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.
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Object Details
ID: | AAA4482 |
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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 |