This wine cooler is made from the timbers of the slaver ‘El Almirante’, captured on 1 February 1829 by HMS ‘Black Joke’, commanded by Lieutenant Henry Downes.

The wooden base is made from the timber of the Spanish war ship 'Bahama' captured at Trafalgar (see ZBA 3084). It is carved with oak leaves with ormolu mounts in the shape of oak branches. The metal handles are in the shape of fungi growing out of the branches. A gilded plate on the front within a laurel wreath is inscribed: 'A TRIBUTE OF Admiration and respect FROM COMMODORE COLLIER C.B. To Lieutenant Henry Downes for his gallant conduct in command OF H.M. TENDER BLACK JOKE'.

The ‘Black Joke’ was one of the best-known vessels involved in the Royal Navy’s anti-slavery patrols. The ‘Black Joke’ was originally known as the Henriquetta, and was a Baltimore-based, fast-sailing slave trader. However, she was captured by HMS ‘Sybille’ in 1828, renamed HMS ‘Black Joke’ and detailed to patrol the coast of West Africa for other slave ships. Because of her speed, the ‘Black Joke’ proved highly successful, capturing Spanish and South American slave ships in the late 1820s and early 1830s.