Sydney International Boat Show 2006

A piece of true maritime historic significance will be on display for the first time in the world at the Sydney International Boat Show.

Personal artifacts from Lord Horatio Nelson's captain's cabin aboard HMS Victory will make their public debut since being shipped from the England to Australia back in 1824.

Nelson's telescope and personal bucket have never before been on public display but kept by a private family in Australia for over 186 years. The two relics which have been passed down through the generations by Lord Horatio Nelson's 'cabin boy' on the Victory William, Thomas Cook, are believed to be
authentic remaining pieces from the famed Battle of Trafalgar - where's England's greatest warrior fell and England's greatest victory was won.

A Queensland family, descendants of William Cook, have finally brought to light what appears is one of the most significant maritime artifacts of the era - a four section Telescope used by Lord Nelson as well a personal bucket from the ship.

In later life, Lord Horatio Nelson only had one eye and one arm and it appears the telescope was especially designed with four calibrations that when lined up using his one able arm, allowed him to see clearly through without requiring assistance.

The family has traced Nelson's 'cabin boy', William "Cookie" Cook's history back from his death Morpeth at 86 in 1881 in a small township in News South Wales to his time aboard the Victory at the age of 10 when the great battle was fought. While he played the part all through of only a powder-monkey and cabin boy for Lord Horatio Nelson, he fought alongside Nelson, and saw him fall.

Accordingly to an article published in 1881 in The Bulletin in Sydney Cookie was quoted as saying "Nelson, wasn't much to look at and had only one eye; but believe me, there was more in that one eye than you'd a'most see in any other two".

The family now wishes for the items to be recorded in history and both are expected to be sold out to an antique collector in the near future. Sunseeker will be featuring the world premier of these maritime relics at Sunseeker Island during the Sydney International Boat show for public viewing.