100th Anniversary of the Battle of Camperdown 1897

The Centenary of the Battle of Camperdown, 1897. 

Held in Dundee on the 11th October 1897 - From the Dundee Year Books

Centenary Celebrations in Dundee

On Monday, 11th October 1897, Dundee celebrated with becoming pomp, ceremony, and rejoicing the one-hundredth anniversary of the victory gained by Admiral Duncan one of the greatest of Dundonians, over the Dutch fleet off Camperdown.

The fact that the centenary fell upon the autumn holiday enabled the citizens to take part in and witness the celebrations to a greater extent than would otherwise have been possible, and there could be no doubt of the heartiness with which the event was recognised. Fortunately the weather was of the best, and large crowds of holiday-makers were on the streets during the day. The outward signs of the centenary were visible m the decoration of public building and in the merry pealing of the bells of the Old Steeple. From a spectacular point; of view it was perhaps unfortunate that the celebration should .have fallen on a public holiday, as doubtless shopkeepers and others would have done something in the way of decoration to mark the occasion. Accordingly the visible signs of rejoicing were confined to a display of flags and bunting at various points of the city and at the Harbour. The Albert Institute exter­nally was gaily bedecked, From each of tine turrets bannerettes fluttered in the breeze, while from over the doorway of the Albert Hall, diverging to the south-west and north-west entrances of the enclosure, were two streamers of gaily coloured bunting. The north entrance and approaches were decorated in similar fashion; the whole, viewed in the strong clear light of an October day, presenting a very pretty effect.

At the Town House the external decorations were on a some­what similar scale. From the top of the spire to the east and west corners of the frontage were run flags as numerous as their colours were varied, the austerity of the frontage being relieved by pen­dants of parti-coloured bunting suspended garland-wise from the corners. The red ensign floated from a flagstaff on the centre of the facade, flanked by the Scottish and Irish flags and by the Union Jack. The decorations at the Royal Arch, con­sisting of streamers of flags carried from the highest pinnacles to the level of the street, were somewhat striking. The Dock gate house, the Tay Ferries, the Custom House, and the vessels in the Harbour, particularly those of the Dundee, Perth, and London Shipping Company at present in port, were attractively garnished. On many of the public buildings in the centre of the city, such as the Clydesdale Bank, the Royal, the Royal British, and the Queen's Hotels, and the Old Steeple flags were flying throughout the day. The programme; of the day’s events was a full one.

The Camperdown Party which Included the Earl of Camperdown, Lady Abercromby, Admiral Sir H. Fairfax, K.C.B.F.R.G.S., Vice. Admiral Sir C. F. Hotham, K.C.B., and Captain Surges Watson, arrived in the city at eleven o'clock from Camperdown House. His Lordship at that hour attended a meeting of the Bonnetmakers’ Incorporation in the Royal Hotel, and was initiated a member. Thereafter, at a public ceremony in the Victoria Art Galleries, and in presence of a large and representative gathering of the citizens, the Earl was presented by the Lord Provost, on behalf of himself, the Magistrates, and Town Council, with an address of congratulation, and later in the afternoon he was entertained by the Lord Provost at luncheon in the Town Hall. In the evening the general body of the inhabitants was enabled to participate in the day's rejoicings by being present at a magnificent display of fireworks in the Baxter Park, Altogether the celebration was such as will impress the centenary of the Battle of Camperdown vividly upon the minds of the people of Dundee.

ADDRESS TO LORD CAMPERDOWN.

The ceremony of presenting the address took place in the Victoria Art Galleries at twelve o'clock. The interior of the building was taste­fully draped with flags. Above the platform three Union Jack? of dimensions sufficiently large to Beaver the entire area of the north wall were artistically arranged. Along the side walls were hung a very fine collection of pictures, that lent a decided charm to the place of meeting, which was filled to its utmost capacity by the public and by a privileged few who, ad­mitted by ticket, found seats in a reserved area in the front part of the hall.

Outside an immense crowd had assembled the thoroughfare round the west and north railings being kept open by a detachment of mounted police under Deputy Chief-Constable Carmichael. Between the fountain and the west entrance of the Albert Institute the Mars Band was stationed, while the carriage-way leading tip to the north door was lined on each side by a guard of honour from H, M.S. _ Unicorn, The guard consisted of 26 file, with guide??, markers, and petty officers, and was under the command of Chief Gunner Wallace Newton, of H.M.S. Unicorn, As the hour fixed for the ceremony approached the crowd increased to large dimensions, the tedium of waiting being re­lieved by selections played by the Mars Band. At ten minutes to twelve Lord Camperdown, Lady Abercromby, and party, in two carriages, drove up to the north door of the Institute, the guard meanwhile presenting arms. The party, preceded by the city halberdiers, were ushered into the anteroom at the head of the staircase, where they were received by Lord Provost McGrady and Mrs McGrady, and by the Magistrates of the city. The Lord Provost and Magistrates were attired in their official robes and wore their chains of office, an element which added not a little of brightness to the ceremonial.

A few minutes past twelve Lord Provost McGrady and Lady Abereromby, who carried a magnificent bouquet, entered the ball, followed by the Earl of Camperdown and Mrs McGrady. His Lordship was treated to quite an ovation by the audience, who stood to their feet and cheered lustily. The other descendants of the heroes who fought at Camperdown Admiral Sir H. Fairfax, Vice-Admiral Sir C. F. Hotham, and Captain Burges Watson — also met with a cordial reception. Lord Provost McGrady, who presided, had on the left Lady Abercromby and on the right the Earl of Camperdown. An interesting circumstance in connection with the gathering on the platform was that it included two other descendants of. those present at the battle, in the parsons of Miss Henrietta Nimmo, Newport, a daughter of the late Dr Patrick Nimmo, Dundee, whose grandfather on the maternal side acted as chaplain to Admiral Duncan, and was by the Admiral's side at the engagement off Camperdown; and Captain Allan, a great-great grandson of the Admiral. The platform party also in­cluded Mrs Gould, Liverpool; and Mrs Allan. Amongst those present were Sir William Ogilvy Dalgliesh Bart.; Sir Reginald Ogilvy, Bart.; Sir John Leng, M.P.; Sir James Low; Sir Thomas Thornton, LL.D.; Mr Edmund Robert­son, M.P.; Sheriff Comrie Thomson; Sheriff Campbell Smith; the. Bailies and Town Councillors of Dundee; Provost Orchar, Broughty Ferry; Provost Leitch, Newport; and Provost Black, Tayport.

THE TOWN COUNCIL'S ADDRESS.

The lord provost, who was applauded, said —My Lord, ladies, and gentlemen, the Town Council unanimously and with acclamation re­solved that the centenary of the battle of Camper-down should be observed in a public and a becoming manner. (Applause.) They resolved that an address should on this occasion lie pre­sented to the Earl of Camperdown, (Applause.) I have now to request the Town Clerk to read the address. (Applause,)

Sir thomas thornton  read the address, of which the text was as follows: —

Unto the Right Honourable Robert Adam Philips Haldane-Duncan, Earl of Camperdownn, &c. &c., &c.
The Address of The lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council,
of the City and Royal Burgh of Dundee.
We, the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council of the City and Royal Burgh of Dundee, heartily congratulate your Lordship on this hundredth anniversary of the glorious victory of your great ancestor, Admiral Duncan, at Camperdown.

He assumed the chief command of the British Fleet in the North Seas at one of the most critical periods inthe history of the Empire, and daring the mutiny of the Nore he exhibited all the qualities of those heroes of Greek and Roman story in whom virtue with courage and strength with gentleness were so marvellously combined. By his boldness and skill during the mutiny he kept up the blockade of the Texel with but two ships against fifteen, and by his wisdom and gentleness he changed the fierce mutineers into those dauntless seamen by whom he destroyed the might of the Batavian Sea Kings. To naval genius of no common order he added a coolness in danger and a vigour in battle all his own. His daring resolution to break the line of the enemy’s fleet, and interpose between it and the shore, and the signal success which attended his order of battle, demonstrated to Europe in arms that Britain feared no foe. The victory of Camperdown raised the national spirit, and diffused throughout the land a thrilling joy which dissipated faction and intensified patriotism.

Men like your great ancestor are only given to the world in troublous epochs and with centuries between. It is met therefore, that their name and their fame should be kept in everlasting remembrance. This century of the great battle gives us an opportunity of honouring the genius of and acclaiming the victory of Lord Viscount Duncan. We proudly claim the hero of Camperdown as a son of Dundee and we gladly congratulate your Lordship on an ancestor beside whom boasted descents of Norman and Celt sink into insignificance. Your great progenitor made history. His genius ennobled him long before he was made noble by a grateful King. His name is an abiding memory of work well done, and victory nobly achieved, and it will live in the ages a watchword of loyalty and courage, and a synonym of patriotism and devotion.

That the descendents of his person and the inheritors of his name may long adorn the kingdom he defended, and that his grand example may stimulate successive generations of his countrymen to cherish the virtues his whole life illustrated is the devout prayer of the Lord Provost and Magistrates and Council of Dundee.

Given under the Corporate Seal of the City and Royal Burgh of Dundee, and signed by the Lord Provost and Town Clerk in name, and by authority of the Lord Provost, Magistrates and Council of Dundee this 11th day of October 1897.

H. McGrady, Lord Provost
Thos Thornton, Town Clerk

The Lord provost, proceeding', said—

Dundee is ever proud of the achievements of her sons, and of none more than those of the hero who, at Camperdown one hundred years ago this day, won laurels that will never fade. (Applause.)
The victory gained by Admiral Duncan was fraught with vital consequences to the Empire.It established firmly the portion of Great Britain as mistress of the seas it destroyed the effects of the coalition between France and Holland, just as Trafalgar subsequently destroyed the alliance which France afterwards effected with Spain. Both combinations had for their object the destruction of our naval and commercial position, and if the glories of Trafalgar have somewhat eclipsed those of Camperdown, it is only because they came later and finished the work which Camperdown so gloriously began. (Applause)
Well may Britain celebrate this hundredth anniversary of that eventful day, but especially proud may Dun­dee be that by one of her son’s were power and glory abundantly added to the arms of our country. (Applause.)

At every period of our history, when danger and darkness were around us, and destruction seemed almost to have laid her band upon us, have there sprung forth the genius and the bravery required to: save us. Such an emergency brought the galiant Admiral Duncan to the front. Towards the close of last century, with Europe combined against us, with trouble beyond the Atlantic, with, it must be admitted much that was corrupt at home, the condition of Britain seemed desperate indeed. Then it was that the star of Admiral Duncan arose, diffusing light and hope around, [Applause.) His brave heart and the magnetic influence of his splendid talents rolled back the dark pall of danger, and revealed behind it a sun of glory and victory brighter than which none ever shone. (Applause) Yet this great man was none of Fortune's favourites. All that he accom­plished was gained by indomitable perseverance and by the best.

Qualities of Head and Heart

which characterise the British sailor. (Applause) Confidence in his skill and judgment infused into those, under and around him the noble qualities which distinguished his own actions. Justly proud is Dundee of his history. For centuries his family was connected with our ancient city. He was himself a son of the Provost who held office during the troublous times of 1745. No fewer than four of the Provosts of Dundee belonged to the Duncan family, which has also contributed to the Town Clerks, Dean’s of Guild, and Treasurers of the burgh. (Applause.) In the strictest sense, therefore, the gallant Admiral was what is described in some of the old admissions to the freedom of the city as a "Toon's Bairn." (Applause.) Admiral Duncan left Dundee at the early age of 15, joined the navy, and served on the Mediterranean and North American Stations; was wounded in the attack on Goree; assisted in the expeditions against Belle-Isle and Havana, and at the latter place particularly dis­tinguished himself. He then served on the Jamaica Station, and later accompanied Rodney to the relief of Gibraltar, bearing a distinguished part in the battle with the French fleet in January 1780. Again under Lord Howe he was engaged in the same service. Subsequently he received several important promotions, but notwithstanding these, and although ardent for employment, he was allowed to remain inactive until early in 1795. In that year he received command of a squadron in the North Sea, where two years later his opportunity carne for displaying naval ability that has seldom been equalled. It is to be feared that the jobbery which prevailed in the Administration of those days is responsible for the injustice from which Admiral Duncan suffered for many years. Difficulties, however, were thickening so rapidly that merit had to be acknowledged, and, I have said, Admiral Duncan had at last assigned to him a position for which he was so thoroughly suited. It was well for the country that this was so. In 1797, the year when our hero was to render his name immortal in history, the fleet on which oar main reliance was placed became imbued with a spirit of mutiny entirely without precedent in British history. Doubtless the sailors had much to complain of, and this outbreak, happening when the greater part of

Europe was Armed Against us

placed the country in a position of the utmost peril. When the mutiny made its appearance even on board the Admiral's own ship, he called his men together and delivered his famous address, beginning—“My lads, I once more call you together with a sorrowful heart.” His sailors could not withstand the frankness of his appeal, and the mutinous feeling among them at once dis­appeared, (Applause.) However, he had to return to the blockade of the Texel with only two ships on which he could rely—his flagship the Venerable and the Adamant. By strategy and boldness he with these two ships effected for weeks a complete blockade of the Texel. Later on the Dutch Fleet ventured to sea, bat not liking the look of things, it was on its way back to the Texel when Admiral Duncan caught sight of it, and determined to fight at all hazards. To have offered battle and attacked in the customary manner would have been useless. The enemy would probably have found their way back to the Texel and escaped. He resolved, therefore, on a course which only his skill as a sailor and his resourcefulness and bravery as a commander could have suggested, Throwing a portion of his fleet into the narrow and shallow water which lay between the enemy and the Dutch coast, he forced on Admiral de Winter an en­counter which covered himself with glory, and rendered his country a service the value of which none can estimate. (Applause.) After the action he wrote to his brother-in-law that, being near the land, he had to be rather rash in his attack, and he proceeds:—“I have now in my possession three Dutch Admirals. Admiral de Winter says nothing hurts him but that he is the first Dutch Admiral who ever surrendered," and then he adds, with Scotch pawkiness, "So much the more credit to me." (Laughter and applause.)

The Feelings of the Nation

had been in a state of the utmost tension, and when the news came of the complete and overwhelming victory these gave way to an outburst of enthusiastic admiration for the heroic fleet and its gallant Admiral. On the arrival of the Venerable in England the King set out to visit the victor, but was prevented by the weather from carrying out his intention. The thanks­giving service in St Paul's was attended by the Sovereign in State. The three capitals-London, Edinburgh, and Dublin—vied with each other in their tokens of admiration, and Dundee was not behind in her appreciation of the hero whom she proudly styled her own. (Ap­plause.) Admiral Duncan had not paid an official visit to his native town since he left it as a lad until he returned in 1798, loaded with honours by the Sovereign and the people. Then Dundee gave vent to her feelings, and received him as became the claims be had established on her admiration and esteem. Special civic honours were prepared for him. His portrait was placed in the Town Hall He was presented with a service of plate, and his name was enrolled among the honorary burgesses, while long afterwards one of our docks was named the Camperdown Dock in his honour. (Applause.) Early this century the Admiral, who in 1797 had received the title of Lord Duncan, again offered big services to his country, but while in attendance at the Admiralty the hand of death fell upon him, and a career full of glory and honour was closed. The brave heart, the noble presence, the calm self-reliance, and the splendid talents of Lord Duncan were lost to his country for ever. In the quiet Churchyard of Lundie rest the remains of one of Britain's most honoured sons. The modest stone that, by his own request, marks his grave is typical of the simple, unaffected modesty of his great mind, but the magnificent monument in St Paul’s speaks of the undying reverence and gratitude of his country. (Applause.) You may well feel proud, my Lord, to number such a hero among your ancestors. At this meeting I am sure that you, my Lord, in common with all of us, hail with pleasure the presence of the representatives of

Three of the Gallant Officers

who fought at 'Camperdown under your illustrious relative, (Loud and prolonged applause.) Admiral Sir Henry Fairfax is the lineal descendant of Admiral Duncan's Flag-Captain, whose portrait appears in the will-known picture of the quarter­deck of the Venerable. Admiral Sir Charles Hotham is also a lineal descendant of the captain of the Adamant, the only vessel besides his own which stuck to Admiral Duncan throughout the difficulties connected with the mutiny; and Captain Burges Watson is the nearest collateral descendant of the gallant Captain Burges who in the Ardent fell in the action, and whose loss is deplored by Admiral Duncan in his despatch announcing the victory. I am sure I may in the name of the citizens of Dundee thank these gallant gentleman for their presence here to-day—(applause)—to join with us in honouring the memory of one whom Dundee delights to honour, and with whose history that of their own families is so intimately connected. (Ap­plause.) You, my Lord, and the noble family of Camperdown do not, however, re­quire to rely on the claims of your great ancestor to establish the feelings of respect and esteem entertained towards you and them by the citizens of Dundee. (Applause.) The interest; always shown by your family and yourself in the welfare of the city, your own public services, your regard and consideration for your dependents and those who have served you, the long periods that many of them have remained in the service of your family and your kindness to them after old age had overtaken them, are tokens of the true nobility for which the Camperdown family has always been remarkable. (Applause.) I have now the honour of handing to your Lordship this casket, containing the address which has been read by the Town Clerk. In doing so Ibeg to assure your Lordship that while today we especially commemorate the memory of one who has long parsed away we are not unmindful of the obligations we are under to the present representatives of his distinguished family. (Applause.) At the conclusion of his Lordship's speech, the Mars Band, stationed in the adjoining gallery, played “Hearts of Oak."

Lord Camperdown’s Reply

The Earl of Camperdown on rising to acknow­ledge the presentation was greeted with loud ap­plause. He said—My Lord Provost, it is hardly necessary that I should say that, as the descendent of Admiral Duncan, I am sincerely grateful to you for the tribute of honour and respect which you and the Magistrates of this city have seen fit to pay to his memory; and I concur with you, my Lord Provost, most deeply in those words in which you said that the honour" which you are paying to his memory is enhanced by the fact that we have at present amongst; us the descendants of some of the captains of his fleet—(applause)— those captains whose efforts, in combination with his own, during the trying times ofhis command in the North Seas asserted and maintained the dominion of the British Empire. (Applause.) A hundred years, my Lord is a long time—a very long time—and and we who live in all the hurry and the excitement andthe pressure of life, such as it is at the present time, may be pardoned, and indeed it would not be strange, if we were to concentrate our attention upon the present and upon the future, to the exclusion and to the forgetfulness of the past. And if this isnot so it is because the history of the 150 years to which this casket goes back contains the growth and the formation of what is now the British Empire. (Applause.) One hundred and fifty years ago, when Admiral Duncan went to sea, his father, as you, myLord, have said, was holding this town for the House of Hanover. His brother was. holding a commission in a regiment for the House of Hanover and he himself entered the service of the House of Hanover, while, only a few weeks before, this town had been in the possession of the

Adherents of the Stuarts

so that at that moment it was not even certain which was going to be the dynasty which would occupy the throne of this island. Passing on 50 years, and approaching the time at which Admiral Duncan was nearing the conclusion of his service, this country was engaged in a death struggle with the revolutionary forces of France, which were aided and headed by the genius of Napoleon, and if at that time some of our public men had been different from what they were, and particularly if any one of our sailors had failed the nation at that time, the British Empire, of which we should be citizens, might be an Empire, and would have been Empire very different from that Empire, the extent and magnitude of which has lately made itself so manifest m the celebra­tion of the 60th year of the reign of our great and good Queen. (Applause.) There is one thing which, when speaking of Admiral Duncan's offices, I had forgotten to say, and which I would not willingly pass by, and that is that these descendants of his officers who are here present do not merely represent illustrious naval names, but they are themselves distinguished members of that distinguished profession which furnishes an outward and visible sign of the influence and the authority of threat Britain in every quarter of the globe—(loud applause)—and which —owing to the magnitude and the merit of ser­vices rendered to the country quite as much in times of peace as in times of war—has given to that profession the foremost place in the respect, in the confidence, and I think 1 may almost say in the affections of this country. (Applause.) It is not for me to allude to the public services of Admiral Duncan, Those services are for others to speak of, or indeed they must speak for themselves, (Applause.) But there is

One Side of his Character

On which I think I may be pardoned if I say one word. I allude to his own family and private life. Now, I feel certain that what I say will go home to all of you— that we all have a legitimate pride in our family, that every one of us in our family know of the existence of some member, it may be, who has passed away, it may be who is still living amongst! us, who commands the veneration and respect of the whole family, and who is undoubtedly its head and its forefront. The illustrious ancestor I know—the venerable ancestor—-cannot make his posterity either wiser or better than they are, but there is one great service which he renders to them, and which he cannot ever cease to render to them, and that is that he stands a tutelary god in front of his own house, always warning, always admonishing them by the silent example, which is far more eloquent than any words, to do nothing of any kind to lower, or to stain, or to tarnish the good name which he has handed down to them, (Applause,) I will only further say that I wish once more to repeat the acknowledgment of my gratitude, on behalf of my family, to you and to this city, in which Admiral Duncan was born, and near to which he now sleeps his long sleep, with his task performed and his duty done. (Applause.)

Camperdown Portraits

The Lord Provost—Before bringing this meeting to a close, I wish to intimate that in one of the ante-rooms there is a splendid collection to be found of portraits of Admiral Lord Duncan and those valiant officers who assisted him in his distinguished career,. I am sure it will be very in­teresting, and, as the collection can only remain here for two or three days, I think you should have a look at the portraits now, (Applause.) Continuing, his Lordship said—I think we cannot) do better than bring: a meeting like this, held in honour of one who was ever ready to devote his talents to his Sovereign and his country, to a close by giving three hearty cheers for Her Majesty the Queen.
Three cheers, loud and prolonged, were then given for Her Majesty, the band playing the National Anthem,
The Lord provost—I am going to ask you to give another three cheers, which I am sure will be given very heartily, for the Earl of Camperdown and Lady Aberuromby.
The cheers were enthusiastically accorded.
The proceedings terminated with three cheers for the Lord Provost. The suggestion by the Lord Provost that the company should inspect the collection of Camperdown pictures, lent by Mrs A. C. Lamb and others, was acted upon by the large majority of those present.

The Address.

Executed on a vellum 22 inches long and 12½ inches broad, the address is a beautiful specimen of illuminated work, The texts is engrossed in two columns, The top and bottom of each column are occupied by pretty water-colour sketches depict­ing scenes connected with the event under celebra­tion. Those at the top represent the engagement off Camperdown and Admiral De Winter surren­dering his sword to Admiral Duncan on the deck of the Venerable ; while at the bottom are views of the Albert Institute and Art Gallery and of Camperdown House, The pictures are sur­rounded by ornamentation after the Renaissance style. In the text of the first column are the Camperdown arms in heraldic colours, and in the second is a representation of the Camperdown medal struck after the battle. The seal of the Corporation is affixed to the address. The borders have been appropriately; treated with a thistle decoration, and the heading is finely illuminated in harmonious colouring. The vellum is bound in blue silk ribbon. The address is the work of the lithographic department of the Dundee Advertiser Office.

The Presentation Casket

The casket is a handsome specimen of the silversmith's art. Its dimensions are about 8 inches long by 5 inches high, and all over it is beautifully chased and engraved. On the front there are three panels, the centre and larger one containing the inscription, while the smaller ones on either side bear the arms of the city. The back is similarly panelled, a view of the Royal Arch filling the large space, while the others are occupied by pairs of crossed flags, under one of the pairs of flags being the date 1797, and under the other the date 1897. The ends of the casket bear views of the Old Steeple and the Town House. The lid is elaborately treated. On the front shield is the Camperdown coat of arms, and the letter "C" and an Earl's coronet are emblazoned on the back shield. The whole casket is surmounted with a model of the Venerable Admiral Duncan's ship, and at each corner stand figures of sailors of a hundred years ago. The inscription is as follows:—

To
The Right Honourable The Earl of Camperdown,
with
An Address
By
the City of Dundee
on
Centenery of the Battle of Camperdown
11th October 1897.

The inside of the casket is lined with pale blue silk and the whole isenclosed in a morocco case lined with blue velvet and silk. The casket has been specially made to the design of Mr James Rattray, jeweller, Nethergate, Dundee.

Luncheon at the Town Hall

A procession was then formed, consisting of the Mars Band, bluejackets, and carriages containing the Magistrates, Town Councillors, and other guests, and proceeded by way of Reform Street to the Town Hall. A large crowd lined both sides of the street and watched the cavalcade go past, The band played patriotic naval airs, and the distinguished visitors were loudly cheered by the way.
The next event in the day's proceedings was the luncheon in the Town Hall, to which the Lord Provost had invited between 80 and 90 guests. The banquet was purveyed by Mr Joseph, Rickard, of the Royal British Hotel, and was most artistically laid out. The portrait of Admiral Duncan was hungfor the occasion in the place which it occupied prior to being removed to the Albert Galleries and number of national flags adorned the walls

After luncheon, the lord Provost gave the toast of M Her Majesty the Queen," which, he said he proposed under very remarkable circumstances, They were met that day to commemorate the achievement of a great; feat of arms by this country, and a great victory acquired under the commandership of an Admiral whom they had the honour of claiming as a townsman of their   own. (Applause.) That victory bad a great deal to do with establishing securely the throne which was now occupied by the Queen. On that account they felt more than usual pleasure that such a victory should have been obtained. (Applause.) They had with them that day the representatives of the Admiral to whose skill they were largely indebted for the vic­tory of Camperdown- (Applause) and the representatives of officers who did their part valiantly in supporting their gallant Admiral. (Applause) Two of the officers, whose representatives were with them, survived the victory, and reaped the honour of their fellow countrymen for the part they took in that engagement. (Applause.) But the ancestor of one gallant gentleman who was with them laid down hislife for his country ten minutes after the battle had begun. Under ordinary circumstances the toast of Her Majesty was always sure in Dundee of that loyal reception with which it met wherever the English language was spoken and wherever the British nation exercised its influence. (Hear, hear.) On this occasion he was sure the toast would meet with a specially enthusiastic reception. It was with no diminished, but rather with increased, enthusiasm that they fervently uttered the prayer “God Save the Queen." (Loud applause.)

The toast was honoured with great cordiality.
The lord Provost next gave the toast of "The Prince and Princess of Wales and other Members of the Royal Family," remarking that in every respect the people of Great Britain and of the Greater Britain beyond the seas had every reason to feel that they had been blessed with such a Royal Family as they were proud to call their own. (Applause.)

An Unparalleled Navy

The lord provost  then submitted the "Navy, Army, and Reserve Forces,"

Admiral Sir henry fairfax returned thanks on behalf of the navy, and said he propped to say a few words in regard to the great changes which had taken place in the service which he represented during the last 100 years. In 1797 their ships were dependent upon sail and wind; in 1897 they were dependent, with a very few exceptions, entirely upon Steam. Their iron monsters had taken the place of the stately line-of-battle ship, and there was a marvellous change in everything connected with their ships. The ship on which he had the honour to fly his flag, the Royal Sovereign, was A vessel of 14,000 tons, and 9000 horse power, which could be developed to 13,000. Then as regarded the cost of ships, the Royal Sovereign cost nearly as much as ten first-class vessels did in the beginning of the century; a third-class cruiser nearly as much as a 100 gun ship did in 1797; a fist class torpedo boat Cost a little less than a 50-ton Frigate did in Duncan's time. Then as to the guns, they had increased too in a marvellous way. They had now guns mounted on board ship weighing 110 tons, with a charge of 950 lbs of powder, and shooting a projectile of 1800 lbs. There had been a gun lately built at Woolwich of 46 tons which was even more powerful than the 110-ton gun, and could shoot a projectile of 860 lbs through 34½ inches of armour at a range of 1000 yards.

The larger gun was only able to put its projectile through 32 inches of armour. Then as to the personnel of the navy. In the old days they had to trust to the pressgang very often. Now they put their boys through a very careful training. They were instructed in their duties, and the system answered ad­mirably. He did not think they could possibly have a finer set of men for seamen than they had at the present, time. They were thoroughly competent to manipulate the compli­cated weapons and machinery entrusted to their care. He was sure that if ever officers or men were called upon to act, it would be found they would prove themselves worthy descendants of the heroes of Camperdown. (Applause.)

Captain anderson replied for the army. He said he was sure no one of them could read or hear of such battles as that which they had been commemorating that day without feeling intense admiration for the men who commanded and the men who fought. With the feelings which had been stirred in them and recalled to their minds by the celebrations that day no body of men sympathised more deeply than did Her Majesty's army.  (Applause.) He joined cordially in the expression of deep admiration for the navy, and they sympathised specially with the tribute which that day had been paid to the memory of Admiral Duncan and his officers and men, and in the name of the army he begged to offer to Lord Camperdown very hearty congratulations and good wishes.

Colonel smith, replying for the volunteers, said the war authorities placed much confidence in the volunteers, and he was quite certain that when occasion arose that confidence would not be mis­placed. (Applause.)

The Present Earl of Camperdown

The lord provost, in proposing the toast of "The Earl of Camperdown," said they had been engaged that day in commemorating the memory of a great hero, the ancestor of the present Earl of Camperdown. Besides that distinguished hero there were many other members of the Duncan family that adorned the burgess roll-book of Dun­dee. They were indebted to many of the ancestors of the present Lord Camperdown for the valuable services they had rendered to the city and to the neighbourhood, as well as to the country at large. But he wished them to acknowledge the services that had been rendered to the country and to the neighbourhood by the present distinguished holder of the title of the Earl of Camperdown. It was almost unnecessary that he should refer to these services before such a meeting as that, because he knew they in Dundee appreciated very highly what Lord Camperdown had done for the neigh­bourhood; but he might be permitted in a very few words to mention what his Lordship had done for his country at large. He knew the members of the House of Commons had to work very hard because their taskmasters, their consti­tuents, were continually at their heels urging them to do something or other, whether it was right or wrong. (Laughter.) The House of Lords was not directly subject to that wholesome discipline, and the consequence, per­haps, was that a very considerable number of the members of that House abandoned themselves to what he might call an inglorious ease. (Laughter.) While that was so, the fact remained that a great many members of that House had in all stages of the country's history distinguished themselves by their ability, and by the devotion with which they had placed that ability

On the Altar of their Country

They had every reason to be proud of the House of Lords. No doubt, their talents were not equally divided. Some of them were particularly distinguished for one thing, and some of them unfortunately parti­cularly distinguished for another, (Laughter.) But for the whole they had every reason to be satisfied that they had a House of Lords. (Hear, hear, and applause.) Amongst the busy members of the House of Lords he was perfectly sure, from what they all knew, they would place Lord Camperdown. For very many years his Lordship had given special attention to the legislation of the country. He narrowly escaped being a member of the House of Commons, and he felt sure from what they knew of his Lordship that it was a great misfortune to the country that Lord Camperdown did not serve his apprenticeship in the House of Commons. He felt perfectly certain that their statute books and the history of the House of Commons would have been enriched had his Lord-ship been a member of the House of Com­mons before he became a member of the House of Lords. (Applause.) However, in the House of Lords he had not been an idle member. At all times they found him busy in promoting the best interests of the country, and they in Dundee had reason to be very specially indebted to his Lordship. Whenever any question con­nected with Dundee was before Parliament they were sure of the very ready and hearty and very powerful support of the Earl of Camperdown.

(Applause.) Members of the Town Council of Dundee knew that during very manyyears past a number of important measures that had given special benefits to the city would not have been on the statute book in the form in which they are had it not been for the assistance of Lord Camperdown, (Applause.) Then in the County Council they knew his Lordship had taken a very active part, and it was very pleasing to find

Noble men of His Lordship’s position

devoting their time and talents to the further­ance of the very important matters that came under the consideration of that body. (Ap­plause.) They found great landowners and those who had deep interests in the success of county legislation occupying prominent positions in the county legislatures, and in that of Forfarshire Lord Camperdown had always taken a very important and very valuable and very beneficial part. (Applause.) In Dundee he had the honour for some time of sitting as a co-member with Lord Camperdown at the Harbour Board, and he could assure them—and he was sure what he had to say would be borne out by several gentlemen he saw round the table who were members of the Board at the same time—that Lord Camperdown’s part was no sinecure. He took a deep, sincere, and hearty interest in the welfare of the Harbour, and he thought the Harbour had not benefited by the change which removed his Lordship from a seat at that Board. (Applause.) Then as a landlord be thought they ought to feel very proud of a neighbour such as Lord Camperdown. They knew his farmer tenants held him in very high esteem. (Ap­plause.) They knew also that many dependents of his family had the very highest regard for his Lordship. But that was not personal to him. It had distinguished the Camperdown family as far back as the history of that family went. (Ap­plause.) That was a record of which any noble­man might feel proud. They in Dundee were very highly gratified that they had as a near neighbour a nobleman having all the characteristics which distinguished Lord Camperdown. (Applause.)

According to their Lights

The Earl of camperdown, in responding, said he had to thank them very sincerely for the toa.«t which they had been pleased to receive with so much heartiness, and he returned thanks for it with all the more pleasure that the subject to which his Lordship had been pleased to allude was one upon which he (the Earl) had absolutely nothing to say. They all lived according to the lights which were vouchsafed to them, and all they could do was to maintain the hope that these lights were tolerably transparent and tolerably clear. (Applause.) He begged once more to return his thanks for the kindly expressions which had been used with regard to himself and also with regard to Lady Abereromby. (Applause.)

Campanions in Arms

The Lord Provost next gave the toast of "The Representatives of Admiral Duncan's
Companions in Arms, "coupling it with the names of Admiral Fairfax, Vice-Admiral Hotham, and Captain Watson,

Admiral Fairfax said he had been asked by the other representatives of the Captains who fought at Camperdown to reply for them as well as for himself. They were very much gratified as having been asked to come to Dundee on this interesting occasion to help in celebrating the glorious victory gained off the Texel. It was a time of great anxiety in the country. Lord St. Vincent had been obliged to retreat with his fleet from the Mediterranean, and great fleets were assembled at Cadiz, Brest, and Texel threatening this country. His grandfather was in the action as Flag Captain, and was deputed by the Admiral to take home the first news of the victory, He landed in the Rose cutter and posted up to London, where he went to the Admiralty, on reaching which he found such an immense crowd assembled outside that he was obliged to go in by the back entrance. He (the speaker) had never been in Dundee before, and he was sure he would take away very pleasant recollections of the kindness he had received here.

The Earl of Camperdown proposed the toast of the "Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council of Dundee," to which Bailie Doig re­sponded.
Appropriate music was discoursed during the progress of the luncheon by an orchestra under the charge, of Mr Stewart. The proceedings ter­minated by the company awarding, on the call of the Lord Provost, three hearty cheers for the Camperdown party. The Earl and Lady Abercromby with their guests thereafter drove off to Camperdown House.

FIREWORK DISPLAY IN BAXTER PARK.

The firework display in the Baxter Park, if one may judge from the number who turned out to witness it, was undoubtedly the event in the public celebration of the centenary of the victory of Camperdown which more than any other appealed to the public. A small charge of admission to cover expenses was made, and thought the display was not timed to begin before seven o'clock a constant stream of sightseers began to find its way into the park as early as five o'clock. Admission was to be obtained at the south, east and north gates where excellent arrangements for selling tickets and dealing with large crowds had been made by Mr Walter McGregor, Superinten­dent of Dundee Public Baths. The band of the 1st City of Dundee Volunteers was in attendance at five o'clock, and to the large gathering what would otherwise have been a dreary wait was made the occasion of an enjoyable open-air concert, a feature of which was an appropriate nautical selection entitled " A Life on the Ocean," which was very well received by the crowd. The grounds were very tastefully decorated at the entrances, Chinese lanterns being festooned among the shrubberies, the variegated colours of the lamps showing admirably amongst the dark green foliage. The facade of the Pavilion was similarly illuminated, the effect, as seen from the lower portion of the park, where the display was conducted being very fine. The illuminations and fireworks were supplied and manipulated by Messrs James Pain & Sons, the well-known firm of London pyrotechnists, under the supervision of Mr John Broadbent, who has figured with success at such exhibitions from Kimberly to New York. The weather was dry but cold,and the atmospheric conditions were not all that could be desired, the moonlight telling somewhat against effect and the strong wind being rather a hindrance to the manipulation of aerial fireworks. The display of rockets and the brilliancy of the coloured fires which they emitted was a fine one, as, indeed, was the ex­hibition as a whole, and it deservedly evoked the applause of the Spectators. The display began with a salute of Aerial Maroons and gun-cotton signals.

These were earned to a great height and as witnessed from the Fife shore and from the Tay Bridge, against the dark background of the Sidlaw Hills, were seen to much advantage, the detonation being heard over a very wide area. For about an hour thereafter the spectators were treated to a display of astonishing brilliancy. One of the features of the show was a large silver firewheel, which emitted immense sprays of silver fire, the wheel before becoming extinguished assuming the form of a revolving sun of great brightness. Ten 12 inch shells were fired.These exploded at a great height, and depending, as it were, from the point of the explosive, coloured spheres of symmetrical form floated across the sky. The pyrotechnic devices included some of the latest productions from Messrs Pain's works. Illuminations of the ground by means of coloured fire were highly successful. The trees and shrubs stood out in bold relief, while the dark mass of the spectators could be seen against the high ground intervening between the light and the Pavilion. It was only then that one realised the large dimensions of the crowd present. A series of what are technically termed, and which bear a likeness to, a fountain in which fire has been substituted for water was one of the pyrotechnist's efforts which came in for favourable comment. A note­worthy item was a remarkably life-like portrait in fire of Lord Provost McGrady, who, along with many of the Magistrates and Councillors, were present to see this presentment of the civic head of Dundee. But the piece which, above all others, attracted attention was a representation of the Battle of Camperdown, re­markably realistic in design and execution. This battle piece, drawn to scale measured 60 feet by 40 feet, supported on a strong and high staging, so that it defied the strength of the wind, and was in a position well suited to the sightseers. This concluded the display, and to the strains of "God Save the Queen" the crowd melted away. The drawings at the gate amounted to £168 13s 8d, and fully 8000 people passed the turnstiles.

Sketch of Lord Camperdown’s Career

Robert-Adam Philips Haldane-Duncan, Viscount Duncan of Camperdown, and Baron Duncan of Lundie (to give his name and titles in full) was born on 28th May 1841, and is the elder son of Adam, second Earl of Camperdown, and Juliana Cavendish, eldest daughter of Sir George Richard Philip Bart., M.P. His grandfather was Robert Dundas the second Viscount, who was created .Earl of Camperdown in 1831, and who was the elder son of the great Admiral Duncan, so that the present holder of the title is the great-grandson of the hero of Camperdown, He was educated at Eton and thereafter at Balliol College, Oxford, where he took first in classics in 1861, and in the following year the degree of B, A. In 1863 he became con­nected with the Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry, rising in course of time to the rank of Captain. The same year saw him appointed a Deputy - Lieutenant of Forfarshire. In 1864, when he was only 23 years of age, he contested a constituency with the view to entering upon a Parliamentary career, but his Candidature was unsuccessful.

On the death of his father in January 1867, he succeeded to the title, and took his seat in the House of Lords. His maiden speech in July of the same year made a most favourable impression upon his brother Peers, its delivery being characterised by fluency, precision, and spirit;, which were regarded as indicative of statesmanlike qualities in the speaker, During the years 1868-71 his Lordship held the office of a Lord-in-Waiting to the Queen; and in 1871, when the Gladstone Administration was in power, the ability he had displayed since his entry into political life was recognised by his selection for the post of Civil Lord of the Admiralty, which he held until the dissolution of Parliament in January 1874. Since that date the Earl has maintained an active interest in political affairs, speaking on numerous occasions in the House of Lords, and always in a manner that commands attention, When the great rupture took place in the Liberal party on the question of Home Rule, Lord Camperdown took his stand with the Liberal Unionists, of whose policy in regard to Ireland he has been a consistent and vigorous supporter.

He is Hon. President of the Dundee and District Liberal Unionist Association, and has frequently taken part as Chairman and speaker in political demonstrations in Dundee. His Lordship's interest in local affairs has all along been very keen. He has been an energetic member of the Forfarshire County Council ever since that body came into existence, and for a period discharged with the utmost satisfaction the important duties of Convener of the Council To Dundee he has been a good friend, without number he has given his valuable assistance in the furtherance of praiseworthy objects, and has been heartily supported in this respect by his sister, Lady Abercromby.

He was ap­pointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Dundee when it was constituted a county of a city three years ago. In the affairs of University College he has shown a specially warm interest, and has been a strong advocate of Dundee's claims in the lengthy negotiations for the affiliation of the College to the University of St Andrews. Among his own tenantry the Earl is very popular, bearing the character of an enlightened and pro­gressive landlord. His Lordship's principal seat is Camperdown House, and he owns the estates of Camperdown and Lundie, and the estate of Gleneagles in Perthshire, He also holds large estates in Warwickshire, and is a Magistrate for the County of Worcester. His London residence is at Berkeley Square.

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Iain D. McIntosh, 2020