Admiral William Brown's Saber
Admiral Brown’s Sword
The sword was originally the property of Commodore Robert Ramsay, RN, who in turn gave it to Admiral Brown as a token of appreciation and admiration in 1825. Robert Ramsay had been hired to command Buenos Ayres’ Naval Forces against the Brazilian Empire, but stepped down in deference to William Brown. The sword was sent to Brown with the following words:
Dear Sir, while I do not have the honour to deal with you personally, both your name and deeds are known to me from quite some time. I beg you to accept this gift as proof of my esteem and admiration for your brilliant conduct defending this country, this sabre which I have had for almost fifteen years. I wish a long life to you and the rest in order to support the cause in which we are both engaged. Such is the wish of your friend and humble servant.
(Signed) Robert Ramsay.
Ramsay eventually headed an Argentine Naval Mission in Europe, sourcing ships and guns for Buenos Ayres, although hostilities ended before the new fleet could set sail for the South Atlantic.
The sword had the following inscription on its blade:
Salter sword cutter to/His Roy.Highness the Duke of Sussex/35 Strand/Captn R.Ramsay/RN
John Salter was a London sword cutter, and had a shop on Strand Street, from 1801 to 1824.
The original sword was placed on Brown’s coffin at his funeral, in 1857, and was eventually given to Sergeant-Major John King, one of his subordinate commanders. King’s widow, in turn, gave it to Angel J. Carranza, a prominent Naval Historian, who in due turn donated it to the National Historical Museum in 1899, where it has been displayed ever since.
Since the mid 1980’s, a replica of Brown’s sword has been worn by Rear Admirals, Vice Admirals and Admirals of the Argentine Navy.
Such swords, as the one on display, are hand made at the Zárate Naval Arsenal, home of the Argentine Navy Sword Factory, 60 miles North from Buenos Aires.
This sword has been donated to the National Maritime Museum of Ireland by Admiral Jorge Omar Godoy Chief of Staff, Argentine Navy, through S/Lt Santiago L. Aversa, Argentine Navy (Res.), Maritime Institute of Ireland’s Buenos Aires Representative, as a sign of friendship between two countries which share a great naval hero, Admiral William (Guillermo) Brown.
On Wednesday 17 August 2011, the sword was handed over by Captain Rodolfo E. Larrosa, Chief of Public Relations, Argentine Navy. The event took place at the “Libertad” Building, Headquarters of the Argentine Naval General Staff. Buenos Aires.
