Wandering along the Ardrossan promenade, I stopped at the old war memorial which is in the shape of a Celtic cross.
Carved into the cross are prominent Scottish figures. The top panel shows Saint Columba, who brought Christianity to Scotland, while the bottom panel shows the explorer and missionary David Livingstone, the poet Robert Burns, and the inventor of the steam engine James Watt.
The middle panel has King Robert the Bruce with the word “Army” next to his name, and alongside him is Admiral Wood with the word “Navy” next his name.
Now, I must confess, I’d never heard of Admiral Wood, so my curiosity got the better of me and I had to do a little research.
I found out that Wood was often referred to as “The Scottish Nelson”.
Admiral Sir Andrew Wood began his naval career in the Royal Scots Navy under King James III (1460–1488) and later, his son King James IV (1488–1513).
He owned the Flower and the Yellow Carvel, both elite fighting ships, which he used to trade with ports in the Baltic and the Netherlands.
It is clear from reports at the time, that Wood was also an active privateer (a kind of legalised sea pirate), and that he preyed on any and all ships which were not Scottish, but particularly on those that were English.
(Image: Alan Bell)
During this time, he was appointed to become the personal sea captain to James III and was obliged to ensure the Yellow Caravel was available for Royal use at all times. In return, Wood was granted estates around Largo in Fife.
In 1488, he transported James III and his entourage to Stirling for the Battle of Sauchieburn. This battle was actually a civil war between the King and his son, Prince James, who wanted to take over the throne.
When James III was killed in the battle, Wood quickly transferred his allegiances to the new King, James IV.
Later that year, Wood and his two ships surprised, fought and captured five English ships in the sea around Dunbar. As a result, James IV knighted Wood. But the capture of five English ships so infuriated King Henry VII of England, that he offered £1,000 a year for life to any English captain who could capture Wood.
The challenge was accepted by Sir Stephen Bull, who sailed into the Firth of Forth with three of England’s most powerful war ships. The Flower and the Yellow Carvel, with Wood in charge, met the three English ships head-on, cheered by watching crowds on the Edinburgh shoreline.
The battle lasted two days, stopping only at night, and despite being outnumbered in ships and guns, Sir Andrew successfully captured the three English ships.
As thanks, James IV made Admiral Sir Andrew Wood the first Captain of Great Michael, which when constructed was the largest ship in Christendom. He also allowed Sir Andrew to enslave some of the captured English sailors so that they could be put to work building him a castle, Largo House.
In a manner befitting Scotland’s national naval hero, Sir Andrew went on to live in Largo House, which he linked with the local Parish Church by what is believed to be Scotland's earliest canal. In this way, he could be rowed to church in his own personal barge each Sunday.
What an amazing fellow with a hugely colourful life – and such a shame that I was never taught about him in school.
I’ll keep my eyes peeled for other local curiosities, but in the meantime, stay safe.
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