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Location: St Michael’s Church, Heighington, Co Durham
Type: Wall Plaque
Material: White marble
Location: On the north wall of the chancel.
Description: Made of white marble mounted on black marble, the text is surmounted by a relief consisting of cannons, cannon balls, an anchor, a flat, a powder cask, an axe and other naval objects. The base is supported by two brackets and between these is a carved coat of arms with the motto: ‘VIRTUTE ET OPERA’.
Sculptor: I Ternouth, Pimlico, London Dimensions: Plaque 91.5 cm × 81.5cm Backing: 240 cm × 127 cm
Note: Trafalgar House in Heighington, built by Cumby in 1830, still stands in the village, though it is no longer owned by his family.
Transcription
sacred to the memory of
CAPTAIN WILLIAM PRYCE CUMBY, R.N._C.B.
who died at pembroke
captain superintendent of the naval arsenal,
and in command of the royal sovereign yacht,
xxvii september mdcccxxxvii aged lxvi.
in the BATTLE of TRAFALGAR
where at an early period of the engagement he succeeded to the command
of the bellerophon of 74 guns, which was then opposed in the hottest of
the action to a superior force being in contact with the french ship l’aigle,
closely engaged with the spanish ship el monarca,
and exposed to the fire of several other ships of the enemy’s line
he nobly maintained the unequal contest, displaying in this critical
position a skill and valour worthy of the eventful day, and animating by his
example the victorious efforts of his gallant crew.
at the capture of the city of ST. DOMINGO
he acquired additional distinction by the great ability with which he
conducted the operations of the naval force, and by his humanity to the
vanquished in their surrender to the british arms.
in his profession his considerate care for the comforts of those under his
command secured to him the service of attached hearts.
in private life his cheerful temper and social kindness endeared him to all
classes in and around this village, where his virtues and unaffected piety