Philip Bowes Vere Broke was born at Broke Hall in Nacton, overlooking the River Orwell and opposite Pin Mill, on 9 September 1776. After education at Portsmouth Dockyard, he became a midshipman in 1792. His many actions during the long wars with France numbered among them service as Third Lieutenant on the frigate Southampton during the Battle of Cape St. Vincent in February 1797. Promoted to Commander in 1799 and Captain in 1801, Broke became Commanding Officer of the 38 gun frigate Shannon in August 1806.

During some seven years with her, he made Shannon into one of the finest gunnery ships in the Royal Navy, and probably in the World. Following service from Spitbergen to Madeira, in 1811 Shannon went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for duty in the western Atlantic.

In July 1812, soon after the United States declared war on Great Britain, Broke led a British squadron in a long, but fruitless pursuit of the U.S. Frigate Constitution. Nearly a year later Shannon was blockading Boston, Massachusetts, as USS Chesapeake was preparing for sea. Though Broke's formal challenge was not received by the American ship, the opportunity for a duel between such evenly-matched frigates was mutually attractive, and on 1 June 1813 Chesapeake sailed out to meet Shannon. The resulting action reflected immense credit on Captain Broke's gunnery and discipline preparations, and on his leadership. In a brief but intense battle, Chesapeake was disabled by gunfire, boarded and captured. However, while leading the boarding party, Shannon's Captain received a very bad head injury, from which he only partially recovered.

Shannon's victory created a sensation in the US and the UK, and Broke became something of a celebrity. In recognition of his service, Broke was created a Baronet on 25 September 1813 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath on 3 January 1815. He was also awarded a Gold Naval Medal, one of only eight awarded for single ship actions between 1794 and 1816.

In 1830, was promoted to Rear Admiral. However, since the severity of his injury precluded active Naval employment, he retired to his home in Suffolk. His health was further impaired by a fall from a horse in August 1820, though he remained an active correspondent and was frequently consulted by Admiralty officials concerning issues of gunnery. While in London for medical treatment, Rear Admiral Philip Bowes Vere Broke died on 3 January 1841.

'Broke became a national hero, honoured on all sides and at all levels, nowhere more so than in his native county of Suffolk whose citizens raised £730 for a cast, chased and engraved silver plateau. Made by the London goldsmith Solomon Hougham and designed by a still mysterious "Mr Bevil" the Shannon Trophy was presented to Sir Philip in 1814. Its inscription includes the words: “... the inhabitants of Suffolk... anxious to evince their sense of his spirited, judicious, and determined conduct... with a spontaneous burst of feeling, voted him this tribute, of their affection, gratitude and admiration.”

Quite rightly, the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art & Objects of Cultural Interest is recommending a temporary bar on the export of the Shannon Trophy, and the Culture Minister, David Lammy has responded positively once again with a deferral date of 19 June 2006, with a possible extension until 19 September 2006, if its £696,000 (plus VAT) price can be matched.

Information about the outcome of Reviewing Committee cases can be found on the MLA website www.mla.gov.uk. The note of outcome for the Shannon trophy is below:-

Note of outcome: Case 24 (2005-06): A silver presentation trophy plateau by Solomon Hougham presented to Captain Philip Bowes Vere Broke, HMS Shannon

At the end of the initial deferral period, no offer to purchase had been made and we were not aware of any serious intent ion to raise funds. An export licence was therefore issued.