IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0064 PLT
Held at: National Maritime Museum
Title: Platt, John (fl 1780-1832)
Date(s): [1780-1832]
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 12 boxes
Name of creator(s): Platt | John | fl 1780-1832 | seaman
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The papers start with Platt serving aboard HMS PORTO (c 1780-1782). After PORTO, Platt served on various ships, including HMS ISIS, HMS EAGLE, and HMS CENTURION, mainly in the East and West Indies. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 7 November 1793 and then served on a number of ships, such as HMS ALLIGATOR and HMS ROYAL SOVEREIGN. During his career, Platt appears to have also served in the merchant navy, notably on the KATHARINE, COUNTESS OF EFFINGHAM, which carried Thomas, Earl of Effingham, governor of Jamaica, and his wife to Jamaica (1789-1790). Platt did not enjoy his time in merchant service and the collection includes an example of a reply from the Admiralty to Platt's letter, requesting employment. He also appears to have been involved with the Folkstone Sea Fencibles, with the collection including several documents relating to impressment. Platt was superannuated commander 2 December 1828 and can be found in the retired section of the Navy Lists for the years 1828-1832.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers of John Platt, including a number of logbooks, orders and instructions, signals, watch/quarter/station bills, material relating to impressment, victuals and a number of sketch books and miscellaneous papers. Not all of the material belonged to John Platt, with one notebook being signed by a Charles Platt, 50th regiment and other documents signed by a G E Platt and an Edward Platt.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
Conditions governing access:
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Finding aids:
Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
The papers were donated to the Museum in 1982, with the more personal items remaining with the donor.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Related material:
The sea chest, inscribed "ROYAL SOVEREIGN", in which the papers were kept, was also donated to the Museum and is now with Weapons and Antiquities (ref AAA3336).
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Edited by Sarah Drewery, Sep 2011.
Date(s) of descriptions: 2011-03-23