Dear Bernard,

First of all you’ll have to forgive me as i’ve already had a few attempts at this as to appear obsessed.

This would be my last throw of the dice but I think I have found a suitable candidate for Sharpe’s father in Jack Pickersgill from Frederic Marryat’s The Three Cutters.

Not only is  he a smuggler, but an orphan also and  his appearance matches Sharpe’s.

Kipling’s Smugglers song could be influenced by The Three Cutters.

Pickergill and his men dress as Gentlemen  and have the Ladies smuggle lace ashore being “careful what you say, and mindful what is said”.

Kipling has used Marryat as an influence before in Snarleyow so that may add some credibility to the link between Three Cutters and The Smugglers song.

Also Pickersgill’s ship is called “The happy go lucky”

Marryat is known as a pioneer of the sea story so with yourself being a keen sailor I can certainly see you being influenced by him. Can also see how Pickergill as a character would resonate with you, not only for him being an orphan.

To cover all bases is Pickersgill essentially the same character of M’Elvina from “The Kings Own” but in a different guise?

In “King’s Own” Valenciennes lace is even mentioned to fit with the Smuggler’s Song clue.

There would seem a lot of coincidences for this not to be correct, but not pinning my hopes too high.

I was quite confident in a previous answer also.

Thanks,

Paul.