HMS Lutine
A cargo of gold
More than 200 years ago, on the night of October 9th 1799, the British frigate HMS Lutine foundered off the Dutch Frisian coast near the islands of Terschelling and Vlieland. All passengers and crew members, in all 270, perished, except for one survivor who was found clinging to a part of the upper gun deck.
The body of Captain Lancelot Skynner of the Lutine was retrieved. Together with two of his officers he was buried in the cemetery near the church on the island of Vlieland.
(pic: Henry Walters, Wikitree)
During her fateful voyage from Yarmouth to Cuxhafen / Hamburg (Germany) the Lutine was carrying a cargo of gold and silver bars and a significant quantity of gold and silver coins, which was destined for Hamburg in order to allay a severe financial crisis.
The exact amount of cargo aboard the Lutine is unknown, but its value was considerable. Estimates taken from newspapers from that period mention an amount of £ 430,000.-- to £ 1,000,000.--.
The cargo of silver and gold was insured at Lloyd’s, which is why Lloyd’s has an obvious interest in solving the mystery of the Lutine and the attempts to recover the precious lost cargo.
(pic: treasurenet)
(pic: treasurenet)
There were numerous salvage attempts and in 1859 the wreck yielded its most important treasure - the ship’s bell. The Lutine Bell, weighing 106 pounds and measuring 18 inches in diameter, is synonymous with the name of Lloyd’s. Traditionally it has been rung to herald important announcements – one stroke for bad news and two for good. It was hung in Lloyd’s Underwriting Room at the Royal Exchange and was rung when news of overdue ships arrived.
The bell has hung in four successive Underwriting Rooms. In the Royal Exchange 1890s-1928, Leadenhall Street 1928-1958, Lime Street 1958-1986; and in the present Lloyd’s building since 1986.
