Silver coffee pot presented to the naval physician Dr Thomas Trotter (1760-1832),.

Coffee pot with a wooden handle, the silver handle mounts decorated with acanthus leaves. It has a domed lid with a round knop and there is a naval crown engraved on the lid. One side is inscribed: 'This piece of plate is presented to DR TROTTER Physician to the Fleet by the Surgeons of a Squadron of His Majesty's Ships at the CAPE OF GOOD HOPE June 1st 1797. In Testimony of professional ABILITIES successfully directed to the Welfare of the British Navy and in Gratitude for long & unwearied exertions in behalf of the Surgeons'.

On the other side: 'Mr Shaw Tremendous; Mr Bury Sceptre; Mr Motherwell Jupiter; Mr Goldsmith Trusty; Mr Fullerton Oiseau; Mr Anderson Crescent; Mr Gallagher Vindictive; Mr Thompson Rattlesnake; Mr Rowlands Star; Dr Pattison Naval Hospital; Dr Wilson; Mr Fletcher Tromp; Mr McCallum (lately) Tremendous; Mr John Lind Saldanta'.

Thomas Trotter became a surgeon's mate in the Royal Navy in 1779, and sailed to the West Indies in the 'Berwick'. He was promoted to the rank of surgeon for his treatment of the wounded at the Battle of the Dogger Bank in 1781, and in 1783 went as surgeon on board a Liverpool slave ship the 'Brookes' voyaging to the West Indies.

His experiences made him an ardent abolitionist, and also led him to campaign for the prevention of scurvy by correct diet. With James Lind and Gilbert Blane he was responsible for promoting the distribution of lemon juice throughout the navy in 1795. In 1793 he was appointed second physician to the Royal Naval Hospital at Haslar, Portsmouth, and in April 1794 he became physician to the Channel Fleet, and was at the Battle of the 1st of June 1794. He worked tirelessly for reform in the medical department of the navy, and published a comprehensive three-volume work 'Medicina Nautica' in 1797, 1799 and 1803. He retired from service in 1802.