Silver tankard commemorating the launch of HMS 'Captain', 1743.

Launching tankard, of baluster shape with a scroll handle and flared foot. The Royal Arms is engraved opposite the handle with mottoes: 'HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE' and 'DIEU ET MON DROIT'. Beneath the arms is the inscription: 'At The Launching of his Majest's Ship the CAPTAIN a 3d Rate of 70 Guns. 1230 Tuns ye 14 of April 1743. Built by Mr John Holland at Woolwich'.

HMS 'Captain', a 3rd Rate of 70 guns, was launched at Woolwich Dockyard on 14 April 1743. She was reduced to 64 guns in 1760, and renamed 'Buffalo' in 1777 when she became a storeship, finally being broken up in 1783.

The tradition of presenting a piece of plate to the master shipwright at the lauching ceremony of a naval vessel goes back at least to the 17th century. John Holland also received a pair of candlesticks for the launch of the 'Bristol', 4th Rate, at Woolwich in 1746.

For other launching plate see the 'Feversham' candlesticks PLT0211 and PLT0741.