Desk made from gangway of ship Napoleon stood on to surrender heading to auction

A desk made of timber from the gangway of the warship Napoleon Bonaparte stood on to surrender to the British in 1815 is set for auction.

Described as a ‘national treasure marking the end of the Napoleonic Wars’, it is hoped a museum will step in to secure it for posterity.

With interest in the French military commander high due to the release of film Napoleon, huge global interest is anticipated.

The gangway wood, inset into a desk, will be offered by Hansons Auctioneers with a guide price of £40,000-£60,000 in March.

The desk also incorporates a French coin thrown to a cabin boy by Napoleon.

A plaque on the table states: ‘Made of part of gangway of HMS Bellerophon, on which Bonaparte stepped when he surrendered off Rochefort, 1815. 5 Frc piece given by Bonaparte to E.Sones’.

The incredible historical find, uncovered during a routine antique valuation event, is among a variety of historical objects relating to the French emperor’s time aboard 74-gun British warship HMS Bellerophon.

Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “Napoleon surrendered to Captain Frederick Lewis Maitland aboard HMS Bellerophon on July 15, 1815. It was a momentous historical moment and Captain Maitland later secured part of the gangway Napoleon stood on for posterity. He also kept the sofa Napoleon slept on aboard ship and other artefacts. They are coming to auction by descent through the Maitland family, their custodians for more than 200 years."

The items will head to auction on 22 March 2024.