Broke Hall on the Orwell : Captain Philip Broke

Broke Hall was the home of the Broke family and the birthplace of Philip Broke: his grandfather, father and son all had the same name. Father was one of the commanders of the Sea Fencibles responsible for local defence during the Napoleonic wars, the item on HMS Medusa touches upon this period. A likely boyhood influence was Admiral Vernon who lived modestly on the Broke estate¹Where was Vernon’s house?.

The name is pronounced Brook not Broke: the phrase ‘An English Brook, And an Irish River’ is an aide memoire²Brighton, John George, and Philip Bowes Vere Broke. Admiral Sir P.B.V. Broke, Bart., K.C.B., Etc. : A Memoir. London : Sampson Low, son, and Marston, 1866..

In the unfortunate 1812 conflict between Great Britain and the United States, one of the key engagements was the capture of the USS Chesapeake, commanded by Captain Lawrence, by HMS Shannon commanded by Captain Philip Broke: the public house in nearby Bucklesham commemorates the Shannon.

The battle between the two ships resulted from a gentleman’s challenge from Broke to Lawrence and a matter of honour to both. The fight lasted only eleven minutes, in large part because of the training and techniques by which Broke had developed his men and ship. The serious injury that he received during the boarding of the Chesapeake ended his active naval career.

Captain Lawrence, commander of the Chesapeake, was remembered for his dying admonition to his crew of “Don’t give up the ship”, during the battle. The largest ship of the US. Lake Erie fleet was named in his honour³Although this ship, USS Lawrence, suffered greatly in the battle against the British on the lake, the U.S. Navy prevailed through the efforts of USS Niagara. Niagara, although a replica, is now a training ship on the lake. The timbers of the Cheaspeake became the structure of Wickham Mill, in Hampshire (sadly, not Wickham Market.)

For Patrick O’Brian aficionados, Jack is rescued by Broke whilst escaping as an injured prisoner from Boston. This ensures that he witnesses the famous action although is unable to participate⁴The Fortune of War – Wikipedia.

Philip Broke had a particular interest in naval gunnery, especially the Carronade (see Punchinello and Sir Anthony Deane). His innovations and ideas were incorporated into Royal Navy doctrine and he was a key influence in the establishment of the gunnery school HMS Excellent⁵Martin Bibbings (2016) ‘An Awkward Engine’: Captain Philip Broke’s troublesome relationship with the carronade, The Mariner’s Mirror, 102:3, 303-324, DOI:10.1080/00253359.2016.1202486 .

One of Broke’s sons was George, who also became an Admiral: his other sailor son, Philip, was at one point commander of HMS Erebus in the Mediterranean and appears to inherited his father’s passion for gunnery although was unable to prove himself in action⁶Erebus: The Story of a Ship: Palin, Michael, needs cross-checking see Philip Broke (1804-1855) .

• 1
  Where was Vernon’s house?
• 2
  Brighton, John George, and Philip Bowes Vere Broke. Admiral Sir P.B.V. Broke, Bart., K.C.B., Etc. : A Memoir. London : Sampson Low, son, and Marston, 1866.
• 3
  Although this ship, USS Lawrence, suffered greatly in the battle against the British on the lake, the U.S. Navy prevailed through the efforts of USS Niagara. Niagara, although a replica, is now a training ship on the lake
• 4
  The Fortune of War – Wikipedia
• 5
  Martin Bibbings (2016) ‘An Awkward Engine’: Captain Philip Broke’s troublesome relationship with the carronade, The Mariner’s Mirror, 102:3, 303-324, DOI:10.1080/00253359.2016.1202486
• 6
  Erebus: The Story of a Ship: Palin, Michael, needs cross-checking see Philip Broke (1804-1855)