An iconic sea chest of early 19th century Royal Navy in its own right, but this one is incredibly important piece of maritime history in that it was the chest of one of Nelson's famous ‘Band of Brothers’, Sir Benjamin Hallowell Carew (1761–1834).

In its beautiful original black and white livery, an iron bound Royal Navy Officers travelling trunk, made and supplied by the finest Naval outfitters Gieve, Matthews & Seagrove Ltd, established in 1785, There is a large brass cartouche reading B. Hallowell Carew RN on the substantial lid. Inside it has a teak fitted interior with brass hangings to the underside of the lid that would have stored His dirk, telescope and ebony navigation rule,  and inside the chest are drop in trays and compartments for uniforms and toiletries etc.

There is extensive and fascinating reading in terms of Hallowell Carew, here is a very brief outline of who he was:

Sir Benjamin Hallowell Carew (1761–1834) was a British naval officer who played a notable supporting role in the Royal Navy’s success during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, into a Loyalist family, he moved to England during the American Revolution and entered the Royal Navy at a young age.

He rose through the ranks during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, becoming a trusted subordinate of Horatio Nelson. Hallowell distinguished himself through bold leadership and strict discipline, particularly in Mediterranean campaigns. He is best remembered for his involvement in the Battle of the Nile, a decisive British victory over the French fleet. After the battle, he famously presented Nelson with a coffin made from the wreckage of a captured French ship—an anecdote that became part of naval legend.

Throughout his career, he commanded several ships and contributed to Britain’s naval dominance during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1828, he inherited an estate and adopted the surname Carew. He died in 1834, remembered as a capable and loyal officer closely associated with Nelson’s successes.