From Wight to Whyte -Malta / Naval interest

1859 cover from RYDE (Isle of Wight) to MALTA. Sent to Captain John William Whyte on the HMS Centurion (pictured), where he was then second in command (eventually rose to rank of rear admiral).

Franked with SG69 6d deep lilac tied by 666 of Ryde.

Another Malta related item with a great story attached to it. Whyte and the Centurion were involved in a rescue operation to save a drowning man off the island of Corfu. This was later recorded on canvas by a Maltese artist called Giovanni Schranz (see self portrait).

We know this thanks to a letter from Whyte to his wife recounting the story. See transcript below.

Super item.

An extract of a letter written by Captain J.W. Whyte (H.M.S. Centurion) to his wifeː

"And now I will tell you about the picture. Before Royal Albert went home Captain Egerton sent me a present of a small sketch he made of us, when we performed an evolution which pleased Lord Lyons very much. It took place on the 3rd May on our passage to Corfu, and was as follows. We had all been trying rate of sailing with a strong breeze, and were nearly in a line abreast, when Royal Albert split her Main Topsail, and the signal was made to discontinue. We shortened sail and were gradually edging up to proper position, to two cables astern of the Flagship, when I saw a man fall from her Main Top into the water. A glance told me if I put the helm down we must run foul of the Royal Albert, so I put it the contrary way, squared the after Yards, let go our life buoy, and lowered a boat. Everyone praised the evolution very much, and Lord Lyons took an opportunity of telling Sir W. Stopford about it, saying it was the cleverest thing done for a long time. The poor fellow never rose again, so our efforts were unavailing, but we did our best; and Captain Egerton sent me the pencil sketch, which I gave to an old fellow at Malta by the name of Shrantz, a poor man who is badly off, and he painted it for me. I believe it is pretty correct, and as far as the sky is concerened quite so for it was sirocco. I thought you would like it." John William Whyte R.N.

1859 cover RYDE to MALTA. SG69 6d deep lilac Captain Whyte HMS Centurion