The Story of the Lutine Bell

Throughout Lloyd’s of London’s history a few standout events have marked the corporation’s time and standing within the world of business. In these moments Lloyd’s has never failed to deliver in its promise to pay out to its customers when a major loss has occurred, whether that be the sinking of the Titanic or the horrific terrorist attacks of Tuesday 11th of September 2001.

One of the first and most infamous events involved a ship called the HMS Lutine, whose history has been intertwined with Lloyd’s since the 1700’s to the present day.

In 1793 during the battle of Toulon, the British Navy captured the famous 32 gun French frigate ‘La Lutine’ with it immediately being renamed the ‘HMS Lutine’.

For the next 6 years HMS Lutine was sailed under British flag, used primarily as a battleship and then in its later life for transporting goods. In 1799 the Hamburg economy was on the brink of collapse. In order to prevent this happening City of London merchants sent vast amounts of gold and silver to the German city. It is also rumoured that the Dutch crown jewels were on board. Lloyd’s of London underwriters insured all the treasure on board the vessel.

The vessel departed in early October 1799 for Hamburg when it encountered a heavy storm off the West Frisian Islands in Holland, whilst carrying its precious cargo and 240 crew. On the 9th of October 1799 the vessel was dragged by the tide and a heavy north westerly breeze onto the sandbanks off the Dutch coast where it was wrecked, with the entire crew perishing bar one.

At this point, this was the largest financial disaster Lloyd’s had encountered in its entire history, however, under the skilled guidance and leadership of Lloyd’s underwriter John Angerstein the claim was paid within two weeks, in full. This loss cemented Lloyd’s worldwide reputation for prompt and full payment of all valid claims, one which still stands today. As a reminder to the syndicates, underwriters and the rest of the world of Lloyd’s promise, the HMS Lutine’s bell which was recovered by divers in 1858 still hangs in the rostrum of the Lloyd’s of London underwriting room.

For many years after it was hung in both the old Lloyd’s building and now the new one in Lime Street, the bell was rung by Lloyd’s waiters as a signal to underwriters. Twice when an overdue vessel made it to port safely, and once when a vessel was lost. In modern times the bell is only used for ceremonial purposes, for example during the yearly celebration of Armistice Day when it is rung on the 11th November at 11am during the service.

The final mystery of the bell itself is the engraving on it which has the name ‘St Jean’, rather than the expected name of ‘HMS Lutine’. There are two theories for bell’s engraved name. Either another French vessel was captured by the British Navy, and when the HMS Lutine was also later captured and recommissioned the bell was transferred from one vessel to the other. Or, potentially the ship was actually named St Jean prior to being renamed La Lutine, and then later HMS Lutine.

The Lutine Bell is a beautiful golden relic of the past housed in magnificent darkened carved wood.

As long as Lloyd’s of London continues to exist, the bell‘s history will continue to serve as a reminder of the promise of fairness to its customers, and the assurance that all valid claims will continue to be paid quickly, efficiently and in full.

Chris Lytton, Underwriter, Markel International