Dogger Bank mementoes up for auction

Published on Friday 20 November 2009 10:14

A UNIQUE collection of silver diplomatic gifts are to go under the hammer at Lyon and Turnbull auctioneers.

The Russian silver gilt punch bowl and English silver cup and salver were given to American Rear Admiral Charles Henry Davis Jnr by the Russian and British Governments in 1904.

They were an expression of gratitude for his success in preventing a war between the two countries after the so-called "Dogger Bank incident".

The Russian Baltic Fleet had set sail for Japan to support the country in the ten-month Russo-Japanese war, but on reaching Dogger Bank in the North Sea, a series of misunderstandings led to a diplomatic crisis, bringing Russia and Britain to the brink of war.

Russians mistook British fishing trawlers for the enemy and opened fire on 30 boats, killing several fishermen.

The Royal Navy was mobilised for retaliation, but war was prevented when Rear Admiral Davis mediated between the two countries, restoring peace.

The countries were so grateful for his actions that they gave him the silver goods, which will be sold by Lyon & Turnbull in Broughton Place during the auction house's 10th Anniversary Sale on 1 December.