Collection GB 0064 BLC - Belcher, Sir Edward, (1799-1877)

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0064 BLC

Title

Belcher, Sir Edward, (1799-1877)

Date(s)

  • 1843-1854 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

2 vols, 2 files, 1 box

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Belcher entered the Navy in 1812, became a lieutenant in 1818 and a commander in 1829. After early experiences surveying in Arctic regions and a lengthy survey of the Pacific, he was given post-rank and a knighthood in 1841. From 1842 to 1847 he commanded the SAMARANG, in which he surveyed the coasts of Borneo, the Philippines and Formosa (Taiwan). In 1852 he was appointed to the Assistance to search for Sir John Franklin (q.v.). He was court-martialled for abandoning his ships but acquitted; one, however, was recovered the following year. He saw no more active service and reached the rank of admiral in 1872.

Archival history

GB 0064 BLC 1843-1854 Collection 2 vols, 2 files, 1 box Belcher , Sir , Edward , 1799-1877 , Knight , Admiral

Belcher entered the Navy in 1812, became a lieutenant in 1818 and a commander in 1829. After early experiences surveying in Arctic regions and a lengthy survey of the Pacific, he was given post-rank and a knighthood in 1841. From 1842 to 1847 he commanded the SAMARANG, in which he surveyed the coasts of Borneo, the Philippines and Formosa (Taiwan). In 1852 he was appointed to the Assistance to search for Sir John Franklin (q.v.). He was court-martialled for abandoning his ships but acquitted; one, however, was recovered the following year. He saw no more active service and reached the rank of admiral in 1872.

The papers were acquired in two parts. The first came to the Museum in the 1930s and consists of 110 letters from Belcher to Sir John Phillipart (1784-1874) between 1850 and 1863. The second was deposited on loan by Mr J.R. Belcher, in 1964.

Papers of Sir Edward Belcher comprising letter and order books, 1843 to 1847 and 1852 to 1854. There is a watch and signal book, undated, and some official service documents.

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Please contact the Archive for further information.

English

Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .

Edited by Sarah Drewery, Jun 2011.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

2011-03-08 Social sciences Military science Military affairs Naval affairs Belcher , Sir , Edward , 1799-1877 , Knight , Admiral Philippart , John , 1784-1874 , military writer

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

The papers were acquired in two parts. The first came to the Museum in the 1930s and consists of 110 letters from Belcher to Sir John Phillipart (1784-1874) between 1850 and 1863. The second was deposited on loan by Mr J.R. Belcher, in 1964.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Papers of Sir Edward Belcher comprising letter and order books, 1843 to 1847 and 1852 to 1854. There is a watch and signal book, undated, and some official service documents.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Conditions governing reproduction

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

National Maritime Museum

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area