The treasure of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes

As part of a 4 frigate flotilla loaded with a cargo of Spanish gold, silver and jewels, the 34 gun frigate Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes set off for Cadiz from Montevideo in mid 1804. Unbeknown to the Spanish, the Royal Navy was aware of their cargo and, importantly, their movements and on 5 October, just 100 miles short of their destination, off the Cape of Santa Maria (close to Faro in Portugal) 4 British frigates intercepted, engaged and captured the Spanish ships, with the exception of the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes which exploded and sank with all her treasure on board. The action created tremendous anti-British feelings in Spain and resulted in her declaring war in Great Britain on 12 December. Less than a year later a combined Spanish and French fleet would be destroyed off Cape Trafalgar. In 2007 the American recovery firm discovered and recovered the treasure and quickly flew the coins to Miami, where they claimed salvage rights. Subsequently the hoard was valued at in excess of $500 million! Not unsurprisingly, the Spanish government took great umbrage at this act and commenced legal action in the US courts to have the fortune placed in their care. In February the courts found in favour of the Spanish and last Saturday (25 February), the trove arrived just outside of Madrid on-board a Spanish military aircraft, presumably the RAF being instructed to take the weekend off. Apparently Spain's Culture Ministry has ruled out the idea of the treasure being sold to pay off the country's national debt.

Raglan collection to be auctioned

Lord FitzRoy Somerset joined the Duke of Wellington’s staff in 1807 and as a prominent aide de camp served with him throughout the Peninsular War and at Waterloo his arm was severely wounded resulting in its amputation. After Waterloo he became the Duke’s secretary and ultimately his military secretary when the former became Commander-in-Chief in 1827. In 1852 he became 1st Baron Raglan and two years later he was promoted to General and appointed to command the British forces during the Crimean War. After victory at Inkerman in November 1854 he was promoted to Field Marshal, but died of dysentery shortly after the abortive assault on Sevastopol in June 1855.

On 10 January 2010 the 5th Baron of Raglan died without issue and his executors have decided that many of the items that the 1st Baron collected over the years should be put up for auction at Christies on 4 April.

Of particular interest are FitzRoy Somerset’s Peninsular War awards and medals estimated to fetch between £250,000 - £350,000 and amongst which are his Peninsular Gold Medal (with clasps for Badajoz and Salamanca), the Peninsular Gold Cross (with five clasps) and his Field-Marshal’s baton. As FitzRoy Somerset married Wellington’s ‘favourite’ niece, it is no surprise that the auction contains a ring that was supposedly taken from the Tippu Sultan’s body after the assault of Seringapatam (estimate up to £15,000). There are also two Russian bronze cannon taken from Sevastopol in 1855. As their estimate is up to £40,000. might this indicate that the Ministry of Defence is looking to back up its stock of Victoria Cross bronze?

Although Christies have yet to update their website with the details of the sale, the collection can be viewed at their Kensington showrooms from April 1 – 3.