I’m just starting a new book – Trafalgar, The Men, The Battle, The Storm – and in it I have learned of a small Royal Navy boat, called HMS Pickle.
This has a certain resonance for us, as my niece Sofi is nicknamed Pickle!
I thought I’d look into this funny little coincidental connection. And quickly discovered that HMS Pickle is, or was, evidently a famous and well loved little ship.
There’s a book about her. You can buy models of her – some very expensive! – a seaworthy replica has been constructed, and there are these two videos:
There’s even a Pickle Night! Which I hope might tickle our little Pickle?
Click here to visit the Admiralty Ship Models website’s page on their HMS Pickle (pictured above). Just shy of £700!
Why so celebrated? Well, because she was the swiftest ship in the fleet, present at Trafalgar. And as such was charged with taking home the news. News of triumph and tragedy:
‘Sir, we have won a great victory, but we have lost Lord Nelson!’
… so spake Lieutenant John Lapenotiere, commander of the Pickle, on his return to Blighty.