Jug

Creamware jug, transfer-printed in black on one side with a scene of Greenwich pensioners seated at a table smoking and drinking, one with a wooden leg, one with a hook hand, another in the background with a leg missing. Greenwich Hospital is seen behind them and a woman stands behind their settle. Inscribed with the words of Charles Dibdin's song: 'THE GREENWICH PENSIONER / Twas in the good ship Rover / I sail'd the world around / And for three years & over/I ne'er touch'd British ground / At last in England landed/I left the roaring main / Found all relations stranded / And went to sea again', 'That time bound strait to Portugal / Right fore and aft we bore / But when we made Cape Ortugal / A Gale blew off the Shore / She lay so did it shock her / A Log upon the main / Till saved from Davy's locker / We put to sea again', 'Next in a frigate sailing / Upon a squally night / Thunder and lightning hailling / The horrors of the fight / My precious limb was lopped off / I when they eased my pain / Thanked God I was not popped off', 'Yet still I am enabled, / To bring up in life's rear / Although I'm quite disabled / And lie in Greenwich teer / The King God bless his royalty, / Who saved me from the main / I'll praise with love and loyalty / But ne'er to Sea again'. On the other side a single-decked warship under sail, the sea below in a scrolled cartouche.

Object Details

ID: AAA4482
Collection: Decorative art
Type: Jug
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: Late 18th century
People: Greenwich Hospital
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Caird Fund.
Measurements: Overall: 185 x 170 x 130 mm