by Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D.
A Thomas Butterworth painting depicting the HMS Endymion and USS President at around 7:00 pm on the night of January 15th, 1815 when the ships turn to the South and brailed up their spankers in order to exchange broadsides.
In December of 2018, Naval Order of the United States companion Judith Pearson published a 5-page article in Kedge Anchor, the quarterly magazine of the 1805 Club, an international organization dedicated to preserving the history of the Royal Navy (in the early 19th century).
The article is about the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of US Midshipman Richard S. Dale who died in the war of 1812. Each year Judy and her husband, Captain John Rodgaard attend the ceremony in Bermuda and lay a wreath on the grave for the Naval Order. Judy has also written about the ceremony in the Naval Order newsletter.
Judy’s recent article tells more about the history of the ceremony and the involvement of the US Navy. Click here to view the article as seen in Kedge Anchor:
“Preserving the Memory of Midshipman Richard Sutherland Dale”, written by NOUS companion Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D., National Capital Commandery