Teak Model of the Stern of HMS Howe, Presented to Captain Assheton Gore Curzon Howe in February of 1892

A Teak Model of the Stern of HMS Howe, Presented to Captain Assheton Gore Curzon Howe in February of 1892 A teak model of the stern of HMS Howe adorned with brass cannons and deck fittings, white ensign and a plaque which reads as follows “The Stern of H.M.S Howe to Captain Assheton Gore Curzon Howe R.N.C.B from a few old friends on board H.M.S Howe 26th February 1892” HMS Howe:- Launched in 1885, HMS Howe was the fourth vessel with that particular name to be part of a Royal Navy fleet. She was an ironclad admiral class battleship, the sister ship of HMS Rodney. The vessel took its name from the famous Admiral Howe of 18th century fame, Richard Howe. She finally entered service in 1889, serving largely in the Channel Fleet. Shortly after the present plaque was presented, she ran aground in early November 1892, apparently due to the use of faulty charts. She was eventually salvaged and then served out the rest of her career in the Mediterranean Fleet, finally ending her days in the breakers’ yard in 1912. Admiral Sir Assheton Gore Curzon-Howe KCB CMG CVO (10 August 1850 – 1 March 1911) Great grandson of the aforementioned Richard Howe, Sir Assheton rose to become a great naval figure in his own right. Serving as naval aide-de-camp to both Queen Victoria in 1899-1900 and Edward VII in 1901, he became second in command of the entire channel fleet in 1902. His meteoric rise continued and by 1907 he was commander of the Atlantic Fleet, then served in the same role in the Mediterranean Fleet from 1908-1910. He was promoted once more to Admiral in 1909 and served as Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, from 1910 until his death the following year. In addition to his London house, Curzon-Howe owned the sumptuous Gopsall estate in Leicestershire, one of the finest of all English country houses. It is therefore quite likely that the present piece was part of the decoration in this wonderful house. Provenance:- Captain Assheton Gore Curzon Howe, probably at Gopsall Hall in Leicestershire which was the Howe family’s main seat during this period. The plaque modelled as the stern of the battleship HMS Howe, complete with brass railings, miniature turret guns and part of the bridge. Mounted with a silver presentation plaque recording that the piece was made to represent the stern of the vessel and presented to Captain Curzon Howe by his friends on board the ship in February of 1892