Maritime interest – A large William IV sterling silver snuff box, London 1836 by Edward Edwards II

of rectangular form with re-entrant corners with chased foliate edges, the hinged lid raised by a chased scallop shell and foliate scroll thumbpiece. The lid with a chased foliate rim of the flowers of United Kingdom, Scottish thistle, English Rose and Irish clover, centred with a circular cartouche engraved with initials GG in flourished cursive script. Otherwise with engine turned decoration. Gilt interior with a presentation inscription reading “Presented to George Gore steward by the gentleman passengers of the Comet, as a testimony as their high sense of his great attention and judicious conduct 1836”, with a star at the centre. Fully marked to base and part-marked to lid.

Length – 9.4 cm / 3.6 inches

Weight – 254 grams / 8.17 ozt

The Comet refers to HMP Comet, captained by John P. Phillips

As part of a report for sailing between Liverpool and Kingstown Dublin as part of four “packets” an 1836 report was commissioned. The other vessels being The Etna, The Dolphin and the Thetis.

The Comet was detailed as follows along with other metrics:

Cost and outfit £17,380 0s 8d

300 tonnes

125 feet

18 feet wheels

Captains pay £400 an annum an allowance of 2s upon each adult and 1 s upon each child or servant

The mates are paid £1 10s a week, and an allowance of 2 lbs of beef and 1lb of bread per diem

Cabin Passengers paid a fare of £1 1S as of the 14^{th of} March 1836

“The “Etna” and the “Comet” are not so fast as the other two packets on this station, inconsequence of being shorter and less draught of water, some of the Scotch boats beat these two packets. Captain Phillips and Captain Emerson are decidedly of opinion that unless these two vessels are replaced by others of a superior class the Post Office revenue must suffer greatly from any private company placing packets on the line, which they have reason to expect is now contemplated. The average passage the “Etna” and the “Comet” is 14 hours 20 mins, with superior vessels the passage would not average 12 hours.” John P. Phillips Commander of the Comet, John Emerson Commander of the Etna.

“The Steward is appointed by the commander, he has an under-steward, a female steward and a cabin boy to assist him, they are all paid their salaries by the commander. The steward receives £40 a year, the under-steward £26 a-year, the stewardess £26 and the boy £13. The steward derives some emoluments from provisions supplied to the passengers on board. These emoluments are very uncertain and there are considerable deductions from them as the steward is obliged by the commanders to keep up the stock of crockery, plate, glass, linen &c. They also pay for the washing of the linen. The steward receives and delivers the mail and collects and keeps an account of the passenger money, for which he is held accountable by the commanders.” William Steward of the Dolphin, William Abdy Dorrington steward of the Thetis.

Appendix to the sixth report of the commissioners appointed to inquire into the management of the Post Office, Appendix 6 (Liverpool), Reports from the Commissioners, Volume 28 (1836) Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons.