Ewer presented to Captain John C. Hewitt by the passengers of the 'Britannia' steamship, 1842.

American silver ewer, part of a four-piece wine set with its original wooden carrying case. The ewer is an inverted pear-shape on a foliate-chased rising circular foot, bordered with applied flowers and scrolling foliage. It has a hinged cover with a cast flower finial and leaf-capped scroll handle. The body is ornately chased with flowers, foliage and trelliswork on a matted ground. The base is inset with wood.

It is inscribed 'Presented to Captain John Hewett [sic] of the Britannia Steamship by the passengers on board that vessel in a voyage from Liverpool to Boston in the month of January 1842 - As a slight acknowledgement of his great ability and skill under circumstances of much difficulty and danger; and as a feeble token of their lasting gratitude, Chairman, the Rt Honorable the Earl of Mulgrave. Committee, Charles Dickens, Solomon Hopkins, E.E. Dunbar.'.

The wine set was presented to Captain Hewitt on 29 January 1842 in the Tremont Theatre, Boston. Charles Dickens wrote an account of his stormy transatlantic crossing on board the 'Britannia' in the second chapter of 'American Notes' (1842).

See also PLT0200, PLT0202, PLT0203 for the rest of the set.