The HMS Lutine was a frigate in the Royal Navy. In 1799, the warship sunk during a storm near the West Frisian Islands off Netherlands’ coast. Her large cargo of gold and silver was insured by Lloyd’s of London. Salvage efforts continued through 1938 yet only about 20% of the estimated ₤1.2 million in precious metal was recovered. After this cannon, one of 38 onboard, was reclaimed from the bottom of the North Sea in 1886, the insurance company presented it to Queen Victoria. The cast-iron smoothbore is now on display along the North Terrace of Windsor Castle.
