This is a very nice silver plated brass Mutton Bone Holder, used to secure the joint when being carved, perhaps by the Ship's Captain at an Officer's dinner. It is marked on the side with a naval “Fouled Anchor” under “Acheron”. Date before 1805
HMS Acheron was purchased by the Admiralty in 1803 and fitted as a bomb vessel to serve in the Mediterranean Sea off the French coast. On 4th of Feb 1805 she was leading a convoy from Malta to England with the sloop H.M.S Arrow. Acheron had an armament of eight 24 pdr. guns, and engaged the French frigate Hortense, which with 40 guns was more than a match for the smaller ship. After a battle the Acheron's Captain struck his colors, and the French took the British crew as prisoners and removed the weapons. The Acheron was so badly damaged that the French burnt her, instead of pressing her into service.