Original British Georgian Naval Telescope named to Captain William Swiney R.N. 1747 – 1829 Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. This is an 18th Century single draw brass telescope measuring 34″ open and 26 1/2″ when closed, which has its body clad in leather. The maker information is engraved on the inner draw of the telescope by the eyepiece:

Whyte Thomson & Co.
GLASGOW

It still gives a good image despite its great age, though there are a few dents that one can feel under the leather wrap. These fortunately do nothing to impede its use and attest to the telescopes age and Naval use. The eyepiece has a sliding cover, and it looks as though the telescope at one time had a sun shield, but it was removed, long ago.

There is a name engraved on a white metal plate mounted on the leather covering engraved :-

Capt. William Swiney R. N.

William Swiney was born in 1747 in Pontefract in the County of Yorkshire and joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman at about 10 years of age in 1757. At 11 years of age he served at the BATTLE OF QUIBERON BAY in 1758. In January of 1771, at the age of 24 years he was promoted Second Lieutenant in 1771, First Lieutenant in 1777 and a Captain in 1779 being given command of H.M.S. EUROPE a Man – of – War of 64 guns.

In 1774 he took command of H.M.S. ROYAL OAK of 74 guns and then in 1781 of H.M.S. ASSURANCE of 44 guns until 1784. He became a Rear Admiral in 1797, a Vice Admiral in 1801 and a Full Admiral in 1808. He died in 1829.

A fine early Georgian Naval Telescope named to a known officer who had a great career in the Royal Navy. Ready to display or use