April's item of the month: The real 'Master and Commander'

Important information for visitors

Until summer 2025, there is a new visitor route at the National Maritime Museum while we carry out essential improvements to the Museum's roof. Most galleries will still be open as normal, and special exhibitions are currently free for all visitors. However, the Great Map and AHOY! will be closed for the duration of the works. Find out more.

Essential Information

Location	National Maritime Museum

03 Apr 2014

April's item of the month looks at the real life drama on the seas which happened 200 years ago last week.....The hunt for the Essex inspired Patrick O'Brian's Far Side of the World and in turn the 2003 film, Master and Commander. But Hollywood has airbrushed out the American ship and replaced it with a fictitious French vessel, Acheron.

During the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States, an American war ship the USS Essex was sent into the Pacific to attack the British whaling fleet. After a search of several months, the Royal Navy discovered the American ship in the port of Valparaiso, (Chile). A stand off of six weeks in the neutral harbour saw insults and fisticuffs exchanged in the waterside taverns culminating in the Americans running up a banner saying 'Free Trade and Sailor's Rights'. The British responded with 'God and Country: Traitors offend both'. The stand off ended when the Essex made a bid to escape to the open sea....Take up the story at: http://www.rmg.co.uk/researchers/collections/by-type/archive-and-library/item-of-the-month Pass the salt, Aubrey....