
Date of Death: 16/8/1757
Cause of Death: Unknown
Rank / Occupation: Vice Admiral of the White
Organisation: Royal Navy
Age: 44
Date of Death: 16/8/1757
Cause of Death: Unknown
Rank / Occupation: Vice Admiral of the White
Organisation: Royal Navy
Extra
Notes: Erected by the East India Company at cost of £1,000. East India Co, Court book 72 p. 77. East India Office Records, Miscellaneous Letters Received E/1/45, 1763 No. 8. Palm trees framing figures removed in 1957. Models at the Free Society exhibition 1765 exh. 167, 168, 169 (three figures). Captive inspired by slaves on Pietro Tacca's monument to Ferdinand I 1626-7 at Leghorn. Watson Vice-Adm White liberated the survivors of the black hole of Calcutta.
Bibliography: 'London Chronicle of Universal Evening Post' no. 1012 -p. 586 (Sat 1 June-Tues 21 June 1763); 'Gentleman's Magazine' p. 312 (June 1763); Ingrid Roscoe 'James Athenian Stuart and the Scheemakers Family' 'Apollo' vol. cxxvi, pp.178-184 (Sept 1987); Ingrid Roscoe 'Peter Scheemakers', 'The Sixty-first volume of the Walpole Society' p. 241 (1999); C. Dodsley 'London and Its environs described' (London, 1761) p. 95.
Bibliography: 'London Chronicle of Universal Evening Post' no. 1012 -p. 586 (Sat 1 June-Tues 21 June 1763); 'Gentleman's Magazine' p. 312 (June 1763); Ingrid Roscoe 'James Athenian Stuart and the Scheemakers Family' 'Apollo' vol. cxxvi, pp.178-184 (Sept 1987); Ingrid Roscoe 'Peter Scheemakers', 'The Sixty-first volume of the Walpole Society' p. 241 (1999); C. Dodsley 'London and Its environs described' (London, 1761) p. 95.