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Location: At west end of Newcastle-upon-Tyne Cathedral
Type: Bust and Memorial
Material: White marble
Description: A white marble draped cenotaph with, above, a shield and sword and inscription ‘Trafalgar’ and ‘Ferar unus et idem’. A bust of the deceased on pedestal, with four ships carved on each side behind two columns each with four ships’ sterns. On a stone plinth simulating rock in sea.
Dimensions: Base 238 cm × 100 cm. Inscription 86 cm × 52 cm. Overall height: 380 cm.
Architect: R. Cockerell, London Sculptor: C. Rossi RA, London
Transcription
1st of june st vincents. trafalgar.
sacred to the memory of
the right honourable CUTHBERT baron COLLINGWOOD,
vice admiral of the red and major general of marines, who was born in this town of
an ancient family. He served with great bravery in the action of the 1st of june 1794,
and bore a most distinguished part in the victory off cape st vincents in 1797.
in the memorable battle of trafalgar, he led the british squadrons into action,
and pressed forward with his single ship into the midst of the
combined fleets of france and spain.
on that day after the death of his illustrious commander and friend lord NELSON,
he completed the most glorious and decisive victory
that is recorded in the naval annals of the world.
he held the command of the mediterranean for nearly five years, during which he
never quitted his vessel for a single day displaying unrivalled professional skill, and
conducting many difficult and important negotiations
with great political sagacity and address.
at length on the decline of his health he became anxious to revisit his native land
but having learned that his services could ill be spared in those critical times,
he replied that his life was his country’s and persevered in the discharge of his
arduous duties till worn out with fatigue he expired at sea,
on the 7th of march 1810, in the 61st year of his age.
in private life he was generous and affectionate, a pious just and exemplary man.
a monument has been raised by parliament to his memory in the cathedral church of
st pauls, where he lies by the side of the hero, to whom he so worthily
succeeded in the battle of trafalgar.
his widow, SARAH, daughter of JOHN ERASMUS BLACKETT esquire, of this town,
and his two daughters, had caused this cenotaph to be constructed,
and after her death on the 16th of September 1819,
it was inscribed to both their revered and lamented parents
by their grateful children
NOTES: Every year, the Cathedral holds a service in memory of Lord Collingwood. There is also a children’s event at Christmas which involves various parts of the Cathedral, including the Collingwood memorial.