Memorial at Church of St Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai, India, commemorating Captain George Hardinge, RN, d. 1808
Location
Church of St Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai (Bombay), Maharashtra, India, Rest of the World
Transcript
'In youth mature, in valour tried, / but modest though a nation's pride; / At Glory's call to danger led. / the hero fought, the victor bled; / Fame weeping heard the gallant prayer, / A patriot's death in arms to share, / Her fond regret is cherished here, / And virtue consecrates the tear. / Postera laude recens.'
'This monument is erected here by the public spirit of Bombay to consecrate the memory of / CAPTAIN GEORGE NICHOLAS HARDINGE, R.N. / Animated by the example of his great master Nelson, he acquired an early fame and died a hero's death. / Commanding the San-Fiorenzo of 36 guns and 186 men, / He chased and brought into action upon three successive days the enemy's Frigate La-Piedmontaise, / who has 50 guns and 566 men, bore a high character, and was the terror of the Indian-Seas. / Nobly supported by his First Lieutenant, William Dawson, by his other officers and by his crew, / He achieved a most brilliant conquest / But fell with glory in the last and most critical portion of this heroic enterprise, / Upon the 8th March 1808, and in the 28th year of his age. / His ardent perseverance and skill in those actions were so extraordinary, / That by unanimous vote, the House of Commons raised a monument in St Paul's Cathedral / for a perpetual record of honor to his name and character. / Thus it is that Great Britain by herself and by her colonies / Marks her tribute of national recompense, gratitude and affection to heroes / who devote and sacrifice life itself upon the altar of patriot valour. / These are tributes that will animate the courage and zeal of her champions / to the latest posterity'
Details
The main large sculpture is of conch shell chariot in which Captain Harding in naval uniform reclines. He is being handed a thunderbolt by a winged female of death. The chariot is drawn by two sea horses, with a merman below holding a trumpet.
Below is a carved with a relief of a battle, with the head of elephant on the left side and a lion’s head on the right. At the base is the inscription.
Type: Monument
Position: West wall
Artists: John Bacon the Younger (1777-1859)
Vessel: HMS San Fiorenzo
Event Category
1803-1815 Napoleonic War
People
Age: 28
Date of Death: 8/3/1808
Cause of Death: War casualty
Rank / Occupation: Captain RN
Organisation: Royal Navy