Original Item: One-of-a-kind. From an old handwritten paper label still attached to the iron handle this copper measure is a “Purser’s Measure” circa 1800 which was purchased in Plymouth in 1826 by “Rev. J. Parker D.D.” (Doctor of Divinity).
A very interestingly shaped 12″ tall cone vessel 6″ at widest across the top tapering to just 3″ across the bottom. Complete with its 10″ long saucepan type iron handle with suspension hole. The body of the measure has an engraved “Fouled Anchor” motif over a ship’s name, “H.M.S. ENDYMION”. It’s actual use is a bit of a mystery but presumably it was for issuing some sort of ration allotment or similar.
H.M.S. ENDYMION was a 40 gun, fifth rate Man-o-War built at H.M. Shipyards at Rotherhithe in Kent just east of London and launched on 29th March 1797. She took part in the Napoleonic Wars, the War of 1812 when she attacked the U.S.S. PRESIDENT forcing her to strike her colors and surrender. She went on to serve in the China wars and sailed throughout the Empire. She saw service for over seventy years and was finally broken up at Devonport on 18th August, 1868.
Measures 18″ x 11″ x 7″