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MtaA'wwiMKagaiiwwgyBHiaat

Medals

OF THE

R.IT1SH Navy

HOW THEY WER.E WON

pOLD JMedal given bv Pap^liament to Captain W. j^addock

AS A JIeWARD for his pALLANTRY
IN THE JVIeMOI^ABLE /iCTlOU WITH THE PuTCH fLEET IN 1653.

MEDALS

OF THE

BRITISH NAVY

AND

HOW THEY WERE WON.

WITH A LIST OF THOSE OFFICERS WHO FOR THEIR

GALLANT CONDUCT WERE GRANTED HONORARY

SWORDS AND PLATE BY THE COMMITTEE

OF THE PATRIOTIC FUND.

By W. H. long.

Editor of " Memoirs of Lady Hamilton," '• Medals of the British
Army and How they ■w"ere Won," &c.

. " I'll fight at sea,"

We'll to our ship,"

" Clap on more sails ; pursue ! , up -with your fights !

Give fire, she is my prize."

— Hhakespeare.

LONDON :
NORIE & WILSON, 156 MINORIES.

PORTSMOUTH : W. H. LONG, 120 HIGH STREET.
1895

To Admiral of the Fleet

THE HOXOURABLE

SIR HENRY KEPPEL, G.C.B.,

ONE OF THE LAST OF THE OLD SCHOOL OF BRITISH SEAMEN,

THIS WORK, WITH HIS PERMISSION, IS DEDICATED,

AS A SLIGHT TOKEN OF RESPECT AND ESTEEM,

BY THE AUTHOR.

M 8827

PREFACE

nnO the bravery and skill of th.e Navy, England owes her
commanding position among the nations, and almost
her existence ; and never more than at the present time did
her chief and most effective safeguard consist in the strength
and efficiency of her fleets. The following pages aim at
giving a simple and concise, but comprehensive record, of the
deeds of heroism and bravery performed by British seamen,
for which honours and rewards were bestowed by their rulers
and countrymen. The coloured plates and woodcuts illustra-
ting the work have been executed from the Medals themselves,
and the narratives of how they were won, have been gathered
from sources too numerous to be enumerated, many of the
anecdotes of individual gallantry being taken from publica-
tions now almost forgotten, and related as far as possible in
the words of the actors themselves. The notices of the earlier
Medals, and of some of those to whom they were given, it is
believed will be found more full and accurate than in any
previous work ; and a list of aU Officers who received Honor-
ary Swords and Plate from the Committee of the Patriotic
Fund, with brief accounts of the deeds for which they were
granted, has been included.

W. H. L.
November, 1895.

CONTENTS

Naval Sledals of Queen Elizabeth

James I.

Charles I.

the Commonwealth

Charles II.

Williami and Mary

Queen Anne

George I. and II.

George III.

Lord Howe's Victory off Ushant, June 1st, 1794

Battle of St. Vincent, February 14th, 1797

Battle of Camperdown, October 11th, 1797

Battle of the Nile, August 1st, 179S

Eecapture of the " Hermione ". .

Battle of Trafalgar, October 21st, 1805

Action off Ferrol, 1805

Battle of St. Domingo, 1806

Capture of Curacoa, 1807

" Sea Horse " and " Badere Zaffer "

" Amethyst " and " Thetis "

" Bonne Citoyenne " and " Furieuse "

Capture of Banda Neira

Action off Lissa

•' Victorious " and " Rivoli "

" Shannon " and " Chesapeake "

" Hebrus " and " L'Etoile "

" Endymion " and " President "

Earl St. Vincent's Medal

The Wooldridge Gold Medal

Begur and Palamos Medal

Turkish Medal for Acre

Naval General Service Medal, 1793-1840

List of the Ships and Actions for which Medals have

" Nymphe " and " Cleopatra " . .

" Crescent " and " Reunion "

" Zebra " at Martinique

been awarded

PAGE.

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15
21
24
27
32
33
37
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46
47
48
50
50
51
53
54
55
56
57
59
59
60
60
65
67
67
68
69

CQNTENTS.

" Carysfort " and " Castor " . .

" Romney " and " Sybille " . .

•' Blanche " and " Pique "

*' Lively " and " Tourterelle "

Vice-Admiral Hotlmm's Action with the French Fleet

♦' Astrsea " and " Gloire "

*' Thetis " and " Hussar "

" Mosquito " and a Privateer ..

Retreat of Vice-Admiral Cornwallis

Lord Bridport's Action with the French Fleet

*' Dido " and " Lowestoffe " . .

" Spider " and Two Brigs

" Diamond " at Port Spergin

" Indefatigable " and " Virginie "

*' Unicorn " and " Santa Margaritta " with Two French Frigates

" Southampton " and " Utile " . .

*' Dryad " and " Proserpine " . .

•' Terpsichore " and " Mahonesa "

" Lapwing," " Decius," and " Vaillante " . .

" Minerve " and " Blanche," with Spanish Frigates

" Indefatigable " and " Amazon," with " Droits de I'Homme "

" San Fiorenza " and " Nymphe," with Two French Frigates

" Phoebe " and " Nereide "

*' Mars " and " L'Hercule "

Defence of Marcouf . .

" Lion " and Four Spanish Frigates

" Espoir " and " Liguria "

Sir J. B. Warren's Action with French Squadron

" Fisguard " and " L'Immortalite "

" Sybille " and " La Forte " . .

" Telegraph " and " L'Hirondelle "

Sir Sydney Smith's Defence of Acre

" Pylades " and " Espiegle " at Schiermonikoog

" Arrow " and " Wolverine " . .

" Speedy " and Spanish Gunboats

" Courier " and " Guerrier "

" Viper " and " Furet "

" Fairy," " Harpy," and " Pallas "

" Peterel " and " La Ligurienne "

" Penelope," " Vinciego," and " Guillaume Tell "

" Dart " with " Desiree " and others

PAGE.

70
70
71
73
73
75
75

CONTENTS.

IX.

<' Seine " and " Vengeance " . .

" Phoebe " and " Africaine " . .

Operations on the Coast of Egypt

Battle of Copenhagen

" Speed)' " and " Gamo "

Sir J. Saumarez's Action with French and Spanish

" Sylph " and " Artemise "

" Pasley " and " Rosario "

" Scorpion," " Beaver," and " Atalante " . .

" Centurion " with " Marengo " and Frigates

" Arrow " and " Acheron" with French Frigates

" San Piorenza " and " Psyche "

•' Phoenix " and " Didon "

" London " and " Amazon," with " Marengo " and

" Pique " with " Phseton " and " Voltigeur "

" Sirius " with French Flotilla . .

" Blanche " and " Guerriere " . .

" Arethusa," " Anson," and " Pomona "

" Pickle " and " La Favourite "

" Hydra " at Begur ..

" Comus " and " Frederickscoarn "

" Louisa " and Privateer

" Carrier " and " L'Actif "

" Anne " with Spanish Gunboats

" Sappho " and " Admiral Yawl "

" San Fiorenza " and " Piedmontaise "

'• Emerald " at Vivero

'• Childers " and " Lougen "

" Stately," " Nassau," and " Christian Frederick"

" Alceste," " Mercury," and " Grasshopper," with

" Grasshopper " and " Rapid " . .

" Redwing " and Spanish Gunboats

" Virginie " and " Guelderland "

" Redwing " at Tarifa

" Comet " and " Sylphe "

" Centaur," " Implacable," and " Sewolod "

" Cruiser " with a Flotilla

"Circe," " Amaranthe," and others, off the Pearl

" Onyx " and " Manly "

" Confiance " and Capture of Cayenne

Capture of Martinique

Squadrons

rock

PAGE.

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3lle Poule " 128
.. 129
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.. 131
132
133
133
134
135
135
136
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
142
143
144
144
145
147
147
149
149
150

Gunboats

CONTENTS.

Seine

Squadron

" Horatio," " Superieure," and " Junon " . .

" Amethyst " and " Niemen " . .

Basque Roads, 1809 . .

" Pompee," " Castor," " Recruit," and " Hautpoult "

" Cyane " and " Espoir," with " Ceres " and Gunboats

" Diana " and " Zephyr "

" Sceptre," " Blonde " and others, with " Loire " and

" Cherokee " and " L'Amiable Nelly "

" Scorpion " and " L'Oreste "

Capture of Guadaloupe

" Thistle " and " Havik "

" Surly," " Firm," and " Alcide "

" Sylvia " and " Echo "

•' Spartan " with " Ceres " and " Sparvi^re "

" Royalist " and Six French Vessels

" Thames," " Pilot," and " Weazle," at Amanthea

" Boadicea," " Otter," and " Staunch," with French

" Briseis " and " Sans-Souci " . .

Defence of Anholt . .

" Arrow " with Chasse-Marees . .

" Astrsea," " Phoebe," " Galatea," and " Racehorse,"

Frigates
" Ha wke " and " Heron "
Capture of Java

" Skylark " and " Locust " with Flotilla . .
" Alceste," " Active," and " Unitie," with French Fri
" Rosario " and " Grifion," with Flotilla
" Northumberland " and " Growler," with French Frigates
" Hyacinth," " Goshawk," and " Resolute," at Malaga
"Dictator," " Podargus," &c., off Mardoe .,
" Sealark " and " Ville de Caen "
" Royalist " and " La Ruse " . .
" Weazle " with Gunboats
" Pelican " and " Argus "
Siege of St. Sebastian
" Thunder " and " Neptune " . .
Capture of Gluckstadt

"Venerable," "Cyane," and French Frigates
" Eurotas " and " Clorinde "
" Phcebe," " Cherub," and " Essex "
Operations in the Potomac

with French

gates

PAGE.
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. 164

. ie;6

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. 16S

. 169

170

171

172

174

175

176

177

178

CONTENTS.

XI.

" Malta " and " Berwick " at Gaeta
Battle of Algiers, 1816
Battle of Navarino, 1827

BOAT ACTIONS.

Willemstadt

Martinique

Cutting out the " Mutine "

" Belle Aurora "

Re-capture of the " Lady Nelson "
Capture of the " Cerbere "
Cutting out the " Guepe "

. " San Josef " . .

" Chevrette "

" Venteux "

Capture of a Schooner

— the " Curieux "

" Confiance " . .

Cutting out the " Caesar "
Capture of a Privateer

the "Lynx"

the " Galliard "

a Gunboat off the Tagus

an Armed Ship at Port d'Anzo . .

. the " Pama " and a Cutter at Nyborg

Boats of the " Heureux " at Mahaut

Destruction of Gunboats and Convoy at Hango

Storming Battery at Carri

Capture of Cutter and Schooner by Boats of the " Fawn '

Russian Gunboats . .

a Battery at Bremerle

Six Gunboats at Duin

Boats of the " Amphion" at Cortelazzo
Destruction of Convoy at Rosas
Cutting out of the "Nisus " at Guadaloupe
Attack on French Gunboats in Basque Roads
Capture of Fort at Jacotel

Twenty-Five Vessels at Grao . .

Storming Batteries in Basque Roads

Capture of the " Csesar "

Attack on Shipping at Port St. Mary

PAGE.

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.. 249

CONTENTS.

Destruction of the Frigate " L'Elize "

a Brig at Parenza

Capture of Port Marrack, Java . .

Three Danish Gunboats

Two Danish Vessels.,

the " Languedocienne "

the Xebec " Martinet "

Gunboats off Istria . .

Gunboats at Maestro

Attack on Mittau

Capture of Five Gun brigs near Otranto

Two Danish Gunboats

the " Whampoa "

Destruction of Fort, Foundry, &c., at French Town
Capture of Battery and Vessels at Morgion
Destruction of Vessels in the Connecticut River
Capture of " L'Aigle "

the " Tigress " and " Scorpion "

Five Gunvessels and a Sloop in Lake Borgne

The China Medals . .
First War with China, 1840-42 . .
Second War with China, 1856-60
Action in Fatshan Creek
Capture of Canton . .

the Taku Forts, 1858

Taku Forts and Pekin, 1860
The Burmese Medals
First War with Burmah, 1824-6..
Second War with Burmah, 1852-3
Third War with Burmah, 1885-7
Perak Expedition, 1875
■ The New Zealand Medal
First New Zealand War, 1845-47
Second New Zealand War, 1860-66
The Cape, or South Africa Medal
The Kaffir War, 1850-53

Campaign against the Galekas and Gaikas, 1377-78
The Zulu War, 1879 . .
The Crimean Medal . .
The War in the Crimea, 1854-56
Bombardment of Sebastopol

PAGE.

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CONTENTS.

XIII.

Operations in the Sea of Azoff . .

The Baltic Medal

The Indian Mutiny Medal

The " Shannon " and " Pearl " Brigades in India

The Abyssinian Medal

The Abyssinian Expedition, 1867-8

The Ashantee Medal. .

The Ashantee War, 1873-4

The Egyptian and Soudan Medals

The Bombardment of Alexandria, 1882

Operations in Egypt and Battle of Tel-el-Kebir

War in the Soudan, Battle of El-Teb

Tamaai

Suakin, 1884

The Nile, 1884-5

Abu Klea

Suakin, 1885

Tofrek, 1885

Gemaizah, 1888

The Medal for Long

The Medal for Conspicuous Gallantry

The Victoria Cross

Distinguished Service Order

Miscellaneous Naval Medals

The Naval Engineers' Medal

The Arctic Medals . .

The Albert Medal

The Turkish Medal for Egypt

The French Military Medal

The Sardinian IMedal

The Turkish Medal ...

Honorary Rewards granted by the Patriotic Fund

Honorary Swords

Honorary Plate

Service and Good Conduct

Alphabetical Index

PAGE.

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.. 364
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.. 368
.. 370
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.. 881
.. 385
.. 386
.. 386
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.. 394
.. 394
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.. 396
.. 397
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.. 398
,. 399
.. 400
.. 428

At End

COLOURED PLATES.

Haddock's Gold Medal

The Trafalgar Gold Medal

Davison's Nile Medal

Boulton's Trafalgar Medal

The Naval General Service Medal

The Turkish Medal for Egypt, 1801

IMedal for First Chinese War . .

Medal for Second Burmese War

The New Zealand Medal

The Cape Medal

The Crimea Medal . .

The Baltic Medal . .

The Indian Mutiny Medal

The Abyssinia Medal

The Ashantee Medal

The Egyptian Medal

The Khedive's Star. .

The Victoria Cross . .

The French Crimea Medal

The Sardinian Medal

The Turkish Crimea Medal

Frontispiece
To face page 36
41
45
66
112
268
286
298
307
314
322
832
357
342
354
856
888
397
398
899

WOODCUTS

A Dutch Armada Medal

The " Ark in Flood " Medal

The " Sovereign of the Seas " Medal

The " Miruisti " Medal

The " Triumph " Medal

The " Duke of York " Medal

The " Nos Penes Imperium " IMedal

The " Pro Talibus Ausis " Medal

The Turkish Medal for Acre

The South African Medal

The Arctic Medal

FAGB
6

807

895

NAVAL MEDALS.

THE British Seamen from the days of King Alfred to the
time of Queen Victoria can boast of a roll of deeds of
daring, and \dctories gained on the ocean in the service of
their countiy, unparalleled in the history' of the world.

The sea every Briton regards as his peculiar province, and
the British Navy can show a succession of heroes, whose
dauntless valour not only secured their native land against
invasion, but who also bore its flag triumphant on the seas of
every quarter of the globe.

Although the Navy existed for centuries before a standing
Army was established, or thought necessary in England, none
of its achievements were rewarded by the presentation of
medals till the reign of Queen Elizabeth, thus preceding the
grant of medals to the Armj^ — by Charles I. — little more
than fift}- years.

Oval medals bearing the effigies of Henry VIII., Queen
Elizabeth, and James I., are in existence, which were at-
tached to chains or ribbons, and undoubtedly worn as marks
of royal favour, but on whom the}' were conferred, scarcely
anything can be stated with certainty. After the defeat of
the Spanish Ai-mada, in 1588, medals, in gold and silver,
were struck by the English* and Dutch to commemorate the
event ; and some of them, now in the British Museum, which

* One of these has on one side the head of the Queen, and on the
other a fleet thrown into confusion by fireships, with the inscription
" Dux foemina facti " ; and on the reverse of another is a representation
of a flying fleet, with the legend " Venit, vidit, fugit." Another Dutch
medal, has on the obverse a scattered fleet, with the legend " Flavit et
dissipati, 1588," and on the reverse a church on a rock surrounded by
the waves, encircled by the words " AUidor non Laedor."

b NAVAL MEDALS.

bave nags and chains attached to them, were unquestion-
ably worn as decorations, but by whom, no information is
forthcoming. These medals were evidently intended to be
worn from the neck, but they were sometimes worn in the
hat, or fastened with a scarf round the left arm. Whether

A Dutch Akmada Medal.

they were given specially for services against the Armada,
or generally as a reward to distinguished officers, or as
honorary badges to favourite courtiers, is imcertain ; but
as many of them have rings and loops for suspension, they
were evidently worn by the recipients.

The medals of Elizabeth in the British Museum have on
the obverse the bust of the Queen, crowned, in a ruff, with
the legend " Ditior in toto non alter circulus Orbe," and on
the reverse a bay tree on an island, with the inscription
"Non Ipsa pericula tangunt," with the letters " E.E." in
the centre.

Another medal, known as the "Ark in Flood" medal, was
issued by the Queen, in gold and silver, and according to
Pinkerton, given to notable marine commanders, as a token of
royal approbation ; but nothing positively can be stated of
them, excejjt, as they have a loop for suspension, they were
worn, or were intended to be worn, as a personal decoration.
This medal which is in shape oval, has on the obverse the
bust of the Queen, surrounded by the legend "Elizabeth D.G.

NAVAL MEDALS.

Anglie, F. et H. Eeg." and on the reverse, the Ark upon tlie
Mood, under Divine protection, surrounded hy the words
"Per undas sevas tranquilla."

A very similar medal to this was struck by King James I.,
in gold and silver, apparently as a reward for Naval Services.
In shape it is oval, and has a ring for suspension as a decora-
tion, but to whom it was given, nothing reliable is known.
It is a fine specimen of the medallic art, having on the obverse
the bust of the King in a broad-brimmed hat, with a jewel
and feather, and the words "Jacobus D.Gr. Mag. Brita. Fr. et
Hi. Rex." On the reverse is the Ark, under the symbol of
Divine protection, with the legend " Stet salvus in imdis."*

* Another type of this medal has on the obverse the bust of the
King in armour, with a ruff, bareheaded, with his usual titles, and
words " Fidei Defensor " around his head, reverse the same.

In 1607, the King issued a warrant to the Chamberlains of the
Exchequer for the payment of £1183 5s. Id., a large portion of which
sum was to defray the cost of gold chains and medals, presented as
New Year's gifts to the Earl of Essex, the Venetian Ambassador,
Antonio de Gomme, Andrew Sinclair, Sir H. Carey Master of the
Jewels, the Duke of Lorraine, Peter Monk Admiral of Denmark, the
Marquis of St. Germains, Monsieur Le Bas, the Marquis Gulderstein,
Dr. Bull, the Duke of York, our second son, and others.

8 NAVAi, MEDALS.

Charles I. increased the wages of the seamen in the Royal
Navy, and was mindful of the supremac}^ of England on the
sea. Having fitted out a formidable fleet by the ship
money extorted from his unwilling subjects, and built at
Woolwich, in 1637, the " Eoyal Sovereign of the Seas," the
first three -decked ship in the Boyal Navy, he struck a
large medal, or rather a medallion, in commemoration of the
event. On the obverse is the bust of the King in armour,
with his usual titles, and on the reverse a representation of
the "Sovereign of the Seas" under sail, surrounded by the
legend " Nee nieta mihi cj[ui terminus orbi," referring to the

dominion of the sea claimed by England. There are two
varieties of this medal, which, from its size, was never in-
tended to be worn as a decoration. On the obverse of one
the King is represented in a ruff, and in the other wearing a
plain falling band, with long curling hair. A much smaller
medal was struck about the same time, with the bust of the
King and his titles on the obverse, and on the reverse a ship
under sail, surrounded by the same legend as in the large

XAV.4L MEDALS. 9

mecIaUion, but with the date 1639 in the exergue. The
obverse and reverse of this medal, which may have been
intended for distribution as a reward for naval services, is
quite different to the design of the large medallion.

NAVAL MEDALS OF THE COMMONAVEALTH.

DuEixG the Commonwealth the Nav}- again rose to the
first place in the defence of the country, and nobly asserted
its dominion on the sea ; and at no period in our history
was it maintained in a higher state of efficiency, and the
officers and men better treated and encouraged, than under
the ride of the Long Parliament and Oliver Cromwell. In
1648-49 it was actively engaged against the royalist ships
imder Prince Rupert, which sailing from Holland and
Jersey, captured scores of English merchantmen, and threat-
ened to blockade the Thames, till they were driven from the
narrow seas by Admiral Blake.

The Parliament took special care that its sailors were
well cared for and rewarded. On June 29th, 1649 the
Admiralty Committee issued a warrant to the Collectors for
prize goods to put aside the tenths of all prizes that came
into their hands, till they amounted to £1000, which sum
was to be disjjosed of in medals or otherwise, by way of
reward to captains, commanders, and seamen, who had done
good service at sea."^"

Soon afterwards, Lieutenant Hose, in the " Happy En-
trance," fell in with and destroyed the "Antelope," one of
the best of Rupert's fleet ; and on October 29th, 1649, the
Council of State ordered that Lieutenant Stephen Rose,
commander of the "Happy Entrance," was to be given a
gratuity of £50, of which 40s. was to be in a gold medal, as
a reward. James Parker, a volunteer, and Thomas Tulley,

' State Papers, Dom. Vol. 2. 1649.

NAVAL MEDALS.

corporal of the same ship, were ordered to have £10 each, and
a gold medal of the value of 20s., and nine seamen £5 each,
payable out of the tenths by the collectors for i)rize goods,
who were ordered to pa}' the mone}^ and provide the medals.*
The celebrated Thomas Simon was employed to design the
medals, and on November 15th, 1649, specimens were sub-
mitted to the Council of State and approved of.f They
were first given for services done against the royalist fleet in
the summer of 1649,:|: and the distribution of medals by the
Parliament was far more liberal than has been generally suj)-
posed. The medal was struck in gold and silver, oval in shape,

and has on one side a cable and anchor, with two shields sus-
pended from the stock, bearing the arms of England and
Ireland, with the word " Miruisti." On the obverse is
a representation of the House of Commons during a sitting.
On the stock of the anchor are the initials of the engraver,

• State Papers, Dom. Vol. ;-3. 1649.

t " Die Jovis, ]5 Nov., 1649. — Ordered, that ye formes of ye Medalls
which are now brought in to be given to ye several mariners who have
done good service this last summer bee approved of. Viz., the Armas
of ye Commonwealth on one side, with "Meruisti" written above it,
and ye picture of ye house of Commons on the other." -Order Book of
the Council of State, No. 31.

I On April 13th, 1650, the Admiralty Committee in consideration
of the good services done by Captain Richard Stayner and Lieutenant
Thomas Axtell, in the preceding year, recommended that Captain
Stayner should be given £20, and £5 for a gold medal, and Lieutenant
Axtell £10, and 40s. for a medal, as rewards and encouragement, to be
provided by the collectors for prize goods. — State Papers, Dom. Vol.
9. 1650.

NAVAL MEDALS. 11

" T. S. " who afterwards xised the same die representing the
House of Commons, to make a reverse for the small Dunbar
Medal, struck in gold, to celebrate Cromwell's victory of
Sept. 3rd, 1650.

The press in the Tower of London was lent to Simon to
strike the medals, with the proviso that he was not to use it
for any other purpose, and to give security for the due per-
formance of his engagement'*

On the night of Jvily 31st, 1650, Captain Robert Wyard,
commander of the "Adventure," a ship of 22 guns, hired by
the Commonwealth, in charge of a small convoy from Hull, was
attacked by six Royalist frigates from Jersey, who in firing
on him shouted : " For King Charles the Second, you round-
headed dogs." The fight was maintained till the following
day, when Wj'ard, having beaten off his assailants, got into
Yarmouth. While this unequal contest was proceeding, two
other captains of hired ships, Butler and Jones, " lay within
ken," but came not to the gallant Wyard' s assistance, for
which conduct they were afterwards summoned before a
Council of War. As a reward for this action, after conferring
with Colonel Deane (slain in action with the Dutch, 1653), the
Admiralty Committee ordered that Captain Wyard should be
given a gold medal of the value of £50, with his service
against the ships engraved on one side, and the Arms of the
Commonwealth on the other, also £100 for the repair of his
ship. The master was rewarded with a medal of the value of
£5, the boatswain, gunner, and carpenter, with medals valued
at £3, and the inferior officers received medals of the value of
10s. each. Each of the crew was given a medal valued at 5s.
and all the medals bore the same Arms and Inscription.!

* " Die Meicurie, 21 Nov., 1649. — (Ordered) that Mr. Symmons doe
put in security with one surety in £5U0 that he shall make no unlawful
use of the presse which he is to have from ye Tower, for ye making of
certain Medalls appointed for the seamen who have deserved well of
the State." — Order Book of the Council of State, .No. 31. State Papers
Dom. Vol. 9. 1650.

t State Papers, Dom. Vol. 9. 1650.

12 XAYAL MEDALS.

This medal, struck in gold and silver, is oval in shape ; on
one side is a cable and anchor, with two shields suspended
from the stock, one charged with St. George's Cross, and the
other with the Irish Harp, with the word " Meruisti " above.
Upon the reverse is a representation of the fight, with the
inscription : ' ' Service done against six ships, July ye XXXI.
and August ye I, 1650." Tliis shows conclusively that the
victory of Cromwell at Dunbar was not the first action for
which medals were given generally to officers and men alike.
Among the officers of the Parliament who were rewarded with
gold medals for services at sea performed about this time, of
which no other record now remains, were Captain Young and
Major Bourne, * who served with distinction in the Dutch War
of 1652-53. Disputes arising between the Commonwealth
and the Dutch, concerning the right of search, and the
sovereignty of the narrow seas, war was formally declared
against the Holland July 8th, 1652 ; but on May 19th j)reced-
ing, Blake had defeated Van Tromp in the Straits of Dover.
On September 28th, Blake defeated De Euyter in the Downs,
sinking three of his ships, and blowing uj) another, but on
November 29th following, he was attacked by Van Tromp with
overwhelming numbers, and driven into the Thames, leaving
the Dutch in command of the Channel.

Next year, on February 28th, Blake, Deane, and Monk,
encountered the Dutch fleet under Van Tromj) and De Ruyter,
off Portland, and after three days' fight, f defeated them with
the loss of eleven ships of war and thirty merchantmen, the
English losing but one ship, but their loss in killed and
wounded was almost equal to that of the enemy.

*0n Nov. 15, 1651, the Council of State ordered a chain and medal
not exceeding the value ol £50, to be given to Captain Young, in token
of their appreciation of his good service. On the 22nd of the same
month, the Council, on a report from the Admiralty Committee, recom-
mending that a gratuity of £50 be given to Major Bourne for his
services, ordered instead a gold medal of the value of £G0 to be bestow-
ed on him, the Admiralty Committee to provide the same. — State
Papers, Dom. Vol. 16. 1651.

t In this action, a body of soldiers for the first time served on board
the fleet as marines.

NAVAL MEDALS. 13

On June 2nd and 3rd in the same year, Monk, Deane, and
Penn, again defeated the two Dutch Admirals, with the loss of
six ships sunk, two blown up, and eleven taken. On the side of
the English not a ship was lost, but Greneral Deane was killed
in the action.*

The decisive battle of the war was fought off the coast of
Holland on July 31 st, 1 6.53. The English fleet was commanded
by Monk, Penn, and Lawson, Admiral Blake being on shore
sick from the effects of a wound. The Dutch fleet of one
hundred and twenty-five sail was under Van Tromp. Early
in the action, the fire-ships of the Dutch being very skilfully
managed, almost decided the fate of the day. Many of the
English ships were in imminent danger of destruction, and the
"Triumph," Blake's old flagship, was set on fire. Many of
her crew jumped into the sea, but the fire was extinguished,
and the ship saved by the extraordinary exertions of the brave
fellows who remained on board. At length Van Tromp was
killed by a musket-ball, and his shattered fleet took refuge in
the Texel. The loss of the Dutch was twenty-six ships, and
six thousand men in killed, woimded, and prisoners. The
English lost but two ships, but had thirteen hundred men
killed and wounded.

On August 8th, the Parliament resolved — '• On Mr. Moyer's
report from the Council of State, that two gold chains to the
value of £300 apiece, may be made and given to General Blake
and General Monk, as a mark of favour from the Parliament,
and a token of their good acceptance of the eminent services
performed by them against the Dutch ; and that a chain to
the value of £100, may be made and given to Vice-Admiral
Penn, and one of the same value to Eear-Admiral Lawson,
upon the same consideration. That the four flag officers have
chains given them of £40 ajDiece ; and that the former sum of
£960 be made up to £2000, to be given in medals amongst
the officers of the fieet, as a mark of the Parliament's favour

*The fleet of the Commonwealth at this period consisted of about 200
ships of various sizes, manned by 35,000 seamen.

XAVAL MEDALS.

and good acceptance of their service, in such manner as the
Commissioners of the Admiralty, by advice with the Generals
of the fleet, shaU think fit."

Of this medal four varieties were struck, the larger size
being splendid specimens of medallic art. Of these, four were
issued for the Admirals.* On the obverse is a cable and
anchor, with the shields suspended from the stock bearing the
Arms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, as used by the
Commonwealth, and on the reverse a representation of the
battle. On both sides is a wide and elaborate border of naval
troj)hies, guns, etc. The medal given to the flag officers was
the same, but rather smaller, with a border of laurel leaves,
instead of naval trophies. (See j^late of the medal presented
to Captain William Haddock ; still in the possession of his
descendants). Gold medals of the same design, but without
any border, were given to the officers of the fleet. The

officers and crew of the "Triumph," for their gallantry in
saving the ship, were rewarded with the same medal, without
any border, but with this inscription on the reverse : "For
eminent service in saving ye Triumpli fiered in flght w** y

* Blake's medal was purchased by King William IV. for 150 guineas,
and is now in the British Museum. Another of these medals was sold
in the Hamilton sale to the Duke of Buccleugh, for £350. In the fine
portrait of Monk, by Loggan, he is represented in armour, wearing the
chain and medal round his neck.

NAYAL MEDALS. 16

Duch, in July 1653." All these medals were designed by
T. Simon,*" and have loops for suspension.

During this arduous and bloody contest, the welfare of the
ordinary seamen was not forgotten by the Parliament. On
December 20th, 1652, the Admiralt}' Committee ordered that
the tenths of all prizes should be set aside to defray the
charges of the sick and wounded, and for the relief of the
widows, children, and impotent parents of the slain in the
service at sea ; and to provide medals and rewards for officers
and seamen who shall do any singular service. f On the 2nd.
of December, 1653, the Council of State ordered : " That war-
rants be issued to the Commissioners for prize goods, for
payment of £1000 to the Commissioners at Little Britain for
relief of the sick and wounded men."|

The splendour of the achievements of the Navy during the
reign of Greorge III. has somewhat eclipsed the lustre of the
gallant actions of Blake, Penn, Deane, and Monk ; but no
medals were more bravely won, nor more worthily bestowed,
than those conferred on the officers and seamen of the Com-
monwealth.

MEDALS OF CHAELES 11.

Several medals were struck to commemorate the naval
victories over the Dutch in the reign of Charles II. England
and Holland having been at war for some months on the
coasts of Africa and America, war was formally declared
against the Dutch, February 22nd, 1665. Previous to this,
on October 28th, 1664, the King issued a proclamation order-
ing that all seamen, whether serving on board the King's

* The Council of State ordered, on December 2nd., 1653, the sum of
£1500 to be paid to Mr. Thomas Simons, in part of the £2000 ordered
by Parliament, for chains and medals to be given to the General and
Officers of the iieet.— Entry Book, No. 100.

t State Papers, Dom. Vol. 26. 1652.

t State Papers, Dom. Vol. 30.

NAVAL MEDALS.

ships or in merchantmen, should receive 10s. j^er ton on all
prizes taken by them from the Dutch ; £6 13s. 4d. for each
piece of ordnance taken hy them ; and £10 per gun for every
ship of war sunk or destroyed. They were also to have the
pillage of all goods and merchandise upon, or above, the
gun-deck. The sick, wounded, and widows were to be pro-
vided for, and medals to he gken for any eminent serriee.^

On June 3rd, 1665, the English fleet, under the Duke of
York, Prince Eupert, and Admirals Penn and Lawson, en-
gaged the Dutch fleet, commanded by Opdam and Evertzen,
off Lowestoft at three o'clock in the morning. About one
o'clock p.m., the Earl of Sandwich, commanding the Blue
Squadron, broke through the enemy's line, and brought them
to close action. Soon after, Opdani's ship blew up, and he,
with five hundred men perished, only five of the crew
escaping. Two other Dutch Admirals were killed, and their
fleet gave way in confusion, with the loss of more than
twenty ships taken, burnt, and sunk. The English lost but
one ship, but among their slain were the Earls of Marl-
borough and Portland, and Vice-Admirals Lawson and
Sansome. The Earl of Falmouth, Lord Muskerry, and
Mr. Boyle, second son of the Earl of Burlington, who were
serving in the fleet as volunteers, were also killed, the three
last by one shot, on board the Royal Charles, the Duke of
York's flagship. f

* Entry Book q/ the. Council of State, No. 100.

t Had the retreating and dispirited enemy been vigorously followed
up, the whole of the Dutch fleet, by their own admission, could
hardly have escaped capture or destruction ; but night coming on, the
Duke of York retired to his cabin, leaving Admiral Penn in command.
Penn, who was sufiering from the gout, soon followed the example of
the Duke, and went to bed. Sometime afterwards, Mr. Brouncker, a
gentleman of the Duke's bedchamber, came to Captain (afterwards
Admiral Sir John) Harman, who was in charge of the ship ; and
ordered him — " as if from the Duke " — to shorten sail. Harman,
though surprised, obeyed the command, and next morning when the
Duke came on deck, the Dutch, to his apparent astonishment and
indignation, were beyond pursuit. The matter was afterwards the
subject of an inquiry in the House of Commons.

NAVAL MEDALS.

Medals were struck to commemorate the victory, in gold
and silver. One, on the obverse, has the bust of the King,
superscribed with his usual titles, and on the reverse, a repre-
sentation of the island of Great Britain, with the legend

NAVAL MEDALS.

" Quatuor Maria Yindico." Another, of small size, with a
similar obverse, bears on the reverse, the King in a triumphal
chariot drawn by sea-horses, with the inscription: "Et
Pontiis serviet." Another large medal — or medallion — has
on the obverse the bust of the Duke of York, surrounded by
the inscription : " Jacobus Dux Ebor, et Alban. Dom.
Magn. Admirallus Angli^e " ; and on the reverse a repre-
sentation of a naval engagement, the Admiral's ship in front,
with the royal standard at the main, above, are the words :
"Nee Minor in Terris," and the date, " 3 Jiinii 1665," below.
These medals were not intended to be worn as decorations,
but a beautiful oval medal, designed by Eoettier, issued at
the same time, was undoubtedly given to seamen who had
distinguished themselves, as a reward, and worn. This
medal has on the obverse the bust of Charles II., crowned
with a laurel wreath, with the legend : " Carolus II. D.G.M.
Br. Er, et H. Hex." On the obverse is a ship of war, with a
flag at the main bearing the initials " C. E,.," above being the
■words : " Nos penes Imperium."

Next year Prince Eupert and the Duke of Albemarle
(Monk) had a bloody fight with the Dutch in the Downs,
lasting four days, June 1st. — 4th., 1666. The loss was about
equal, and the victory doubtful.

NAVAL MEDALS. 19

The ships of De Euyter and Van Tromp were so shattered,
that they were obliged to shift their flags. Sir W.
Berkeley who led the English van in the " Swiftsure," was
surrounded by the enemy, himself killed, and his ship taken.
Sir John Harman in the " Henry," being assailed on all sides
by the Zealand squadron, was summoned to surrender by
Admiral Evertzen who commanded it, and offered quarter.
Harman replied "No sir, it is not come to that yet," and
with his next broadside killed the Dutch Admiral, and
disengaged his ship. Three fire ships were then sent
against the " Henry " ; the first grappled her on her quarter,
but Lieutenant Lamming sprang on board the fire ship,
cast off the grappling irons, and regained his own vessel ;
scarcely was this done, when another fire ship boarded the
"Henry" on the starboard, and set her sails and rigging on
fire. Some of her crew jumped overboard, but Hai-man,
drawing his sword, and threatening to kill any man attempt-
ing to quit the ship, by great exertions the flames were
extinguished, and the third fire ship sunk by a well directed
broadside. The gallant Harman with a broken leg, then
carried his shattered vessel into Harwich, where she was
repaired in time to take part in the concluding engagement
of the 4th of June.

On July 25th, another obstinate battle was fought off the
North Eoreland, in which the Dutch, under De Euyter, were
defeated and chased into their harbours with the loss of
twenty ships. In the following year, 1667, peace was
concluded.

"War was again declared against the Dutch in March, 1672,
and, on May 28th, a severe but indecisive battle was fought
between the English fleet, under the Duke of York, and the
Dutch, under De Euyter, on the coast of Suffolk.

In this engagement the Dutch Admiral Van Ghent was
killed, and the " Eoyal James," 100 guns, commanded by the
Earl of Sandwich, was burned by the fire ships of the enemy.

20 NAVAL MEDALS.

and the Earl drowned. The Dutch h)st three of their largest
ships, one sunk, one burnt, and one captured.

Three desperate actions were fought in the following year
between Prince Rupert and De Euyter, on May 28th, June
4th, and August 11th. In the first two encounters the
advantage was on the side of the English ; in the last battle
both sides claimed the victory. Peace was signed with
Holland, February 9th, 1674.*

Another large medallion was struck by Charles II. in gold
and silver, designed by Ecettier, but, from its size and weight,
it could not have been intended to be worn as a decoration.
Being without a date, it is uncertain whether it was issued to
commemorate the victories of the first or second Dutch war.
There are two types of this medal, one being rather smaller
than the other, and the designs of the obverse and reverse of
each are somewhat different. On the obverse is the head of
the King, wearing a laurel wreath, with the inscrijition :
"Carolus Secundus, D. Gr. Mag. Bri. Fran, et Hib. Eex."
On the reverse, the King is represented as a Roman general
standing on the shore, with a baton in his hand ; in the
distance is a fleet, after an engagement, with a wreck in the
foreground, and the words: "Pro talibus ausis," in the
exergue. During this reign a large medal was struck in
honour of James, Duke of York, and his naval services.
On the obverse is the bust of the Duke, surrovmded by the
inscription " Jacobus Dux Ebor, et Alban. Frater Augustiss.
Caroli II. Regis." Reverse, d trophy of arms and flags
over a globe ; above are the words " Grenus Antiquum."
A somewhat similar medal was struck by James after his
accession to the crown, having on the obverse the bust of

• In 1672, both England and France were at war with Holland, and
a French fleet, under Count d'Estrees, was combined with the English in
the naval engagements which occurred, but, by order of Louis XIV.,
took but little active part in any of them. The Dutch said, in jest,
that the French had hired the English to fight for them, and that the
only reason they were present was to see that the English earned
their wages.

[To FACE Page 20. j

NAVAL JIEDALS. 21

the King with long flowing hair, and the inscription " Jacobus
II. Dei Gra. Ang. Scot. Fran, et Hib. Eex" ; reverse, the
same. Both the medals are bv Roettier.

AVILLIAM AND MAEY.

DuRixG this reign the Navy again took its position as
the first line of defence, and medals were granted to desei-v-
ing seamen by a special Act of the Legislature. In 1692 an
Act of Parliament was passed : "for the encouragement of
privateers, etc." which also provided that, "in all cases
where the prize shall not be taken by any private man-of-
war, one tenth part thereof, after such sale and deduction
of their Majesties' customs as aforesaid (and before any
division of the proceeds thereof shall be made) shall be paid
to the Treasurer of the Navy for the time being, which said
tenth part shall be separated and kept apart by the said
Treasurer of the Navy, and shall be disposed of from time
to time by Warrant of the Commissioners for executing the
office of Lord High Admiral for the time being, for medals
and other rewards for officers, marines, and seamen, in their
Majesties' service at sea who shall be found to have done
any signal or extraordinary service."

England and France being at war, on May 19th, 1692, the
EngHsh and Dutch fleets, commanded by Admiral Russell, fell
in with the French fleet, under De Tourville, near Cape La
Hogue. The combined fleets were superior in force, but De
Tourville having the weather gage, bore down and engaged
them. His flag-ship the " Soleil Royal" was soon so much
damaged that she was towed out of the action, and a thick fog
coming on, Russell was obliged to anchor, while the French
took the opportunity to bear awiiy for Gonquet Road, with the
loss of four ships. The two next days were dark and foggy,
but the French were followed so closely that De Tourville' s
flag-ship, with three others, were driven on shore, and after-

22 XAVAL MEDALS.

wards destroyed by the English fire-ships. Sixteen of their
ships sought refuge at La Hogiie, and on May 23rd,
Russell, finding the water too shallow for his ships to enter,
sent in his boats, under the command of Sir George Eooke,
to attack them. In the face of a heavy fire from the land
batteries, the whole of the ships were captured and burnt,
with a loss to the assailants of ten men.

Several medals of large size, in gold, silver, and bronze
were struck to commemorate this victory, which firmly seated
William and Mary on the throne of England and frustrated
the hope entertained by James II. of regaining his lost
crown. One variety has on the obverse the heads of the
King and Queen, with their titles, and on the reverse a
representation of a naval battle, with wrecks in the fore-
ground ; above are the words, " Asserta Maris Imperii
Gloria," and in the exergue " Gallorum elasse deleta, D.
XIX. -XXIX. Maji, MDCxcii." Others have on the obverse
a different representation of the battle, with the words,
"Britannia et Belgica Virtus" above, and the date 19-29
May, in the exergue. Another type, a fine example of
medallic art, has on the obverse the King attired as a
Roman Emperor with a rudder in his hand, crowned with a
wreath by Victory. On each side of him is a female figure,
one with a harp representing Ireland, and the other with a
Lion, the United Provinces ; in the exergue is the word
"Concordant." On the obverse is part of the Zodiac, the
French sun being in the sign of Gemini, below is a naval
battle, and above the legend, " Solis Iter." In the exergue
is the inscription, "Vict. Nav. de Gallis. Max. Die 29 Maii,
1792." Round the edge is a Latin chronogram expressing
the date.

The medal conferred on Admiral Russell and his officers,*

* "Queen Mary was no sooner informed of this victory, than she
sent a gratuity of £30,000 down to Portsmouth, to be distributed
among the seamen and soldiers, and ordered medals to be struck for
tokens of honour to the officers." — Lediard. Vol. II., p. 667. In the

NAVAL MEDALS. 2 3

was struck in gold and silver ; on the obverse are the
busts of King William and Queen Mary, with the inscrip-
tion—" Gul. et Mar. D.G., M.B.F. et H. Eex et Eegina." On
the reverse is a representation of the engagement, above
are the words — "Nox nulla secuta est" ; and in the
exergue— " Piign. Nav. int. Ang. et Fr. 21 Maii, 1692." The
medal with a massive gold chain was also given to John
Tupper, Esq., of Guernsey, as a reward for informing
Admiral Russell at Spithead, of the French fleet being at
sea.* During this reign, medals were not granted as
rewards for meritorious actions to officers and men of the
Eoyal Navy exclusively, but were also conferred on seamen
in the merchant service and fishermen, in recognition of
distinguished acts of gallantry.

On May 30th, 1695, "William Thompson, master of a fishing
smack, of Poole, with one man and a boy, was attacked
by a French privateer near the Isle of Purbeck, with two
guns, grenadoes, and sixteen men. Thompson had two small
guns and a few muskets, which he used so well, that he
disabled the captain, lieutenant, and six of the crew of
the privateer, and compelled him to bear away. He then
pursued, and after an action of two hours, the French
called for quarter, surrendered, and were taken into Poole
harbour. For this gallant exploit, the Admiralty gave
Thompson a gold chain and medal, of the value of £50,
and allowed him to keep the vessel he had taken.

Similar rewards were given about the same time by the
Admiralty to British seamen, among others, to Captain Peter
Joliffe, of the hoy, " Sea Adventure" ; who seeing a French
privateer capture a fishing boat belonging to Weymouth,
boldly attacked him, though three times his strength, and

]\Iemoirs of Admiral Sir John Leake, who took part in the action, it is
stated, that medals were presented to the officers.

* A silver medal was struck to commemorate the bombardment of
Havre, and other towns on the French coast, in July, 1694.

24 JTAVAT. MEDALS.

di'ove him ashore uear Lulworth, where the privateer was
taken, and the crew made prisoners. '^•'

QUEEN ANNE.

AVak being- declared against Prance, shortly after the
Queen's accession, an English and Dutch fleet, u.nder Admiral
Sir George Eooke, with a strong body of troops on board com-
manded by the Duke of Ormond, sailed in June, 1702, from
Spithead, with the intention of capturing and occupying
Cadiz. The attempt miscarried ; but being informed that
the Spanish treasure galleons from the West Indies, under
convoy of a French squadron, had arrived at Yigo, the
Admiral resolved to attack them.

The passage into the harbour at Yigo is not more than
three quarters of a mile wide, and was defended by for-
midable batteries and forts on both sides ; a strong boom
made of spars, cables, and chains was stretched across the
entrance, flanked at each end by a " seventy-four," and within
the boom were moored five ships, of sixty and seventy guns
each, their broadsides commanding the passage. The water
being too shallow for the first-rate ships, the Admirals
shifted their fiags into smaller vessels, and the attack was
made by fiiteen English and ten Dutch ships, with the
frigates, and fireships, led by Vice-Admiral Hopson, in the
"Torbay." The troops being landed on the south side of
the harbour, attacked and carried by storm a fort at the
entrance, mounting forty pieces of cannon, and made the
whole of the garrison prisoners. Then Vice-Admiral Hopson,

* " In 1695, the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty ordered a
gold chain and medal of the value of £50 to be given to William
Thompson, the master of a small hoy, of Poole, for having with only
one other man, and a boj-, captured a French privateer of verj-
superior force ; and similar rewards, were about the same time,
bestowed upon William Williams, master of a fishing boat, of Whit-
sand bay, for having re-captured several coasting vessels ; and to
Peter Joliffe, the master of a hoy, of Weymouth, for having attacked
and driven a French privateer on the Island of Purbeck." — Sir H.
Nicolas' History of Orders of Knighthood, d'c. Vol. I., p. 13.

XAVAL MEDAXS. 25

setting all sail, rau straight at the boom, broke it, ami entered
the harbour under a tremendous fire, where he was soon
followed by the remainder of the squadron. A fireship of
the enemy grappled the " Torbay" and set her on fire,
but by the uncommon exertions of her crew, she was saved
from destruction.'* One hundred and fifteen of her men
were killed or drowned, and the ship was so shattered that
the Vice- Admiral f quitted her, and hoisted his flag on board
the " Monmouth." The forts of the enemy were taken by the
soldiers, or silenced by the fleet ; seventeen French ships
were destro^-ed or captured, and six galleons were sunk, and
eleven taken, by the English and Dutch. The loss of the
victors in seamen and soldiers, with the exception of the
crew of the " Toi'bay," was inconsiderable, being less than
forty of both services. ;[:

Medals Avere sti-uck in gold and silver and distriluited
among the oflicers of the fleet as rewards for this brilliant

"* The master, boatswain, and gunner of the "Torbay," distinguished
themselves greatlj- by their exertions in saving the ship from utter
destruction, when laid along side by the fireship, and sixty of the crew
had jumped overboard. They were each rewarded by a gold medal and
chain, as appears by the following letter, dated " Admiralty Office,
]\Iarch 13th, 1703," desiring that a bill might be signed on the
Treasurer of the Navy " for paj-ing £240 to Isaac Newton, Esq.,
Master of the Mint, for enabling him to provide two medals and two
chains, one for Henry Gilbert, the Master, and the other for Elisha
iJann, the boatswain of the " Torbay," in like manner as he had been
directed to do for Benjamin Bryer, the gunner of the said ship ; as a
reward to them for their good service in extinguishing the fire on board
the " Torbay " at Vigo, when her captain was blown overboard ; the
said bill to be paid out of money received by the Treasurer of the Navy,
for the tenths of prizes appointed by the late Act of Parliament for
medals and other rewards for Ofificers, Marines, and Seamen in Her
Majesty's service."

t On his arrival in England, Vice-Admiral Hopson received the
honoirr of knighthood, and the Queen afterwards granted him a pension
of £500 per annum, with a reversion of £300 a year to his wife, if she
survived him."

I The cargoes of the galleons consisted of twenty millions of pieces
of eight, and merchandise of nearly equal value. Of this, two millions
in silver, and goods valued at more than double that sum, were
captured and taken away by the English and Dutch. Crowns, half-
crowns, shillings, and sixpences were coined from the silver captured,
with the word " Vigo " under the bust of the Queen, in commemoration
of the victory.

26 NAVAL iStEDALS.

victory. On the obverse is the bust of the Queen with her
usual titles, and on the reverse, a view of the engagement,
mth the date " 12th October, 1702," in the exergue. Other
medals were struck in commemoration of this success besides
that given to the seamen. The}^ all differ more or less from
each other, but most of them have on the reverse a represen-
tation of the engagement with the date.

On July 22nd, 1703, Rear- Admiral Dilkes sailed from Spit-
head with a small squadron, in search of a fleet of French
merchant ships with a convoy. On the 25th, being off Jersey,
he sent one of his Captains on shore to gain information
from the governor. He returned with Captain James Lam-
priere and Captain Thomas Piper, men well acquainted with
the coast, and the news that a fleet of about forty French
ships were lying near Granville. The next morning Dilkes
came in sight of the enemy, consisting of forty-three merchant-
men and three men-of-war, who on his ap^iroach got under
weigh and stood for the shore. He followed them as far
as his pilots would venture, or the depth of water permit,
and then manning his boats, sent them to attack the enemy.
By noon he had taken fiiteen sail, burnt six, and sunk three,
the rest escaping into shallow water.

On the 27th, he again attacked the French with his boats
and fireships, with the result that two of the men-of-war
were burnt and one captured. Seventeen more of the mer-
chantmen were burnt or sunk, so that of the whole fleet
only four ships escaped.

According to Campbell ("Naval History." Vol. III., p. 391),
"The Queen to testify her kind acceptance of so cheerful
and so effectual a service, ordered gold medals to be struck
on this occasion, and delivered to the Rear- Admiral and all his
officers." One of them was presented to Captain James Lam-
priere. On the obverse is the bust of the Queen, crowned,
-with the superscription : "Anna Dei Gratia. Mag. Britan.
Fra. et Hib. Regina." On the reverse the inscription, "Her
Majet" reward to Caj)t. James Lampriere for his zeal to her

NAVAL MEDALS. 27

service and liis successful conducting ye squadron commanded
by Rear- Admiral Dilkes, who destroyed a considerable number
of ye enemy's merchant ships, under convoy of three men-of-
war, on their own coast." Below is a shield bearing the arms of
the recipient, and on a scroll, the motto, "True to my
trust." Medals were also struck in this reign to celebrate
the capture of Gribraltar by Sir G. Rooke in 1704. One of
these has on the obverse the head of Queen A nne uncrowned,
with her usual titles, and on the reverse Neptune in his
chariot presenting naval and mural crowns to Britannia
standing on the shore ; above are the words " Victorise
Navales," and in the exergue, " Calpe Expug. et GraU. Vict.

MDCCIV."

GEOEGE I. AND II.

During the reign of George I., there were several naval
expeditions, and one important naval action fought, but it
does not appear that medals were granted as rewards for
any of them. George II. revived the practice of bestowing
medals as rewards for distinguished naval services, whether
perfoi-med by men of the Royal Navy, or merchant sea-

* A silver medal was struck in honour of the victory of Sir George
Byng over the Spanish fleet, off Cape Passaro, in the Mediterranean,
July 31st., 1718, and medals were issued in silver and bronze, to com-
memorate the taking of Portobello by Admiral Vernon, with six ships,
in 1739. There are several varieties and sizes of the Vernon medals,
but whether they were distributed as rewards is not certain, probably
they were not. On the obverse of one of the Portobello medals,
is the full length figure of Admiral Vernon, with a sword in each
hand, and on the reverse, a view of the action ; another variety, bears
the heads of Vernon, and Commodore Brown, his second in command.
On most of them is the inscription " He took Porto Bello with six
ships only." A gold medal was presented to Commodore Anson, on
his return from his voyage round the world in June, 1744 : and another
in gold and silver, designed by T. Pingo, was struck in 1747, to com-
memorate his victory over De la Jonquiere, off Cape Finisterre, on
May 3rd, when six French ships of war, and the greater part of a
valuable convoy were captured. On the obverse of this medal is the
bust of Anson, and on the reverse, the names of his principal officers,
within wreaths of laurel — "Saunders," "Brett," "Dennis," "Camp-
bell," "Keppel," " Saumarez." A silver medal was issued to cele-
brate the defeat of De Conflans, by Admiral Sir E. Hawke, off Belleisle,
Nov. 20th, 1759, but not worn as a decoration.

28 NAVAL MEDALS.

In July, 1742, five royal Spanish galleys, laden with
anmiiinition and provisions for the Spanish Army, were
jiursiied and blockaded in the port of St. Tropes, a town
belonging to France, by a small English squadron under
Captain Norris. The galleys having disregarded the neutra-
lity of the j)ort by firing on the blockading ships. Captain
Callis with the " Duke" fireship, was ordered to go in and
burn them. This service Captain Callis performed so
thoroughly, that the King ordered him to be promoted to
post rank, and presented him with a gold chain and medal.
On the obverse of this medal is the figure of Gfeorge II.,
as a Roman Emperor, with a baton in his left hand, and
the medal and chain in his right, before him is the recipient,
kneeling, above are the words — "Pro talibus Ausis." On the
reverse is a representation of the action, and in the exergue the
inscription — "Ob. v. Tirem. Hispan. A. S. Callis combust.
V. Julii, MDCCXLii." By an order of council, dated Dec.
16th., 1742, Lieutenant Green of the " Duke" fireship was
granted £50, and a reward was instituted for lieutenants
who should perform similar actions in future.

On June 1st., 1744, Captain Eichard Hornby, master of the
ship "Wrightson and Isabella," of Sunderland, sailed for the
Hague, with three small vessels under his charge. Next day
as they were nearing their port, they were attacked by a
Erench privateer, who singled out the "Isabella," the other
ships escaping. The "Isabella" had four small guns and
two swivels, with a crew of five men and three boys besides
the captain, while the privateer, the "Marquis de Brancas "
commanded by Captain Andre, carried ten guns and eight
swivels, with a complement of seventy-five men. The French-
man in abusive terms commanded Hornby to strike, who
hoisted the British colours, and returned an answer M-ith his
two swivels. The privateer then poured such showers of shot
into the "Isabella," from guns and small arms, that the
captain ordered his crew into close quarters, and by dexterous
management of his helm, frustrated two attempts of the

XAVAL MEDALS. 29

enemy to board him. After the action had lasted ahout an
hour, the privateer ran her bowsprit into the main shrouds of
the English ship and lashed himself fast to her, the French
captain bawling — " You English dog, strike ! " Hornby
replied by challenging him to come on board and strike his
colours if he dared. A number of Frenchmen immediately
boarded the "Isabella" and began hacking and hewing at
the close quarters, but a murderous discharge of blunder-
busses forced them to retreat. The enemy having disengaged
their ship, made another attemjit to board on the starboard,
and lashing the ships together, made another fierce attack on
the close quarters with hatchets and poleaxes, and nearly cut
their way through in three places ; but the hot fire kept up
by Hornby and his men, compelled the assailants a second
time to retire, hauling their dead after them with boat hooks.
The ships being still lashed together, the enemy fired repeated
volleys with small arms into the close C[uarters of the "Isabella"
and Hornby seeing them crowding together behind their
main-mast for shelter, fired a blunderbuss at them, which
being by mistake doubly loaded with twenty-four balls, burst
when discharged, and knocked him down, to the consternation
of his crew, who thought he was killed. Though much
bruised, in an instant he sprang up again, and the contents of
the blunderbuss having made great havoc among the French,
they cut tljemselves clear of the English ship, and sheered off,
leaving their grapplings, poleaxes, and a quantity of arms
behind them. Hornby then fired his starboard guns into the
stern of the retreating enemy. The privateer immediately
returned, and renewed the combat, which was continued yard
arm to yard arm, for two hours, with great inry. The
"Isabella" was shot through and through several times, her
sails and rigging torn to pieces, and her ensign shot away,
but the "Brancas" being struck by a shot between wind and
water, was obliged to bear off and careen. As the enemy
retired, the gallant Hornby and his crew rushed from their
close quarters, gave three cheers, and re-hoisted their

30 NAVAL MEDALS.

shattered ensign. The privateer having stopped her leak,
again returned, and fired repeated broadsides into the "Isabella"
by one of which Hornby was wounded, but not dangerously.
The vessels had now drifted so near the English shore, that
crowds had assembled on the cliffs as spectators of the action.
The English ship being now almost unmanageable, Hornby
was once more summoned to strike his colours, who turning
to his crew, and pointing to the shore said — " You see yonder,
my lads, the witnesses of your valour." They all assured him
of their resolution to stand by him to the last, so he once more
returned his defiance to the enemy. Andre, one of the
bravest of men himself, ran alongside and lashed his ship to
the starboard of the "Isabella," but his dispirited crew
refused to board, so that he perforce cut the lashings, and for
the last time sheered off. Hornby resolved to give his antag-
onist a parting salute, and this shot fired into the stern of the
" Brancas," happening to reach the magazine, it blew up,
and the ship instantly went to the bottom. The English
could give no assistance to their iU-fated enemies, as the
"Isabella" was unmanageable, and every boat beaten to
pieces. Out of the seventy five men on board the privateer,
thirty-six were killed or wounded in the action ; and all the
others, with the wounded, were drowned, with the exception
of three, who were picked up by some Dutch fishing boats.
Eor this heroic action, unsurpassed by any in the naval records
of England, Captain Hornby by order of the King, was pre-
sented with a gold chain and medal of the value of £100,*

• " His Majesty having been pleased in Council to sign an order,
desiring and directing us to sign a bill on you for paying unto Sir
Andrew Fountain, Knight, Warden of his Majesty's mint, the sum of
£100 for enabling him to provide a medal and chain of that value for
Eichard Hornby, master of the ship " Wrightson and Isabella," as a
reward to him for his good service, in not only defending the said ship,
whose crew consisted of but five men and three boys, from a French
privateer, whereby she blew up, and all her crew perished ; but as an
encouragement to others under the like circumstances to exert them-
selves in the defence of their ships, and the destruction of their enemy ;
and you are likewise to pay a bounty of £5 to each oF the five men,
and dOs. to each of the three boys belonging to the said ship." — Order
in Council to the Commissioners of the Navy. Sept. 18th., 1744.

NAVAL MEDALS. 31

each of liis men heing given £5, and each boy £2, as an
encouragement to others.

The "Alexander" privateer, of Bristol, mounting twenty-
two six-pounders, with a crew of one hundred and fifty men,
commanded by Captain Phillips, being on a cruise, in April,
1746, saw a large ship anchored imder a small fort in St.
Martin's Eoad, in the Isle of Rhe. PhiUips stood in after
her, boarded her with fifty men, cut her cables, and brought
her off, with the loss of three men only. The French crew
of two hundred and thirty men, upon being boarded with
such determination, and fifteen of them killed, were panic-
stricken and fled below. The prize proved to be H.M.S.
" Solebay " of twenty-two guns, which had been captured
by the enemy two years before. The king was so pleased
with this gallant action, that as a reward, he ordered Captain
Phillips to be given five hundred guineas and a gold medal
valued at two hundred guineas more.

Great Britain being at war with France in 1 758, an ex-
pedition, under the joint command of Admiral Boscawen and
General Amherst, was sent against Louisbourg, in Cape
Breton Island. This being a jilace of importance, command-
ing the entrance to the river St. Lawrence, had been strongly
fortified and garrisoned by the French. The troops landed
in the face of a heavy fire, drove the enemy fi'om their
outworks, and besieged them in the town. A fieet Avas lying
in the harbour, which was blockaded by the British ; the
French sank four of their ships to obstruct the entrance,
and during the siege another of sevent3'-foiu- guns took fire
and was burnt with two others, two ships only being left.

On the night of Jidy 25th, 1758, Admiral Boscawen sent
in the boats of his fieet to attack and cut out these two
ships — "La Prudente " of seventy -four guns, and the
"Bienfaisant," a sixty-four. The boats were commanded by
Captains Laforey and Balfour, who successfidly carried out
this dangerous enterprise. Both ships were boarded and
theii' cables cut under the hea^y fire of the batteries, but

32 XAVAL MEDALS.

" La Prudente " grounded, and was set on fire hy her cap-
tors and destroyed. The " Bienfaisant " was towed out hy
the hoats, and joined the British Fleet. The next day
Louisbourg surrendered.

Medals were struck to commemorate this success, one variety
of which was given as a reward to officers who had dis-
tinguished themselves. This medal, designed hy T. Pingo,
was issued in gold, silver and hronze. On the ohverse is
the figure of France lying prostrate under a globe, inscribed
"Canada, America," supported by a soldier and a sailor;
above being a figure of Victory blowing a trumpet, with a
wreath in her left hand, and the British fiag, with a scroll
inscribed — " Pariter in Bello " ; reverse, a representation of
the cutting out of the two ships, the British fleet in the
offing, with the word — " Louisbourg taken, itDCCLViii."

GEOEGE III.

Ox his accession to the crown in October, 1760, George
III. found the nation engaged in an arduous but most suc-
cessful contest with Prance, in which the enemy had been
vanquished in every cj[uarter of the world. War raged
ahnost constantly during the whole of his long reign, but
no medals were granted for any naval service, till Lord
Howe defeated the French fleet off Ushant, on "the glor-
ious 1st of June," 1794.-^

Lord Howe's Victory off Ushant,
JuxE 1st, 1794.

Admiral Lord Howe having received intelKgence that the
French fleet had sailed from Brest, put to sea in search of

* A silver medal was struck to commemorate the desperate but in-
decisive action fought between Sir Hyde Parker and the Dutch Admiral
Zoutman, off the Dogger Bank, on August 5th, 1781 ; and another to
celebrate the masterly retreat of Admiral Cornwallis, in die face of a
much superior French fleet, in June, 1795, but neither of these medals
were bestowed as rewards for meritorious conduct.

NAVAL MEDAXS. 33

them, and on the morning of May 28th, the enemy were
discovered by his frigates. The British fleet comjirised
twenty-six sail of the line, eight fi'igates, two sloops, and two
cutters ; the JFrench fleet numbered twenty-six line of battle
ships, twelve frigates, and four corvettes. The signal for a
general chase being made, the leading British ships came up
with the enemy's rear and a smart action took place, in which
the " Bellerophon " and "Audacious" closely engaged the
" Eevoluticmnaire," 110 guns, and totally dismasted her.
Next day another partial action was fought, but a thick fog
coming on, which did not clear up till the 31st, put an end to
all active operations on both sides. On the morning of
June 1st, both fleets were drawn uji in order of battle. Lord
Howe made the signal to bear up, pass through the enemy's
line, and engage them to leeward. A desperate engagement
followed, but the French line being broken in several places,
and their Admiral furiously attacked by Lord Howe in the
" Queen Charlotte," he made sail away in confusion, followed
by most of his uninjured ships. On the smoke clearing up,
ten or twelve of the French ships were seen to be dismasted
or crippled, and six of them were taken possession of by the
victors. Another ship of the enemy, the " Yengeur," was so
riddled with shot that she went down with 200 of her crew.
Many of the British ships were much damaged, the " Queen
Charlotte " lost her fore and main topmasts, and the "Marl-
borough" and "Defence" were entirely dismasted*. The
six prizes were taken to Portsmouth, and most of them added
to the British navy. The 2nd Foot (with the exception of the
Staff), 29th, and detachments of the 25th and 69th Foot,

* The " Brunswick," which during most part of the action was
engaged in a close and desperate contest with the " Vengeur," was
also greath' shattered. Her mizen-mast was shot away, her other
masts and her bowsprit badly injured, and her yards and rigging cut
to pieces. Twenty-three of her guns were dismounted, and her best
bower anchor with the starboard cathead, was towing under her
bottom. Her gallant Captain, Harvey, who, when severely wounded ni
the height of the action exclaimed to his crew, " The colours of the
" Brunswick " shall never be struck," died of his wounds at Ports-
mouth, June 30th following.

34 NAVAL MEDALS.

served on board the ships as marines. The party of the 29th
in the " Brunswick," lost twelve officers and men killed, and
twenty wounded.

Lord Howe's fleet consisted of the " Queen Charlotte,'
Earl Howe, 1st Captain, Sir R. Curtis, 2nd Captain, Sir A
Douglas; -'Royal Sovereign," Admiral Graves, Captain H
Nicols ; "Royal George," Vice- Admiral Sir Alex. Hood
Capt. Domett, ; "Barfleur," Rear- Admiral Bowyer, Capt. C
CoUingwood ; "Impregnable," Rear- Admiral Caldwell, Capt
Westcott ; " Bellerophou," Rear- Admiral Pasley, Capt. W
Hope ; " Queen," Rear- Admiral Gardner, Captain Hutt
" CiBsar," A. J. Molloy ; " CuUoden," I. Schomberg
"Defence," J. Gambler ; "Gibraltar," T. Mackenzie
" Glor}^," J. Elphinstone ; '-Invincible," T. Packenham
" Leviathan," Lord Hugh Seymour ; " Majestic," C. Cotton
"Marlborough,"* Hon. G. Berkeley ; "Montague," J
Montagu ; " Orion," J. Duckworth ; "Ramilies," H. Harvey
"Russell," J. W. Payne ; " Tremendous," J. Pigott ; " Thun-
derer," A. Bertie ; "Valiant," T. Priugle ; "Alfred," J.
Bazeley ; "Audacious," W. Parker; " Brunswick," J. Har-
vey. Frigates — "Lat(ma," E. Thornborough ; "Phteton,"
W. Bentinck ; " Southampton," Hon. R. Porbes ; " Ac^uilon,"
Hon. R. Stopford ; "Venus," W. Brown ; " Niger," Hon. A.
Legge ; "Pegasus," R. Barlow ; "Charon," G. Countess.
The "Comet," W. Bradley, and "Incendiary," J. Cooke,
Sloops, and the "Rattler," J. Wynne, and "Ranger," C.
Cotgrave, cutters.

A subscription was opened for the relief of the wounded
seamen and marines, and for the widows and children of

* The "Marlborough" being dismasted and her colours shot away,
in the confusion was fired on more than once by other English shigs,
which took her for an enemy. To prevent such fatal mistakes, and to
show the ship had not struck her flag to the French, a seaman called
Appleford stripped of! the red coat from the dead body of a marine,
and exclaiming " the English colours shall never be dowsed where I
am," stuck it on a boarding pike and displayed it, lashed to the stump
of the mizen mast. His messmates cheered, and swore that when all
the red coats were gone they would hoist their blue jackets.

NAVAL MEDALS. 35

those wlio had fallen in the service of the King and coun-
try, and the King ordered the following proportion of prize
money to be paid at once. To each warrant officer £25 ;
to each petty officer £10 10s. ; to each seaman, marine, or
soldier £2 2s.

On June 13th. Lord Howe arrived at Spithead with his
jirizes, and on the 26th. of the same month, George III. and
his Queen arrived at Portsmouth, and held a levee on board
the '-Queen Charlotte," the Admiral's flag-ship. The King
presented Lord Howe with a diamond-hilted sword, valued
at three thousand guineas, and a massive gold chain, to
which afterwards was attached a medal. Grold chains were
also presented to Vice-Admirals Graves and Hood, Eear-
Admirals Bowyer, Pasley, and Gardiner, and to the Captain
of the Fleet, Sir Roger Curtis. At the same time his majesty
intimated his intention to give gold medals to each of the
above officers, and to the captains of the several ships, as soon
as they were ready for distribution. The medals were de-
livered to the different officers on November 9th., 1796, with
the following letter : —

" Sir, — The King having been pleased to order a certain
number of gold medals to be struck, in commemoration of the
victory obtained by His Majesty's Fleet, under the command
of Earl Howe, over that of the enemy, in the actions of the
29th. of May and 1st. of June, 1794 ; I am commanded by
His Majesty to present to you one of the medals above
mentioned, and signify His Majesty's pleasure that you should
wear it when in your uniform, in the manner described by
the direction, which (together with the medal and ribband
belonging to it) I have the honour to transmit to 3'ou. I am
also commanded by His Majesty to acquaint you that had it
been possible for all the officers on whom His Majesty is
pleased to confer this mark of approbation to attend jier-
sonally in Loudon, His Majesty would have presented the
medals to each of them in person ; but that being from various
causes at this time impossible, in order to obviate all further

36 NAVAL MEDALS.

delay, has therefore been pleased to direct them to he for-
warded in this manner, etc." " Spencer."

The medals have on the obverse a fig-ure of Victory, stand-
ing on the prow of an ancient galley, crowning Britannia
with a wreath of laurel, who stands in the galley, at her side
an oval shield bearing the crosses of the Union banner, her
right foot resting' on an helmet, and in her left hand a spear.
On the reverse, within a wreath of oak and laurel, is the
name and rank of the recipient, the event for which the
medal was given, and the date. (See plate of the Trafalgar
medal). '^^

The medals given to the captains were smaller in size than
those of the admirals, but exactly the same in design, ex-
cepting the laurel wreath on the reverse, which was omitted.
The admirals wore their medals attached to the gold chains
presented to them by the I^ing, but all other flag-officers, who
subsequently received the medal, wore it suspended from
the neck by a white ribbon with dark blue edges. The
cai)tains wore the medal with a smaller I'ibbon, and a gold
buckle and swivel, between the third and fourth buttonholes
of their uniform coats.

The medal was afterwards granted as a reward for all
great naval victories, and to captains connuanding frigates,
for distinguished actions, till the peace of 1814. It was
never given to an officer below the rank of post-captain but
three times — to Lieutenant J. Pilfold, of the "Ajax," and
Lieutenant Stockham of the " Thundei-er, " who commanded
these ships at the battle of Trafalgar, in the absence of
their captains ; and to Captain Mounsey, commander of the
"Bonne Citoyenne," who, on July 6th, 1809, captured "La
Furieuse," a large French frigate of superior force. All these

* The medal given to Lord Howe was inscribed : "Richard Earl
Howe, Admiral and Commander-in-Chief, on the 1st of June, 1794,
the French fleet defeated." Lord Howe's fleet consisted of twenty-five
ships of the line, besides frigates, but only fourteen captains received
the gold medal.

Jrafalgar Gold \TrDAr,.

NAVAL MEDALS. 37

officers too liad attained post rank before they received the
medal.

The medal was withheld from such lieutenants as succeeded
to the command of ships of the line in consequence of the
death or wounds of the captain ; from all captains of frigates
who were in the Battles of Ushant, St. Vincent, Camperdown,
the Nile, and Trafalgar ; and from the captains of frigates
who captured ships of equal or superior force, previously to
the year 1808. The actions for which this medal was granted
were : — Battle off Ushant (1st of June) ; Battle of St. Vincent ;
Battle of Camperdown ; Battle of the Nile ; to Captain Hamil-
ton, of the " Surprise," for the re-capture of the " Hermione";
Battle of Trafalgar ; Sir E. Strachan's action off Ferrol ;
Battle of St. Domingo ; Capture of the Island of Curacoa ; to
Sir M. Seymour, of the " Amethyst," for the capture of the
"Thetis"; to Ca^Dtain Stewart, of the " Seahorse," for the
capture of the " Badere ZafEer " ; to Captain Mounsey, of the
"Bonne Citoyenne," for the capture of the " Furieuse " ;
to Captain Cole, of the " Caroline," for the capture of the
Island of Banda Neira ; Captain Hoste's action off Lissa ; to
Captain Talbot, of the " Victorious," for the capture of
" Le Eivoli " ; to Captain Broke, of the " Shannon," for the
capture of the "Chesapeake"; to Captain Palmer, of the
" Hebrus," for the capture of " L'Etoile" ; and to Captain Hope,
of the " End}Tiiion," for the capture of the " President."

In all there were given eight large medals with chains,
fifteen large medals without chains, and one hundred and
seventeen small medals.

Battle off Ushant, 1st June (see ante). Page 32.

Battle of St. Vixcext, Fkbruaey 14th, 1797.

British ships, " Victory," Admiral Sir J. Jei-vis, Captains
Calder and Grey; "Britannia," Vice- Admiral Thomson,
Captain Foley; "Bai-fleur," Vice-Admiral Hon. W. "Walde-
grave. Captain Dacres ; " Prince George," Rear- Admiral W

38 NAVAL MEDALS.

Parker, Captain Irwin ; " Blenheim," T. L. Erederick ;
" Namur," J. H. Whitshed ; " Captain," Commodore H.
Nelson, Captain Miller ; "Goliath," Sir C. Knowles ; "Ex-
cellent," C. Colling-wood ; " Orion," Sir J. Saumarez ;
" Colossus," G-. Murray ; " Egmont," J. Sutton ; "Culloden,"
T. Troubridge ; "Irresistible," G. Martin; "Diadem," G.
H. Towry. Frigates, "Dido," D. Preston; "Lively," Lord
GarHes ; "Niger," J. Poote ; "Minerva," G. Cockburn ;
" Southampton " J. Macnamara. Sloops, " Bonne Citoyenne,"
C. Lindsay; "Eaven," W. Prowse ; "Fox," cutter, J. Gibson.
The Spanish fleet consisted of twenty-seven sail of the line
and eight frigates, in two divisions. Sir J. Jervis passed
between these divisions and so cut off nine of the Spanish
ships from the main body.'"' An attempt of the Spaniards to
break the British Line, and to effect a junction of their
divisions was defeated, and two Spanish seventy-fours struck
their colours. At the close of the action four Spanish ships
were in possession of the British; two of them, the "San
Nicolas "(eighty guns), and the "San Joseph" (one
hundred and twelve guns), being taken by Commodore
Nelson.f

* The morning of the 14th of February broke thick and foggy, but as
the mist cleared, the numbers of the Spanish fleet were announced to
Sir J. Jervis on the quarter-deck of the "Victory" by the Captain of
the Fleet, R. Calder. " There are eight sail of the line, Sir John." —
" Very well, sir." — "There are twenty sail of the line. Sir John." —
"Very well, sir." — "There are twenty-five sail of the line, Sir John."
— " Very well, sir." — " There are twenty-seven sail, Sir John." -
" Enough, sir, no more of that ; if there are fifty sail I will go through
them." This conclusive answer, given in a determined manner, so
delighted Captain B. Hallowell (then a passenger on board the
" Victory ") who was walking by the side of the Admiral, that in the
excitement of the moment, patting his superior on the back, he
exclaimed : — " That's right. Sir John, that's right ; by G — d we shall
give them a d d good licking."

t For this victory Sir J. Jervis was created Earl of St. Vincent, with
a pension of £3000 a year. Vice-Admiral Thomson, and Rear-Admiral
Parker were made baronets, and Commodore Nelson received the
Order of the Bath. Don Josef de Cordova, the Spanish Admiral, was
dismissed the service, and several of the chief officers of the fleet were
publicly disgraced.

naval medals. 39

Battle of Camperdown, October 11th, 1797.

British ships, "Venerable," Admiral Duncan, Captain Fair-
fax ; "Monarcli," Vice-Admiral Onslow, Captain O'Brien;
"EusseU," H. B. TroUope ; "Montague," H. Knight;
" Bedford," Sir T. Byard ; " Powerful," 0. B. Drury ;
"Triumph," W.Errington; "Lancaster," J.Wells; "Brackel,"
J. Mosse ; " Belliqueux," J. Inglis ; "Agincourt," J.
Williamson ; " Ai'dent," R. Burgess ; "Veteran," Gr. Gregory •
"Director," W. Bligh ; "Monmouth," J. Walker; " Isis,"
W.Mitchell; "Adamant," W. Hotham. Frigates, "Beaulieu,"
F. Fayerman; "Circe," P. Halkett ; "Martin," Hon. C.
Paget. Cutters, "Active," J. Hamilton; "King George,"
Rains; "Rose," Brodie ; " Diligent," Randall ; and " Spec-
ulator," lugger.

At half-past eleven in the morning. Admiral Duncan
signalled to his ships to bear up, break the enemy's line,
and engage them to leeward, thus getting between the Dutch
fleet and the land. About half-past twelve, Vice-Admiral
Onslow broke through the enemy's line and engaged their
Vice-Admiral. After a hard fought action of nearly three
hours, the Dutch Admiral, De Winter, being totally dis-
masted, struck to the "Venerable,"* and about the same
time their Vice-Admiral surrendered to Vice-Admiral Onslow.
Seven ships of the line, two ships of fifty guns and two
fi'igates, were taken, but some ships which had struck, took
advantage of the night coming on, and escajied into the
Texel. In this bloody conflict, Captain Burgess of the
"Ardent" was killed, and the loss in killed and wounded

* In the height of the battle, Duncan's signal for close action was
shot away, and a seaman named Jack Crawford, volunteered to nail
the flag to the main top-gallant masthead of the " Venerable." He
performed this hazardous service and regained the deck unhurt, amid
the cheers of his messmates. Crawford was a native of Sunderland,
and on his return home the Corporation of that Town presented him
with a large silver medal, bearing on one side the inscription, " The
Town of Sunderland, to John Crawford for gallant services on the 11th
of October, 1797." Crawford died in 1831, and in 1889 a Monument to
his memory was erected in the Mowbray Park at Sunderland.

40 XAVAL MEDALS.

of nine ships only of the British fleet, was upwards of seven
hundred men. The Dutch loss was still heavier, each of
the ships which bore their Admirals' flags, having not less
than two hundred and fifty men killed and wounded.*

Battle of the Nile, August 1st, 1798.

British ships, ' 'Vanguard, ' ' Rear- Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson,
Captain Berry ; "Orion," Sir J. Saumarez ; " CuUoden," T.
Troubridge; "Bellerophon," D. Darby; "Defiance," J. Peyton;
"Minotaur," T.Louis; "Alexander," A. Ball; "Zealous,"
S. Hood; "Audacious," D. Gould; "Goliath," T. Foley;
"Majestic," Gr. Westcott ; " Swiftsure," B. Hallowell ;
"Theseus," E. W. Miller; " Leander," J. B. Thompson;
" Mutine," sloop, T. Hardy. This battle. Nelson's greatest
victory, was gained with twelve seventy -four gun ships, and
one of 50 guns (" Leander,") the " CuUoden" running aground
on a shoal, just before the action began, at about hali-past six
in the evening. The enemy's fleet, thirteen line of battle
ships, and four frigates, was moored in a compact line near
the shore, flanked by gun boats, and a battery of guns and
mortars on the island of Aboukir, in their van. Led by the
"Goliath," that ship with the "Zealous," "Orion," "Theseus,"

* A letter from an officer on board the " Ardent " gives some inter-
esting details of this engagement — " At ten o'clock we descried the
Dutch fleet drawn up in two lines, three Admirals' flags flying, and all
of them lying with their topsails to their masts, waiting for us to come
up with them, as they vainly thought they could gam a complete
victory over us. At twelve o'clock our fleet was closely engaged with
the enemy. The roaring of cannon lasted for two hours and a quarter,
when several of the enemy's ships struck, and the remainder made off
as fast as they could. We were then within six miles of the shore, the
wind blowing fresh right on the land. Our loss is very great, having
148 killed and wounded on board of us. Among the former was our
brave captain, who was killed at the ninth shot. One of the men's
wives assisted in firing the gun where her husband was quartered,
though frequently requested to go below, but she would not be prevailed
upon to do so, till a shot carried away one of her legs and wounded the
other. All our masts were so badly wounded that we could not set a
sail, and were towed into port by the " Bedford." It is indeed a wonder
from the number of shot holes in her sides, that we had not many
more men killed."

Pavison's JMile JMedal

NAVAL MEDALS. 41

and " Audacious," anchored on the inside of the French ships,
the " Vanguard " being the first British ship to take her station
on the outside of the enemy's line. The French Admiral
Brueys, fell early in the action, and about ten p.m. his ship
"L'Orient," one hundred and twenty guns, blew up, but the
action continued in an intermittent manner throughout the
night. Next morning, two French ships of the line, and two
fi'igates, cut their cables and escaped, the remainder of their
fleet being destroyed, or in the possession of the victors. Mr.
Alex. Davison, an old friend of Lord Nelson, after the
battle of the Nile, was appointed sole prize agent. He
resolved to present every officer and man engaged in the
battle with a medal, and carried out his intention at a
cost of nearly £2,000. Captains of ships received the
medal in gold, lieutenants, and warrant officers in silver,
petty officers in bronze gilt, and seamen and marines in
bronze. This is the first instance of a medal given by a
private individual being accepted and worn in the service.
The medal, Avhich is of large size, has on the obverse, a
figure of Peace on a rock, with an olive branch in her
right hand, and supporting with her left, a shield bearing a
bust of Lord Nelson, with the words — "England's hope, and
Britain's glory " ; behind the figure is an anchor, and the
sea in the background, above being the inscription — "Eear-
Admiral Lord Nelson of the Nile." The reverse has a rep-
resentation of the battle, the setting sun in the distance,
above is the legend — " Almighty Grod has blessed his Majesty's
Arms," and in the exergue — " Victory of the Nile, August
1st., 1798." Upon the edge of the medal is indented — " From
Alexander Davison, Esq., St. James's Square, a tribute of
regard." The medals were issued without names, but many
of the recipients had their names, and the names of their
ships engraved on them, at their own expense. To show how
prized were these medals, many men had them carefidly
glazed, and mounted in gold or silver frames, and wore them
round the neck with a blue ribbon.

42 naval medals.

Ee-capture of the " Hermione " Frigate.
October 25th, 1799.

The " Hermione " (thirty-two), commanded b}^ Captain
Hugh Pigot, in 1797, was cruising in the West Indies, near
Porto Eico. By reason of the unbearable oppression and
cruelty of the captain, on the night of September 22nd, the
crew rose in mutiny, killed, or threw overboard their tyrant,
and all his officers but three, and taking the ship into La
Guayra, surrendered her to the Spaniards. Her new jdos-
sessors re-fitted her, and sent her on a cruise against the
British. In October, 1799, she was about to sail from Porto
Cavallo, and the " Surprise " (twenty-eight), Captain E.
Hamilton was despatched from Port Eoyal, by Sir H. Parker,
to interce]3t her. On the 21st of October, the "Surprise"
arrived off Porto Cavallo, and found the " Hermione " in the
port, moored between two batteries, mounting nearly two
hundred pieces of cannon. Captain Hamilton resolved to cut
her out, and on the night of the 24th, with a hundred officers
and men in his boats, started on his desperate expedition.
After beating off the launch of the " Hemiione," anxied with
a twenty-four pounder, and receiving a broadside from the
frigate, he boarded her, and " a dreadful carnage took place."
Driven from the forcastle and quarter deck, the Spaniards
retreated between decks, and sustained the conflict, till both
cables were cut, sail made on the ship, and the boats towing
her raj^idly out of the harbour ; nor did they cry for quarter
before all their ammunition was expended. The batteries
opened on the ship without much effect, and after a bloody
conflict of about an hour and a half, by two on the morning
of October 25th, the " Hermione " was out of gunshot, and in
the possession of her captors. She was ready for sea, mount-
ing forty -four guns, with a crew of about three hundred and
ninety men, one hundred and nineteen of whom were killed,
and ninety-seven wounded in the action. The loss of the
victors was one man kiUed, and twelve wounded, one of the

NAVAL MEDALS. 43

most severely hurt being the gallant Captain Hamilton. For
this exploit, one of the most daring and successful ever under-
taken by British seamen, Captain Hamilton, besides receiving
the gold medal, was created a Knight by letters patent, a
K.C.B., and ultimately made a Baronet.

Battle of Trafalgar.
October 21st, 1805.

British ships, " Victory," Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson, Capt.
T. Hardy ; " Eoyal Sovereign," Vice-Admiral Collingwood,
Capt. Eotherham ; "Britannia," Eear- Admiral Lord Northesk,
Captain C. Bullen ;* "Temeraire," E. Harvey ; "Neptune,"
T. F. Fremantle ; "Leviathan," H. Bayntun ; " Conqueror,"
I. PeUew ; "Agamemnon," E. Berry ; "Africa," H. Digby;
" Ajax," Lieutenant Pilfold ; " Orion," E. Codrington ;
" Minotaur," C. J. Mansfield ; " Spartiate," Sir F. Laforey ;
"Belleisle," W. Hargood ; "Mars," G. Duff; " BeUero-
phon,\ J. Cooke; "Colossus," J. Morris; " Achille," E.
King; "Dreadnought," J. Conn; "Polyphemus," E. Eed-
mill ; " Eevenge," E. Moorsom ; " Swiftsure," Q. Euther-
ford ; " Defiance," P. H. Durham ; " Thunderer," Lieutenant
Stockham ; " Defence," O. Hope ; " Tonnant," C. Tyler
"Prince," E. OrindaU. Frigates, "Phoebe," B. Capel
"Sirius," W. Prowse ; " Euryalus," Hon. H. Blackwood
"Naiad," T. Dundas. The " Entreprenante," cutter, L.
Puiver ; and "Pickle" schooner, J. Lapenotiere. The com-

* The Trafalgar gold medal of Capfc. Bullen of the " Britannia " ;
his Lieutenant's medal for the 1st of June, 1794, with Nelson's sailing
orders for the " Victory," in his autograph, were sold in the Greg sale,
May, 1887, for £70.

A sailor on board the " Britannia," in the battle had one of his
legs shot away below the knee. To an officer, who ordered him to be
carried to the cockpit, he observed : " 'Tis but a shilling touch ; had
it been an inch or two higher I should have got eighteen pence a day
for it," alluding to the scale of pensions allowed for wounds in propor-
tion to their severity. As he was conveyed from the deck, he called
to one of his messmates, "Bob, take a look for my leg and give me
the silver buckle out of the shoe ; I'll do as much for you another
time, please God."

44 NAVAL MEDALS.

bined fleet numbered thirty-three ships of the line, eighteen
French under Villeneuve, and fifteen Spanish under Gravina,
besides five French frigates and two brigs. The British fleet
attacked in two columns, Vice-Admiral CoUingwood leading the
lee, and Lord Nelson the weather division.* The action com-
menced about noon and ended at five p.m. : eighteen of the
combined fieet being taken, and one burnt. Lord Nelson was
wounded about a quarter past one, and died shortly after four
p.m. Owing to the heavy gales which came on after the
battle, but four of the prizes were carried into Gibraltar,
the others being wrecked or destroyed. The junior officers,
seamen and marines of the fleet which won this memor-
able battle, Nelson's last victory, received no medal, nor'
reward of any kind from the Government for their services,
but Mr Boulton, of the Soho Works, near Birmingham,
asked, and was granted, permission to present a medal
at his own expense, to every seaman who had served on
board the British fleet on the 21st of October. This
medal was struck in silver for the captains, and in
pewter for the junior officers and men.f Many of the latter

* The late General Sir R. B. Ellis, who was a lieutenant of marines
onboard the "Ajax," thus describes the scene between decks while
bearing down to attack the enemy. " As we neared the French fleet
I w'as sent below with orders, and was much struck with the prepara-
tions made by the blue-jackets, the majority of whom were stripped to
the waist, a handkerchief was bound tightly round their heads and
over their ears to deaden the noise of the cannon, many men being
deaf for days after an action. All seemed deeply anxious to come
to close quarters with the enemy." Just at this time Nelson's famous
signal, " England expects every man will do his duty," was made, but
it was not received according to popular accounts " with acclamation
by the whole fleet." Lieut. Ellis was directed to acquaint the men
on the main deck with the Admiral's signal. "When the men were
mustered I delivered, with becoming dignity, the sentence, rather
anticipating that the effect on the men would be to awe them by its
grandeur. Jack, however, did not appreciate it, for there were
murmurs from some, while others in an audible whisper muttered :
' Do our duty ! of course we'll do our duty. I've always done mine,
haven't you ? Let's come alongside of 'em and we'll soon show
whether we'll do our duty.' Still the men cheered vociferously,
more, I believe, from love and admiration of their Admiral and
leaders, than from a full appreciation of this well known signal."

t Some specimens were struck in bronze as proofs.

jBoulton's Jrafalgar JVIedal.

XAVAL MEDALS. 45

on receiving the medal in pewter, returned it immediately, or
threw it overboard in disgust. On the obverse is the bust of
Lord Nelson, surrounded by the words — " Horatio Yiscount
Nelson, K.B., Duke of Bronte." On the reverse is a repre-
sentation of the battle, with the legend — "England expects
every man will do his duty," and in the exergue — " Trafalgar,
October 21st, 1805." On the edge is inscribed — "To the
Heroes of Trafalgar, from M. Boulton." Another medal was
given to the seamen of the " Victory," Lord Nelson's flag-
ship, also of pewter, or white metal. Obverse, bust of Lord
Nelson within a laurel wreath, below, a shield of arms, with
a garter inscribed — " Tria juncta in uno," and upon a scroll
the motto — "Pal mam qui meruit ferat," with a double
legend — "Admiral Lord Nelson, D. of Bronte, natus Sept.
29th, 1758. Hoste devicto requievit, Oct. 21st, 1805."
" England expects every man will do his duty." Eeverse, a
man-of-war, with fm-led sails. Above — " The Lord is a man of
war. Exodus, c. 15, v. 3." Below — " Victory off Trafalgar,*
over the combined fleets of France and Spain, Oct. 21st, 1805."
Both these medals are sometimes found with a gold, silver, or
gilt rim, with a loop for suspension, and sometimes glazed ;
they were worn with a blue ribbon.

Sir E. Ste achat's Action off Eereol.
November 4th, 1805.

Rear-Admiral Dumanoir, who had escaped from the battle
of Trafalgar, with his own ship, the " Formidable" (eighty),
the "Scipion," "Mont Blanc," and " Duguay Trouin,"
" seventy -fours," made sail for Eochefort. Commodore Sir
R. Strachan was cruising near Cape Finisterre, with a

* This Medal is said to have been given to the crew of the " Victory"
only, by Mr. A. Davison, Nelson's old friend, who gave the Medals for
the Battle of the Nile, but no positive proof of the fact can be at
present adduced.

46 NAVAL MEDALS.

squadron of five sail of the line and two frigates, *• when
Captain Baker in the "Phoenix" (thirty-six), who had been
chased by the enemy, informed him of the proximity of the
French. Sir Richard's ships were widely scattered, and he
lay-to for a time to allow them to come up. Both his frigates
were with him, and being joined by the "Phoenix" and
" Revolutionnaire" (thirty-eight), Captain Hotham, he chased
the enemy during the day and night of November 3rd. At
daybreak on the 4th the frigates opened fire on the rearmost
of the Prench ships, and compelled Dumanoir to form his ships
in line of battle. About midday the British line, led by the
"Csesar," engaged the enemy, and after a sharp action the
whole of the French ships were captured. Sir Richard carried
his four prizes into Plymouth, and they were added to the
British Navy. The ' ' Formidable ' ' was re-named the ' ' Brave, ' '
and the " Duguay Trouin," the "Implacable," the two others
retained their names, but of the four, two only ever went to
sea again. For this success, Sir R. Strachan received the
Order of the Bath, and a vase valued at 300 guineas from
the Patriotic Fund. The Fund also presented the Captains
of the seven ships engaged with swords of the value of 100
guineas each.

Battle of St. Domingo, February Sth, 1 806.

In February, 1806, Vice-Admiral Sir John Duckworth, with
the "Superb," Captain Keats; "Northumberland," Rear-
Admiral A. Cochrane, Captain Morrison ; "Spencer," Hon.
R. Stopf ord ; "Donegal," Captain Malcolm ; "Atlas," Captain

* Sir Richard's squadron consisted of the " Caesar," eighty, flagship ;
" Hero," seventy-four, Captain Hon. A. Gardner ; " Namur," seventy-
four, Captain Halsted ; " Courageux," seventy-four, Captain R. Lee ;
" Bellona," seventy-four, Captain D. Pater. Frigates, " Santa Mar-
garitta," thirty-six. Captain Rathbone ; " CEolus," thirty-two, Captain
Lord W. Fitzroy ; the " Phoenix " and Revolutionnaire " joined just
before the action commenced, bat the " Bellona " had no share in it,
having parted company with the rest of the squadron, and not
rejoining for some time afterwards.

NAVAL MEDALS. 47

P}Tn ; "Agamemnon," Captain E. Berry; "Canopus," Rear-
Admiral Louis, Captain Austen ; the fi-igates "Acasta" and
" Magicienne," and the sloops " Epervier " and " Kingfisher "
were re-fitting in the West Indies, after a cruise, and prepar-
ing to return to Europe ; when he received intelligence that a
French squadron was Ij^ng at St. Domingo. On the morning
of February 6th he arrived off the place, and found at anchor in
the roadstead, a French squadron commanded by Eear-
Admiral Leissegues, comprising " L'Impei'ial," one hundred
and thirty guns, flagship ; two ships of eighty-four guns, two
of seventy-four guns, two frigates, and a corvette. On the
ajiproach of the British, they slipped their cables, and en-
deavoured to escape. All the British ships were seventj^-fours,
except the " Canopus," eighty, and the "Agamemnon," sixty-
four guns. Duckworth at once made the signal for attack,
and with a portrait of Nelson suspended from the mizen stay
of the "Superb," the band playing "God save the King,"
and "Nelson of the Nile," bore down on the leading French
ship " L' Alexandre " (eighty-four), and engaged her at close
quarters. After a severe action of two hours, the flagship of
the enemy, and an eighty -four, were driven ashore and burnt,
three others were captured, and none escaped but the frigates
and the corvette, which fled at the beginning of the engage-
ment. The loss of the British was seventy-four men killed,
and two hundred and sixty-four wounded. The killed and
wounded of the French amounted to nearly fifteen hundred.

Capture of Curacao, January 1st., 1807.

Captain C. Brisbane in the "Arethusa," forty -four, with
three other frigates — the "Anson," Captain C. Lydiard ;
"Latona," Captain J.Wood; and the "Fisgard," Captain W.
Bolton, ; on New Year's Daj, 1807, captured the strongly forti-
fied Dutch settlement of Curacao, in the West Indies. The
harbour of St. Anne, which was the point attacked, was defended
by powerful batteries with two tiers of guns, and at the entrance

48 NAVAL MEDALS.

— not sixty fathoms in width — was fort Amsterdam, mounting
sixty-six heavy guns. A thirty-six gun frigate, a corvette of
twenty-two guns, and two schooners, were moored athwart the
mouth of the harbour ; on the heights behind were more
Tsatteries, and Fort Republic, a reguLar fortification of great
strength, on a steep hill, commanded the town, and enfiladed
the harbour. During the night of the last day of the year,
Captain Brisbane arrived off the place, and at daybreak ran
in close order into the harbour, and anchored ; with the jib-
boom of the " Arethusa " projecting over the walls of the fort
in which the Dutch governor and many of his men lay sleep-
ing off the potations they had swallowed in drinking the old
year out and the new year in, the night preceding. The
governor was summoned to surrender ; five minutes being
allowed him for deliberation. At the expiration of this period
no answer being returned, the Dutch ships were boarded and
carried, and immediately afterwards Port Amsterdam, and the
forts near the water, were stormed by a body of seamen and
marines, led by Captain Brisbane in person, and Captain
Lydiard. By seven in the morning the whole of the defences,
except Fort Republic, were in the hands of the British, and
the governor being taken prisoner, capitulated. Three hours
later the British flag w^as flying over Fort Repubhc, and the
whole island in the possession of the captors, with a loss of
but three men killed and fourteen wounded. For this
achievement Caj)t. Brisbane was Knighted, and presented
with a Vase of the value of 200 guineas by the Committee of
the Patriotic Fund. A sword of 100 guineas value was given
to Captain Bolton, and Vases of the same value to Captains
Lydiard and Wood.

The "Seahorse" axd " Badere Zaffeb,"
July the 6th, 1808.

England being at war with Turkey, the "Seahorse,"
thirty-eight. Captain J. Stewart, cruising in the Archipelago,

NAVAL MEDALS. 49

ou the evening of July 5th., fell in with two Turkish
fi"igates, the "Badere Zaffer," fifty-two guns, and another
of twenty-six guns. The crew of the "Badere Zaifer " alone
was nearly double that of the "Seahorse," and her arma-
ment was heavier, but Stewart engaged both ships, and
after an action of about half an hour, the smaller Turkish
frigate, much damaged, made sail away. Her consort fought
in the most determined manner, and made several unsuccessful
attempts to board the " Seahorse," who poured broadside after
boardside into her opponent with most destructive effect.
For more than three hours the contest raged, from nine p.m.
till past midnight, when the ships separated, the Turk with all
her topmasts shot away, and her fire silenced. At dawn, the
"Seahorse," bore down to renew the engagement, and the
Turkish captain, though ready to fight again, was compelled
by his crew to surrender ; his ship being so shattered that she
was with difiiculty kept afloat.*' The British loss was five
men killed and ten wounded ; the loss of the enemy, one
hundred and seventy killed and about two hundred wounded,

* What followed after the " Badere Zaffer" had struck her colours will
be best told inthe words of an officer present. " The little Arab whocom-
marided the Turkish ship, on being brought aboard and asked for his
sw^ord, had no idea of surrendering it ; indeed ho had, immediately
after his colours were struck, dressed himself entirely in white, meant
perhaps as a kind of flag of truce. Having obtained permission to
return to his ship, and being in the confusion of the moment un-
guarded, he got one of the fighting lanterns, which were still alight,
and had reached the magazine passage then not secured, and over
ankle deep in gunpowder, when just as he was in the act of taking the
candle from the lantern the schoolmaster, who had come aboard the
prize from curiosity, and happened to be providentially on the lower
deck, immediately on seeing the danger knocked down the Arab,
dowsed his glim, and saved us from the inevitable destruction of one,
if not of both, frigates. He was removed on board the " Seahorse," and
as he spoke Italian fluently, Capt. Stewart rebuked him severely in
that language for his breach of the laws of honour and war, to which
he listened with unmoved patience. When the speaker ceased, the
little tiger bent forward his head, and pointing to his neck, said,
* Take it, it is yours, don't hesitate, for had the fortune of war been
mine I would have had your head off two hours ago. I only did my
duty in attempting to blow up my ship, and I curse my own stupidity
for not succeeding.' His officers declared that during the action he
had put 17 of his own men to death with his own hand in attempting.
to keep them at their quarters."

50 NAVAIi MEDALS.

many mortally, showing the difference in the handling and
gunnery of the two ships. Captain Stewart took his shattered
prize into Malta, and being unsuitable for the British Navy,
she was sold to some merchants.

The "Amethyst" and "Thetis,"
November 10th., 1808.

This action was fought near L' Orient, between the
Amethyst," thirty- eight, Captain M. Seymour, andtheErench
frigate " La Thetis," of about equal force, but superior in the
number of her crew, and having besides a body of one hundred
soldiers on board. The engagement began about nine at
night, and soon after eleven the "Thetis" made a desperate
but unsuccessful attempt to board the "Amethyst." After
great slaughter, the Prench frigate was boarded and taken,
being much shattered and entirely dismasted. The captain of
the "Thetis," and one hundred and thirty-four of her men
were killed, and one hundred and two wounded, including all
her officers except three. The "Amethyst" suffered severely,
Lieutenant Kendal, of the Marines, and eighteen men being
killed, and fifty-one wounded. Her mizen mast was shot
away, her other masts much injured, and she had three and
a half feet water in her hold. Just as the action ended, the
"Triumph," seventy-four. Captain T. M. Hardy, and the
"Shannon," Captain Broke, came up, and the latter ship,
taking the prize in tow, brought her into Plymouth. For this
action Captain Seymour received the honour of knighthood,
and a sword valued at one hundred guineas from the Patriotic
Fund. In the following year he was created a Baronet.

The "Bonne Citoyenne " and "Furieuse."
July 6th, 1809.

Captain W. Mounsey, commanding the "Bonne Cito-
yenne," eighteen gun corvette, sailed from Spithead for
Quebec, with the "Inflexible," sixty -four, in charge of a

NAVAL IViEDALS. 51

convoy, from which, he parted company in a chase. On
August 5th, he feR in with a large Fi'ench frigate boarding
an English merchant ship, which on the approach of the
" Bonne Citoyenne," made off with a press of sail. After a
chase of eighteen hours, at half-past nine the next morning.
Captain Mounsey came up with the enemy, and engaged her
within pistol shot. The action lasted till past four p.m.,
when, having nearly expended all his powder, Captain
Mounsey determined to board his opponent with all hands,
but at the instant of laying her aboard, the enemy called out
that they surrendered, and struck their colours. The prize
was called " La Furieuse," pierced for forty-eight gims, but
having only twenty mounted, twelve of them being forty-two
pounder carronades. Her top-masts and nearly all her yards
were shot away, and she had five feet of water in her hold
when taken. The "Bonne Citoyenne " had also lost all her
topmasts, and her rigging and sails were cut to pieces, but
only one of her crew was killed, and five wounded. On
board " La Furieuse " thirty-five men were killed, and thirty-
six wounded, among the latter being her captain and two
Keutenants. The " Bonne Citoyenne " took her prize in tow
and proceeded to Halifax. For this service. Captain
Mounsey, besides receiving the gold medal, was promoted to
the rank of Post Cajitain.

Capture of the Island of Banda Neira.
August 9th, 1810.

Captain C. Cole, with the " Caroline," thirty-six, "Pied-
montaise," thirty-eight. Captain Foote and the " Barracouta,"
eighteen. Captain Kenah, having on board about one
hundred men of the Madras European Regiment, in May,
1810, sailed from Madras with supplies for Amboyna,
recently captured by the British. On his arrival at Penang,
Captain Cole determined to attempt the reduction of the

52 NAVAL MEDALS.

Btrongly fortified island of Banda Neira, the seat of the
Dutch Grovernment in the Moluccas, and considered to be
impregnable. After an intricate and dangerous navigation
of almost unknown seas, on the 8th of August he brought
to in sight of the Island, and was fired upon by a battery on
an outlying islet, which destroyed all hope of taking the place
by surjDrise. About eleven at night, nearly four hundred
officers and men under the command of Captain Cole, pushed
off in the boats for Banda, but owing to the darkness of the
night and violent squalls of wind and rain, at two in the
morning he found himself at the appointed landing place with
less than two hundred men. The violence of the storm covered
his landing within a hundred yards of a battery of ten guns,
which was entered from the rear and carried by Capt. Kenah,
without firing a shot. Leaving a small guard at the captured
battery, Cole pushed on towards Fort Belgica, the citadel,
which commanded almost the whole of the island, placed his
ladders against the outer walls, carried them, and hauling up
the ladders, placed them against the inner wall, but found
they were too short. The enemy opened fire from the ram-
parts, but the gate being then opened to admit the Dutch
Commandant, a rush was made for the gateway ; the Command-
ant who refused quarter, fell, with several of his men, and the
British colours were hoisted over the place. At day -break
Capt. Kenah was sent to the governor with a flag of truce,
demanding the immediate surrender of the island. The
British frigates were entering the harbour, and on a second
summons, with a threat of reducing the town to ashes, and a
shot fired from Belgica into the sea batteries, the island and
its dependencies were unconditionally surrendered, and fifteen
hundred regular troops and militia laid down their arms. In
this brilliant and most successful exploit the victors did not
lose a single man, and but few were wounded. The island of
Banda is about two and a haK miles long, and half a mile in
breadth. Besides the forts of Belgica and Nassau, it was
defended by ten batteries, mounting altogether one hundred

NAVAX MEDALS. 5S

and tMrty-eiglit guns.* The Dutch looked on the place as-
impregnable, and by its capture a large amount of treasure
feU into the hands of the British.

Action off Lissa, March 13th, 1811.

In 1811, Captain W. Hoste in the " Amphion," thirty-two,,
having under his command the "Active," thirty-eight, Capt.
J. A. Gordon ; " Cerberus," thirty-two, Captain H. Whitby;
and the " Volage," twenty -two, Caj)t. P. Hornby, was cruis-
ing in the Adriatic. On March 13, off the Island of Lissa, he
met with a French squadron of four French and Venetian
frigates of forty guns each, two of thirty -two guns, a corvette
of sixteen guns, and four smaller vessels, more than double
his force. Hoste formed his line of battle, and with the
signal, "Remember Nelson," at his masthead, awaited the
attack of the enemy, who bore down in two divisions and
attempted to break his line. They were received by so well
directed a fire that their leading ship " La Favourite " became
unmanageable, and in endeavouring to wear, ran on the rocks.
Part of the French squadron then engaged the British to
leeward, while their other ships continued the action to wind-
ward, thus placing Hoste between two fires, a French frigate
taking her station on the lee quarter, and a Venetian frigate

• As a token of the high estimation in which the gallant Captain
Cole was held by his brethren in arms, a few days after the capture
of Banda, Captains Poote and Kenah requested his acceptance of a
silver cup ; the officers of the three ships under his command presented
him with a sword of the value of 100 guineas, and the officers of the
Madras European Regiment with another sword of the same value.
Two years afterwards, when the " Caroline " was paid off and all
connection between the seamen and their late commander had
ceased, Captain Cole was gratified by the receipt of the following
epistle from his old crew, which was certainly a compliment of the
highest and most gratifying description. — " We, the crew of H. M. S.
" Caroline," wish to give you our most gracious thanks for the care
and favour you have shown to this ship's company, by making you
a present of a sword amounting to 100 guineas for your noble and brave
conduct when you led us to the storm of Banda, and likewise the
zealous bravery in landing our troops at Batavia ; and by excepting
of this present you will gratify the wishes of your most obedient
ship's company. — The ' Carolines.' "

•54 NAVAL MEDALS.

•on the weather quarter of the " Amphion." After a severe
contest both were compelled to strike. The remainder of the
enemy then bore off, the "Amphion" was too crij^pled to
pursue, but the " Active " and " Cerberus " chased and
captured the Venetian frigate "Corona" of forty-four guns.
Another French frigate, which had struck her colours and
surrendered, taking advantage of the disabled state of the
"Amphion" stole off, and with the smaller vessels escaped.
The French Commodore Dubourdieu was slain in the action,
and his ship being on the rocks was set on fire by her crew
and destroyed. The loss of the British was fifty men killed
and one hundred and fifty wounded. The loss of the French
was much greater.

The "Victorious" and "Eivoli."
February 22nd, 1812.

Admiral Sir E. Pellew, commanding the British fleet in the
Mediterranean, being informed that the "Rivoli," a French
seventy-four gun ship had sailed from Venice, desjiatched
the "Victorious," seventy four, Captain J. Talbot, with the
eighteen-gun brig "AVeasel," Commander Andrew, in search
of her. On the afternoon of February 21st Captain Talbot
discovered the "Rivoli" with three or four smaller vessels,
and at once made chase. Before daybreak the next morning
the "Weasel" came up with some French brigs and en-
gaged two of them. After a sharp action, one of them, " Le
Mercure," eighteen, blew up, and her comrades fled. In the
meanwhile the "Victorious," about 4-30 a.m., had brought
the "Rivoli" to action within half pistol-shot, and the
conflict lasted till about nine a.m., when the French ship
much shattered, her mizen mast shot away, and four hundred
of her crew being killed and wounded, struck her colours.
The loss of the "Victorious" was twenty-seven killed and
ninety-nine wounded, including her Captain. The "Weasel"
Jiad not a man hurt, though at the close of the engagement

NAVAL MEDALS. 55

she took a positiou across the bows of the "Rivoli" and raked
her with two or three broadsides. For this action Caj>tain
Talbot was made a Knight of the Bath, and Commander
Andrew post caj)tain. The " Rivoli," under the same name,
was added to the British Navy.

The "Shannon" and "Chesapeake."
June 1st, 1813.

In the year 1813, the "Shannon" thirty-eight, Captain
P. V. Broke, had for some time been watching the American
frigate " Chesapeake," of the same force in guns, but
superior in the number of her crew, Ij^ng ready for sea, in
Boston Harbour. The British Captain had sent a challenge
to Captain Lawrence of the " Chesapeake " to come out and
try the fortune of war, ship to ship ; and about 1 p.m. on the
1 st of June, the American frigate weighed anchor, and stood
out of Boston Roads to meet the "Shannon." At fifty minutes
past four the action commenced, the ships being not more
than a stone's throw asunder, Boston Kghthouse bearing west
at about six leagues distance. After the exchange of a few
broadsides, by which the " Chesapeake " suffered considerably
her tiller ropes being shot away, and her wheel broken, she
fell aboard the " Shannon," whose anchor became hooked in
the mizen chains of her opponent. A sharp fire of musketry
followed, when Captain Broke observing the enemy to flinch
from their guns, at the head of his boarders, sprang on the
quarter-deck of the "Chesapeake," exclaiming "Follow me
who can," and with slight resistance drove most of her crew
below. The Americans kept up a heavy fire from their tops,
till the men stationed in them were killed or driven on deck ;
and made a determined but fruitless attempt to rally, but in
about fifteen minutes from the beginning of the action, all
hostilities ceased, and the " Chesapeake " was the prize of the
"Shannon." The loss of the victors was First Lieutenant
Watt, two other Officers, and twenty-three men killed, and

56 NAVAL MEDALS.

Captain Broke, and fifty-eight men wounded, out of a crew
of three hundred and thirty men. The " Chesapeake " out
of a crew of at least three hundred and eighty-six men, had
her Captain, First and Fourth Lieutenants, Master, Lieut-
enant of Marines, three Midshipmen, and fifty-three men
killed or mortally wounded, and nearly ninety Ofiicers
(including her second and third Lieutenants) and men
wounded. Captain Broke being severely wounded ; Lieut.
Provo W. Wallis*, assumed the commanrl, and with the two
frigates sailed for Halifax, arriving there June 6th. The
gallant Captain Lawrence had died two days before, on
board the " Chesapeake," and was buried by his opponent at
Halifax with aU the honours of war f. Shortly afterwards on
his return to England, Captain Broke was created a baronet,
and by the Corporation of London was voted the freedom of
the city, and presented with a sword of the value of 100
guineas.

The "Hebrus" and "L'Etoile,"
March 27th, 1814.

In January, 1814, the French frigates "L'Etoile" and "La
Sultane " being on a cruise near the Cape Verde Islands,
met with the British frigates ' Astrtea " and "Creole," with
which they fought a severe but drawn action. The French
made sail away, and their ojojjonents were too much dis-
abled in their rigging to follow. On March 26th as they
were nearing their own shores, they fell in with the British
ships "Hannibal," seventy-four, Captain Sir M. Seymour;
" Hebrus," thirty-eight. Captain E. Palmer ; and the
" Sparrow," sixteen-gun brig, Captain Lock. The British

* Afterwards Admiral of the Fleet Sir Provo W. P. Wallis, G.C.B.,
who died February 13th, 1892, in the 101st year of his age, the last
survivor of the engagement between the " Shannon " and " Chesapeake."

t At the request of the American Government, the body of Captain
Lawrence was exhumed shortly afterwards and taken to Boston, where
it was re-interred with great solemnity.

NAVAL MEDALS. 57

immediately chased, and tlie "Hannibal" coming up with
the "La Sultane" she surrendered. After a chase of one
hundred and twenty miles on the morning of the 27th, the
"Hebrus" brought " L'Etoile " to action near Cape La
Hogue, and to prevent her escape passed betAveen her and
the shore, within musket shot of the land. The engage-
ment lasted two hours and a quarter, when "L'Etoile,"
her mizen mast shot away, her hull much shattered, and
four feet of water in her hold, struck her colours. Of her
crew of three hundred and twenty men, forty were killed
and over seventy wounded, many of whom died the next
day. The "Hebrus" lost her fore topmast and fore yard,
and all her masts were shot through, but her killed and
wounded together were less than forty. The action was
fought within range of a battery on shore, which, on the
surrender of "L'Etoile" opened a heavy fire on her and
her conqueror. Captain Palmer brought his prize into
Plymouth Sound on March 29th, and declined the honoui
of knighthood which was offered him as a reward for his
services.

The "Endymion" and "President,"
January 15th, 1815.

The "Endymion," frigate, rated at forty guns, but carry-
ing forty-eight. Captain H. Hope, at the beginning of the
year 1815, formed part of a squadron which was watching
the port of New York, where an American squadron was
lying ready for sea. On January 14th, the American fifty
gun frigate " President," Commodore Decatur, taking-
advantage of a storm which blew the blockading ships off
the coast, came out and set sail for the West Indies. The
next morning he was observed by the British, who gave
chase, and the " Endymion," being the fastest sailer of the
squadron, after a pursuit of twelve hours brought the
"President" to action. An engagement lasting two hours

58 NAV^VL MEDALS.

and a half followed, when the "Endymion," much damaged
in her sails and rigging, dropj^ed astern to repair damages,
and the American with her hull pierced and shattered,
continued her flight. Just as the "Endymion," who had
bent new sails and repaired her rigging, had come up again,
and was about to renew the action, the "Pomona" frigate,
Captain Lumley, arrived within gunshot, and firing a
broadside or two at the "President" she at once surren-
dered. Her masts and rigging were much injured, several
of her guns disabled, and she had six feet of water in her
hold when Captain Hope took possession of her. Nearly
one hundred of her crew were killed and wounded ; the loss
of the "Endymion" was eleven killed and fourteen
wounded.*

This ends the account of naval actions for which gold
medals were granted. At the end of the war with France
in 1815, it was decided that the issue of gold medals to
officers of the Navy should cease, and that such officers
should in the future be rewarded for their services by the
Order of the Bath.

* The following curious details are given by the late General Sir S.
B. Ellis, then lieutenant of the marines of the "Pomona" which
boarded the prize — " The sight on the deck of the American frigate was
strange indeed, guns were there named by familiar titles ; there was
the Nelson, and the JSlile, the Trafalgar, and others, just as if English-
men were her crew. On the " President " surrendering, fifty English-
men threw themselves overboard, seeking death to avoid a more
ignominious one, which the violated laws and feelings of England
would justly have inflicted." It is now satisfactory to relate, that
owing to the speedy conclusion of peace, these deserters escaped
without punishment. Owing to the tyranny practised by some
officers on shipboard, the drafting of men on their arrival home after
years of foreign service into other ships, and sending them back again
to a coast which perhaps they had just left, not permitting them to
land on their native shore for an hour, (men having been known to
have served ten years without once going on shore) ; the seamen were
disgusted with the Naval service of their country, deserted in hun-
dreds, and induced by better wages and treatment, enrolled them-
selves under the flag of America. When the British frigate
"Macedonian" was captured in 1812 by the American frigate
"United States," Commodore Decatur asserted that he had scarcely
a seaman in his ship who had not served from five to twelve years in
the British Navy. Two of his guns were named " Nelson " and
" Victory," and were served by seamen who had sailed with the
British Admiral.

naval medals. 59

Earl St. Vikcext's Medal, 1800.

Admibal Earl St. Vincent in the year 1 800, presented the
petty officers, seamen, and marines of his flag ship the ' ' Ville
de Paris," with a silver medal as a reward for their loyalty
and good conduct. On the obverse is the hust of the Earl in
uniform, surrounded by a laurel wreath, and the words r
^^ JEarl St. Vincent's testimony of approbation, 1800.'' On the-
reverse, a sailor and marine shaking hands, in the back
ground are the crosses of the Union Jack, the whole encircled
by a wreath, with the legend : " Loyal and True'' surmounted
by a crown. This medal is often found in a rim or frame,
with a loop for suspension.

The Wooldeidge Gold Medal, 1809.

A French fleet of eleven sail, being blockaded by
a British fleet under Lord Gambler, in Aix Roads, an
attempt was made to destroy the enemy's fleet by fire
ships, under the direction of Captain Lord Cochrane. The
fire ships were manned by volunteers from the fleet.
On the night of April 11th, 1809, Commander Woold-
ridge in the "Mediator," led the attack, and broke the
boom placed in front of the French ships, but through
his eagerness to execute his desperate undertaking in the
most thorough manner, was blown out of his ship and
terribly scorched. At daylight, seven of the French fleet
were seen to be on shore, and of these, four were set on
fire and destroyed. For this eminent service Commander
Wooldridge was made a Post Captain, and presented with a
special gold medal and chain from the King. The Patriotic
Fund gave him a sword valued at 100 guineas, and to his
Lieutenant, Clements, a sword of the value of 50 guineas.
On the obverse of this medal is represented a fire ship
breaking a boom, behind which are ships. Underneath is
the date, "Uth April, MDCCCIX." On the reverse is

<30 NAVAL MEDALS.

i ascribed : " Captain James Wooldridge led the British fire
ships when four French sail of the line tvere burnt wider their
■own latteries in Aix Roads." The medal is surrounded by
a cable border.

The Bagtjr and Palamos Medal, 1810.

This medal was given by the Spanish Grovernment to
the Officers, seamen, and marines of H. M. Ship "Kent,"
seventy-four. Captain Eogers ; " Ajax," seventy-four ;
Captain E. W. Otway, and "Cambrian," forty. Captain
F. W. Fane, as a reward for the assistance they rend-
ered the Spaniards in their attempt to expel the French
from Catalonia, in September, 1810. At Bagur, the
Spaniards with the help of the British Marines, defeated
a French detachment and destroyed a battery, and in
the attack on Palamos, by the co-operation of the ships,
ihe French were again defeated and the place taken. Eight
of the medals were struck in gold for the superior Officers'
the others in silver. On the obverse are two shields, bearing
the arms of Grreat Britain and Spain, surrounded by their
National flags, below are the words : " Alianza Eterna," the
whole surrounded by a laurel wreath. On the reverse is
the inscription : "Bagur, 10 de Setiembre, Palamos, 14 de
Setiembre, 1810," surrounded by the words : " Grratitud de
Espana a la Intrepidez Britanica." Worn by a red ribbon
with yellow edges.

The Turkish Medal for Acre, 1840.

Mehemet Ali, Pasha of Egypt, in 1839, was engaged
in a war with his titular sovereign, the Sultan of Turkey,
with the object of rendering himself entirely independent
of his authority. He had defeated the Turkish armies
sent against him, and obtained possession of Syria ;
refusing offers of peace which made the Viceroyalty of

NAVAL MEDALS. 61

Egypt hereditary in his famity, and secured the govern-
ment of the greater part of Syria to him for life. To
prevent the complete overthrow of the Sultan, England,
Austria, Russia, and Prussia, in July, 1840, concluded a
treaty with Turkey, to compel Mehemet Ali to accept the
terms ot peace he had rejected in the preceding year. Orders
were sent to Admiral Sir Robert Stopford, commander in the
the Mediterranean to despatch a squadron to Beyrout, for the
protection of the inhabitants of the surrounding district who
had rebelled against Mehemet Ali. Commodore Charles
Napier, with the "Powerful," "Granges," and "Thunderer,"
of eighty -four guns each, "Edinburgh," sevent}^ - two,
"Castor," thirty-six, and a steam vessel, arrived before the
place in August, and gave notice to the 'EgYpt'mn Generals
that the district was under his protection, and that on the
expiration of twenty days Syria was to be restored to the
government of the Sultan. These representations producing
no effect, a squadron of British ships blockaded the Egyptian
fleet in the harbour of Alexandria, and the remainder of the
fleet under Sir P. Stopford presently bombarded Beyrout,
and drove the Egyptians out of the place. In the meantime,
Commodore Napier, who had gained considerable military
knowledge in the wars in Portugal, during the illness of Sir
C. Smith, the British officer intended to command the land
forces, went on shore, assumed the direction of a body of
British Artillery and Marines, Austrians and Turks, amount-
ing to about seven thousand men, and established a fortified
camp at D'Jounie, in the mountains of Lebanon. Ibrahim
Pasha, son of Mehemet Ali, the commander-in-chief, and best
general of the Egyptians, lay not far off with twenty thou-
sand men, and Napier daily expected to be attacked, but the
enemy occupied themselves in fortifying their own position.
During the month of September the fleet with little loss had
taken possession of most of the towns on the coast of Syria, in
the name of the Sultan, and on the 24th bombarded and
captured Tyre. On the 27th of the same month. Commodore

62 NAVAL MEDALS.

Napier, who three days before with his Turks, a battalion of
Marines, and an Austrian rocket brigade, had routed a much
superior Egyptian force, attacked the imj^ortant town of
Sidon by land and sea. The place was strongly fortified by
two castles, gan-isoned by about three thousand men. The
Governor refusing to surrender, early in the morning the
" Thunderer," eighty-four, the ten-gun sloop "Wasp," with
four steamers, the "Cyclops," "Grorgon," " Stromboli," and
" Hydra," the Austrian frigate " Guerriera," and the Turkish
corvette " Gulsefide," opened fire on the place, and sjDeedily
drove the enemy from their guns. A mixed force of British
Marines, Turks and Austrians was then landed, commanded
by Commodore Napier, Captains Mansel and Austen, who
carried the castles by storm, capturing over two thousand
prisoners, and a vast quantity of warlike stores of every kind.
Napier remained on shore in command of the Turkish troops
and some British Marines, and on October 10th, again
encountered and completely defeated the Egyptian army
under Ibrahim himself, on the heights of Boharsef, near
Beyrout, taking from him several hundred pi-isoners, and
a great part of his materiel. The Eg3rptian8 then withdrew
from the north of Syria, and concentrated their forces at Acre,
a fortress which they thought to be impregnable, it having
taken Ibrahim at the head of forty thousand men, a siege of
ten months to reduce it, a few years before ; and in the
meanwhile the fortifications had been considerably streng-
thened. On the evening of November 2nd, the fleet, con-
sisting of seven line-of -battle ships, the "Princess Charlotte,"
' ' Powerful, " " Benbow, " " Eevenge, " " Thunderer, " " Bel-
lerophon," and "Edinburgh"; the "Castor," "Pique,"
"Carysfort," and "Talbot" frigates; the "Vesuvius,"
"Gorgon," "Stromboli," and "Phoenix" steamers, and two
sloops, with the flag-ship of Captain Walker, commander-
in-chief of the Sultan's navy, and the two Austrian
frigates, "Meda" and "Guerriera," apjjeared before the
place, and found the defences armed with two hundred

NAVAL MEDALS. 63

guns, manned with, upwards of five thousand men. During
the night, the shoals in the south and west of Acre were
surveyed and buoyed by Captains Codrington and Boxer,
and the next morning the ships having taken their appointed
stations, at about two p.m. the engagement began. For
nearly two hours the Egyptians replied vigorously, but
about four o'clock, a shell from one of the steamers exploded
their principal powder magazine, which demolished a large
portion of the town, and destroyed most of two regiments
under arms to repel any attempt made to storm the walls..
This explosion and its effects quite disheartened the enemy,
their fire gradually slackened, and just before nightfall
ceased altogether. At daybreak the next morning, some
deserters came off to the ships, with the news that the
garrison was evacuating the town, which was shortly after-
wards taken possession of by the victors, in the Sultan's-
name. The defences were not materially injured, but the
loss of the garrison had been heavy, and three thousand
prisoners and a vast quantity of military stores were
captured. The damage sustained by the ships was principally
in their rigging, and the number of killed and wounded in
the combined fleet did not exceed sixty. The moral effect of
the fall of Acre on the Egyptians was enormous, and it
virtually ended the war.* Some fighting took place between

* The ships employed in the operations on the coast of Syria in
1840 — 41, were the "Princess Charlotte," one hundred and four,
Admiral Hon. Sir R. Stopford, Captain A. Fanshawe ; " Powerful,"'
eighty-four, Commodore, 0. Napier ; " Bellerophon," eighty-four, C. J.
Austin ; " Revenge," seventy-four, Hon. W. Waldegrave ; " Ganges,"
eighty-four, B. Reynolds ; " Thunderer," eighty-four, T. Berkeley ;.
" Edinburgh," seventy-six, W. Henderson : Hastings," seventy-four,
J. Lawrence ; " Benbow," seventy-four, H. Steward ; " Rodney,"
eighty-four, R. Maunsell. "Asia," eighty-four, W. Fisher ; " Vanguard,"
seventy-four, Sir R. Dunn ; " Implacable," seventy-four, E. Hervey ;
" Cambridge," E. Barnard ; " Castor," E. Collier ; " Pique," E. Boxer ;
"Carysfort," H. Martin; "Dido," L. Davies : "Talbot," H. J.
Codrington ; " Daphne," J. DalUng ; " Magicienne," F. Mitchell ;
" Gorgon," W. Henderson ; " Cyclops," H. T. Austin ; " Wasp,";
G. Mansell ; " Vesuvius," T. Henderson ; " Stromboli," W. J. Williams-
"Hydra," R. Robinson; "Phoenix," R. Stopford ; " Hazard," Hon.
G. Elliott; "Zebra," J. Stopford; "Hecate," J. Ward; "Medea,"
T. Warden.

NAVAL MEDALS.

the Egyptian and Tui-kisli armies, but after much, diplomacy
on the part of Turkey and the Allied powers, Syria was
restored to the Sultan, the Government of Egypt made
hereditary in the family of Mehemet Ali, and peace restored
in February, 1841. As a reward to the British Officers and

men engaged in the war in Syria, the Sultan of Turkey
(Abdul-Mejid) issued a small medal about the size of a
florin, in gold to those ranking with Field Officers, in silver
to Quarter-deck and Warrant Officers, and in copper to
Petty Officers, seamen, and marines. On the obverse is a
fortress, with the Turkish flag fljing, above are six stars, and
below, an Arabic inscription, signifying: "The country of
Syria and the fortress of Acre, 1256." On the reverse is the
Sultan's cypher, surrounded by a laurel wreath. Eibbon red
with white edges.

naval medals. 66

The Naval Genkral Service Medal, 1793-1840.

The long and brilliant services of the British Navy from 179S
to 1815, remained unrecognised by the issue of any general
decoration till the year 1847, by which time, a large propor-
tion of the gallant veterans who had fought and bled for their
country, had disappeared undecorated from the scene of their
former exploits. In a debate in the House of Lords on July
21st,' 1845, on a petition from the survivors of the army which
had served during the War in the Peninsula, for some decora-
tion in recognition of their services ; the Duke of Wellington
speaking on the claims of the army for a medal, said —
' ' When you recollect these services, (of the army) I beg of
you also not to forget the fleet. Did anyone ever hear of
a general Medal given to every individual in the fleet.
Yet, my lords, we have had great Naval victories. We are
well acquainted with such — as the battle of the First of June,
the Battle of Cape St. Yincent, and the Battle of the Nile.
But did anyone ever hear of a general medal worn by every
individual engaged in those services ? Surely, if the Army
of the Peninsula is to have this decoration or an address
voted by your lordships, it will be impossible that you
should not notice also these other services." The petition
was ordered to lie on the table, but the outcome of the
debate was the grant of the Military and Naval General
Service Medals in 1847. The following General Order was
issued by the Admiralty, June 1st, 1847.

" Her Majesty having been graciously pleased to command
that a Medal should be struck to record the services of her
Fleets and Ai-mies during the Wars commencing in 1793
and ending in 1815, and that one should be conferred on
every Officer, non-commisioned officer, petty officer, soldier,
and seaman, who was present in any action, naval or
military, to commemorate which Medals have been struck
by command of Her Majesty's Eoyal Predecessors, and dis-

C6 NATAL MEDALS.

tributed to superior Officers according to tlie rules of the
service at that time in force.

All officers, petty officers and seamen who consider that
•they are entitled to receive this mark of their Sovereign's
gracious recollection of their services, and of her desire to
record the same, are to send in writing the statement of
their claims, addressed to the Secretary of the Admiralty,
Whitehall, London, specifying for what action, and for what
period of time the claim is preferred ; and the names of
the persons or the titles of the documents by which it can
be established.

The names of all those who may apply for the Naval
Medal will be classed alphabetically, and to each name will
T)e appended the actions at which the claimant may have
Tjeen present, proof of which must be given to the entire
satisfaction of the Board.

By command of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty."

The medal was ready for distribution in January, 1849,
and the books were finally closed on the 30th of April, the
same year. The distribution of the medal, however, was
afterwards extended for naval services to the year 1840.
The medal has on the obverse, the head of the Queen,
crowned, with the legend " Victoria Eegina," and the date
1848, below. On the reverse, Britannia seated on a sea-
horse, a trident in her right hand, and an olive branch in
the left. Eibbon white, Avith dark blue edges. The
recipient's name is indented on the edge of the medal.

More than two hundred clasps were issued with this medal,
six being the greatest number worn with any specimen.
The clasps bear the names of the actions, places, or ships, in
which the recipients were engaged. Clasps were issued for
boat actions, and bear the words "Boat Service" and the
date.*

* The proved claims for this medal amouated to 20,900.

Naval Genf.r^ai. Sciivics )\1e.dal.

NAVAL MEDALS. 67

LIST OF THE SHIPS AND ACTIONS FOE WHICH
MEDALS HAVE BEEN AWAEDED

To THE Officers, Seamen, and Marines, (and Soldiers

WHO SERVED AS MaRINES) SURVIVING AT THE DATE OF

THE Gazette Notice of June 1st, 1847.

The "Nymphe" and "Cleopatra."
June 18th, 1793.

On June 17th, 1793, the "Nymphe," thirty-six guns, Capt.
E. Pellew, sailed from. Falmouth on a cruise. At daybreak
next morning, off the Start Point, a French frigate was
discovered, to which the "Nymphe" gave chase. At six
o'clock the ships were so near together that the captains
mutually hailed. The crew of the "Nymphe" shouted
"Long live King Greorge " and gave three hearty cheers, to
which the enemy replied by shouting "Vive la Eepublique,"
and nailing the red cap of liberty to their main topmast head.
At a quarter past six the action commenced, the two frigates'
running before the wind. About seven o'clock the mizen-
mast of the French frigate fell, and directly afterwards her
wheel was shot away, and she fell aboard the "Nymphe."
Pellew at once gave orders to board, part of his men rushed
on the forecastle of the enemy, and another division boarding
through the main deck ports, fought their way along the
gangways to the quarter deck. Though much suj^erior in
number, the I'epublicans could not resist the attack. At ten
minutes past seven they were all driven below, or had
submitted, and their colours were hauled down. The prize
was the "Cleopatra," forty guns and three hundred and
twenty men, of whom sixty-three, including her Captain,
were killed or wounded in the action. The loss of
the victors out of a crew of two hundred and forty men
and boys, was twenty three killed and twenty seven wounded.
On June 21st the "Nymphe" arrived with her prize at
Portmouth, where the body of the gallant Captain Mullon,

68 NAVAL MEDALS.

of the " Cleopatra," was buried with military honours, his
surviving officers attending him to the grave. For his dis-
tinguished conduct. Captain E. Pellew received the honour
of Knighthood, and his brother Commander Israel Pellew,
who served as a volunteer on board the " Nymphe," was pro-
moted to the rank of post-captain. The "Cleopatra," being
a fine frigate was purchased by the British Government,
and named the " Oiseau," there being already a " Cleopatra"
in the Navy.

The "Crescent" and "Reunioj^."
October 20th, 1793.

During the month of October, 1793, two French frigates
stationed at Cherbourg committed serious havoc among
British merchant ships in the Channel. One of these ships
usually left Cherbourg in the evening, stood across the
Channel in the night, and returned the next morning with
any prizes she had been able to pick up. To put an end to
these depredations, the "Crescent," thirty-six. Captain J.
Saumarez, sailed from Spithead, and at daybreak on the
morning of Ocrober 20th, fell in with the French frigate
" Reunion," thirty-six, off Cape Barfleur. A close action
followed, in which the " Crescent " lost her foretop-sail-yard,
and soon after her fore-topmast, but the " Reunion " had her
fore-yard and mizzen-topmast shot away, and thus disabled
was severely raked by her opponent. After a brave
resistance of more than two hours, the French frigate being
almost defenceless,) and another British frigate, the "Circe,"
twenty-eight, Captain J. Yorke, fast ajiproaching the scene
of action,) struck her colours and surrendered. The
" Reunion," out of a crew of three hundred men, had over
eighty kiUed and wounded; the "Crescent" did not lose a
man. As a reward for his services Captain Saumarez received
the honour of knighthood, and by the merchants of London
was presented with a handsome piece of plate. The "Reunion"
was purchased by the Government, and added to the British
navy under the same name.

naval medals. 69

The "Zebra" at Martinique,
March 17tli, 1794.

In the month of February, 1794, a combined Naval and
Military expedition, under Vice-Admiral Sir J. Jervis, and
Lieut. -Greneral Sir Charles Grey, sailed from Bridgetown,
Barbadoes, to reduce the island of Martinique, then in
possession of the French. The troops were landed at three
different points, and by a series of combined operations, on
the 16th March, the whole island with the exception of the
strong forts of Bourbon and Fort Eoyal, was in the possession of
the British. An attack by land and sea on Fort Royal "was
planned, the "Asia" sixty -four, and the "Zebra" sloop, sixteen.
Captain E. Faulknor, being ordered to stand in and open
fii'e on the fort, to cover the advance of the flat boats and
pinnaces, carrjdng one thousand two hundi'ed men to storm
the place. Through the treachery or incapacity of the
French pilot, the "Asia" was unable to reach her allotted
station, but Captain Faulknor disregarding the showers of
grape shot that were poui-ed into him, ran the "Zebra" close
under the wall of the fort, and leaping overboard at the head
of his crew, joined the men in the boats in carrying the place
by storm. Having gained the outer wall, the assailants found
themselves on the covered way between the outer and inner
gates, and a terrible discharge of musketry from a whole
French regiment, thinned their ranks. Faulknor instantly
charged the enemy, and forcing his way through the gates,
gained the top of the citadel, struck the French colours and
hoisted the English. The French laid down their arms,
and the fort and a French frigate in the roadstead being
taken possession of, Captain Faulknor returned to his ship,
taking with him as prisoners between one and two hundred
of the regiment that surrendered at his assault. The frigate
was at once taken into the service, and on the quarter deck
of the flagship. Sir John Jervis presented Captain Faulknor
with his commission as Post-Captain to command her, at the

70 NAVAL MEDALS.

same time clianging lier name from the " Bienvenue " to tlie
" Undaunted," in compliment to tlie victor.*

"Carysfort" and Castor,"

May 29th, 1794.

On May 29th, 1794, the "Carysfort," twenty-eight.
Captain Francis Laforey, being on a cruise in the North
Atlantic, met with the French (late British) frigate " Castor,"
thirty-two, which had been captured by a French squadron
under M. Nielly, little more than a week previously. The
" Castor" had in tow a Dutch Merchant brig, which on the
approach of the "Carysfort" she cast off. After an action
of an hour and a quarter, the "Castor" having her main
topgallant mast shot away, struck her colours, with a loss of
sixteen officers and men killed, and nine wounded. The
"Carysfort" was but slightly damaged in either hull or
rigging, and had one man kiUed, and four wounded. On
board the prize was found, a master, mate, and nineteen
seamen of her original crew, the remainder, with her Captain
(T. Troubridge) having been removed into a French ship.
The "Castor" was restored to her former place in the
British Navy.

Lord Howe's Victory, June Ist, 1794.
fSee page 32. J

The "Romney" and "Sybille,"
June 17th, 1794.

The "Eomney," fifty, Captain Hon. W. Paget, having
under his charge a convoy bound from Naples to Smyrna,
was passing between the islands of Tino and Miconi, in the
Archipelago, on June 1 7th, when a French frigate with three

* Twenty-three survivors claimed the medal for this service, in 1849.

XAVAL MEDALS. 71

mercliantmeii was discovered at anchor near the shore. The
British frigates "Inconstant," "Leda," and "Tartar," being
in sight. Captain Paget directed the convoy to join them, and
brought the "Eomney " to anchor in Miconi road, little more
than a cable length from the French forty gun frigate
" Sybille," commanded by Commodore Eondeau. To a
summons to surrender. Rondeau replied that he knew very
well the force of the "Eomney," that he was fully provided
with men and ammunition, and had sworn never to strike his
colours. At one o'clock, the " Romney " being abreast of her
opponent commenced the action, which lasted an hour and
ten minutes, when the "Sybille" hauled down her colours,
and with the merchant ships surrendered. The "Eomney"
was seventy-four men short of her compliment, her crew being
two hundi-ed and sixty-six men and boys, (of which the
Commander of the "Sybille" seemed to be aware) and lost
in the engagement eight men killed, and thirty men (two
mortally) wounded. The "Sybille," with a crew of three
hundred and eighty, had fifty-five Officers and men killed,
and over a hundred wounded. Being a fine new frigate, the
" Sybille " was added to the British Navy.

The "Blanche" & "Pique,"
January 4th, 1795.

At the beginning of the year 1795, the "Blanche" thirty-
two gun fi-igate, Captain E. Faulknor, (who as commander of
the " Zebra " displayed such gallant conduct at the capture of
Martinique on the preceding year), was criiising off Guade-
loupe. On January 4th the "Blanche" found the French
frigate "Pique" thirty-eight, at anchor outside the harbour of
Pointe-a-Pitre, which in the afternoon weighed and stood
out after the "Blanche." Captain Faulknor immediately
shortened sail for the enemy to come up, but the Frenchman
tacked and stood away. The "Blanche" made all sail in
chase, and coming up with her opponent soon after midnight.

72 NAVAL MEDALS.

commenced a close engagement broadside to broadside.
About half -past two, in luffing up to rake the "Pique," the main
and mizzen masts of the "Blanche " fell over her side, and
the "Pique" running on board on her larboard quarter,
made several unsuccessful attempts to board. While lashing
the bowsprit of the " Pique " to the capstan of his own ship,
the intrepid Captain Paulknor* fell shot through the heart,
but Lieutenant Watkins took the command, and having
firmly lashed the bowsprit of the "Pique" to the stump of
the mainmast of the "Blanche " towed his antagonist before
the wind, in spite of a heavy fire of musketry from her fore-
castle and tops. The "Blanche" having blown out part of
her stern frame, brought two of her guns to bear on her enemy,
which almost cleared her deck, and totally dismasted her. In
this defenceless condition the Prench sustained the raking
fire of the "Blanche" till past five a.m. when they called
for quarter and surrendered. Every boat in each ship having
been destroyed in the action. Lieutenant Milne with ten
seamen swam on board the " Pique " and took her in posses-
sion. Out of her crew of one hundred and ninety-eight, the
"Blanche" had her Captain, one midshipman and six men
killed, and twenty-one men wounded ; her opponent with a
complement of about two hundred and eighty men, had
seventy-six officers and men killed and one hundred and
ten wounded, an almost imparalleled proportion. Soon after
the close of this long and bloody conflict, the "Veteran"
sixty-four, Captain W. H. Kelly, came up, assisted in removing
the prisoners and took the "Pique " in tow. She was after-
wards added to the British Navy.

* Captain Faulknor was the first Scholar admitted to the Eoyal Naval
Academy at Portsmouth, and his progress there, elicited the frequent
praise of his masters. When a Lieutenant in the " Princess Royal "
ninety-eight, Sir Peter Parker, in a letter to his mother, said " that
her son more than answered the good opinion he had formed of him."
By order of the House of Commons, a monument was erected to his
memory in St. Paul's Cathedral.

naval medals. 73

The "Lively" axd "Tourterelle,"
March 13th, 1795.

On March 13th, 1795, the -'Lively" thirty-two, Captain
Or. Burlton, in the absence of Lord Grarlies lying sick on
shore, while cruising in the Channel, off Ushant, discovered
three strange sail making for the French coast. The
•'Lively" chased, and soon after the largest of the three
strangers tacked, and stood towards the British frigate.
About half-past ten a.m. the action commenced, and continued
to half -past one, when the French ship having lost aU her top-
masts and her hull much shattered, struck her colours. She
was the twenty-eight gun corvette or frigate "Tourterelle,"
Captain Gr. S. Montalan, and out of a crew of two hundred
and thirty men, had sixteen officers and men killed and
twenty-five wounded. The rigging and sails of the " Lively"
were greatly damaged by red hot shot fired fi-om her
opponent, who had on her lower deck a furnace for heating
them, which was thrown overboard just before she sur-
rendered. The "Lively" had but three officers and one
seaman wounded.

Yice-Admiral W. Hotham's Action with the French
Fleet. — March 14th, 1795.

YiCE-Admiral Hotham, with the British fleet composed of
the "Britannia," Yice-Admiral Hotham, Captain J. Hollo-
way; " Princess Eoyal," Yice-Admiral Goodall, Captain J. C.
Purvis ; "St. Greorge," Yice-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, Caj)tain
T.Foley; " Windsor Castle," Rear- Admiral Linzee, Captain
J. Gore, " Captain" S. Reeve ; " Bedford," D. Gould ; " Forti-
tude," W. Young ; " niustrious," T. L. Frederick
"Terrible," G. Campbell; "Courageux," A. Montgomery
"Agamemnon," Horatio Nelson; "Diadem," C. Tyler
" Egmont," J. Sutton ; Frigates : "Inconstant," G. Fremantle
"Romulus," G. Hope ; " Lowestoffe," B. HaUoweU
"Meleager," G. Cockburn ; " Poulette," "Tarlton," and

74 NAVAL MEDALS.

"Moselle," sloops, and the -Tox," cutter, was lying in
Leghorn roads, when he received intelligence that the French
fleet of fifteen sail of the line and six frigates, had sailed
from Toulon for Corsica. On March 9th the British fleet
■neighed and put to sea, and on the 11th and 12th came in
sight of the French, who showed no disposition to engage.
On the morning of March 1 3th, Admiral Hotham made the
signal for a general chase, and the weather being squally,
at eight a.m. the French ship " Ca Ira " eighty, ran foul of the
" Victoire " eighty, and carried away her own fore and main
topmasts. While in this condition, the "Inconstant" frigate
came up and fired a broadside or two at her, but receiving a
shot between wind and water from one of the lower deck guns
of the " Ca Ira," the frigate was compelled to bear up, and a
French frigate took the disabled ship in tow. Shortly after-
wards, the "Agamemnon," Captain H. Nelson, came up on the
quarter of the " Ca Ira," and raked and harassed her for
several hours, shooting away her mizzen topmast, and greatly
damaging her hull, and inflicting on her a loss of over one
hundred men in killed and wounded. Soon after two p.m.,
some of the French ships bearing down to the rescue of
their distressed companion, and the Admiral making the
signal for the van ships to join him, the "Agamemnon"
bore up, and the action for that day ceased. At daybreak
on the following morning, March 14th, the " Ca Ira," towed
by the "Censeur" seventy-four, was seen to be far to lee-
ward and separated from the rest of the French fleet, and at
half-past six a.m., the "Captain" and "Bedford," by signal
attempted to cut them off and closely engaged the two
French ships. After a sharp engagement of an hour
and a half, the "Illustrious" and " Courageux " with
other ships, came to the support of the two overmatched
British seventy-fours, and a partial action followed, which
lasted till about two p.m., when the enemj' abandoned
the "Ca Ira" and "Censeur," and stood away to the
westward under all sail. The British van ships had

NAVAL MEDALS. 75

suffered so much in their rigging; the "Illustrious" and
" Courageux" having both lost their main and mizzen masts,
that Admiral Hotham did not pursue the enemy, and the
two fleets steering in opposite directions, soon lost sight of
each other.*

The "AsTRiEA" axd "Gtloire,"
April 10th, 1795.

A British squadron of five ships of the line and three
fi'igates under Rear Admiral Colpoys, being on a cruise to the
westward, on April 10th fell in with three French frigates,
and immediately chased. The enemy took different courses,
one of them, the "Gloire" thirty-six, being pursued by the
"Astrsea" thirty-two, Captain Lord H. Paulet, followed at
a great distance by one or two of the other ships. At six p.m.
the " Astraea " got within gunshot, and a running fight was
kept up till half -past ten, when a close action commenced ; and
after a spirited contest of about an hour the " Grloire " hauled
down her colours. The " Astrsea " did not have a man killed
and but eight men (one mortally) wounded, the loss of the
" Grloii'e " was forty killed and wounded altogether. The first
Lieutenant of the "Astrsea," J. Talbot, was put in charge of
the prize, and took her into Portsmouth harbour.

The " Thetis " a^d " Hussar,"
May 17th, 1795.

The " Thetis " thirty-six gun fi-igate, Captain Hon. A. J.
Cochrane, and the " Hussar " twenty eight. Captain J. P.

• Having in addition to their crews, a quantity of troops on board,
the united loss of the two French ships captured was about four
hundred men ; the loss of the British fleet was seventy-three men
killed, and two hundred and eighty wounded. More than one-third
of the casualties were sustained by the "Courageux" and "Illustrious."
The "Agamemnon" was also warmly engaged on the I4th, her crew
being " obliged to fight on both sides the ship." When the " Ca Ira "
and " Censeur " struck, Nelson sent Lieutenant George Andrews to
board them, who hoisted the English colours, and took their Captains
by order of Admiral Hotham on board the " Princess Koyal." Nelson
proposed the vigorous pursuit of the enemy, but Hotham replied :
" We must be contented, we have done very well."

7'6r NAVAL MEDALS.

Beresford, in May, 1795, were stationed off Chesapeake Bay,
U. S. America, watching three French store ships lying in
Hampton Roads. At daybreak on the 17th, about twenty
leagues from Cape Henry, they discovered five sail standing
to the north west, and gave chase. The strange ships formed
in line, and awaited the approach of the British frigates.
About half past ten a.m. the " Hussar" being abreast of the
van ships the strangers hoisted French colours, and the
" Thetis " placing herself alongside the centre ship, which was
the largest, the enemy opened their fire which was at once
returned. After an action of about half an hour, the two
leading ships of the enemy left the line, and made sail to the
south east, while the "Hussar" joined the "Thetis" in
attacking the centre ship and the two ships in her rear. At
a quarter to twelve all three struck their colours and surren-
dered, the centre ship being the " Prevoyante " pierced for
thirty-six, but actually carrying twenty-four guns. Her hull
was much damaged, and her fore and mainmasts went over the
side in half an hour after her capture. Notwithstanding their
surrender, the two ships in the rear endeavoured to make ofp,
one of them, the "Eaison" eighteen guns, was brought to
by the " Hussar," the other effected her escape. The
" Thetis " had eight men killed, and nine wounded, the
" Hussar," three men wounded. Both the prizes were pur-
chased by the government and added to the British Navy.

The " Mosquito " and a Privateer,
June 9th, 1795.

On June 9th, 1795, the "Mosquito" five, gim vessel,
Lieutenant Macarthy, after a smart action captured a French
privateer in the Channel.

In the same year the "Mosquito" with her commander
and all hands was lost on the coast of France, near Jersey.

naval medals. 77

The Retreat of Vice-Admiral Cornwallis,
June 17th, 1795.

Vice-Admiral the Hon. W. Cornwallis, with the "Eoyal
Sovereign," one hundred, flagship, Captain J. Whitby ;
" Mars," Sir C. Cotton ; " Triumph," Sir E. Gower ; " Bruns-
wick," Lord Charles Fitzgerald ; " Bellerophon," Lord
Cranston, all seventy-fours ; the frigates "Phseton," Hon. R.
Stopford ; " Pallas," Hon. H. Curzon ; and the " Kingfisher,"
sloop, at the end of May, 1795, sailed from Spithead on a
cruise off Ushant. On June 16th, near Belle-Isle, he dis-
covered a French fleet of twelve sail of the line, fourteen
frigates and corvettes, and four smaller vessels, and finding
it so superior in force hauled to the wind, and stood to the
northward under all sail. Some of the British ships being
heavy sailers, on the morning of June 17th, the enemy's fleet
formed in three divisions, came up very fast, and at about nine
a.m. their van ships opened fire on the "Mars," the rearmost
ship in the British squadron. The cannonade soon became
general, each of the British ships firing her stern or quarter
guns as she coiild bring them to bear. The leading French
ships kept up a harassing fire for three or four hours, when
Admiral Cornwallis, seeing that the "Mars," much crippled
in her rigging, had fallen to leeward, and was in danger of
being overpowered, bore up to her relief followed by the
"Triumph." On the approach of the " Eoyal Sovereign,"
the van ships of the enemy haiiled to the wind, but a partial
firing was kept up till after six in the evening. About seven
o'clock the French gave up the pursuit, tacked and stood
away to the eastward, and at sunset were nearly hull down.
What induced the French Admiral to retire when his ships
had almost surrounded the British squadron, was a success-
ful manoeuvre practised on him by Admiral Cornwallis.
Early on the morning of the 17th, he sent the "Phaiton"
far ahead of his squadron, in order, as he said, "to humbug
the fellows astern." Having got some miles off, the " Phse-

78 NAVAL MEDALS.

ton made the signal of strange sails in the west north west,
followed by the signal for a fleet. At three p.m., being very
far ahead, the frigate made the private signal to the supposed
fleet, and then signalling to Admiral Cornwallis that the
fleet were ships of the line and friends, wore to rejoin the
squadron. The enemy were well acquainted with the
British signals, and knew that a fleet under Lord Bridport
was at sea, and several small sail appearing at the same time
in the extreme distance, they deemed them to be his ships,
and gave up the chase.

With the exception of the "Mars" and "Triumph," the
British ships received but little damage, but their sterns were
much shaken from the continued firing of the guns ; not a
man was killed, and but twelve men wounded on board the
"Mars."

Lord Bridport' s Action with the French Fleet,
June 23rd, 1795.

On June 12th, Admiral Lord Bridport sailed from St. Helens
with the Channel Fleet, consisting of the "Eoyal George"
(flagship) Captain W. Domett ; "Queen," Vice-Admiral Sir
A. Gardner, Captain W. Bedford; " London," Vice-Admiral
Colpoys, Captain E. Griffith ; " Prince of Wales," Eear-
Admiral H. Hervey, Captain J. Bazeley ; "Sans Pareil,"
Eear-Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour, Captain W. Browell ;
"Queen Charlotte," Sir A. Douglas ; "Prince," C. P. Hamilton ;
" Barfleur," J. E. Dacres ; " Prince George," W. Edge ;
"Valiant," C.Parker; " Eobust," E. Thornborough ; "Orion,"
Sir J. Saumarez ; "Thunderer," A. Bertie; "Irresistible,"

E. Grindall ; "Eussell," T. Larcom ; " Colossus," J. Monckton;
"Standard," J. EUison. Frigates : "Eevolutionnaire,"

F. Cole; "ThaHa," Lord H. Paulet; "Nymph," G. Murray ;
" Aquilon," E. Barlow ; "Astraea," E. Lane ; the " Babet "
sloop, two Fire ships ; the "Argus" and "Dolly" Cutters,
and the lugger " Galatea. Eight of the British ships were

NAVAL MEDALS. 79

throe deckers. At daybreak on June 22nd, the French fleet
of twelve sail of the line, including one ship of one hundred
and twenty, and five of eighty guns ; two ships of fifty-six
guns, eleven frigates, and two corvettes, was discovered by
the "Nymph" and "Astrjea," about fourteen leagues from
Belle-Isle. The enemy showing no disposition to engage,
Lord Bridport signalled his best sailing .ships to chase, and
shortly afterwards signalled his whole fleet to do the same.
The pursuit was continued the whole of the day and the
following night, with very little wind. On the morning of
23rd, the "Queen Charlotte," "Irresistible," "Orion,"
"Colossus," " Sans Pareil," and "EusseU," came up with the
rear of the enemy, who were running for L'Orient, just before
six a.m. the action commenced, and continued till noon, when
three of the French ships struck. The rest of their fleet
escaped, and anchored under the protection of the batteries ofE
Port L'Orient. The loss of the British ships were thirty-one
men killed, and one hundred and thirteen wounded. The
three captured ships had over six hundred and fifty of their
crew killed and wounded. One of them, the "Alexander"
seventy-four, had been taken fi-om the British, in November
of the preceding year. Another, the "Formidable," a fine
sevent3'-four, was added to the British Navy and well known
afterwards as the "Belleisle," as well as the third prize, the
"Tigre," a similar ship, which retained her name.

The " Droo " and " Lowestoffe,"
Juna24th, 1795.

Admiral Hotham having dispatched the " Dido," twent}"^-
eight, Captain Gr. H. Towry, with the "Lowestofle," thirty-
two, Captain R. Gr. Middleton, to reconnoitre the harbour of
Toulon ; these fi-igates on the morning of June 24th,
discovered nearly ahead, the French frigates "Minerve,"
forty, and the " Artemise," thirty-six ; which at first made
sail away, but on observing the inferior force of the British

80 NAVAL MEDALS.

ships, wore, and stood on under easy sail to meet them. At
about half -past eight the " Minerve " opened fire on the
" Dido," and being almost double the size of the British
frigate, suddenly bore up, and attempted to finish the contest
at once by running her down. By a skilful movement the
" Dido " received the shock obliquely, the " Minerve " carried
away her jib-boom, and her bowsprit became locked in the
mizzen rigging of the " Dido." Under a heavy fire of
musketry the Frenchmen made an unsuccessful attempt to
board, till their bowsprit broke in two, and carried with it
overboard eight or ten of their boarders, and the "Dido's"
mizzen-mast. The ships then were disentangled, and the
"Lowestoffe " coming up, by her well-directed fire shot away
the " Minerve' 8 " foremast, and her main and mizzen top-
masts. The " Minerve " being thus disabled, Captain Towry
sent the "Lowestoffe" in chase of the " Artemise," and the
two ships exchanged a shot or two, but the French frigate,
increased her distance so fast from her pursuer, that Captain
Towry made the signal of recall. At half-past eleven the
"Lowestoffe" opened a raking fire on the "Minerve," and
the " Dido " which had gone ahead to repair damages, again
bearing down to take part in the contest, the French frigate
her mizzen-mast with her colours having gone by the board,
surrendered.* The "Dido" out of her complement of one
hundred and ninety-three men, had her boatswain and five
men killed, and fifteen wounded, the " Lowestoffe " but three

* " The little "Dido" with eight and twenty nine-pounders was
the Commodore, and led on first. The French Commodore ran
aboard of her, in consequence of which the "Dido's" mizzen mast was
carried away, and in this close intercourse the chief part of her loss
was sustained. Up comes " Lowestoffe," and raked her — " Dido " at
her on the lee bow. Away goes " Minerve's " foremast, bowsprit,
maintopmast, and mizzenmast. The other fellow, a most abominable
coward, after fighting a little, sheered ofi, and the " Lowestofie " made
after him. Owing to superior sailing he unfortunately got away and
fled. In the meanwhile, "Dido" hauled off to repair damages, she
made a signal for us to return, so " Lowestoffe " tacked and stood
towards " Minerve," when we favoured her so plentifully with our
shot as caused the national flag to be struck. What three hearty
cheers we gave." Letter from an Officer of the " Lowestoffe."

NAVAL MEDALS. SI

men wounded. The loss of the "Minerve," with a crew of
three hundred and eighteen men, was about thirty killed,
wounded, and drowned. The weight of the broadside of the
"Minerve" alone, was more than that of the two British
frigates together, and the " Artemise " was superior in men
and armament to the "Lowestoffe." The "Minerve" was
added to the British navy as a thirty-eight gun frigate.

The " Spider," with Two Brigs,
August 25th, 1795.

On August 25th, 1795, the "Spider," Cutter, Lieutenant
Oswald, attached to a squadron under Admiral Duncan, in
the North Sea, fought an action with two French brigs, and
captured one of them.

The " Diamond " at Port Spergui,
March 17th, 1796.

Captain Sir W. Sidney Smith with the " Diamond " thirty
eight, the brig "Liberty " fourteen, Lieutenant G. McKinley,
and the "Aristocrat," lugger. Lieutenant A. Gossett, on
March 17th resolved to attack a French corvette and six
smaller vessels, lying in the Port of Spergui, near Cape
Frehel, on the coast of Brittany. The entrance to the port
which is narrow and intricate, was defended by two batteries,
one on a rocky height, which opened fire on the British ships
as they stood in. A detachment of seamen and marines
being landed, scaled the precipice and spiked the guns, with
the loss of one officer mortally wounded, and the squadron in
spite of the fire fi-om the ships, and a body of troops on the beach
and rocks, set on fire and destroyed the " Etourdie " corvette
of sixteen guns, four brigs, two sloops, and a lugger. At
ten p.m. the British weighed and stood of the place with a
loss of two men killed and six wounded.

82 naval medals.

Thk " Indefatigable " and " Virginie,"
April 20th, 1796.

On April 20th, 1 796, Sir E. Pellew with the ' ' Indefatigable "
forty -four, "Amazon" thirty-six, R. 0. Eeynolds, and
" Concorde " thirty-six, A. Hurst, fell in, off the Lizard, with
a French frigate, to whom he gave chase. The ' 'Indefatigable"
being the fastest ship of the squadron, after a chase of fifteen
hours, overhauled the stranger soon after midnight on April
20tli, and a close action commenced, both ships carrying a
crowd of sail. Before two p.m. the mizzen mast and maintop-
mast of the Trench fi-igate were shot away besides other
damage, and the " Indefatigable " with the loss of her
mizzen topmast, and the leech ropes of her main topsail gone,
shot ahead, and while repairing her rigging had some
difficulty in escaping being raked by her opponent. By this
time the " Concorde " had come up, and ranged herself under
the stern of the enemy, and the " Amazon " also was fast
approaching. Convinced of the futility of further resistance,
the French ship, her hull riddled, and with four feet of water
in her hold, lowered her light as a signal of submission. The
prize was the forty-gun frigate "Virginie," with a crew of
three hundred and thirty -nine men and boys, of which four-
teen were killed and twenty-seven wounded in the engage-
ment. The "Indefatigable" did not lose a man. The
" Virginie " was added to the British Navy as a thirty-eight
gun frigate.

The " Unicorn " and " Santa Margaritta," with two
French Frigates, June 8th, 1796.

At daybreak on the morning of June 8th the " Unicorn "
thirty-two. Captain T.B.Williams, and the "Santa Margaritta"
Captain T. B. Martin, about seventeen leagues fi'om Scilly,
met with and chased two French frigates and a corvette. At
one p.m. the frigates hoisted their colours and opened fire on
the " Margaritta " which ran alongside her oj)ponent, and in

NAVAL MEDALS. 83

twenty minutes compelled her to strike. The prize was the
thirty-two gun frigate " Tamise," formerly the British frigate
" Thames," captured in 1793. Her loss was thirty-two killed,
and nineteen wounded, the casualties of the "Santa Margaritta"
were two seamen killed, and three wounded. The other
frigate seeing the fate of her consort, made sail away, hut
was chased by the " Unicorn," and after a running fight of
ten hours, and a close engagement of half an hour, the
French ship having lost her fore and main masts, and mizzen
topmast, hauled down her colours. She jjroved to be the
" Tribune," forty -four guns, and three hundred and thirty-
seven men, of which thirty-seven were killed and fifteen
wounded in the action. Not a nian was killed or wounded on
board the "Unicorn." The " Tiibune " wa,s added to the
British Navy, and on his return to England, Captain Williams
received the honour of knighthood.

The "Southampton" and "Utlle,"
June 9th, 1796.

As the British fleet was ci-uising before Toulon, a French
corvette was discovered in the road of Hyeres, and by the order
of Sir J. Jervis, the " Southampton," a thirty -two gun frigate,
Captain J. Macnamara, stood in to capture her. At half-past
eight in the evening the British frigate got alongside the
French Corvette "Utile" twenty-four guns, who fired her
broadside at the "Southampton," in reply to a summons to
surrender. The fire was returned, and the " Southampton "
hauling athwart the bow of the corvette, lashed her bowsprit
to her own main rigging, and carried her by boarding in ten
minutes. Both ships were within range of Fort Briganqon,
which opened fire on the " Southampton " and her prize, but
the lashings being cut, the frigate with the corvette in tow,
made sail, and re-joined the British fleet, with no more damage
than a shot through her mizzen mast. In this spirited action,
the " Southampton " had but one man killed, but the " Utile "

84 NAVAL MEDALS.

lost her Captain and seven other officers and men, with
seventeen wounded. The prize was added to the British
Navy, and Lieutenant Chas. Lydiard, who led the hoarders
of the "Southampton," was promoted to her command.

The "Dryad" and "Proserpine,"
June 13th, 1796.

On June 13th, the "Dryad" thirty-six, Captain Lord A.
Beauclerk, about twelve leagues from Cape Clear, sighted the
French frigate " Proserj)ine " of forty guns, which on nearing
the " Dryad " tacked, and made sail away. The "Dryad"
immediately chased, and about nine p.m., coming up on her
opponent's lee quarter, brought her to close action, with such
effect, that in three quarters of an hour the "Proserpine"
hauled down her colours, with a loss of thirty killed, and
forty-five wounded. The casualties of the "Dryad" were
two men killed, and seven wounded. The rigging of both
ships was much cut, but neither of them lost a spar. The
prize was taken into the British Nav}^ under the name of
"Amelia."

The "Terpsichore" and "Mahonesa,"
October 13th, 1796.

Spain having declared war against England ; on Oct. 13th,
1796, the "Terpsichore " thirty-two, Captain E. Bowen, while
cruising off Carthagena, observed a strange sail standing to-
wards her. The " Terpsichore " had left thirty of her crew in
hospital at Gibraltar, and had more than that number on the
sick list on board, none of whom were able to appear at
quarters, so she stood on her course, followed by the stranger.
At about half -past nine in the morning the pursuing vessel, a
Spanish frigate, arrived within hail of the " Terpsichore," who
fired a gun at her opponent, which was instantly returned by
a broadside. A close action lasting an hour and a half

NAVAL MEDALS. 86

followed, when the Spaniard made sail away, leaving the
'' Terpsichore " with her masts and bowsprit shot through,
and her rigging much damaged. In about twenty minutes
the British frigate had repaired damages and again got along-
side her antagonist, whose hull being much shattered, and
several of her guns disabled, gave up the contest and struck
her colours. She was the Spanish frigate " Mahonesa," thirty-
four guns, commanded by Captain Don Tomas Ayaldi, and
of her crew of two hundred and seventy-five, had thirty men
killed, and as many wounded, some mortally. The
"Terpsichore," out of her crew of one hundred and eighty-
two, lost none in killed, and had but four men wounded.
Captain Bowen took his prize into Gibraltar. She was
the first Sj)anish ship captured after the declaration of war,
but was so much damaged in the action, that she was not
considered worth the cost of a thorough repair.

The "Lapwing," " Decius " and " Vaillante."
December 3rd, 1796.

At the end of November, intelligence having reached St.
Kitts in the "West Indies, that two French ships were attack-
ing the Island of Anguilla, the frigate "Lapwing" twenty-
eight, Cajitain E,. Barton, lying at St. Kitts, weighed and
sailed for the place. On the approach of the British frigate,
two French ships, the "Decius" twenty-six guns, and the brig
" Yaillante " six guns, were seen standing out of the Bay of
Anguilla, and were immediately chased. At about ten p.m.
the "Lapwing" closely engaged both of them, and after an
hour's contest the brig bore away, and the " Decius" making-
a fruitless attempt to escape, surrendered. As soon as Captain
Barton had secured his prize, he made for the brig, which had
run on shore, and destroyed her. The "Lapwing" whose
principal damage was in her rigging, had one man killed and
six wounded. The "Decius," who had a body of troops on

86 NAVAL MEDALS.

board, was computed to have lost in killed and wounded,
about one hundred men. The loss of the brig could not be
ascertained. On the following day, the "Lapwing" with her
prize in tow, was chased by two French frigates, and to
escape from his pursuers, Captain Barton, after removing his
prisoners, set the " Decius " on fire, and reached 8t. Kjtts in
safety.

The "Mineuve" a^^d "Blanche," with two
Spanish Frigates, December 19th, 1796.

Commodore Nelson in the " Minerve " thirty-eight. Captain
G. Coekburn, with the "Blanche" thirty-two, Captain D.
Preston, on his way from Gibraltar to Porto Ferrajo, on
December 19th, fell in with two Spanish frigates off Cartha-
gena. Directing Captain Preston to attack the frigate to
leeward, the Commodore hauled up and engaged the larger
of the two frigates, at about ten-forty p.m. After a close
action of about three hours, the Spanish frigate "Sabina"
forty. Captain Don Jacobo Stuart"', with the loss of her
mizzen mast, and one hundred and sixty men killed and
wounded, struck her colours. The "Minerve" had a mid-
shipman and six men killed, and thirty-four men wounded.
Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, with forty men were
placed on board the prize, which was taken in tow ; but at
four a.m. another Spanish frigate the " Matilda," coming up,
she was cast off, and stood away. At four-thirt}', the
"Minerve" was closely engaged with the thirty-four gun
frigate "Matilda" which after an action of half an hour,
hauled off, but three other Spanish ships, one of them
of one hundred and twelve guns, coming in sight, she
escaped capture. The "Minerve," her masts and sails
much damaged, and ten more of her men wounded, was

* Don Jacobo Stuart, one of the best officers in the Spanish service,
was a descendant of the Duke of Berwick, son of James II. King of
England. He was sent to Carthagena and exchanged against
Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, taken in the " Sabina."

NAVAL MEDALS. 87

chased by the Spanish squadron during next day, and
only by the greatest exertions got clear of her pursuers
at nightfall. In a few minutes after the " Minerve" had
engaged the "Sabina," the "Blanche" had opened fire
on the other Spanish frigate, and after a few broadsides the
"Ceres" forty, called for quarter, and surrendered. But at
this time two more of the frigates of the enemy came within
gun shot, followed by a three decker, and Captain Preston
was compelled to abandon his prize, and make sail after the
"Minerve." The "Blanche" sustained no loss. In the
meanwhile, the "Sabina," with the British colours flying over
the Spanish, had been re-taken, but Lieutenent Culverhouse
did not surrender his prize, till her remaining masts were shot
away, and she lay a mere wreck on the water. Had not the
" Sabina " occupied most of the Spanish ships in chasing and
re-capturing her, the "Minerve" in all probabiKty would
have been taken.

The "Indefatigable" and "Amazon," with the "Droits
DE l' Homme." January 13th, 1797.

The " Indefatigable " forty-four, Captain Sir E. Pellew,
and the "Amazon" thirty -two, Captain R. C. Reynolds, on
December 13th, about fifty leagues south west of Ushant,
discovered a large ship steering towards the coast of France.
This was the " Droits de I'Homme " seventy-four, Commodore
J. La Crosse, which had formed one of the French fleet in the
expedition to Ireland, and after the failure at Bantry Bay, was
now returning home, with about seven hundred troops on board.
The weather was thick and hazy, and the wind blew hard
from the westward. Soon after the French ship had been
sighted and found to be an enemy, a squall carried away her
fore and main top-masts, and the sea ran so high that she
was unable to open her lower deck ports. Shortly before six
p.m. the " Indefatigable " brought the " Droits de I'Homme "
to action, and in about an hour after, the " Amazon" came

ee NAVAL MEDALS.

up and took part in the engagement ; the enemy making
several ineffectual attempts to board, and keeping up an
active fire of cannon and musketry. In a little time the
British fi-igates shot ahead, the " Amazon " to reduce her sail,
and the " Indefatigable " to repair the damage to her rigging.
About half -past eight, the frigates renewed the action, attack-
ing their opponent first on the bow, and then on the quarter,
often within pistol shot. The contest lasted till twenty
minutes past four a.m. when the sudden appearance of the
land, and breakers close ahead, caused all the ships to end an
engagement which had lasted ten hours, and make efforts to
haul off. The "Indefatigable" at once bore to the south-
wards, with four feet of water in her hold, all her masts much
damaged, and her crew almost worn out with fatigue. The
"Droits de 1' Homme " in attempting to tack, lost her fore
mast and bowsprit, and struck on a sand bank in Audierne
Bay. The main mast went by the board, and she then fell on
her broadside, with a tremendous surf beating over her. The
" Amazon '•'^' seeing the danger, also wore, with three feet of
water in her hold, but with her mizzen top-mast shot away,
and her masts and rigging almost cut to pieces, was unable
to haul off, and went on shore about the same time. Her
crew with the exception of six, who were drowned, saved
themselves on rafts, but on landing were all made prisoners
by a body of French soldiers. In the action three men were
killed, and fifteen wounded. On board the " Indefatigable "
whicli with the greatest difiicidty weathered the Penmark
Eocks, the first Lieutenant and eighteen men were wounded.
Through the stormy state of the weather, the crew of the
iUfated " Droits de 1' Homme," spent four nights on the
wreck without succour, the waves constantly breaking over
them, till more than half of them were drowned, or perished
of cold and hunger. Her crew with the soldiers, amounted

* At the distribution of the General Naval Medal in January, 1849
seven medals only were claimed by the survivors of the crew of the
" Amazon."

NAVAL MEDALS. 89

to at least one thousand three hundred and fifty men, and of
these, two hundred and fifty were killed and wounded in the
engagement with the British frigates. Some English prisoners
Avho were on board when she struck, and who fortunately
got to land, in consideration of their sufferings, and the
assistance they rendered, were sent home without ransom or
exchange by the French Government.

Sir John Jervis off Cape St. Vijs'CExt,
February 14th, 1797 (see ante) page 37.

The "San Fiorenza" and "Nymphe," with Two French
Frigates, March 9th, 1797.

Early in the morning of March 9th, the frigates "San
Fiorenza" thirty-six. Captain Sir H. Neale, and "Nymphe"
thirty-six. Captain J. Cooke, cruising off Brest, met with the
French frigate " Resistance " forty, and corvette " Constance "
twenty -two, standing in towards the port, in which a French
fleet of fourteen sail of the line, and six frigates was Ijdng,
in sight from the tops of the British vessels. Having the
weather gauge, the " San Fiorenza" and "Nymphe" bore
down and engaged the "Eesistance," which soon surrendered,
and the "Constance" coming up, after a resistance of about
ten minutes, also hauled down her colours. The whole affair,
which was a running fight, was over in half an hour.
Neither of the British ships sustained any loss. The prizes
were two very fine vessels, and were both added to the
British Navy, the " Eesistance " having her name changed to
the " Fisgard."-''

* These two Ships formed part of a frigate squadron, which had
made a descent on the Welsh Coast, and had landed one thousand
two hundred men, principally galley slaves, in Fisgard Bay. They
surrended on the first summons to a body of Militia, under Lord
Cawdor.

90 naval medals.

Battle of Camperdown.
October 1 1th, 1797, {see ante). Page 39.

The "Phcebe" and Nereide,"
December 2 1st, 1797.

On December 20tb, the "Phoebe" thirty-six, Captain R.
Barlow, crusing in the North Atlantic, fell in with the French
thirty-six gun frigate "Nereide," which on seeing the "Phoebe,"
hauled to the wind. The latter ship immediately stood after
the "Nereide" and the chase lasted all day, till about nine p.m.,
when the British frigate got within gunshot of her opponent.
A running fight continued till ten p.m., when the two ships
got fairly alongside each other, and after a close action of
forty-five minutes, the "Nereide" lowered her light, and
hailed to saj^ she had surrendered. The rigging of both
ships was much damaged, and the hull of the French frigate
was considerably shattered, but neither lost a mast. The
loss of the "Nereide" was twenty killed and fifty-five
wounded, the casualties on board the "Phoebe" were three
men killed and ten wounded. The prize was purchased for
the British Navy, and classed under the same name as a
thirty-six gun frigate.

The "Mars" and "L'Heroule."

April 21st, 1798.

In the spring of 1798, a detachment of the Channel fleet,
under Admiral Lord Bridport was cruising off Brest. On
April 21st, three strange sail were discovered, one of which,
a French seventy-four was chased by the "Mars" seventy-
four, Captain Alex. Hood, the " Eamilies " seventy-foui',
Captain H. Inman, and the " Jason " thirty-eight gun frigate,
Captain C. Stirling. Shortly after six in the evening the
"Eamilies" carried away her fore-top mast and fell astern,

NAVAL MEDALS. 91

and the chase was continued by the "Mars " and " Jason,"
the rest of the British fleet being distant ten or twelve miles.
The French ship, which was "L'Hercule" a new seventy-
four just out of port, finding herself unable to escape through
the passage du Eaz into Brest, dropped her anchor, and with
her sails furled and a spring on her cable, awaited the
approach of the " Mars." About nine fifteen p.m. the "Mars"
which had left the "Jason" far astern, was fired on by the
" L'Hercule," and gave a return, when Captain Hood ranging
a short distance ahead of his opponent, let go his anchor.
The "Mars" dropping astern through the strength of the
current, the anchor on her larboard bow became hooked in
the starboard anchor of the "Hercule," and thus entangled,
their sides rubbing together so that the lower deck guns of
each ship coidd not be run out, but were fired within board,
the two ships fought for nearly an hour and a half. Two
attempts of the Frenchmen to board the "Mars" were defeated,
and the starboard side of the " Hercule " being terribly shat-
tered, several of her ports beaten into one, and five of
her lower deck guns dismounted, at ten-thirty, she hailed
that she had surrendered. In this severe action the " Mars "
lost her gallant Captain, Hood,*" twenty-nine ofiicers and
men killed and missing, and sixty men wounded. The loss
of the "Hercule," out of a crew of seven hundred men, was
two hundred and ninety killed and wounded. About twenty
minutes after the engagement terminated, the "Jason" came
up, and assisted in removing the prisoners and getting the
prize under sail. The damages to her hull were so extensive,
that it was with the greatest difficulty that she was brought
into Plymouth, where she was refitted, and added to the British
Navy.

* Captain Hood was mortally wounded by a musket ball, soon after
the action commenced, but lived just long enough to hear the cheers
given, when his opponent struck. He was a nephew to Admirals
Lord Hood and Bridpcrt.

92 >IAVAL MEDALS.

Defence op Maecouf. May 6tli, 1798.

The Islets of Marcouf, lying about four miles from the
coast of Normandy, were taken possession of hy Sir Sydney
Smith, in the year 1 795, as a post for obtaining information from
France, and for intercepting the trade between Cherboui'g
and Havre. They were garrisoned by about five hundred
seamen and marines, under the command of Lieutenant C. P.
Price of the "Badger," and Lieutenant P. Bourne of the
"Sandfly" gunboat, and a small naval force was appointed
to cruise near the place. During the night of May 6th, 1798"
the Prench made a determined effort to re-take the Islands,
with a large body of seamen and soldiers, on board a flotilla
of about eighty flat bottomed boats and gunvessels. At day-
break the next morning. Lieutenant Price opened fire on the
approaching enemy with seventeen pieces of cannon, which
was warmly returned by the French gun brigs, and under
cover of their fire, the troops in the boats pushed on towards
the shore. But on getting within musket shot, the boats
received such volleys of round, grape, and canister shot, that
six or seven of them were " cut into chips," and sank with all
on board. Another was found on shore bottom upwards, and
the remainder retreated in confusion to La Hogue. According
to an account of their own, the French had over one thousand
men kiUed, wounded, and drowned in this affair ; the loss of
the British was one man killed and four wounded. The
"Adamant," "Eurydice," and "Orestes," were within six
miles of the islands, but being becalmed, and the tide against
them, were unable to take any part in the defence. For their
conduct, Lieutenants Price and Bourne were promoted to the
rank of commander. At the peace of Amiens the islands
were evacuated.

The "Lion" axd Four Spanish Frigates,
July 15th, 1798.
On July 15th, the "Lion" sixty-four, Captain Manley
Dixon, about thirty leagues off Carthagena, met with four

NAVAL MEDALS. 93

thirty -four gun Spanish, frigates, one of them, the ' ' Santa
Dorotea," forty-two, having lost her fore-topmast. The
Spanish ships formed in line of battle, but the "Lion"
having the weather gage, bore down, and succeeded in
cutting off the " Dorotea," left astern by her consorts.
This sliip though her topmast was gone, sailed nearly
as well as the "Lion," and the other three frigates
tacked, and made three attempts to support her, but
each time receiving a broadside from Captain Dixon, at
length haided off, and stood aw^ay to the north west. The
"Lion" then got alongside the "Dorotea" and engaged her
yard arm to yard arm, shooting away her mizzen mast,
and damaging her main mast and rudder, till seeing herself
abandoned by her comrades, and having twenty of her crew
killed and thirty-two wounded, she struck her colours.* The
" Lion " who was fifty men short of her complement, had a mid-
shipman and one man wounded. The " Santa Dorotea " was
afterwards, under the same name, added to the British Navy
as a thirty-six gun frigate.

Battle of the Nile.
August 1st, 1798, (see ante), page 40.

The "Espoie" axd the "Liguria,"

August 7th, 1798.

The brig-sloop "Espoir," fourteen guns (six pounders).
Captain L. 0. Bland being in charge of a convo}^ a few
leagues from Malaga, on August 7th, discovered a large ship
steering with the intention of cutting off some of the vessels.
Captain Bland made sail to meet her, and just before seven
p.m. came within jnusket shot of the stranger, which had
hove to for him to come up. The "Espoir" hoisted her
colours, and was hailed by the enemy which displaj^ed none,

* But twenty-one medals were issued to the survivors of this action.

94 NAVAL MEDALS.

to strike, or be sunk, this was followed by a shot, succeeded
by a whole broadside, which Captain Bland returned. A
severe action commenced, and lasted till past ten o'clock, when
the enemy hailed, and said he was a Genoese. Captain Bland
ordered him to lower his sails and come on board, to which
he paid no attention, and shooting ahead to gain a raking
position, he received the whole broadside of the " Espoir,"
which he returned, but the British sloop tacking to give him
another, he again hailed, to say he had surrendered. This
was about eleven p.m. the enemy lowered his sails, and all
firing ceased. The prize turned out to be the " Liguria " a
Grenoese pirate, mounting twelve long eighteen pounders,
four twelve pounders, and sixteen long six pounders, besides
sixteen wall pieces and swivels, with a crew of one hundred
and twenty men of all nations, of whom seven were killed,
and her captain and thirteen men wounded in the action.
The only man killed on board the " Espoir " was the master,
Mr. Solsby, and six men wounded. The "Liguria" which
was alnaost double the size of the "Espoir "was a Dutch
frigate, which had been purchased by the Genoese. On his
return to England, Captain Bland was made a post captain, as
a reward for his bravery and seamanship.

Sir J. B. Warren's Action with a French Squadron,
October 12th, 1798.*'

In September, 1798, a French squadron, comprising the
" Hoche " seventy -four. Commodore Bompart, three frigates of
forty guns, five of thirty-six guns, and a schooner, with a body of
troops on board, sailed from Brest, with the intention of mak-
ing a descent on the coast of Ireland. The squadron was speedly
discovered by some scouting British frigates, who brought
the intelligence of its having put to sea to Lord Bridport, and
Commodore Sir J. B. Warren, commanding on the Irish

* Eighty-one medals were given in 1849 to the survivors of this
action.

NAVAL MEDALS. 95^

station. On October 1 1 th, Sir John with the ' 'Canada" seventy-
four, flagship, " Foudroyant " eighty. Sir Thomas Byard,
" Robust " seventy-four, E. Thornborough, " Magnamime "
forty -four, Hon. M. I)e Courcy, "Ethalion" thirty-eight,
Gr. Countess," " Melampus " thirty-six, G. Moore, "Amelia"
thirty-six, Hon. C. Herbert, and "Anson" forty-four, P. C.
Dui-ham, sighted the French ships bearing up for Tory Island,
on the north west coast of Ireland, and chased them that day
and the night following. During the night, which was very
boisterous, the " Anson " lost her mizzen mast and main
yard in a squaU, and the " Hoche " her main tojimast, and
fore and mizzen top-gallant masts. At daybreak on the
morning of October 12th, the French squadron was seen a
little distance to the windward, formed in two lines. Soon
after seven a.m. the " Robust " followed b^-the " Magnamime"
bore down and engaged the " Hoche " and three frigates,
but after a few broadsides, the frigates made sail away, and
the " Hoche " after a most gallant defence, her hull and
rigging cut to pieces, five feet of water in her hold, and
twenty -five of her guns dismounted, struck her colours. The
French fi-igates were pursued, and after a running fight of
five hours, three of them were captured, the " Bellone," the
" Coquille," and the " Euibuscade," of thirty-six guns each.
The " Anson " being crippled, and far astern, exchanged
broadsides with five French frigates as they passed her. The
" Melampus " parted company in the chase, and at midnight
on October 13th came up with another of the enemy, the
" Resolue " thirty-six, which after a broadside or two,
siirrendered. On October 17th the "Loire" forty, another
of Commodore Bompart's squadron, fought a severe, but
indecisive action with the "Mermaid" thirty -two, Captain.
J. Newman ; and the next day, in a disabled condition, was
captured after a smart engagement b}' the " Anson," which
was in a crippled state herself, and the eighteen gun brig
"Kangaroo." The prize, one of the finest frigates in the
French Navy, was taken by Captain Durham into Plymouth.

96 NAVAL MEDALS.

The " Hoche," lier name changed to the "Donegal," was
added to the British Navy.

/
The " FisGARD " and " L'Immortalite,"

October 20th, 1798.

At eight on the morning of October 20th, the " Fisgard "
thirty-eight. Captain T. B. Martin, discovered and chased
"L'Immortalite " forty, one of Commodore Bompart's illfated
squadron, making the best of her way to Brest. At half-past
eleven a.m. the ships were near enough to exchange shots
with their stern and bow guns, and in about an hour after,
the " Fisgard " brought her opponent to close action. But
so spirited was the resistance of "L'Immortalite," that in
twenty -five minutes, the "Fisgard" with her sails and
rigging cut to pieces, dropped astern, and the Frenchman
made all sail to escape. At half -past one, the "Fisgard"
having repaired damages, again got alongside her antagonist,
and a more furious encounter than the first followed, which
lasted till three p.m., when " L'Immortalite " her mizzen
mast gone close to the deck, and almost in a sinking state,
hauled down her colours. The masts and rigging of the
" Fisgard " were much injured, and having received several
shots between wind and water, she had six feet of water in
her hold, and was obliged to keep a pump continually going.
Her loss was ten seamen killed, and a Lieutenant of marines,
and twenty-five men wounded. "L'Immortalite" with a
crew of five hundred and eighty seamen and soldiers, lost her
brave commander Captain Legrand, her first Lieutenant, and
fifty-two other officers, seamen, and soldiers killed, and sixty-
one wounded. The prize was taken into Plymouth and
added to the British Navy.

The "Sybille" and "La Forte,"
February 28th, 1799.

The French frigate "La Forte " having made great havock
on the British commerce in the Bay of Bengal, the " Sybille "

NAVAL MEDALS. 97

thirty-eight, Captain E. Cooke, sailed from Madras in search
of her. " La Forte," was a most formidable frigate, consider-
ably larger than the *' Sybille " and cai'rying fifty-two guns,
exclusive of swivels. About nine on the evening of February
28th, Captain Cooke discovered the French frigate, with two
rich prizes, and at midnight got near enough to receive a
broadside from the larboard guns of "La Forte," and a fire
from one of her captures, which he did not return. After
some manoeuvring the " Sybille," got under the stern of
" La Forte," almost touching her spanker boom, and gave her
the whole of her larboard broadside, and lufiing up to leeward,
poured in another broadside with the most destructive effect.
These two broadsides killed and woimded between fifty and
sixty men on board "La Forte," and threw the enemy into
such confusion that in their return they fired from both sides
of their shij) at once. The frigates then engaged broadside to
broadside ; the French Captain, a gallant veteran, was killed,
and his first Lieutenant soon shared the same fate. About
the same time Captain Cooke was mortally wounded by a
grape shot, and Lieutenant Hardyman took the command.
At two thirty, the fire from the French frigate, never very
effective, entirely ceased, and the " Sybille " hailed to know if
she had struck, receiving no reply, the "Sybille" recommenced
firing, to which no return was made, and again hailed her
opponent without effect. The Frenchmen then manned their
rigging and attempted to escape, but their mizzen-mast being
shot away in a few minutes after, their main and fore -masts
with the bowsprit, went overboard, and the action ended.
The "Sybille" had her sails and riggiug cut to pieces, and
her main and mizzen-masts badly damaged, but had received
but six shots in her hull. Captain Davies (an "aide de camp"
to Lord Mornington) who was on board the "Sybille" as a
volunteer, with four men were killed, and Captain Cooke
(mortally) and sixteen men wounded. The "Forte" was a
perfect wreck. Her bowsprit had gone close to the figure
head, all her masts with the sails set were overboard, lier

98 NAVAIi MEDALS.

boats, booms, wheel and capstans, shot to pieces, and her
starboard, quarter deck, and forecastle bulwarks, completely-
destroyed ; in fact her starboard side from the bends upward
was almost beaten in. Her Captain, first lieutenant, and
other officers, with sixty of her crew were killed, and eighty-
wounded, many of whom died afterwards. A detachment of
the Scotch brigade, was on board the " Sybille " and rendered
good service during the engagement. The two prizes escaped,
though chased after the action by the " SybiUe." The
"Forte" was taken into Calcutta, and added to the British
Navy as a forty-four gun frigate.*' Her command was given
to Lieutenant Hardyman.

The "Telegraph" and " L'Hirondelle."
March 17th, 1799.

On March 1 8th at daylight, the British hired armed brig
"Telegraph" sixteen guns, about nine leagues from the Isle
de Bas, fell in with the French privateer brig " L'Hirondelle "
of sixteen guns. After a smart action which lasted three
hours and a half, "L'Hirondelle" being in an unmanageable
state and totally unrigged, struck her colours. Of her crew
of seventy-two men, five were killed and fourteen wounded.
The "Telegraph" had five men wounded. Lieutenant J. A.
Worth who commanded the " Telegraph," was promoted to
the rank of commander as a recognition of his conduct in this
affair. Though both ships mounted the same number of
guns, those of the "Telegraph" with the exception of two,
were eighteen pounder cannonades, the guns of " L'Hiron-
delle " were nine and six pounders.

"La Forle " was one of the finest frigates ever built. Her length
between decks was one hundred and twenty feet, her breadth forty-
three feet, and her burden one thousand four hundred tons. The
gallant Captain Cooke, lingered of his wound till the 25th of May
following, when he died at Calcutta.

XAVAI/ MEDALS. 99

Sir Sid]!^y Smith's Defence of Acre.
May 20tli, 1799.
The French Army under Bonaparte in March 1799 invaded
Syria, and having carried Jaffa by storm, marched against
8t. .Jean d'Acre, which place they invested on March 18th,
A few days before. Commodore Sir Sidne}^ Smith, in the
" Tigre," seventy-four, with the "Theseus," seventy-four,
Captain E. W. Miller, and the "Alliance," Captain D.
Wilniot, anchored in the bay, and assisted the Pasha Djezzar
in repelling the French attack. On the 18th, Sir Sidney
captui-ed a French flotilla of seven vessels, laden with
battering cannon, ammunition, and siege materiel from
Eg\^3t, all of which was landed, and immediately employed
in the defence of the place. In spite of the fire from the
ships, armed boats, and the ramparts, the French pushed on
their approaches, till on April 9th, the garrison aided by a
detachment of seamen and marines, made a successful sortie,
and almost destroyed the works of the besiegers. The
" Tigre " being moored on one side of the town, and the
" Theseus " on the other, completely flanked the walls, and
repeated determined attempts made bj' the French to storm
a wide breach in the defences, were repulsed with heavy loss.
In one of these attacks, Captain Wilmot of the "Alliance "
was killed. On May 7th, a strong body of Turkish troops
arrived by sea, and the enemy made a most furious assault,
in the hope of carrying the town before the reinforcements
could be landed. So critical was the situation, that Sir
Sidney landed his boats' crews, and at their head, defended the
breach till the arrival of the Turks, when the assailants were
driven back with great slaughter. Another attack the same
night being defeated, the French grenadiers refused to mount
the breach again over the decaying bodies of their former
companions ; and all hope of success being at an end —
Bonaparte, on the night of May 20th, raised the siege, and
retreated towards Egypt, leaving twenty-three pieces of
cannon, with their carriages burnt, in his trenches. The los

100 NAVAL MEDALS.

of the British, in these operations was sixty-six men killed
and drowned, one hundred and thirteen wounded,* and
eighty-two made prisoners.

The " Surprise " and " Hermione,"
October 25th, 1799, (see ante) page 42.

The " Pylades " & "Espiegle." Attack on Schiermonikoog^
August 11th and 12th, 1799.

On August 11th the British sloop "Pylades" sixteen,
Captain A. MacKenzie, the British sloop " Espiegle," sixteen,
Captain J. Bowden, the ten-gun cutter " Courier," Lieutenant
T. Searle, forming part of a squadron cruising off the coast
of Holland, under Captain F. Sotheran of the " Latona "
thirty-eight, were ordered to attack some vessels lying
between the island of Schiermonikoog and the main land.
This service was performed with much bravery, the " Crash,"
formerly a gun brig in the British Navj', mounting twelve
cannonades, being after a determined resistance of nearly an
hour, captured and brought out. The next day. Captain
MacKenzie having manned the "Crash," and appointed
Lieutenant Slade of the " Latona " to command her ; with an
armed schuyt captured from the enemy, and the launches and
boats of the squadron, proceeded to attack the schooner
" Yengeance " six guns, and other vessels, which were moored
under the guns of a battery, on the Island of Schiermonikoog.
In the face of a hot lire, Lieutenant Cowan of the "Pylades"
landed and spiked the guns of the battery, the " Vengeance "
was set on fire by her crew and destroyed, and a row boat
and twelve schuyts taken possession of, without the loss of a
man. In the cutting out of tlie "Crash" the "Pylades"
had one man killed and two wounded.

* In this total of the British loss are included, Captain IMiller, and
thirty-nnie other officers and men killed and drowned, and forty-seven
wounded by the accidental explosion of some shells on the quarter
deck of the "Theseus," on May 14th. The after part of the ship was
blown to pieces, and she was with difficulty kept afloat.

NAVAL MEDALS. > ]',] » ''JlOl

The "Arrov," and "Wolverine."^*", > *^
September 13th, 1799.

On September 9th, the sloops, "Arrow" twenty-eight, thirty-
two pounder carronades, Capt. N. Portlock, and " Wolverine "
thirteen. Captain "W. Bolton, were detached from the squadron
of Vice-Admiral Mitchell, lying near the Vlieter, in quest of
a Batavian republican ship and brig. On the morning of
September 1 3th, the vessels were discovered at anchor, under
the island of Ulie, at the entrance of the Texel, and as the
British ships advanced they hoisted the republican colours.
The "Arrow" and "Wolverine" went direct for the enemy,
the latter dropping her anchor within seventy yards of the
brig, while the " Aitow" stood on to engage the ship. The
" Wolverine " having fired one gun, the Batavian brig "Grier,"
of fourteen guns, and eighty men, fixed three guns to leeward
and struck her colours. The " Arrow " having to beat up to
her opponent against a strong tide, sustained her fire for
twenty minutes before she could bring a gun to bear in return,
and was much damaged in her hull and rigging. At length
Captain Portlock got about eighty yards fi-om his enemy, and
opened fii-e. After an action of about fifteen minutes, the
"Wolverine" coming up, the " Draak " twenty -four guns,
two being long thirty-two pounders, and six, fifty pound
howitzers, hauled down her flag and surrendered. The
"AiTOw" out of her one hundred and twenty men and boj'S, had
one man killed, and her Commander and eight men wounded.
The loss of the " Draak " could not be ascertained, and being
very old and worthless, she was set on fire and destroyed.
The "Gier" being a new brig of three hundred and twenty-
four tons, was employed as a cruiser.

The "Speedy" and Spanish Gun Boats.
November 6th, 1799.

The fourteen-gun brig " Speedy " (four pounders) Comman-
der J. Brenton, on the 6th November, 1799, was lying ofE
Europa Point, awaiting the arrival of her convoy from the

102 NAVAL MEDALS.

Tagus ; vvlit^n twelve Spanish gun boats, two of which were
schooners, carrying two long twenty-four pounders, came out
from Algesiras, to attack the brig and her convoy. Covered
by the fire of the " Speedy," the convoy escaped, and the gun
boats then bore up to capture the brig. Commander Brenton
reserved his fire till the enemy had nearly surrounded him,
and then bearing up, went through the midst of them, so near
as to carry away their oars, and poured in such a destructive
fire of grape and musketry that the Spaniards fled in confusion,
and ran for shelter under the guns of Fort Barbary, where
they remained for three days. In this affair the "Speedy"
had two seaman killed and one wounded ; her rigging was
much cut, and she received so many shots between wind and
water, that she was unable to get into Gibraltar, and was
obliged to run to Tetuan Bay to stop her leaks, the water
being nearly level with the lower deck. Shortly afterwards
Commander Brenton was promoted to post rank.

The "Courier" and " Gtuerrier."
November 23rd, 1799.

The hired twelve-gun cutter "Courier," Lieut. T. Searle,
while cruising off Mushing on November 22nd, at about five
p.m., discovered a strange sail to the windward, and made
sail in pursuit. The next morning at about nine a.m., Lieut.
Searle came up with the French cutter privateer " Gruerrier,"
fourteen guns, which after an action of nearly an hour's
duration, struck her colours. The master of the "Courier"
was killed, and two seamen wounded; the " Guerrier " had
four men killed and six wounded.

The "Viper" and "Furet."
December 26th, 1799.

On December 26th, Lieut. J. Pengelly, in the fourteen-gun
cutter " Viper," cruising in the Channel, chased and brought
to action a French privateer. After an engagement of three-

NAVAL MEDALS. 103

quarters of an hour, the privateer sheered off, but was
pursued by the " Viper," which after a running fight of an
hour and a half, ran her opponent on board, and compelled
her to strike. Tlie prize was the French lugger privateer
"Furet," fourteen guns and fifty-seven men, of whom five
were killed, and her captain, lieutenant, and seven men
wounded. The "Viper," out of her crew of forty-eight, had
her commander and one seaman wounded. Two years before,
the "Viper," under the same commander, had engaged and
captured a Spanish privateer of equal force.

The "Fairy," " Harpy, '^' and "Pallas."
February 5th, 1800.

A French frigate having chased an English brig into St.
Aubin's Bay, Jersey, the sixteen-gun corvette "Fairy,"
Commander J. S. Horton, and the eighteen-gun brig "Harpy,"
Commander H. Bazeley, set sail from the same place in quest
of the enemy. On the morning of February 5th, at half -past
eleven, near Cape Frehel, they discovered the French frigate
"Pallas," thirty-eight guns, close in shore. The sloops
tacked, and stood off the land, followed by the frigate, as
they expected. At about one o'clock the "Pallas" came
within pistol shot, and an action commenced, which lasted till
three p.m., when the frigate bore up, and made sail away to the
north-east, pursued as soon as their damages were rej^aired,
by the " Fairy " and " Harpy." About an hour after, three
sail were discovered nearly ahead, by the sloops, and the
"Pallas" bore away, and hoisted English colours. The
strangers were the " Loire," thirty-eight, Captain N. New-
man, the sloops "Dan8e," twenty, Captain Lord Proby, and
" Eailleur," sixteen. Commander W. Turquand. The
" Fairy " made the signal for an enemy, and all the vessels
joined in the chase. About nine p.m. the "Loire" spoke
the "Fairy" and learnt the name and force of the enemy,
and at half -past ten the " Loire " commenced a close action

104 NAVAL MEDALS.

with the "Pallas" within about seven hundred and fifty yards
of a battery on one of the Seven Islands. The battery opened
fire on the British ships, and the action continued between
the " Pallas " and the shore battery on one side, and the
"Loire," "Eailleur," " Pairy," and "Harpy" on the other
side, till half-past one a.m., when the "Pallas," having
received two destructive raking broadsides from the " Harpy "
hailed to say she had surrendered. The loss of the victors
were — "Loire," three seamen killed, and three midshipmen
and sixteen men wounded; "Eailleur," a midshipman and
two men killed, and four wounded ; "Fairy," four men
killed, her commander, purser, and seven men wounded ;
"Harpy" one man killed, and three wounded. The loss of
the " Pallas " is not stated. She was a fine new shijj of
one thousand and thirty tons, on her first cruise, and was
added to the British Navy as the " Pique." For their con-
duct in this action, Commanders Horton and Bazeley were
promoted to post rank.

The "Peterel," and " La Ligurienne,"
March 21st, 1800.

On the evening of March 20th, the " Mermaid " thirty-six,
Capt. E. Dudley, and the sixteen gun brig "Peterel"
Commander F. W. Austen, were cruising in the Bay of
Marseilles, and the "Peterel" was ordered to keep close in
shore, to intercept any vessels running along the coast. The
next morning, a convoy of fifty sail bound to Toulon and
Marseilles, under the protection of three armed vessels, was
discovered and chased, and two of the convoy captured. In
the afternoon the "Peterel" came to action with the three
armed vessels, which after a broadside or two, seeing the
" Mermaid " coming up, made all sail away. The " Peterel "
pursued, and two of the enemy's ships ran on shore. The
third, the sixteen-gun brig " Ligurienne " was engaged by
the " Peterel " and after a running fight of one hour and a

NAVAL MEDALS. 105

half, within two hundred yards of the shore, and sometimes
less, struck her colours. Most of this time the "Peterel"
was under the fire of a four gun battery, and at the end of
the action was but six miles from Marseilles. With all this,
not a man of her crew was hurt ; the " Ligurienne " had her
Commander and one seaman killed, and two men wounded.
The prize was a fine new vessel, fastened throughout with
screw bolts, so that she might be taken to pieces and set up
again, but she was not purchased for the British Navy.
Commander Austen was promoted to post rank in the month
of May following.

The "Pexelope," " Vinciego," and the " Guillaume Tell,"
March 30th, 1800.

Malta having been closely blockaded for some months,
and the French garrison suffering much fi'om famine and
disease. Rear Admiral Decres, in the " Gruillaume Tell "
eighty guns, taking advantage of a favourable wind, and the
darkness of the night, put to sea from the harbour of Yaletta
an hour before midnight, March 30th, in the hope of reaching
a French port. A squadron of British shijjs was cruising off the
Island, under the command of Capt. M. Dixon, consisting of the
" Lion" sixty -four, " Foudroyant " eighty, Capt. Sir E. Berry,
"Alexander" seventy-four, the "Penelope" thirty-six, Capt. H.
Blackwood, the "Vinciego" brig, Gr. Long, and two or three
sloops, and small vessels. Just before midnight the French ship
was discovered by the " Penelope," whose captain ordered the
"Vinciego " to convey the information to Commodore Dixon,
while the frigate stood after the enemy. At half-past twelve
the " Penelope " luffed under the stern of the "Guillaume
Tell," and gave her the larboard broadside, and then wearing,
raked her with the starboard broadside ; to which the
French ship could make no reply but with her stern chasers.
Throughout the night the frigate continued her destructive
and harassing fire, Decres, aware that the other ships of the

106 NAVAL MEDALS.

squadron were fast coining up, not daring to bring to and
cripple his adversar3^ About daybreak, the main andmizzen-
topmasts, and main yard of the " Gruillaume Tell " were shot
away, while the "Penelope" was but slightly damaged in
her rigging and sails. Soon after five a.m. the "Lion,"
which had been guided during the night by the broadsides of
the frigate, came uj), and passing so near the Frenchman
that the yard arms of the two ships nearly touched, poured in
a broadside of three round shot in each gun, and then luffing
across the bows of her ojiponent, carried away the " Guillaume
Tell's " jib-boom. Aided by the "Penelope" the "Lion"
kept up a steady fire for about half-an-hour, when being
much damaged by the fire of her opponent, she became
'unmanageable, and dropped astern. At six a.m. the " Poud-
royant " came up under a crowd of sail, and Sir E. Berry
hailed Decres to strike, to which he replied by waving his
sword, and discharging a treble -shotted broadside, which cut
the " Poudroyant's " rigging to pieces. Sir Edward returned
a similar fire within half pistol shot, but coming up with such
a press of sail the " Poudroyant " shot ahead, and could not
for some little time regain her jjosition alongside her
opponent. This object being effected, the action continjtied,
and the " Guillaume Tell" by another destructive broadside
shot away the foretopmast, maintopsail yard, spritsail yard,
and jib-boom of the "Poudroyant." Her rigging and sails
also being in tatters, the "Poudroyant" fell astern, leaving
the "Lion" upon the larboard beam of her opponent, and
the "Penelope " on her quarter.* At half -past six the main

" * Sir E. Berry, laying the " Foudroyant " alongside, so close that
her spare anchor was just clear of •' 0. Tell's " mizzen chains, hailed
her commander, and ordered him to strike. He answered by brandish-
ing a sword over his head, and then discharged a musket at Sir
Edward ; this was followed by a broadside which nearly unrigged the
" Foudroyant," whose guns however being prepared with three round
shots in each, she poured in a most tremendous and effectual discharge
crashing through and through the enemy ; but she fired another
broadside, when down came " Guillaume Tell's " main and mizzen
masts, and at the same time the " Foudroyant's " foretopmast, jib-
boom, spritsail, main topsail yard, stay sails, fore sail, and mainsail,

NAVAIi MEDALS. 107

and mizzen-masts of the French ship were shot away, but she
nailed her colours to the stump of the mast, and again
exchanged broadsides with the " Foudroyant," which had
partially refitted herself, and resumed her position on
the starboard quarter of her enemy. At eight a.m. the
"Guillaume Tell" lost her foremast, and she became
an unmanageable hulk, rolling her lower deck ports
under water. The " Foudroyant," being on her starboard,
the "Lion" on her larboard quarter, and the "Penelope"
close ahead ; at twenty mioutes past eight, after one of the
most gallant defences on record, the flag of the " Guillaume
Tell " was hauled down. The "Lion" and "Foudroyant"
being too much disabled to take possession of the prize, this
was done by the "Penelope," which towed the " Guillaume
Tell " into Syracuse. The masts and rigging of the British
ships, except the "Penelope," were much damaged, and
shortly after the close of the engagement the mizzen mast of
the "Foudroyant" came down. Her loss out of a crew of
one hundred and nineteen men, was eight killed ; her captain,
lieutenant, boatswain, three midshipmen, and fifty-three sea-
men and marines wounded. The " Lion " of her crew of three
hundred, not her full complement, had one midshipman and
seven men killed, and one midshipman and thirty-seven men
woimded. The " Penelope " to which ship the capture of the
" Guillaume Tell " was chiefly owing, had her master killed,
and a midshipman, and two men wounded. The loss of the
enemy, of a crew of over nine hundred men, was up-

all in tatters. The combatants then separated. Sir E. Berry called
his men from the main deck, and cuttmg away the wreck, got
the ship manageable, and again close alongside her determined
opponent, who nailed his colours to the stump of his mast, and dis-
played his flag on a pole over them. Sir Edward then commenced a
a most heavy and well directed fire, his men firing every gun two or
three times in a minute, and musketry was occasionally used, but
latterly the mizzen mast being almost in two, Sir Edward called the
marines froja the poop, and put them to the great gL«ns. At a few
minutes past eight, the " Guillaume Tell's " fore mast was shot away,
and becoming a mere log, she struck her colours." — Letter from an
officer of the " Foudroyant,'" at Syracuse.

108 NAVAL MEDALS.

wards of two hundred in killed and wounded. The
" Guillaume Tell," the only remaining French line of battle
ship which escaped at the Battle of the Nile, August 1st.,
1798, was taken to Portsmouth, and under the name of the
" Malta," was added to the British Navy. Why the naval
medal for her capture was awarded to the "Penelope" and
"Vinciego," to the exclusion of the "Lion" and "Foudroyant"
is quite inexplicable.

The "Dart," &c., with the Desiree & others.
July 8th, 1800.

Towards the end of June 1800, a British squadron,
comprising the "Andromeda" thirty-two. Captain H. Inman,
the "Nemesis," twenty-eight, Captain T. Baker, the thirty
gun sloop *" Dart," Commander P. Campbell, two other sloops,
one bomb vessel, and eleven fire ships, gun brigs, cutters, and
luggers ; arrived of£ Dunkirk with the intention of capturing or
destroying four French frigates, which had been for some
time blockaded in that port. On the evening of July 7th, the
" Dart," with the " Biter," Lieutenant Norman, the " Boxer"
Lieutenant Grilbert, gun brigs, the fire ships, "Wasp,"
Captain J. Edwards ; " Falcon," Captain S. H. Butt ;
"Cornet," Captain T. Leef ; and " Rosario," Captain J.
Garthew ; the cutters "Kent," "Ann," and other small craft
entered Dunkirk Roads, and about midnight came in sight of
the French frigates, moored in line ahead. The outermost
frigate hailed the " Dart," and was answered by Commander
Campbell, who passed on till abreast the third frigate, which
fired a broadside at the sloop. This salute the "Dart"
returned with fifteen double shotted carronades, and standing
on, ran the fourth fi-igate aboard, and her first lieutenant, J.

* The " Dart " and her sister ship the " Arrow," were experimental
vessels, built from the plans of General (afterwards Sir S.) Bentham
They were sharp, forward and aft, like a wherry, with a peculiar rig,
and sailed very fast in fine weather. The armament of the "Dart"
was thirty thirty-two pounder carronades, fitted on the non-recoil
principle. Her crew was one hundred and twenty men.

NAVAL MEDALS. 109

McDermeit, at the head of fifty seamen and marines, boarding
the frigate on the forecastle, drove all before him and in a
short time was in possession of the ship. Lieutenant McDermeit
being badly wounded, and the Frenchmen observing the small
number of their opponents, being about to raUy, Lieutenant
Pearce, with a second division of boarders, entered the frigate
on her quarter, overcame all resistance, and cutting the
frigate's cables, got her under sail and over the banks that
would have been impassable half an hour later, owing to the
ebbing of the tide. In this dashing affair which was per-
formed in about fifteen minutes, the "Dart" had but one
seaman kiUed, and her first Lieutenant, Master's Mate, and
nine seamen and marines wounded ; while the loss of the prize,
the " Desiree" a fine new frigate of over one thousand tons
burden, and thirty-eight guns, out of a ci-ew of three hundred to
three hundred and fifty men, was upwards of one hundred killed
and wounded, including nearly all her officers. The fire ships
were well managed, and not abandoned by their crews until
they were enveloped in flames, but the three remaining French
frigates, cut their cables, and ran out of the road before the
wind. While this was proceeding, the cutters* and brigs,
engaged and drove off some French gun boats. For his skill
and gallantry, Commander Campbell was advanced to post
rank, and Lieutenant McDermeit made Commander. The
" Desiree," was added to the British Navy, and soon afterwards
was commissioned by Captain Inman. Admiral Lord St.
Vincent considered the capture of the " Desiree " to be one of
the finest examples of Naval bravery on record.

The "Seine" and "Vengeance."
August 20th, 1800.

Captain D. Milne in the " Seine," thirty-eight, on August
20th, while cruising in the Mona Passage, between Porto

* The cutters, " Kent," " Ann," " Selby," " Teazer," " Stag," " Nile,"
and "Vigilant," with the boats of the "Andromeda," " iSTemesis,"
and " Babet," took part in these operations.

110 NAVAL MEDALS.

Rico and San Domingo, fell in with a large French frigate,
and made all sail in chase. About half past eleven at night
the " Seine " came up on her opponent's quarter, and fired
several broadsides at her, and a sharp action followed, in
which the rigging and sails of the " Seine " were so much
damaged, that she dropped astern. At eight, the next morn-
ing, the "Seine" again got alongside the French frigate,
which after a close action of two hours and a half, being
totally dismasted, surrendered. The "Seine" lost none of
her masts, and out of a crew of two hundred and eighty-one
men and boys, had her second lieutenant and twelve seamen
killed, and her master and twenty-seven men wounded. Her
prize, the "Vengeance" had thirty men killed, and seventy
wounded. On August 27th, the "Seine" with the "Vengeance"
in tow, anchored in the harbour of Port Royal. The prize
was purchased for the British Navy, but owing to her damaged
state, never left Jamaica.

The "Phcebe" and the " Africaine."
February 19th, 1801.

On the 19th February, Captain R. Barlow in the Phcsbe,
thirty-six, discovered a French frigate near Ceuta, on the
Barbary shore, steering to the eastward. At half-past seven
in the evening he brought her to action. An engagement
commenced, and continued within pistol shot di^ance, till haK-
past nine, when the stranger being nearly unrigged, her decks
covered with killed and wounded, many of her guns dis-
mounted, and five feet of water in her hold, struck her
colours. She was the forty gun frigate " Africaine," Commo-
dore Saulnier, bound from Rochefort to Egypt, having on
board four hundred troops, several thousand stand of arms,
and a large quantity of ammunition. The carnage on board
her was dreadful. Of her crew and troops, seven hundred and
fifteen in all, Commodore Saulnier, one general, two captains,
ten petty ofiicers, three surgeons (killed in the cockpit while

NAVAL MEDALS. Ill

attending to the wounded) and one hundred and eighty-fiA^e
seamen and troops were killed, and one hundred and forty-
tlu'ee officers and men wounded, many of them mortally.
The "Phoebe" out of her complement of two hundred and
tliirtj'^-nine men, had but one man killed, and her first
Heutenant, master, and ten seamen wounded.* For his
gallantry. Captain Barlow received the honour of knighthood,
and the " Africaine " her name changed to the " Amelia,"
was added to the British Navy as a thirty-eight gun frigate.

Operations on the Coast of Egypt.
March to September, 1801.

The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty on February
nth, 1850, issued a minute, from which the following is
extracted —

" With reference to Her Majesty's gracious intentions, as
signified in the 'Gazette' of the 1st and 7th June, 1847, that
a medal should be struck to record the sei"vices of Her Fleets
and Armies during the wars commencing in 1793 and ending
in 1815 ; Her Majesty has further been graciously pleased to
grant the Military Medal to the surviving officers, non-com-
missioned officers, and soldiers of the Army who served in the
expedition to Egypt ; and Her Majesty having signified her
pleasure to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that
measures be taken for granting the Naval Medal, or a clasp
in lieu thereof, to the surviving officers and seamen of the
Royal Navy who served in that exj)edition ; such officer,
seaman, or marine, as shall have already received the Naval
Medal for other services, shall receive, instead of a new
additional Medal, a clasp with the word ' Egypt ' engraven
thereon."

* The great inequality in the losses of the two ships, may be
accounted for by the fact that the " Africaine " in repeated futile
attempts to board the " Phoebe," crowded her deck and rigging with
supernumerary men, who were literally mowed down by the grape shot
and musketry of the English frigate.

112 NAVAL MEDALS.

The British Government having resolved to dispatch an
expedition to Egypt, a naval and military force was collected
at Malta, under the command of Admiral Lord Keith and
G-eneral Sir Ralph Abercrombie. On February 1st, the fleet,
consisting of the " Foudroyant " eighty, Admiral Lord Keith,
Captains P. Beaver and W. Young; "Kent," seventy-four.
Rear- Admiral Sir E. Bickerton, Captain W. Hope ; " Ajax,"
seventy-f(jur, Hon. A. Cochrane ; "Minotaur," seventy-four,
T. Louis; "Northumberland," seventy-four, G. Martin;
" Tigre," Sir W. Sydney Smith, and " Swiftsure," seventy-
four, B. Hallowell, and over one-hundred frigates, flutes, and
transports, having sixteen thousand troops on board, anchored
in Aboukir Bay.--'

* Besides the squadron mentioned, the following ships under the
command of Lord Keith, were engaged in the operations on the coast
of Egypt. Nearly all of them, rated as sixty-fours, fifties, forty-fours,
and many of the frigates, were fitted up as troopships, with a short
complement of men, only half their guns, and light masts and yards.
Also a Turkish squadron of five-sail of the line, frigates, and sloops.
"Active," C. S Dairs ; " Agincourt," G. P. Ryves ; "Alligator," G.
Bowen ; " Athenian," Sir T. Livingstone ; " Astrea," P. Riboleau ;
"Asp," (gunboat); "Blonde," J. Burn; "Bonne Citoyenne," R.
Jackson ; " Braakel," G. Clarke ; " Ballahou," (gunboat) ; " Batel-
mardet," A. Bissel ; "Gameleon," A. Maitland ; "Ceres," J. Russell;
"Charon," R. Bridges; "Chichester," J. Stephen; " Cruelle," E.
Boger ; "Cyclops," J. Fyffe ; "Cynthia," J. Dick; " Dangereuse,"
R. Tyte ; '"'Delft," R. Redmill ; " Determinee," J. Serle ; "Dido,"
D. Colby ; " Dolphin," J. Dalrymple ; " Diadem," J. Larmour ;
"Diana," T. Stephenson ; "Dictator," J. Hardy; "Druid," C.
Apthorpe ; "Dragon," G. Campbell; "Dover," H. Kent; " Eiiropa,"
J. Stephenson ; " Entreprenante," W. Sweeney ; " Eurus," D. Guion ;
" Experiment," J. Saville ; " Expedition," T. Wilson ; "El Carmen,"
W. Selby ; " Espiegle," (gunboat) ; " Florentina," J. Broughton ;
"Fury," R. Curry; " Fulminante," J. Corbet; "Fox," H. Stuart ;
*' Forte," L. Hardyman ; " Greyhound," C. Ogle; " Gozo," W. Milne ;
" Good Design," R. Elliott ; " Gibraltar," W. H. Kelly ; " Gorgon,"
G. Ross; "Haerlem," G. Burlton ; "Hebe." G. Reynolds; "Hector,"
J. Elphinstone ; ''Heroine," J. Hill; "Inconstant," J. Ayscough ;
"Inflexible," B. Page; "Iphigenia," H. Stackpoole ; "Janissary,"
(gunboat) J. Whilley ; "Kangaroo," G. Pulling; " Leda," G. Hope ;
" Leopard," T. Sunidge ; " Madras," C. Hare; "Minorca," G. Miller;
"Modeste," M. Hinton ; "Monmouth," G. Hart; " Mondovi," A.
Duff ; " Minerva," G. Cockburn ; " Niger," J. Hillyer ; " Negresse,"
(gunboat) "Pique," J. Young; "Phoenix," L. Halstead ; " Pallas," J.
Edmonds ; " Port Mahon," W. Buchanan ; " Pegasus," J. Pengelly ;
" Petrel," C. Inglis ; " Pigmy," A. Shepherd ; " Pearl," S. Ballard ;
" Regulus," T. Pressland ; " Roebuck," J. Buchanan ; " Renommee,"
P. McKellar ; "Resource," J. Crispe ; "Romulus," J. Culverhouse ;

Turkish JVIedal for ^gypt. — 1801.

NAVAL MEDALS. 113

A continuance of bad weather prevented the disembarkation
of the troops for a week, which time was spent by the enemy
in preparing for the impending attack. The beach was loose
sand, steeply ascending from the water's edge, and crowned
by a ridge of broken rocks. On this ridge the French had
placed guns and mortars, commanding the landing place,
supported by a strong force of infantry, and a bod}^ of cavalry
was concealed among the sand hills. On the morning of
March 8th the first division of the Army, commanded by
Major-Greneral Coote, assembled in the boats of the fleet, and
led by Captain the Hon. A. Cochrane, of the " Ajax," pushed
for the shore. Owing to the shallowness of the water but a
few of the smaller vessels could be employed to cover the
movement. The "Tartarus" and "Fury," bombs, threw
shells into the enemy's position, and the "Petrel," "Chame-
leon," and "Minorca," sloops, with their broadsides to the
beach, fired on the French columns at every ojiportunity.
The flanks of the boat flotilla were also protected by cutters,
gun-vessels, and armed launches. A thousand seamen, under
the command of Captain Sir Sydney Smith, had the charge of
landing the artillery and stores. The boats advanced in line,
and as soon as they were within range the guns of the enemy
opened on them such a heavy fire of shot, shell and grape,
that the surface of the water was covered witli foam. The
answer to this was three cheers, and " Give way, my lads,
and let's get at them." The seamen plied their oars with

"Romney," Sir H. Popham ; "Sensible," R. Sause ; "Stately," G.
Scott ; " Santa Dorotea," H, Downman ; " Santa Theiesa," E.
Campbell; " Salamine," T. Briggs ; "Spider," R.Harrison; " Sir S.
Smith," C. Patey; " Scampvia," C. McGhie ; "Sultana," J. Moon ;
" Sheerness," J. Garden; "Tartarus," T. Hand; "Termagant," G.
Schomberg ; " Thetis," H. Baker ; " Thisbe," J. Morrison ; "Trusty,"
A.Wilson; "Transfer," J. Nicholas; " Tourterelle," J. Ferguson;
"Victor," G. Gollier ; "Vestal," V. Collard : " Victorieuse," J.
Richards; "Virago," G. Long; " Wilhelmina," J. Lind ; " Win-
chelsea," J. Hatley ; " Woolwich," A. Gampbell ; " Ulysses," G.
Sayer ; "Urchin," J. Smith. The "Renown," seventy-four, Rear-
Admiral Sir J. Warren, Captain F. Maitland ; "Penelope," thirty-six,
H. Backwood, and " Flora," thirty-six, R. Middleton, joined the fleet
after its arrival on the coast of Egypt.

114 NAVAL MEDALS.

redoubled energy, and the troops, almost before the boats
touched the beach, leaped overboard, formed in line, received
and repelled a charge of French cavalry, gained the ridge,
and routed the infantry, before the remainder of the army
were on shore. The field pieces on skids in the boats, were
landed with celerity, dragged up the slope, and brought into
action by the seamen, who then returned to the ships for the
second division of troops. In this affair the loss of the Navy
was — twenty-two seamen killed, four officers, three midship-
men, and sixty-three seamen wounded. A detachment of
marines, under Lieut. -Col. W. Smith, and a flotilla of gun-
boats and armed launches, co-operated with the Army
throughout the campaign. "^^

Battle of Copenhagen.
April 2nd, 1801.

At the end of the year 1800, Eussia, Sweden and Denmark,
entered into a confederacy, which they styled an Armed
Neutrality, to resist the right claimed by the British of
searching neutral ships for articles contraband of war. A
rupture being inevitable, on March 12th, a fleet of over fifty
sail, under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, in the
'•' London " ninety-eight, with Vice- Admiral Lord Nelson in
the "St. George" ninety-eight, second in command, sailed from
Yarmouth Eoads for the Baltic. On board the fleet were the
49th Eegiment, under Colonel Brock, two companies of the
Eifle Corps, and a detachment of Artillery, the whole being
under the command of Colonel Stewart. Some time was lost in
useless negociations, which the Danes employed in strength-
ening the defences of Copenhagen. The line of the enemy
having been reconnoitred, and the channel and approaches
leading to it surveyed, on the morning of the 2nd of April,
Lord Nelson with the following ships weighed for the attack.

* For fuller details of the Egyptian Campaign, see " Medals of the
British Army," page 59, et seq.

XAVAL MEDALS. 115

" Eleiiliant " seventy-four, Vice Admiral Lord Nelson,*
Captain T. Foley, " Defiance " seventy-four, Rear Admiral
T. Graves, Captain R. Retalick, "Edgar" seventy-four, G.
Murray, "Monarch." seventy-four, G. R. Mosse, " Bellona "
seventy-four. Sir T. B. Thompson, " Ganges " seventy-four,
T. P. Fremantle, " Russell " seventy-four, W. Cuming,
" Agamemnon " sixty-four, R. Fancourt, " Ardent " sixty-four,
T. Bertie, "Polj^Dhemus " sixty-four, J. Lawford, " Glatton "
fifty-four, W. BHgh, " Isis " fifty, J. Walker. Frigates,
" Amazon " thirty-eight, H. Riou, " Desiree " thirty-six, H.
Inman, "Blanche" thirty-six, G. Hamond, " Alcmene "
thirty-six, S. Sutton, " Jamaica " twenty-four, J. Rose.
Sloops, " Arrow " W. Bolton, " Dart " J. Devonshii-e,
" Cruiser " J. Brisbane, " Harpy " W. Birchall, Bomb-vessels,
" Discovery " J. Conn, " Explosion " J. Martin, " Hecla " R.
HatherweU, "Sulphur" H. Witter, "Terror" C. Rowley,
" Volcano " J. Brooke, " Zebra " E. S. Clay, Brigs, " Otter "
G. McKinley, " Zephyr " C. Upton, Cutters and boats. The
Danish defences were of the most fonnidable character.
Eighteen ships, consisting of two-deckers cut down, block-
ships, fi-igates, and prames, were moored in a line over a mile
in extent, flanked on the north, by two batteries built on piles
called the Trekoner or Crown batteries, one armed with thirty
twenty -four, and the other with thirty-eight thirty-six pounders,
with furnaces for heating shot ; and on the south, by gun
and mortar batteries on Amag Island ; the ships and
batteries together mounting over seven hundred guns, well
manned. In addition to this, the entrance to the harbour
was protected by a chain, and commanded by four two-decked
block ships, a forty-gun fi'igate, and other small vessels.
Lord Nelson's division advanced to the attack fi-om the south-
wards, and at the same time the reserve under Admiral Sir
H. Parker, consisting of the " London " ninety- eight. Admiral

* Lord Nelson had shifted his flag from the " St. George " to the
' Elephant," as a ship drawing less water, and more suitable for the
service.

116 NAVAL MEDALS.

Sir H. Parker, Captain W. Domett, " St. Greorge " ninety-
eight, T. W. Hardy,* " "Warrior " seventy-four, C. Tyler,
"Defence" seventy-four. Lord H. Paulet, "Saturn" seventy-
four, E. Lambert, " Ramillies " seventy-four, J. T. Dixon,
" Raisonnable " sixty-four, J. Dilkes, and "Veteran" sixty-
four, A. C. Dickson, also weighed, and endeavoured from the
north to take a position near the mouth of the harbour, but
with the wind and current against the ships, was unable to
take any active part in the engagement. The " Edgar " led,
followed by the "Agamemnon," which ship was unable to
round the end of the shoal, and was compelled to anchor.
Next came the " Polyphemus," " Isis," " Bellona " and
" Eussell " which last two ships after rounding the shoal, got
ashore, within reach of the guns of the enemy. The "Ele-
phant," bearing the flag of Lord Nelson, followed, who in
opposition to his pilots, ordered his helm to be put a-starboard,
and passed to the westward, and the remaining ships taking
the same course, all reached their appointed stations.
The battle began at ten a.m., but owing to the absence of
three seventy-four gun ships, the gallant Captain Piou, with
the frigates and sloops, engaged the Crown batteries, which
were the strongest part of the Danish line. The engagement
had continued three hours, and the "Veteran," "Defence,''
and " Ramillies," had been detached to support Nelson, but
their progress was so slow that Sir Hyde Parker ordered the
signal to discontinue the action to be hoisted. f Nelson
acknowledged the signal, but ordered his own signal for close
action to be kept flying, and nailed to the mast. At half-
past one the Danish fire slackened, and in most of the ships
ceased about two p.m. The Danes being constantly re-
inforced from the shore, would not allow the British to take

* Captain T. W. Hardy served on board the "Elephant" as a
volunteer.

t In making the signal of recall, Sir H. Parker evidently wished to
give Nelson an excuse for discontinuing the action, if the fire of the
enemy proved to be overpowering, with the expectation that he would
disregard it if he considered^ himself able to conclude the battle
successfully.

NAVAL MEDALS. 117

possession of the ships, some of which had struck, and fired
on their boats as they approached for that purpose. Provoked
at this behaviour, contrary to all rules of civilized warfare,
Lord Nelson almost resolved to send in his fire ships among
the silenced vessels ; but resolving first to try the effect of
negociation, retired to his cabin, and wrote the well known
letter to the Crown Prince of Denmark, which resulted in an
armistice, and eventually in a peace. The battle lasted
five hours, and at its conclusion the Danish flagship the
" Dannebrog " was in flames, and soon afterwards blew up.
As the fire of the Danes was directed chiefly at the hulls of
their opponents, (but one ship the " Grlatton," losing a top-
mast) the loss of the British was heavy. The " Isis " had
thirty-three men killed, and eighty-eight wounded, the
" Monarch," Captain Mosse, had fifty-six men killed, and one
hundred and sixty-four wounded, and the " Amazon " her
captain, the brave Riou, and fourteen msn killed, and twenty-
thi'ee men wounded. The whole of the British casualties
were, roughly stated, three hundred and fifty men killed and
mortally wounded, and eight hundred and fifty men wounded.
The loss of the Danes, at the lowest estimate, amounted to
between sixteen hundred and eighteen hundred men in killed
and wounded. But one of the prizes, the "Holstein," sixty,
was brought to England. The thanks of Parliament were voted
to the fleet, E-ear- Admiral Grraves received the order of the
Bath ; Commanders Devonshire, Brisbane, and Birchall were
advanced to post rank, and the first lieutenants of the ships
actively engaged, were made commanders.

The "Speedy "and "Gamo,"
May 6th, 1801.

The " Speedy " brig, fourteen long four -pounders, Com-
mander Lord Cochrane, having for some time greatly annoyed
the Spanish coasting trade, several vessels were dispatched to
capture her ; one of them being the "Gamo," a large xebec

118 NAVAL MEDALS.

frigate mounting thirty-two guns, twelve and eight-pounders,
including two heavy carronades, with a crew of over three
hundred men. Just before daylight on May 6th the " Gramo "
was discovered near Barcelona, and as the crew of the
"Speedy" was eager to fight. Lord Cochrane decided to
engage his formidable enemy. All being cleared for action,
the " Speedy " made towards the frigate, and about ten a.m.,
received two of her broadsides without damage, not a gun
being discharged in return, till the yards of the "Speedy"
were locked in her opponent's rigging. The first broadside of
the " Sj)eedy," her four-pounders being trebly shotted, blew
up the frigate's main deck, and killed her captain and boat-
swain. The enemy then twice attempted to board, but were
repelled, and the action continued for an hour, broadside to
broadside, the shot of the frigate cutting up the rigging and
sails of the " Speedy," and killing two, and wounding four of
her crew. The doctor of the "Speedy" (Gruthrie) volunteering
to take the helm, the order was given to board, and in a few
seconds Lord Cochrane followed by every man and boy of the
"Speedy," was on the enemy's deck. Por some minutes a
desperate contest was carried on, but the Spanish colours
being hauled down by one of the men of the " Speedy," the
crew of the " Gamo " threw down their arms and surrendered.
Out of a crew of fifty-four men and boys, the " Speedy " had
three men killed, and Lieutenant Parker and seventeen
men wounded. The loss of the "Gamo" was her Captain *
boatswain, and thirteen men killed, and forty-one wounded.
The "Speedy" took her prize into Port Mahon, several
Spanish gunboats who witnessed the encounter, not venturing
to rescue the frigate. For this brilliant action Lord Cochrane
was posted, andLieutenant Parker promoted to be Commander.

* The Spanish Officer who was next to the slain Captain of the " Gamo "
in rank, asked his captor for a certificate that he had done his duty.
Lord Cochrane gratified him with a document stating that he certified

that " Don had conducted himself like a true Spaniard," and

afterwards had the satisfaction of hearing that this testimonial had
procured the recipient promotion in the service of his country.

XAVAL MEDALS. 119

Sir J. Sau.marez's Actiox with Fkexch axi) Spanish
Squadrons. Gut of Gibraltar, July 12tli, 1801.

Ox July 7th, the British squadron under the command of Sir
J. Saumarez, made an attack on thi-ee French ships of the
line, and a frigate, moored under the batteries in Algesiras
Bay. After a well fought action of four hours duration, the
British ships retired to Gibraltar to repair- damages, leaving
the " Hannibal " seventy-four. Captain Ferris, which had
run aground, in the possession of the enemy. Two of the
French ships ran ashore, but were got afloat the next day.
The French Admiral Linois, ajDj)rehensive of another attack,
sent to Cadiz for assistance, and on July 9th, Vice Admiral
de Moreno, with six sail of the line and some frigates, stood
into Algesiras Bay, with the intention of removing the French
ships and their prize to Cadiz, for safety. The combined
fleet then consisted of nine ships of the line, two of one
hundred and twelve guns, one of ninety-six, three of eighty,
and three of seventy -four guns, besides frigates. The British
ships were removing their wounded, and repairing their
damages, which were very considerable; the " Pompee "
seventy -four, being so shattered, that her crew was employed
in re-fitting the other ships. The " Cresar," flag ship, was in
such an unserviceable state, that the Admiral shifted his flag
to the " Audacious," but her crew declared they would work
night and day to get the ship ready to meet the enemy.*

* As an instance of the spirit which animated the seamen ; while
the " Caesar " was lying off Europa Point and had just hoisted the
signal to prepare for action, a small boat with two men was seen
pulling towards her, and on getting alongside the men were found to
be two of the ship's crew, who had been wounded in the action off
Algesiras, and sent to the hospital at Gibraltar. On seeing the ship
under sail, the gallant fellows asked permission of the surgeon to
rejoin their ship, and being refused, as unfit, they escaped from the
hospital, and taking the first boat they could find, pulled off to the
" Csesar." Two of the crew of the " Pompee," who had not been
distributed among the other ships, secreted themselves on board the
" Csesar," and the day after the action requested the captain to inter-
cede for them with their own captain, as follows : — " Sir, we belong to
the Pompee, and finding our ship could not get out, we stowed our-

120 NAVAl, MEDALS.

About noon on July 12tli, the combined fleet began to move ;
and tlie " Csesar " warped out of the mole, with her band
playing " Come cheer up my lads, 'tis to glory we steer,"
which was answered by the mlKtary bands on the mole head,
with " Britons strike home " ; the flag of Sir J. Saumarez was
re-hoisted, and the squadron signalled to prepare for action.
The British ships comprised the " Csesar " eighty, Eear-
Admiral Sir J. Saumarez, Captain J. Brenton, " Venerable "
seventy -four, S. Hood. " Spencer " seventy-four, H. D. Darby,
" Superb " seventy-four, R. G. Keats, " Audacious " seventy-
four, S. Peard, " Thames " thirty-two, A. P. HoUes, " Calpe "
sloop, Hon. G. H. Dundas, "Louisa" brig, and the Portu-
guese frigate " Carlotta " Captain C. Duncan. About eight
p.m. Sir J. Saumarez stood after the combined fleet, then
almost out of sight, and the " Superb " being the best sailer,
Captain Keats was ordered to crowd all sail, and attack the
first ship of the enemy he came up with. By eleven p.m. the
" Superb " was nearly four miles ahead of the '* Csesar," and
soon after came up with the " Real Carlos " one .hundred and
twelve, on the larboard beam, and another three decker, the
" Hermangildo," nearly abreast of her. Captain Keats
opened fire on both of them at about three cables distance,
shot away the fore topmast of the " Real Carlos," and put
the crews of both ships into such confusion, that they fired at
each other, as well as at the " Superb."

In about a quarter of an hour, Captain Keats saw that the
ship which had lost her fore topmast was on fire, upon which
he ceased to molest her, and stood after the " San Antonio,"
seventy-four, which ship, after an action of about half an
hour, hailed to say she had surrendered, just as the " Csesar "
and "Venerable," came up. Meanwhile the "Real Carlos"
and "Hermangildo," ran foul of each other, both were
soon in flames fore and aft, and shortly after midnight blew

selves away in this ship, and in the action quartered ourselves to the

tenth gun on the lower deck, opposite ," the officer in

command of this division of guns, who confirmed their statement.

NAVAL MEDALS. 121

up, with the greater part of their crews. The " Superb " and
" Calpe " were left to secure the prize, and remove the
prisoners, while the "Ceesar" and other ships pursued the
flying enemy. About five in the morning the " Venerable "
came up with the " Formidable," eighty, and engaged her for
an hour and an half, till her own main mast went by the board,
and her opponent made ofE for Cadiz, but kept up for some
time a galling fire on the " Venerable " from her stern guns.
Just before eight a.m. the fore mast of the " Venerable " went
over the side, and she was carried by the current on a shoal
about twelve miles from Cadiz. About the same time her
mizzen mast fell, and the remainder of the enemy's ships, five
sail of the line and four frigates, seemed inclined to bear down
and attack her, but observing the " Ctesar," " Superb," and
"Audacious " approaching, they hauled up, and entered Cadiz.
At two p.m. the "Venerable," by the assistance of the
" Thames " and boats of the squadron, was hove off, and the
" Thames " took her in tow. Before sunset she was off Cape
Trafalgar, under jury masts, and fit for action, had an enemy
ajDpeared. Her loss was heavy ; her master, and seventeen
men being killed, and four officers, and eighty-three men
wounded. The " Superb " had Lieutenant Waller, and four-
teen men wounded. On board the two Spanish three deckers
nearly two thousand men perished. The Captains, Officers,
and crews of the squadron, received the thanks of Parliament.
Sir J. Saumarez was created a Knight of the Bath, and
granted a pension of £1200 per annum.

The "Sylph" and "Artemise,"

September, 28th, 1801.

On the evening of September 28th, the eighteen gun brig
" Sylph," Captain C. Dashwood, cruising about forty leagues
to the northwood of Cape Pinas, discovered and chased a large
French frigate. At half -past seven p.m. the "Sylph," after
tacking and exchanging a broadside or two, placed herself on

122 NAVAL MEDALS.

the weather })0W of her opponent, and a hot action hegan and
continued for two hours, when the frigate wore, and made
sail away. The sails and rigging of the brig were so damaged
that she was unable to pursue, or renew the action, but the
only casualty on board her, was a midshipman wounded. On
the 31st of July preceding, the "Sylph'' engaged a French
frigate for an hour and an half, off Santander, but the rigging
of the " Sylph " being much cut up, and she having received
some shots between wind and water, the enemy escaped, and
the " Sylph " returned to Plymouth to re-fit. Captain Dash-
wood supposed that his antagonist of September 28th, was
the same ship, but her real name and force, are still shrouded
in myster3^

The "Pasley" and "Rosario."
October 28th, 1801.

The hired brig "Pasley," sixteen. Lieutenant W. Woold-
ridge, when about twenty leagues off Cape de Oata, on
October 28th, was discovered and chased by a Spanish
privateer. Being to windward, the Spaniard soon came up
with the "Pasley," and brought her to action. After an
engagement of about an hour, the brig finding the guns of
her opponent too heavy for her, and her rigging cut to pieces,
ran aboard the privateer, and lashed the latter' s bowsprit to
her own capstan. The British immediately boarded, and
after a desperate hand to hand conflict of fifteen minutes, the
privateer was in their possession. She was the " Virgen del
Eosario," of twelve guns, two being long twenty-four
pounders, and ninety-four men. Her first and second cap-
tains, lieutenant, two prize masters, gunner, and fifteen men
were killed, and thirteen officers and men wounded in the
engagement. The "Pasley," out of a crew of fifty-four men
and boys, had her gunner and two seamen killed, and her
master mortally wounded, and her commander, first mate,
and five men wounded. For this affair, Lieutenant Woold-
ridge was promoted to the rank of commander.

naval medals. 123

The "Scorpion," "Beaver," and "At-VLANTK."
March 31st, 1804.

In March, 1804 the eighteea-gun sloop "Scorpion," com-
mander Gr. N. Hardinge, was detached by Rear-Admiral
Thornhorough, to cruise off the Vlie passage at the entrance
of the Texel, in search of two Dutch brigs. The two Dutch
vessels were discovered at anchor in the road, and having
reconnoitred their position, Commander Hardinge resolved to
cut out the outermost, the "Atalante," sixteen long twelve
pounders, and seventy-six men, with his boats. On March
3l8t, just as he was about to embark, the fourteen-gun
sloop "Beaver," Commander C. Pell}', joined company, who
volunteered to serve under Commander Hardinge. At half -past
nine in the evening, five boats, with sixty officers and men,
headed by the two commanders, put off from the " Scorpion,"
and in two hours got alongside the "Atalante," which had
her boarding nettings up, and was fully prepared to resist an
attack. Commander Hardinge was the first man on the
enemy's deck, where he was soon followed by his men. At
the first rush of the British some of the Dutch left their
quarters and ran below, but those who remained, headed by
their captain (Carp*) fought desperately, and did not surren-
der till the captain, who refused quarter, and three seamen were
killed, and their first lieutenant, two other officers, and eight
men were wounded. On the side of the victors, Lieutenant
Bluett, the master (Williams), a midshipman, and two seamen
were wounded, all belonging to the " Scorpion." A heavy
gale coming on, the British were unable to put to sea for
forty-eight hours, during which time two of their boats broke
adrift, and two were swamped alongside. At length, the

* Commander Hardinge buried the slain Captain Carp, " as brave a
man as any service ever boasted," with all the honours of war.
" During the ceremony, the Dutch colours were hoisted, all the Dutch
prisoners were liberated, one of them delivered an eloge upon the hero
they had lost, and we fired three volleys over him as he descended into
the deep."' His servant was sent ashore with the effects of the deceased,
to be delivered to his relatives.

124 NAVAIi MEDALS.

wind shifting, the " Atalante " weighed, and after three days
beating about in an intricate channel, full of shoals, gained
the oj^en sea. For this well-planned and executed exploit.
Commander Hardinge was posted, and Lieutenant Bluett
made commander. The Patriotic Fund also presented him,
and Commander Pelly, with swords of the value of one
hundred guineas each, and swords valued at fifty guineas
each were presented to Lieutenant Bluett and two other
officers.

The "Centurion," with "Marengo," and Two Frigates.*
September 18th, 1804.

On September 18th, the "Centurion," fifty. Captain J.
Lind, was lying at anchor in Vizagaj)atam Road, waiting to
convoy two Indiamen to Madras, when a line of battle ship
and two frigates, came in sight in the south west, with all
sail set. They were the " Marengo," seventy-four, Eear-
Admiral Linois ; the "Atalante," forty, and " Semillante,"
thirty-six, which steered directly for the road without show-
ing any colours. Captain Lind being on shore, the first
lieutenant, J. E. Phillips, took command of the " Centurion,"
signalled to the Indiamen to provide for their own safety,
cut his cable and prepared for action. One of the Indiamen
ran on shore and was lost in the sui-f, and the other, though
mounting twenty-four twelve-pounders, struck her colours
without firing a shot, and was taken possession of by the
" Semillante." Shortly after ten a.m., all three ships hoisted
French colours, and the "Centurion" opened fire on the
"Atalante." An engagement of an hour followed, the
"Marengo" and one frigate being on the starboard, and the
other frigate on the larboard quarter of the " Centurion." A
battery of three guns on shore, under the command of Col.
Campbell of the 74th Regiment, gave some assistance to the
" Centurion," but the range was too great for its fire to have

* Eleven medals were claimed by the survivors of this action.

NAVAL MEDAL8. 125

much, effect. At eleven o'clock the " Marengo " tacked and
stood out to sea, followed by the frigates, and about the same
time Captain Lind with great difficulty got on board his ship.
The rigging and sails of the " Centurion " were so much cut
to pieces as to make her unmanageable, so Captain Lind
anchored at the back of the surf, about a mile and a half to
the north east of the town, and prepared to resist another
attack. The French ships again stood in, and renewed the
action, the " Marengo " anchoring abreast of the " Centurion "
and the " Atalante " under sail on her quarter. The " Semil-
lante " was employed in taking possession of the Indiaman.
After an action of about two hours, the lower deck guns of
" Centurion " being the only ones that would reach the enemy,
the " Marengo " cut her cable, and with the fi'igates and her
prize, made sail away. The masts, sails, and rigging of the
" Centurion " were much damaged, and she had received
several shot in her hull between wind and water ; but her
loss was only one man mortally, and nine slightly wounded.
For this gallant defence. Captain Lind received the honour of
knighthood, and Lieutenant Phillips was promoted to the
rank of commander.

The " Arrow," and "Acheron," and two French Frigates.
February 3rd, 1805.

On February 3rd, at daylight, near Cape Caxine, the
British sloop " Arrow," twenty-eight. Captain E. B. Vincent,
and the bomb-ship " Acheron," eight. Captain A. Farquhar,
in charge of a convoy of thirty -four merchant vessels from
Malta to England, fell in with the French frigates " Hor-
tense," forty, and "Incorruptible," thirty-eight. Signalling
the convoy to disperse and make all sail to the appointed
rendezvous, the two British ships placed themselves between
their charge and the enemy. Before daylight the next
morning, the frigates commenced an intermittent action with
their opponents, which lasted nearly five hours, when the

126 NAVAL MKDALS.

Britisli ships, their sails and rigging cut to pieces, and their
hulls nauch shattered, hauled down their colours and surren-
dered. The "Arrow," which had received many shot
between wind and water, and four of her guns dismounted,
sank directly after her capture, almost before her surviving
crew had been removed, and the "Acheron" was so much
damaged that her captors set her on fire. The "Arrow,"
out of her complement of one hundred and thirty-two men
and boys, had thirteen men killed, and twenty-seven wounded,
the "Acheron," with a crew of sixty-seven, had three men
killed, and eight wounded. By the noble defence of the
British vessels, thirty-one sail of the convoy escaped capture.
Both the commanders were promoted to post rank, and the
Patriotic Fund presented each with a sword of one hundred
guineas value.

The "San Fiorenza" and "Psyche,"
February 14th, 1805.

On February 13th, the thirty-six gun frigate "San
Fiorenza," Captain H. Lambert, discovered three ships at
anchor near Vizagapatam. These were the " Psj'che," thirty-
two. Captain Bergeret, and two sail, her prizes, which
immediately weighed and made off, pursued by the "San
Fiorenza." After a chase of thirty-six hours, Captain Lambert
came up with one of the ships, which he re-captured. Leaving
a midshipman in charge of the prize, Lambert stood after the
frigate, and her companion, which he found had been the
"Pigeon," but was now the "Equivoque," privateer, often
guns and forty men, commanded by one of Captain Bergeret's
lieutenants. Soon after eight p.m., the "San Fiorenza" got
within gun shot of the French frigate, and a hot action
commenced, the "Equivoque" occasionally taking a part,
which lasted till half-past eleven, p.m., when the " San
Fiorenza" hauled off to repair her rigging. A half an hour
later. Captain Lambert bore up to renew the contest, but just

NAVAL MEDALS. 127

as he was about to re-open fire, a boat came from the
"Psyche" to say that from motives of humanity Captain
Bergeret had surrendered, though he might have continued
the action much longer. On boarding the captured ship the
cause of her striking was evident. Her second Captain, two
lieutenants, and fifty-four men lay dead on her deck, and
seventy officers and men were wounded. The " San Morenza "
had a midshipman and eleven men killed, and her master, two
officers, and thirty-three men wounded. Though nominally,
almost of equal force, the "San Fiorenza " was a larger
vessel than the " Psyche," and the weight of her broadside
almost double that of her opponent.

The "Phoenix," and "Didon,"
August 10th, 1805.

The "Didon," forty-six. Captain Milius, one of the finest
fi'igates in the French Navy, with a picked crew, was cruising
at the beginning of August, in the south western part of the
Bay of Biscay, where on August 10th, she was met by the
"Phoenix," forty-two. Captain T. Baker, who bore down, and
brought her to action. The French frigate lay to, and gave
the "Phoenix" three raking broadsides as she came up to
windward, and engaged her opponent at pistol shot distance.
A desperate conflict raged for some time, during which the
two ships came in contact, and the French made a determined
attempt to board, which was repelled with loss, and the deck
of the "Didon" strewed with killed and wounded by a dis-
charge of grape shot. The ships then separated, and again
engaged broadside to broadside, when the "Phoenix" so cut
up in her rigging, as to be almost unmanageable, ranged
ahead, the "Didon" with her hull shattered and her main
topmast shot away, got beyond gunshot, and each ship began
repairing her damages. The engagement had lasted nearly
three hours, and just as the vessels parted, the foremast of
the "Didon" went overboard. The "Phoenix" having

128 NAVAL MEDALS.

quickly knotted and spliced her rigging, and taking advantage
of a breeze which had sprung up, made sail towards her
adversary, and was about to re-open her fire, when the French
Mgate at about a quarter-past twelve hauled down her colours.
The loss of the "Phoenix," out of her crew of two hundred
and forty-five, was her second lieutenant, and eleven men
killed, and her lieutenant of marines, two midshipmen, and
twenty-five men wounded. The "Didon" with a crew of
three hundred and thirty men, had her second Captain and
twenty-six officers and men kiEed, and forty-four men
wounded. The "Didon" was two hundred tons larger than
the " Phoenix," and in the weight of her broadside, and
number of her crew, much superior to her captor. Captain
Baker with his prize, made for Gibraltar, and narrowly
escaped capture by the Franco-Spanish fleet, on its way to
Cadiz. By a combination of skill and good fortune he avoided
the danger, changed his course to the northward, and on
September 3rd, arrived with both ships in Plymouth Sound.
The "Didon" was added to the British Navy by the same
name.

Battle of Trafalgar, October 21st, 1805.
See ante, page 43.

Sir E. Strachan's Action off Ferrol, November 4th, 1805.
See ante, page 45.

Battle of St. Domingo, February 5th, 1806.
See ante, page 46.

The " London " and " Amazon," with " Marengo " and
"Belle Poule,"* March 13th, 1806.

Eear Admiral Linois in the "Marengo," seventy-four,
with the " Belle Poule," forty, in returning to France from the
East Indies, at half -past three in the morning of March 13th,

* Twenty-eight medals were claimed by the survivors of this action.

NAVAL MEDALS. 129

in latitude N 26°, longitude W. 29° 30', fell in with a British
squadron, under the command of Vice Admiral Sir J. B. Warren,
comprising the " Foudroyant," eighty, flag. Captain J. 0.
White, " London," ninety-eight. Captain Sir H. Neale, and
" Amazon," thirty-eight. Captain W. Parker. At daybreak
the "London" got alongside the "Marengo" and brought
her to close action, and a running fight followed, which
lasted nearly five hours, when the French ship surrendered.
The " Amazon " about seven a.m. engaged the " Belle Poule,"
which frigate hauled down her colours about ten minutes
after the surrender of the "Marengo," the "Foudroyant"
being then fast approaching. The loss of the "London"
was a midshipman and nine men killed, and twenty-one men
wounded ; the " Amazon " had her first lieutenant (Seymour,)
a lieutenant of marines, and two men killed, and her master,
and five men wounded. The " Marengo " had sixty of her
crew killed, and 82 men wounded, among the latter being
Admiral Linois, and his Captain. The " Belle Poule " had
six men killed, and thirty -four wounded.

The "Pique," with the "Ph,^ton" and " Voltigeur."
March 26th, 1806.

On the morning of March 26th, the "Pique," thirty-six,
Captain C. B. Ross, between St. Domingo and Curacoa,
chased two French brigs, the "Phaeton" and "Voltigeur,"
each carrying sixteen guns, and one hundred and fifteen men.
About two p.m. the frigate closed with the brigs, and after
an action of about twenty minutes, the "Phaeton," being
crippled in her rigging, fell on board the "Pique" and was
instantly boarded by Lieutenants Ward and Baker, the
Master (Thomson) and a lieutenant of Marines, with about
twenty-five men, while the frigate stood after the "Voltigeur,"
which was making off under all sail. Immediately the
" Pique " was clear of the "Phaeton," her officers and crew
who had lain concealed under their fallen sails, sprang up

130 NAVAL MEDALS.

and poured such a destructive fire into tlie British boarders,
that the Master and eight men were killed, and all the other
officers, and eleven men wounded, almost destroying the whole
party. The frigate, becoming aware of the state of things,
backed her sails, and sent a boat load of men to board the
"Phpeton," who in a few minutes compelled the Frenchmen
to call for quarter and surrender. The "Pique" then
crowded sail after the " Voltigeur," and coming up with her
she struck without any opposition. The loss of the "Pique "
including one man killed during the chase, was nine men
killed, and fourteen wounded. The loss of the "Phaeton"
was severe, but that of the "Voltigeur" very slight. Both
being new vessels of about three hundred and twenty tons
each, they were added to the British Navy under the names
of the "Mignonne" and "Musette."

The " SiRius," with a French Flotilla.*
April 17th, 1806.

The " Sirius," thirty-six eighteen-pounders, Captain W.
Prowse, while cruising near Civita Vecchia, learnt that a
flotilla of French vessels was on the point of sailing thence
for Naples. Captain Prowse immediately went in quest of
the enemy, and on the afternoon of April 1 7th discovered the
object of his search lying to in compact order near a shoal,
awaiting his attack. The flotilla consisted of the corvette
"Bergere," eighteen - twelve pounders, and a thirty-six
pounder carronade, three brigs, a bomb vessel with two
heavy mortars, a cutter, and three gun ketches, carrying
altogether ninety-seven guns, several of them of heavy calibre.
Soon after sunset, the "Sirius" got within gun shot of the
enemy, about two leagues from the north of the Tiber, and at
seven p.m. opened her fire. An action at j)istol shot distance
continued for two hours, when the Commodore's vship
" Bergere " hailed to say she had surrendered. The "Sirius"

* Twelve medals were issued to the survivors of this acticn.

NAVAL MEDALS. 131

being crippled in lier rigging, tlie smoothness of the water
enabling the enemy to use their heavy guns with great effect,
was prevented from j)ursuing the flotilla, some of the vessels
of which were much damaged and had ceased firing. The
"Sirius" had a master's mate and eight men killed, and
three ofiicers and seventeen men wounded. For this action,
a vase of the value of one hundred guineas was presented to
Captain Prowse by the Patriotic Fund.

The " Blanche " and " Gueeriere,"
July 19th, 1806.

The British Admiralty having been informed of the great
havoc made among the Greenland whale ships by three
French frigates, ordered three frigates to cruise off the
Shetland Islands in search of them, under the command of
Captain T. Lavie, in the thirty-eight gun frigate " Blanche."
This ship arrived at the rendezvous on July 13th, and
Captain Lavie hearing that a French ship had been seen off
the Faro Islands, proceeded thither. On the 1 8th he discovered
the " Guerriere," forty, standing towards him, but finding
the " Blanche " was not one of her consorts, she bore up, and
made all sail away. Captain Lavie gave chase, and coming
up with the enemy shortly after midnight, gave her two broad-
sides before she returned a shot. After an action which lasted
about three quarters of an hour, the " Guerriere " having lost
her mizzen-topmast, and much damaged in her hull, hauled
down her colours.* Her loss was twenty men killed, and

* Just before the action commenced, Captain Lavie summoned his
crew to the break of the quarter deck, and thus addressed them —
" My lads, there is a French frigate before you, I give you half an
hour to take her. Now go to your quarters, and remember not a shot
IS to be thrown away." This laconic address was received with three
cheers. While preparing to remove the prisoners, the " Blanche "
drifted a little to the leeward, and one of the lieutenants of the
" Guerriere " thinking a chance presented itself of re-taking the ship
and escapmg, there being not more than thirty of the " Blanche's "
crew on board the prize, suddenly knocked down the Englishman at
the wheel, and seizing it himself, shouted to his men to come forward

132 NAVAL MEDALS.

thirty wounded. The "Blanche" did not lose a man, and
had but a lieutenant, and three men wounded. In this running
fight, the hull of the British frigate was not struck by a single
round shot, and the trifling damage she sustained, may be
attributed to the fact that many of the crew of the " Guerriere "
were sick with the scurvy, and unable to leave their cots.
Captain Lavie received the honour of knighthood, and his
prize was added to the British Navy.

The "Arethusa," "Anson," and "Pomona,"
August 23rd, 1806.

On the morning of August 23rd, the "Arethusa" thirty-
eight. Captain 0. Brisbane, and " Anson," forty-four. Captain
C. Lydiard, while cruising off Havanna, discovered the Span-
ish frigate " Pomona " thirty-four, endeavouring to enter the
harbour. Driven to the leeward by the current, and seeing the
frigates coming up, the " Pomona " anchored within pistol shot
of a castle mounting eleven thirty -two pounders, where she was
presently joined by twelve gunboats from Havanna, each
carrying a long twenty-four pounder, which formed in line
ahead of her. At ten a.m. the British fi-igates anchored, the
"Anson" abreast of the line of gun-boats, and the "Are-
thusa " with but one foot of water under her keel, close
alongside the "Pomona." Aiter a hot engagement of little
more than half an hour, the " Pomona " struck her colours,
three of the gun-boats were blown up, six sunk, and the
others driven ashore. The castle continued the action a little
longer, firing red hot shot, which set the " Arethusa " on fire,
but the flames were speedily extinguished, and a tremendous
explosion occurring in the castle, its fire ceased, and the

and assist him in clearing the deck of their enemies. The presence of
mind. of Lieutenant Davies of the "Blanche," defeated this attempt
almost before the shout of the French officer had died away. Grasp-
ing him by the collar, Davies lifted the unfortunate Frenchman up by
main strength, and dashed him headforemost down the after hatchway,
and then drawing his sword, put to flight two or three of his men who
had responded to the call of their officer.

NAVAL MEDALS. 133

" Pomona " was "brought out, and taken to Port Royal. Her
captain, and twenty men were killed, and two officers and
thirty men wounded. She had on hoard a considerable
quantity of plate and merchandise, which was shared among
her captors. Her name being changed to the " Cuba," she
was added to the British Navy. In this spirited affair, the
" Arethusa" had two men killed, and her gallant captain,
two officers, and twenty -nine men wounded. The " Anson "
had not a man hurt. Swords of the value of one hundred
guineas each, were voted to Captains Brisbane and Lydiard,
by the Patriotic Fund.

Capture of Cukacoa. January 1st, 1807.
See a?ite, page 47.

The "Pickle" and "La Favorite."
January 3i'd, 1807.

The " Pickle," schooner, ten guns. Lieutenant D. Callaway,
on January 3rd, cruising near the Lizard, saw a cutter steering
to the westward, under a press of sail, and a brig in chase of
her. The "Pickle" joined in the chase, and about ten a.m.
came up with the cutter. After exchanging a few broadsides,
Lieutenant CaUaway ran alongside, boarded, and in a few
minutes was in possession of the French cutter privateer
"La Favorite," fourteen guns, with a crew of seventy men,
one of whom was killed, and two wounded. The "Pickle"
had none kiUed, and but three men wounded.

The "Hydra" at Begtjr.
August 6th, 1807.

On the evening of August 6th, the "Hydra" thirty-eight,
Captain Gr. Mundy, chased into the harbour of Begur, on the
Coast of Catalonia, a polacca ship, and two brigs. On the

134 NAVAL MEDALS.

following morning the vessels were seen lying under a tower
and battery on a cliff, and Captain Mundy resolved to cut
them out. Just before one p.m., the "Hydra" anchored
with springs on her cables, at the entrance of the harbour,
and opened fire on the battery, which was returned. After
an hour's cannonading the fire of the enemy slackened, and
Captain Mundy ordered part of his boats, with fifty seamen
and marines commanded by Lieutenant Drury, with Lieu-
tenant Hayes of the marines, to land and drive the enemy
from the battery. Under a heavy fire of grape and musketry,
the British scaled the cliff, and attacked the fort, the
defenders of which spiked the guns, and rushed out at one
side as the assailants entered on the other. The "Hydra"
then directed her fire solely at the ships, and Lieutenant
Drury, leaving Lieutenant Hayes with most of the marines
in charge of the fort and heights, with the seamen, cleared
the town, and seizing some boats on the beach, boarded the
vessels. By four p.m. the captured ships were warped out of
the harbour, against a fresh breeze, under a galling fire of
musketry, and the marines were re-embarked. The prizes
were the "Eugene," sixteen guns, and the brigs "Caroline,"
twelve guns, and "Rosario," four. One seaman was killed,
and two wounded, on board the " Hydra," and four men of
the landing party were wounded.

The "Comus," and " Fuederickscoaen."
August 15th, 1807.

A Danish frigate having put to sea from Elsineur, on the
night of August 12th, Admiral J. Gambler dispatched the
" Defence," seventy-four. Captain C. Ekins, and the "Comus,"
twenty-two, Captain E. Heywood, in quest of her. On the
14th, the "Comus" having been ordered to make sail ahead,
discovered the enemy, and about midnight got within hail of
the frigate " Frederickscoarn," thirty-two guns, which refused

XAVAL MEDALS. 135

to heave ti). A warm action commenced and continued for
forty -five minutes, when the Danish ship, from the disabled
state of lier riggiug, fell on board the " Comus." The
moment the sliips touched, a party from the "Comus " headed
by Lieutenants Watt and Knight, boarded the " Frederick -
scoarn, and after a short resistance, carried her. Her loss
was twelve men killed, and twenty wounded. The " Comus,"
received but little damage, and had but one man wounded.

The "Louisa"' amd Piiivateek,
October 2 8th, 1807.

While cruising in the Channel, the tender " Louisa," four
thi-ee pounders, Lieutenant J. Hoy, with a crew of eighteen
men, was attacked by a French privateer, mounting fourteen
guns. After a sharp action, the privateer sheered off, and
made sail away, the "Louisa" being too much damaged in
her rigging to pursue. For this gallant defence. Lieutenant
Hoy was promoted to the ranlc of Commander in November
following.

The "Carrier" axd " L'Actif,"
November 14th, 1807.

On the afternoon of November 14th, the cutter " Carrier,"
four guns, acting Lieutenant W. Milne, discovered a strange sail
in the North Sea, about ten leagues from Cromer. At four
p.m. the " Carrier " got nearly alongside the stranger, which
hoisted French colours, and an action commenced, which
lasted for three quarters of an hour, when the enemy caUed
for quarter and surrendered. The prize was the privateer
cutter " L'Actif," pierced for eight guns, but had only two
mounted when taken. Of her crew of thirty -two, four were
wounded. The " Carrier " had not a man hurt of her crew
of sixteen.

136 naval medals.

The "Anne" with Spanish Gun- boats,
November •24th, 1807.

The Britisli hired brig " Aune," ten twelve-pounder
carronades, Lieutenant J. MacKenzie, with the Spanish lugger
privateer " Vansigo," her prize, in company, with nine of the
"Anne's" men on board; on November 24th, near the
island of Tarifa, was chasod by ten SiDanish gun-boats.
Lieutenant MacKenzie, finding it impossible to escape, owing
to the calm state of the weather, shortened sail, and prepared
to resist the impending attack. About half-past ten a.m. all
the gun-boats had come up and opened a heavy fire on the
two ships. Soon afterwards, the "Vansigo," having hailed
to say that three of her prize crew were killed, surrendered
to the enemy. By eleven o'clock the " Anne " had dismasted
one of the gun-boats, and compelled two others to strike, but
having already forty-two prisoners on board, with but
twenty-nine men to guard them, Lieutenant MacKenzie did
not attempt to take possession of his prizes. The action
lasted till about one p.m. when the Spaniards gave up the
contest, and made ofp, taking the "Vansigo" with them.
Considering that this engagement was sustained by the
"Anne " for a great part of the time within pistol shot of
the enemy, it is surprising to find that she had not a man
injured.

The " Sappho " and " Admieal Yawl,"
March 2nd, 1808.

The eighteen-gun brig "Sappho," Commander Gr. Langford,
being off Scarborough, fell in with, and chased the Danish
brig " Admiral Yawl," twenty-eight guns, twelve being
eighteen pounders. On coming uj), the Dane fired a broad-
side at the "Sappho," who brought her opponent to close
action, which lasted thirty minutes, when the ' ' Admiral
Yawl " struck her colours. Her loss, out of her complement
of eighty-three men, was her second officer, and one man
killed. The " Sappho " had two men wounded.

NAVATi MEDALS. 137

The "San FioiiEJVzA," and " Piemontaise."
March 8th, 1808.

On the 4th of March, the " San Fiorenza," thirty-six guns,
Captain G. N. Hardinge, on her passage from Ceylon to
Bombay, discovered the Trench frigate " Piemontaise,"
forty guns, in chase of three East Indiamen. The " San
Piorenza," immediately made all sail towards the strange
frigate, who changed her course and stood away. At twenty
minutes to twelve p.m. the "San Fiorenza " got within gun-
shot of her enemy, and after an action of ten minutes, the
" Piemontaise " made off under all sail. Captain Hardinge
resumed the chase, and by twenty minutes past six the next
morning, being less than half a mile off his opponent, both
ships wore, the " Piemontaise " hoisted her colours, and
the action re-commenced. At a quarter past eight, the enemy
ceased firing, and made sail away befoi'e the wind, the " San
Piorenza," having her main-royal mast, and foretopsail yard
shot away, and her rigging and sails cut to pieces, being
disabled from immediate pursuit. While the British frigate
was repairing her damages, the "Piemontaise " crowded sail
to the eastward, and at daylight on March 8th, was about
four leagues distant. At 9 a.m. the " San Fiorenza" having
re-fitted, made sail after her enemy, and the "Piemontaise"
finding a renewal of the action unavoidable, tacked, and at
4 p.m. the two fi-igates, at a distance of about eighty yards,
re-opened their fii-e. At the second broadside from the
"Piemontaise," Captain Hardinge fell, and Lieutenant W.
Dawson took command of the " San Fiorenza." After a
severe and close action of an hour and a half, her masts and
bowsprit badly wounded, the French frigate struck her
colours. Of her diminished crew of one hundred and eighty-
six men and boys, in the three days' actions, the " San
Fiorenza " had her Captain and twelve men killed, and
twenty -five men wounded, but few of them dangerously. The
"Piemontaise," besides her regular crew of three hundred

138 NAVAL MEDALS.

and sixty-six Frenchmen, had on board two hundi'ed Lascars,
taken out of captured Indiamen, and of these, forty-eight
officers and men were killed, and one hundred and twelve
wounded. The next morning, the three masts of the
" Piemontaise " fell over her side, but she was taken in tow
by her captor, and on March 13th, the two frigates anchored
in the road of Colombo, Cejdon. The "Piemontaise " was
added to the British Navy, and Lieutenant Dawson, promoted
to the rank of Post-Captain, afterwards commanded her. A
monument was erected by Government in St. Paul's Cathedral,
to the memory of the gallant Captain Hardinge.

The "Emer.ild" at Vivero.
March 13th, 1808.

Captain- T. L. Maitland in the "Emerald," thirty-six gun
frigate, cruising off Vivero, on the Coast of Spain, March 1 3th,
saw a large French schooner lying in the harbour, and stood
in to capture or destroy her. At half past five jD.m., a fort on
the right opened fire on the frigate, and presently, as soon
as the ship was within range, another fort a mile further in,
on the left, commenced firing. Captain Maitland despatched
a party of men in his boats, under his first Lieutenant
Bertram, with Lieutenants Meech, and Husband of the
marines, to storm the outer fort, while the "Emerald" stood
in as close as the depth of water permitted, and engaged the
inner one.

Lieutenant Bertram captured the fort on the right hand,
and spiked the guns, and then j)roceeded to take the schooner.
In the meanwhile, another party under Lieutenant Smith,
advanced against the inner fort, defeating a body of Spaniards
who opposed him on landing, but owing to the darkness of
the night, and the fort being silenced by the frigate, he missed
his way to it, and returned. After a skirmish with the crew
of the schooner, the " Atropos," of eight guns, fi-om the Isle
of France, with dispatches ; the British attempted to get her

NAVAL MEDALS. 139

afloat, she having run on shore during high water. Finding
all his efforts useless, under a galling fire of musketry,
from the enemy posted among the rocks. Lieutenant Bertram
set the vessel on fire and destroyed her, and returned to his
ship. The loss of the " Emerald " in this affair was rather
heavy. Nine seamen and marines were killed, and Lieut-
enant Bertram, two lieutenants of marines, twelve men
wounded. For his gallant conduct. Lieutenant Bertram was
promoted to the rank of Commander.

The "Childees" and "Lougen,"
March 14th, 1808.

On March 14th, the " Childers," fourteen twelve-pounder
carronades, Captain W. H. Dillon, with a crew of sixty-five
men and boys, cruising off the coast of Norway, chased a
vessel in shore, and sending in two boats, after a trifling
opposition, boarded, and brought her out. The prize was a
Danish galliot laden with oil and fish. Before the " Childers"
had hoisted in her boats, a large brig was seen bearing down
towards her, with the apparent intention of re-taking the
prize. On the approach of the stranger, the Danish brig
"Lougen," twenty guns, of which eighteen were long eighteen
pounders ; the " Childers " fired a shot over her, when she
hauled up, and stood in for the shore. The " Childers "
pursued, and the two ships about six p.m. exchanged broad-
sides at half gun shot distance. An action which lasted
three hours followed, the " Lougen " keej)ing so near
the shore that she could not be seen by Captain Dillon, who
could only direct his fire, by the flashes of the guns of his
enemy. Finding himself considerably damaged by the heavy
metal of the Dane, Captain Dillon stood out to sea, in hope
of getting his opponent to follow him, and bringing her to
closer action. The "Lougen" presently followed, and at.
eleven p.m. was three miles from the land. The " Childers "
tacked, and endeavoured to weather her adversary, but being

l40 NAVAL MEDALS.

unable to do so, passed close under her lee, and gave her a
broadside of round shot and grape, receiving in return several
shot between wind and water. The " Lougen " then made sail
for the shore, and the " Childers," her masts badly wounded,
her rigging cut, and five feet of water in her hold, was unable
to renew the action. After lying to all night to repair her
damages, and barely able to keep afloat, the " Childers "
with her prize, made sail for Leith. Her loss was the
captain's clerk, and one man killed, her commander, two
midshipmen, and six men wounded. Captain Dillon and his
crew received the approbation of the Admiralty, and he was
promoted to post rank. A sword of the value of one hundred
guineas, also was presented to him by the Patriotic Fund.

The "Stately," "Nassau" and "Christian Frederic,"
March 22nd, 1808.

The sixty -four gun ships " Stately," Captain G. Parkei-,
and " Nassau," Captain R. Campbell, cruising on the coast
of Jutland, near the Great Belt, on March 22nd, chased a
strange sail, which proved to be the Danish ship of the line,
" Prince Christian Frederic," seventy-four. At twent}^ min-
iites to eight p.m. the " Nassau " got near enough to open
fire on the Dane, and shortly afterwards the " Stately " came
up, and joined in the action. A running fight was maintained
until half -past nine p.m. when the " Prince Christian Frederic "
being less than five hundred yards from the shore, struck her
colours. The prize had scarcely been taken possession of,
when she ran aground, and her captors were unable to get
her afloat. The prisoners were removed, and the next day,
as the Danes were bringing artillery to the coast, and the
wind blowing strong on the shore, the "Prince Chi-istian
Frederic " was set on fire and destroyed. In this affair the
loss of the " Stately" was four men killed, and two officers
and twenty-six men wounded. The " Nassau " had two men

NAVAL MEDALS. 141

killed, and sixteen men wounded. The " Prince Christian
Frederic " out of a crew of five hundred and seventy-six, had
fifty-five men killed, and eighty-eight wounded.

The "Alceste," "Mercury," and "Grasshopper," with
Gun-boats, April 4th, 1808.

On April 4th, as the " Alceste," thirty-eight. Captain
Murray Maxwell, " Mercury," twenty-eight. Captain J. A.
Gordon, and eighteen-gun brig " Grasshopper," Commander
T. Searle, were lying at anchor near Cadiz, a convoy was
discovered coming close along shore from the northward,
protected by twenty gun-boats, and a train of flying artillery
on the beach. At three p.m. the British squadron weighed
and stood towards the convoy, at four o'clock the enemy's
shot and shell from their gun-boats and batteries going far
over them, the ships opened their fire. The brig drawing
less water than the frigates, engaged the batteries at Rota,
and drove the Spaniards from their guns by discharges of
grape shot, and at the same time kept a division of gun-boats
in check, that had come out of Cadiz to assist the others that
were engaging the " Alceste " and " Mercury." The first
lieutenant of the "Alceste," Allan Stewart, volunteered to
board the convoy with the boats of his own ship, and those
of the " Mercury," and in spite of the fii-e from the batteries
and gun-boats, and barges of the enemy's* ships from Cadiz,
brought out seven tartans from under the muzzles of their
guns. Two of the gun -boats were destroyed, and others
driven on shore. This spirited service was performed at the
entrance of Cadiz, and in sight of eleven French and Spanish
sail of the line, lying ready for sea. The loss of the British
was one man mortally, and two men slightly wounded on
board the " Grasshopper." No casualties on board the
frigates, or in the boats. The brig received several shots in
her hull, and her masts and rigging were much damaged.

142 NAVAL MEDALS.

The " GrRASSHOPPER " and " Eapid,"
April 24th, 1808.

The eigliteen-gun brig " Grasshopper," Commander T.
Searle, and the fourteen-gun brig " Rapid," Lieutenant H.
Baugh, cruising off Faro, on the coast of Portugal, on April
24th, chased two Spanish vessels, and four gun-boats, which
anchored under a battery, close in with Faro, among the
shoals. The brig also anchored within grape shot range,
and after a severe action of two hours and a half, drove the
Spaniards from their guns, and compelled two of the gun-
boats to strike. The other two were driven on shore and
destroyed. The two vessels, which were from South America,
with cargoes valued at £30,000 each, were taken possession
of, and brought out. The "Grasshopper" had one man
killed, and her captain, and three men wounded ; the " Rapid "
had three men wounded. The enemy had forty men killed
and wounded, on board the two gun-boats captured. Both
the British vessels were much damaged in their hulls, masts,
and rigging.

The "Redwing" and Spanish Gun-boats.
May 7th, 1808.

On May 7th, the " Redwing," eighteen-gun brig. Com-
mander T. Ussher, about six miles from Cape Trafalgar, fell
in with a convo}' of twelve merchant vessels, protected by
seven Sjianish gun-boats. About seven a.m. the " Redwing "
got within point blank shot of the enemy, when the gun- boats,
which mounted among them seven long twenty-four-pounders,
one long thirty-six-pounder, besides other smaller guns,
lowered their sails, formed in close line, and swept towards
the brig, with the intention to board. As soon as they
arrived within musket shot, the "Redwing" opened upon
them such a well-directed and destructive fire, that by nine
a.m. the gun-boats, completely beaten, ran ashore among the
surf, sacrificing all their wounded. Captain Ussher lowered

NAVAL MEDALS. 143

his boats in the hope of saving some of these, hut was
unahle to rescue a single Spaniard. Two only of the armed
vessels remaining afloat, the merchant ships attempted to
disperse and escape, but four were sunk by the " Redwing,"
seven, with a four-gun mistico, were cajitured, and one with a
gun-boat and a felucca, got away, the brig being too much
damaged in her rigging to pursue them. Out of her comple-
ment of ninety-eight men and boys, the " Redwing " had one
man killed, and her master and two men wounded. The loss
of the enemy, whose number almost trebled the crew of the
brig, must have been very considerable.* This was the last
action between British and Spanish ships.

The " Virginie " and " Guelderland."!
May 19th, 1808.

The thirty-eight-gun frigate " Virginie," Captain E. Brace,
on May 19th, cruising in latitude 46° North, longitude 14°
West, saw and chased a strange sail, which proved to be the
Dutch frigate " Guelderland," thirty-six guns. At a quarter
to ten p.m. the " Virginie " got near enough to hail the
stranger and order her to strike, which she refused to do, and
was fii'ed into by the British frigate. An action commenced,
during which, in wearing, the " Guelderland " fell on board
her opponent, but the night was so dark, and the swell so
great, that the British were unable to board. x'Vbout eleven
p.m., the "Guelderland," having all her masts and bowsprit

*The Spaniards afterwards owned to a loss of two hundred and forty
men killed, wounded, and prisoners. As the gun-hoats advanced to the
attack, Commander Ussher ordered each of the guns of the " Kedwing "
(thirty-two-pounder carronades) to be loaded with a round shot, a
charge of grape and cannister. and live hundred musket balls in a bag,
and directed his best marksmen to aim at the vessel bearing the broad
pendant of the Spanish Commodore. At pistol-shot distance, the
broadside of the •' Redwing " was discharged like a single gun, and,
.striking the unfortunate Spaniard at the water-line, cut her open fore
and aft ; and giving two or three heavy rolls, she turned over and sank
with all on board.

t Twenty-one Medals were issued to the survivors of this action.

144 NAVAL MEDALS.

shot away, surrendered, with, twenty-five officers and men
killed, and her captain and forty-nine men wounded. The,
" Virginie " had one man kiUed and two wounded, and her
chief damage was caused by her prize running foul of her
during the action.

The " Eebwing " at Tarifa.
May 31st, 1808.

On May 31st, the eighteen-gun brig, "Redwing," Com-
mander T. Ussher, chased a mistico and two feluccas, into the
Bay of Bolonia, near Cape Trafalgar, which took shelter
under a battery of six long twenty-four-jDounders. Com-
mander Ussher anchored within point blank shot of the
battery, and soon made the Spaniards desert their guns, and
sending in a party under Lieutenant Ferguson, that officer,
under a heavy fire of musketry, destroyed the mistico, and
brought out the feluccas. Commander Ussher then landed,
and with Lieutenant Ferguson, and forty men armed with
pikes, stormed the battery, spiked the guns, and blew up the
magazine. In this dashing affair, the loss of the "Eedwing "
was a master's mate Icillod, and an officer, three men and a
boy wounded. For this, and several other gallant actions,
Commander Ussher was advanced to post rank.

The "Seahorse" and " Badere Zaffer," July 6th, 1808.
See ante, page 48.

The "Comet" and " Sylphe."
August 11th, 1808.

The eighteen-gun sloop " Comet," Commander C. F Daly,
cruising in latitude 45° 58' north, longitude 5° 4' west, on
August 11th, fell in with a small French squadron of thi-ee
sail ; the ship-corvette " Diligente " eighteen, and the sixteen
gun brig-corvettes " Espiegle " and "Sylphe," bound fi'om

NAVAL MEDALS. 146

L' Orient to Martinique. On the apj)roach of tlie "Comet,"
the French ships tacked, and made all sail to the north east,
and the "Diligente," out sailing the two brigs, separated
fi'om them, and stood to the southward. Captain Daly
followed the hrigs, and at twenty minutes past five, p.m., got
within pistol shot of the " S\^lphe," engaged her as close as he
could lay, and in twenty minutes, being disabled, she struck her
colours. Out of her crew of ninety-eight men and boys, she
had a midshipman and five men killed, and two midshipmen
and three men -wounded. The " Comet " had not a man hurt,
but her main mast and rigging were much damaged. The
"Sylphe," a fine brig of three hundred and forty tons, was
added to the British Navy by the name of " Seagull." For
this action Commander Daly was promoted to post rank. The
other brig escaped, and with the " Diligente " proceeded on
her course. A few days after, they met with the British
frigate " Sybille " thirty-eight. Captain C. Upton. The
" Diligente," by her superior sailing again escaped, but the
"Espiegle" was captured, and. by the name of "Electra,"
was added to the British Navy.

The "Centaur," "Implacable," and " Sewolod."*
August 26th, 1808.

By the Treaty of Tilsit, Russia becoming leagued with
France, and at war with England, and Sweden her ally ; at
the end of May, 1808, a British fleet under Vice- Admiral Sir
J. Saumarez, with Rear -Admiral Sir S. Hood as second in
command, was sent into the Baltic. A Swedish fleet was at
sea, but in bad condition, and Sir J. Saumarez detached the
"Centaur" seventy-four, Rear-Admiral Sir S. Hood, Captain
W. H. Webley ; and the " Implacable," seventy -four.
Captain T. B. Martin, to act in company with it. On August
23rd, the Russian fleet of nine sail of the line, three ships of

* Forty-seven Medals were given to the survivors of this action,
in 1849.

146 NAVAL MEDALS.

fifty guns each, and frigates and smaller vessels making in all
twenty -four sail, came in siglit of the Swedish fleet of ten
sail of the line, and the two British ships, off Carlscrona, hut
declined an engagement and retreated. The Swedes and
British pursued, and the latter far outsailing their compan-
ions, the "Implacable" on the morning of August 26th,
came up with the Russian seventy-four gun ship " Sewolod,"
which after a sharp action of half an hour, ceased firing and
hauled down her flag. Before Captain Martin could take
possession of his prize, the whole Russian fleet bore up to
save her, and Sir S. Hood making the signal of recall, the
"Implacable" made sail, and rejoined the "Centaur." A
Russian frigate took the " Sewolod " in tow, but the
" Implacable " having repaired the damages of her rigging,
with the " Centaur," renewed the chase, compelled the frigate
to cast olf the seventy-four, and the Russian fleet again to
bear up in support of their crippled companion. Not being
desirous of a general action, taking advantage of a change of
wind, the Russian Admiral stood into the harbour of Rogers-
wick, at the entrance of which, the "Sewolod" grounded on
a shoal, about noon. The wind moderating in the evening,
she got afloat, and the Russian Admiral sent a division of
boats to tow her into port. The "Sewolod" was just
entering the harbour, when Sir S. Hood laid her on board,
and lashed her bowsprit to the mizzen rigging of the
" Centaur," under a heavy fire of musketry. Tlie bow of the
enemy grazed the muzzles of the " Centaur's " guns, which at
at the same moment were discharged, and the raking broad-
side tore her to pieces. The Russians made several attempts
to board, but were repelled by the fire of the marines, and
the stern chase guns of the " Centaur," and after a hot action
of half an hour, the "Sewolod" again struck her colours.
While the ships were engaged, the enemy had let go an
anchor unknown to the British, who were unable to tow her
off, and eventually both ships grounded. Tlie "Implacable"
coming up, dropj)ed her anchor outside the two ships, and

NAVAL MEDALS. 14?

hove the "Centaur" off, just as two Russian ships were
standing out to take advantage of her situation ; but seeing the
"Centaur" afloat, they returned to their anchorage. The
prize being fast on shore, and half full of water, after the
prisoners were removed, was set on fire and destroyed. In
this spirited action, the loss of the " Centaur" was three men
killed, and twenty-seven wounded, in the "Implacable," six
men were killed, and twenty-six men wounded. The loss of
the "Sewolod," who after the action with the "Implacable,"
had received a re-inforcement of one hundred men fi'om the
Russian fleet, was altogether over three hundred men in
killed and wounded.

The " CiinsER," with a "Flotilla,"
November, 1st, 1808.

The eighteen-guu brig " Cruiser," Lieutenant T. Wells, on
November 1st, being off Grottenburg, met with a Danish
flotilla of about twenty armed cutters, gun boats, luggers,
and row boats. After a smart engagement Lieutenant Wells
captured a schuyt, mounting ten four pounders, with a crew
of thirty-two men, and compelled the other vessels to run for
shelter under a battery on the Island of Loesoe. For this
action Lieutenant Wells was promoted to the rank of
Commander.

The "Amethyst" and "Thetis," 1808.
See ante, page oO.

The "Circe," "Amauaxthe," and others off the
Pearl Eock, December 13th, 1808.

Captain F. A. CoUier in the " Circe," thirty-two gun
frigate, in command of a squadron of sloops and small vessels,
off the town of St. Pierre, and the Pearl Rock, on Decenber
12th discovered the French sixteen-gun brig " Cigne," and

148 NAVAL MEDALS.

two armed schooners, laden with stores for Martinique, at
anchor near the Rock. Captain Collier seeing one of the
schooners making for St. Pierre, with the eighteen-gun sloop
"Stork," Commander Q-. Le Geyt, the brigs " Epei*vier,''
sixteen, Commander T. Tucker, " Morne Fortunee," Lieut-
enant J. Brown, and the schooner "Express," Lieutenant
W. Dowers stood in-shore to cut her off. Finding it
impossible to escape, the schooner ran ashore and was bilged
under a four-gun battery, flanked by two smaller ones, and
supported by a body of troops on the shi.re. The " Circe "
" Stork," and the brig " Moi-ne Fortunee," anchored within
pistol shot of the batteries, soon silenced them, and drove the
troops from the beach. Ordering the " Morne Fortunee " to
watch the schooner ashore, till the " Epervier " came up, when
the brigs were to destroy her, Captain Collier with the
"Circe" "Stork" and "Express," made sail towards
the " eigne " and the other schooner. These vessels were
lying close to the rocks, protected by four batteries, and a
large number of troops with field pieces on the shore. The
boats of the " Circe " and " Stork " were manned, under the
command of Lieutenant Crooke, with orders to board the
enemy's ships as soon as their fire should be subdued. The
" Circe " and her companions then opened a close and well-
directed fire on the " Cigne," the batteries, and the troops on
the beach. Lieutenant Crooke, not waiting for the boats of
" Stork " to join, pushed on with the barge and cutters of
the " Circe " and endeavoured to board the brig, which had
her boarding nettings triced up, and was thoroughl}^ pre-
pared to receive him. In a few minutes the boats were
defeated with dreadful slaughter, one being sunk, one cap-
tured, and the other totally disabled. The " Circe " and
" Stork " stood off for the night, and were joined by the eight-
teen-gun brig " Amaranthe,'" Commander E. P. Brenton.
At daylight the next morning the " Cigne " got under weigh,
and endeavoured to reach St. Pierre. Commander Brenton
volunteering to capture her, the "Amaranthe " was taken in tow

NAVAL MEDALS. 149

by the boats of the " Circe " and "Stork," and after great
exertions, under a heavy fire from the batteries, the French
brig was driven on shore, and it being found impossible to
get her off, she was destroyed. The other schooner being
also on shore was set on fire and burnt by the boats of the
" Amaranthe " and "Express." The loss of the British was
heavy. The "Circe" had nine men killed, twenty-one
wounded, and twenty-six men missing, being taken prisoners
or drowned. The " Amaranthe" had one man killed and six
wounded, the " Express," one man killed, and three wounded,
and the "Stork" one man killed, and two wounded; total,
twelve men killed, thirty-one men wounded, and twenty-six
men missing.

The " Onyx " and " Manly,"

January 1st, 1809.

On New Year's day the ten-gun brig " Onyx," Commander
C. Grill, with a crew of seventy -five men and boys, cruising in
the North Sea, came in sight of the sixteen-gun brig " Manly,"
(a British brig which had been captured by the Dutch, ) and
gave chase. The " Manly " hoisted her colours, and hove to,
prepared for the attack. At eight a.m., the " Onyx " bi'ought
her antagonist to close action, which made several ineffectual
attempts to rake the " Onyx." After an engagement of two
hours and a half, disabled in her sails and rigging, and
having several of her guns dismounted, the " Manty " struck
her colours. The prize had five men killed, and six wounded ;
the casualties of the " Onyx " were three of her crew wounded.
For this occurrence. Commander Gill was promoted to post
rank, and the " Manly " resumed her station in the British
Navy.

The " CoNFiANCE " and Capture of Cayenne,

January 14th, 1809.

A small expedition, consisting of the British twenty-gun
sloop " Confiance," Captain J. L. Yeo, two Portuguese brigs,

150 NAVAI. MEDALS.

and some smaller vessels, having on board five hundred
Portuguese troops, by permission of Eear Admiral Sir Sidney-
Smith, Commander-in-Chief on that station ; set sail for
Brazil, and took possession of the district of Oyapok, in
French Guiana. This success determined Captain Yeo, and
the Commander of the Portuguese, to attempt the capture of
Cayenne, the capital of the Colony. Captain Yeo with eighty
seamen and marines of the " Confiance " and the Portuguese,
carried three forts by storm, and routed the French General,
Victor Hugues, and his troops. An armistice followed, and
on January 14th, the enemy's troops laid down their arms,
and the British and Portuguese took possession of Cayenne.*
In these operations, the British had Lieutenant Read of the
Marines, killed, and twenty-three men wounded. The Prince
Hegent of Portugal gave a medal in silver and bronze, to his
ofiicers and troops engaged in this service.

Capture of Martinique,

February 1st, to February 24th, 1809.

On January 30th, an expedition, under the command of
Pear Admiral the Honourable Alex. Cochrane ; consisting of
the " Nej)tune," ninety-eight, Eear Admiral Cochrane,
Captain C. Dilkes ; " Pompee," seventy- four. Commodore G.
Cockburn, Captain E. P. Brenton ; "York," seventy-four,
E. Barton ; " Belleisle," seventy-four, C. Fahie ; " Captain,"
seventy-four, J. Wood ; "Intrepid," sixty-four, C. Nesham ; the
frigates, " Acasta," P. Beaver ; " Penelope," J. Dick ; " Eth-
aHon," T. Cochrane ; " ^olus," Lord W. Fitzroy ; " Circe," F.
ColHer; "Ulysses," E. Woolcombe ; "Cleopatra," S. Pechell ;
" Gloire," J. Carthew ; " Eurydice," J. Bradshaw ; sloops and

* On January 13th, as the " Confiance " was lying at anchor, with
her captain and three fourths of her crew on shore, the French forty
gun frigate " Topaze," appeared in the offing, with supplies for
Cayenne. The captain's brother, Mr. G. Yeo, a mere lad, and another
midshipman, with twenty-five English seamen, and twenty negroes,
managed by the bold front they presented, to scare away the hostile
frigate, which stood off to sea, and reported that Cayenne " was
blockaded by a superior force."

NAVAL MEDALS. 151

smaller vessels ; " Cherub," T. Tucker ; "Fawn," Honourable
G. Crofton ; " Goree," E. Spear ; " Pelorus," T. Huskissou
" Star," W. Paterson ; " Stork," G. Le Geyt ; " Amaranthe,'
E. Brenton ; " Demerara," E. Dowers ; " Eclair," G. Evelyn
"Forester," J. Eichards ; " Frolic," T. Whinyates
"Liberty," J. Coode ; " Pultusk," G. Pringie ; " Eecruit,'
C. Napier ; " Wolverine," J. Simpson ; " Snap," J. Stewart
" Express," W. Malone ; " Haughty," J. Mitchell
"Swinger," T. Bligh ; " Mosambique," W. Atkins ; "Port
d'Esj)agne," D. Kennedy; "Surinam," J. Lake; " Eing-
dove," G. Andrews ; " Bellette," G. Saunders ; " Bacchus,"
C. Jeremy ; " Subtle," C. Brown ; " Superieure," W. Ferrie ;
" Hazard," J. Cameron ; and having on board about ten
thousand troops, commanded by Lieutenant General Beckwith,
arrived off the Island of Martinique. The troops landed
without opposition, and in two actions on February 1st and
2nd, defeated the French, though strongly posted ; who
abandoned their advanced posts, and retired into Fort Desaix.
The fort was invested by the British, who erected batteries,
and bombarded the place fi'om February 1 9th to February
23rd, when the French sent a letter proposing terms. These
being rejected, the bombardment re-commenced and continued
till nine a.m. the next morning, when the fort surrendered,
and the Colony of Martinique was in the possession of the
British. The loss of the seamen, who were employed in
dragging the heavy guns up the heights, was six men killed,
and nineteen men wounded. A medal and clasp were given
to the troops employed in this expedition. fSee " Military
Medals,'''' page lOB.J

The "Horatio," Superieure," and "Junon."
February 10th, 1809.

On the 8th of February, the sixteen-gun brigs "Asp," and
"Superieure," Commander W. Ferrie, saw and chased off
the Virgin Islands, the French frigate " Junon," forty guns.

152 NAVAL MEDALS.

The " Superieure " which had but four eighteen pounder
carronades on board, soon left the "Asp" far astern, and at
daylight on February 9th, she was out of sight. The
Superieure alone followed the enemy, exchanging a few
harmless shots with the frigate, and in the afternoon, the
"Latona," thirty-eight guns, appeared, and joined in the
chase. The " Junon" being a very fast sailer, would pro-
bably have escaped, but about half -past ten the next morning,
the British frigate " Horatio," thirty-eight guns. Captain G.
Scott, hove in sight on her weather bow, followed by the
eighteen gun sloop "Driver," Captain C. Claridge, some
miles astern. About hali-past twelve noon, the "Horatio"
came up with the "Junon," and warmly engaged her for
nearly an hour, when the British frigate having her main and
mizzen top-masts, and fore-top-gallant mast shot away,
droj)ped astern. The " Superieure " kept up the chase, and
gave the "Junon" several raking broadsides with her two
eighteen pounders, while the " Horatio " repaired her dam-
ages. About twenty-five minutes past three p.m. the
"Driver "and "Latona" came up, and opened fire on the
French frigate, and in haxding up, in five minutes after, her
main and mizzen masts went overboard. The ' ' Junon ' ' immed-
iately struck her colours, and she had scarcely done so, when
her foremast also fell. The ' 'Horatio" was now fast coming up,
and the French Commanding Officer declaring that nearly all
the injury done to the " Junon," was by the fire of that ship,
declined to deliver up his sword, till an officer of the
" Horatio " came on board and received it. The " Horatio "
out of her crew of two hundred and seventy men, had a mid-
shipman, and six men killed, her Captain, firet-Lieutenant, a
Lieutenant of Marines, boatswain, and twenty-two men
wounded, the "Latona" had a midshipman, and five men
wounded, and the "Driver," one man wounded, the total
casualties on the side of the British, being seven men killed,
and thirty-three wounded. The loss of the "Junon," was
severe, out of her complement of three hundred and twenty-

NAVAL MEDALS. 153

three men and boys, her Captain, and one hundred and thirty
of her men, being killed and wounded. The prize, a fine new
frigate, was taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and when re-
paired, was added by the same name to the British Navy.

The "Amethyst," axb "Niemex."
April 5th, 1809.

At eleven on the morning of April 5th, the thirty-six gun
frigate "Amethyst," about forty-two leagues from Cordovan
lighthouse, caught sight of a ship steering to the westward.
The "Emerald" thirty-six guns. Captain T. L. Maitland was
in company, and both ships joined in pursuing the stranger,
the French fi-igate " Niemen," forty guns, bound for tlie
Isle of France. The chase was continued during the day,
and at seven in the evening, the "Amethyst" lost sight of
the "Emerald" and of the enemy, on which he had gained
but little. Captain Seymour then altered his course to cross
the probable track of the French frigate, and at twenty
minutes to ten p.m. discovered her steering to the westward.
Soon after eleven p.m. the ships exchanged shots from their
bow and stern chasers, and about cj^uarter past one a.m. the
"Amethyst" closed on her opponent, and gave her her starboard
broadside. From this time till hali past three, a severe
action continued, and shortly after, the main-top and mizzen
masts of the "Niemen" were shot away, her main top was
on fire, and her guns nearly silenced. In bringing to, to
the leeward, the main-mast of the "Amethyst" through the
damaged state of her rigging, fell over her starboard quarter,
carrying with it the mizzen mast, and about the same time
the main-mast of the " Niemen " fell. Both ships then
ceased firing. A quarter of an hour later, the thirty-eight
gun frigate " Arethusa," Captain E. Mends, came up within
gunshot, and the "Niemen" hoisted a hght, and fired a gun
at the "Arethusa," and another at the "Amethyst." The
"Arethusa" returned the fire with some of her foremost

154 NAVAL MEDALS.

guns, and the French frigate lowered her light and surren-
dered. Two Officers and thirty-seven men of the "Amethyst"
were absent in prizes, and of her remaining crew of two
hundred and twenty-two men and boys, she had eight men
killed, and three Officers, and thirty-four men wounded.
The "Niemen" with a crew of three hundred and thirty-nine
men and boys, lost forty-seven men killed, and had seventy-
three men wounded. The " Arethusa " sustained no loss
whatever. The prize, a very fine new frigate, was taken in
tow by the "Arethusa," her hull being much damaged, and
the next day, her foremast fell over the side. She was added
to the British Navy by the same name. Captain Seymour on
his return to England was created a Baronet, and his First
Lieutenant was promoted to the rank of Commander.

Basque Eoads, April 12th, 1809.
In the month of March, 1809, a French squadron, consisting
of one ship of one hundred and twenty guns ; two of eighty
guns, seven seventy-fours, a fifty-gun ship, and four frigates
were blockaded in Basque Roads by a British fleet under
Admiral Lord Grambier.'*'- The Admiral wrote to the Admiralty

" The British fleet consisted of the " Caledonia," one hundred and
twenty guns, Admiral Lord Gambier, Captains Sir H. Neale, Bt., and
\V. Bedford ; " Csesar," eighty, Rear Admiral Hon. R. Stopford
Captain C. Richardson ; " Gibraltar," eighty, H. Ball ; " Hero,'
seventy-four, J. Newman ; " Donegal," seventy-four, P. Malcolm
" Resolution," seventy-foiTr, G. Burlton ; " Theseus," seventy -four, J
P. Beresford ; " Valiant," seventy-four, J. Bligh ; " Illustrious,'
seventy-four, W. Broughton ; " Bellona," seventy-four, S. Douglas
" Revenge." seventy-four, A. Kerr. Frigates ; " Indefatigable," forty-
four, J. T. Rodd ; " Imperieuse," thirty-eight. Lord Cochrane ; " Aigle,'
thirty-six, G. Wolfe ; " Emerald," thirty-six, P. ]Maitland ; " Unicorn,'
thirty-two, L. Hardyman ; " Pallas," thirty-two, G. P. Seymour
" Mediator," flute, J. Wooldridge. Sloops ; " Beagle," T. Newcombe
"Doterel," A. Abdy ; "Foxhound," P. Greene ; "Lyra," W. Bevans
"Redpole," J. Joyce. Gun-brigs ; "Insolent," Lieutenant J. IMorris
"Encounter," Lieutenant J. Talbot; "Conflict," Lieutenant Butt
"Contest," J. Gregory; "Fervent," J. Hare; "Growler," R. Cross-
man. Bombvessels ; " Thunder," J. Caulfield ; " J^itna," W. Godfrey
schooner " Whiting," Lieutenant H. Wildey. Cutters ; " Nimrod,'
E. Tapley ; "King George," T. Mercer, and "Martial," W. Walker.
The " Imperieuse," with some of the other frigates, and nearly all the
small craft, joined the fleet shortly before the attack was made on the
enemy.

NAVAX MEDALS. 156

that it appeared practicable to destroy the fleet of the enemy by
fire ships, and although the undertaking would be dangerous,
if not desperate, there would be no lack of volunteers for the
service. Before this dispatch reached England, the Admiralty,
(probably influenced by a report made by Captain E. Keats
in 1807, on the possibility of destroying a French fleet by fire
ships and rockets, then lying at the same anchorage,) had
decided that such an attack should be made, had ordered
vessels to be fitted out for the purpose, and had informed
Lord Grambier of their intention. A day or two afterwards,
Lord Cochrane arrived at Plymouth, was summoned to the
Admiralty, and directed against his inclination, well knowing
the jealousy his appointment would cause among his seniors in
the fleet, to execute the plan for the destruction of the French
ships. On April 3i'd, Lord Cochrane in the " Imperieuse "
anchored in Basque roads, with a letter to Lord Grambier,
informing him that the Admiralty had selected Lord Cochrane,
to carry out under his orders, the projected attack on
the enemy. As Lord Cochrane had anticipated, his arrival
caused the greatest dissatisfaction in the fleet, Rear Admiral
Harvey, who had offered to undertake the service, was so
exasperated, and expressed his opinion of Lord Grambier on
his own quarter-deck, in such strong language, that he was
tried by a Court Martial, and sentenced to be dismissed
from the service.* Preparations were made for the attac^k.
Not waiting for the arrival of fire ships from England, Lord
G-ambier ordered eight of the largest transports, and the
Mediator store ship, to be fitted up as fire ships instead, and
three explosion vessels were equipped, under the direction
of Lord Cochrane himself. The floors of the vessels were
made as firm as possible, by means of logs closely wedged
together, and on this foundation were placed spirit and water
casks, set end upward, containing fifteen hundred barrels of
gunpowder. The whole was bound round with hempen

* He was afterwards restored, and promoted to the rank of Vice-
Admiral, July 31st., 1810.

156 NAVAL MEDALS.

cables, and jammed together with wedges, and moistened
sand, so as to resemble a gigantic mortar. On the top of this
mass were placed several hundred shells, charged, and over
these nearly three thousand hand grenades. On April 10th,
the fire ships arrived from England, and Lord Cochrane
pressed the Admiral to allow the attempt to be made that
night, but was refused. Meanwhile the French who were
fully aware of the nature of the impending attack, made
every preparation to resist it. The ships of the line with
their topmasts struck, and sails unbent, were moored in a
double line, nearly north and south, the outer line comprising
five, and the inner line six ships, about a mile from the
batteries on the Isle of Aix, mounting upwards of thirty
thirty-six pounders, and several mortars. About half a mile
in advance lay four frigates, immediately behind a boom,
composed of spars and the largest cables, bound together by
chains, nearly a mile in length, floated by buoys, and moored
by the heaviest anchors. The boats of the fleet were stationed
near the boom, ready to board and tow away the fire ships.
On April 1 1th, it blew hard, with a high sea. The ' Imperieuse '
ran in and anchored close to the Boyart shoal, with an explo-
sion vessel made fast to her stern. At a short distance were
anchored the frigates "Aigle," "Unicorn" and "Pallas," to
receive the crews of the fire ships on their return. The '-33tna'
took a position to the north-west of the Isle of Aix, as near
the fort as possible, covered by the "Indefatigable" and
" Foxhound." The " Eedpole " and " Lyra " with lights
hoisted, screened from the view of the enemy, were stationed,
one near the shoal to the north-west of the Island, and the
other near the Boyart Shoal, to direct the fire ships in their
course towards the enemy's ships. The " Emerald," with
some of the brigs, to make a diversion, took up a position at
the east end of the island. About half-past eight p.m. the
night being very dark, the wind still blowing hard, and
the tide running more than two knots an hour, the "Mediator"
and other fire ships, twenty in aU, cut their cables, and made

NAVAL MEDALS. 157

sail. Lord Cochrane led the way in the largest explosion
vessel, with Lieutenant Bissel, and a volunteer crew of four
men. It was too dark to descry the French ships, and most of
the fire ships were ignited and abandoned much too soon to
do any effectual service. About three quarters of a mile from
the estimated position of the enemy, Lord Cochrane lit the
port fii-es of his vessel, and jumping into the boat urged his
men to pull for their lives. The fuses which had been reck-
oned to burn fifteen minutes, burnt little more than half that
time, when the vessel blew up, filling the air with shells,
grenades and rockets, and raising such a mountain of water
as almost swamped the boat.* The vessel was brought up by
the boom just before she exploded, within one hundred and
twenty yards fi'om the French fi-igate " Indienne " without
doing her any injury, and in ten minutes after a second vessel
exploded, also on the boom, according to the account of the
enemy. In pulling towards the " Imperieuse," Lord Cochrane
saw two fireships pass over the spot where the boom had been
moored, and shortly after met the "Mediator" bearing down
towards the enemy, whose ships were now firing on the spot
where the explosion had happened, and also on their own
frigates, which cut their cables, and made sail to the rear of
the Kne of battle ships. On reaching the ' ' Imperieuse," it was
found that the explosion vessel which had been made
fast to the stem of that ship, had been cut away and sent

* " For a moment, the sky was red with the lurid glare arising from
the simultaneous ignition of one thousand five hundred barrels of
powder. On this gigantic flash subsiding, the air seemed alive with
shells, grenades, rockets, and masses of timber, the wreck of the
shattered vessel ; whilst the water was strewn with spars, shaken out
of the enormous boom, on which, according to the subsequent
testimony of Captain Proteau, whose frigate (the 'Indienne') lay just with-
in the boom, the vessel had brought up, before she exploded. The sea was
convulsed as by an earthquake, rising as has been said in a huge wave,
on whose crest our boat was lifted like a cork, and as suddenly dropped
into a vast trough, out of which, as it closed upon us with the rush of
a whirlpool, none expected to emerge. The skill of the boat's crew
however, overcame the threatened danger, which passed away as
suddenly as it had arisen, and in a few minutes nothing but a heavy
rolling sea had to be encountered, all having again become silence
and darkness." Autobiography of a Seama7i.

158 NAVAL MEDALS.

adrift, a flaming fire-ship having come down on her,
instead of the enemy, and the " Imperieuse " only escaped
being burned by shifting her position. Of all the fire-
ships four only reached the enemy's fleet,* and not one
of them did any material damage, though the gallant Com-
mander Wooldridge in the " Mediator,"! was so resolved to
effectually carry out the service in which he was engaged,
that himself and his crew nearly perished with their vessel.
The darkness of the night was illuminated by the glare of
the fire-ships, the shells and rockets which flew from them in
all directions, and the flashes of the guns from the forts
and ships of the enemy. The French were seized with a
panic, and taking each flre-ship for an explosion vessel,
every ship but the " Foudroyant " cut or slipped its cable,
and made sail or drifted away from what seemed certain
destruction. At daylight on the morning of April 1 2th, not
a spar of the boom was anywhere visible, and the whole of
the French ships, except the " Foudroyant," eighty, and
" Cassard," seventy-four, were lying helplessly ashore.

'Several of them were kindled when more than four miles distant
from the enemy, and were rendered harmless by being brought to on the
wrong tack, six of them passing a mile to windward of the French fleet.

t At page 59 will be found a description of the gold medal presented
to Captain Wooldridge, for his gallantry in leading the attack, and
breaking the boom. This statement, although made in the official
despatch of Lord Gambier, and for a long period universally accepted,
is now known to be entirely false and misleading. In the log of the
" Mediator," preserved at the Admiralty, there is no mention of break-
ing, or coining in contact with any boom. Mr. Fairfax, the Master of
the Fleet, who was in the "Lyra" to observe the effect produced
by the fire-ships, in his report says : — " that after the explosion vessel
blew up, he hailed four fire-ships as they came up. and the " Mediator,"
which ship he directed to steer south-east, or else she would miss the
French fleet." " Even the explosion vessel did not break the boom by
actual contact. It was the combined effect of the explosion upon the
boom, and upon the surface of the sea, that shook it in pieces. The
huee waves caused by the explosion lifted the boom along its entire
length, and the strain so loosened the chains which bound the spars
together, that the latter lioated out of the fastenings, and were carried
away by the tide, the chains sinking as a matter of course. It is
certain that at daylight not a vestige of this formidable boom was to be
seen ; though had the " Mediator " broken through it, as falsely
alleged, the whole length of the boom, except the part ruptured, must
necessarily have remained at anchor." Autobiography of a Seaman.

XAVAL MEDALS. 159

Being within range of the batteries on the Isle of Aix, the
" Imperieuse " weighed, and stood towards the fleet, anchor-
ing again as soon as she was beyond gunshot. At six a.m.
Lord Cochrane signalled to the "Caledonia," that seven of
the ships of the enemy were on shore, and at seven a.m.
signalled again, "All the enemy's shij)s except two, are on
shore." These signals were acknowledged, as were others,
made in succession, — " The enemy's ships can be destroyed,"
" Half the fleet can destroy the enemy " — " The frigates alone
can destroy the enemy," — " The enemy is preparing to heave
off " ; but the English fleet still remained at anchor. Just
before eleven a.m. the fleet weighed, and stood into Aix roads,
and after approaching within seven or eight miles of the enemy,
again came to an anchor. Lord Cochrane seeing that the
French ships were one by one getting afloat, and fearing all
would effect their escape, at one p.m. hove the anchor of the
"Imperieuse" a trip, and without orders, drifted with the
tide towards the enemy. At two p.m. the frigate again
anchored, and engaged the "Calcutta," a ship of fifty guns,
(captured from the British) and two seventy-fours, all fast
aground, having previously signalled to Lord Gambler : — "In
want of assistance." Shortly after three p.m. the " Indefatig-
able," with the "Emerald," "Unicorn," "Aigle," and "Pallas,"
came to the assistance of the " Imperieuse," and three or four
of the gun-brigs which had joined her, and on their approach,
the crew of the "Calcutta" abandoned their ship, and the boats
of the " Imperieuse " took possession of her. The frigates
were presently joined by the "Valiant," and "Revenge," and
the British squadron opened a heavy and destructive fire on the
grounded ships. At half -past five p.m. the " Aquillon" and
"Ville de Varsovie" struck their colours, at six p.m. the "Tonn-
erre," was abandoned and set on fire by her crew. The " Cal-
cutta " was set on fire by a midshipman of the " Imperieuse,"
and having a large quantity of ammunition on board, about
nine p.m. she blew up with a tremendous explosion. Before
daybreak on the morning of the 13th, a signal was made for

160 NAVAL MEDALS.

tlie recall of the ships that had been sent in on the previous
evening, and the line of battle ships "Aquilon" and "Varsovie"
instead of being got afloat, were set on fire and destroyed.
In the darkness, these burning ships were taken for British
fire ships, and the remaining French ships most of which
wei-e still aground, directed a cannonade on them. The
captain and crew of the " Tourville " were so alarmed, that
after a fiitile attempt to set their ship on fire, they took to
their boats and deserted her. At daylight, perceiving their
mistake, and that the British ships were under weigh to
return to Basque Roads, about two hundred and fiftj^ of them
ventured back, and took possession of the ship. By seven in
the morning, all the British ships, with the exception of the
"Pallas" (whose Captain volunteered to remain,) and the
smaller vessels, wei'e under sail and standing out to rejoin
the fleet. As soon as the tide served. Lord Cochrane
ordered the "Beagle" and other brigs to stand in and
attack the French ships still aground, intending to follow
with the frigates immediately the depth of water per-
mitted him. At eleven a.m., the " Beagle," " Etna,"
" Contest," " Fervent," " Grrowler," " Conflict," " Whiting,"
" Nimrod " and " King Greorge " opened fire on the " Ocean "
a three decker, and three other of the enemy's ships, for nearly
five hours, when the falling tide obliged them to return to
their former anchorage. The frigates from the direction of
the wind and strength of the tide, were unable to co-operate.
While this was proceeding, Lord Grambier had sent a letter
on board the " Imperieuse " ordering Lord Cochrane not to
attempt impossibilities, and to come out as soon as the tide
turned, to which the latter replied, — that with the Admiral's
permission all the ships of the enemy on shore could be
destroyed by the force at his disposal. On the morning of
April 14th, the French ships were still in the same condition,
but with a number of chasse-marees alongside taking out their
stores and guns. At nine a.m., Lord Cochrane was again re-
called by signal and letter, and soon afterwards was superseded

NATAL MEDAXS. 161

in the command of the flotilla by Captain Wolfe. In the
afternoon the " Imperieuse " weighed, and re-joined the fleet,
and the next day sailed for England, having on board Capt.
Sir H. Neale with Lord Grambier's dispatches. After the
departure of Lord Cochrane, all the ships of the enemy but one,
which was destroyed b}' her crew, got afloat and safe into port.
In these hazardous operations, the whole casualties in the
British fleet were twelve men killed, and thirty-six officers and
men wounded. The loss of the " Imperieuse " was three men
killed, and eleven officers and men wounded. The French
loss must have been considerable, as on board he " Varsovie "
alone ten men were killed and wounded, the "Ocean" lost
fifty men, and the " Cassard " twenty men, according to their
own account. On his return to England, Lord Cochrane
was rewarded with the order of the Bath. Being in-
formed by Lord Mulgrave that a vote of thanks to Lord
Gambler and the officers and seamen of the fleet em-
ployed in Basque Eoads, would be proposed in the House
of Commons, he expressed to the First Lord his intention in
his place to oppose it, on the ground that the commander-in-
chief had done nothing to merit it, but had neglected to
destroy the French fleet when it was in his power to do so.*
Lord Gambler applied for a court-martial on his conduct,

* Lord Gambler, probably in some degree shared the annoyance feJt
by almost all the officers m the fleet, at a junior officer being employed
in the service that some of them, had, previously to his appointment,
offered to undertake ; and he was too much influenced by the advice
of some designing people about him, who cared for the honour of their
country, much less than for the gratification of their dislike to Lord
Cochrane, and the failure of the plan of one whom they regarded as an
enemy and interloper. The opinion of Napoleon on the aSair in
Basque Eoads, was very different to that of the British court-martial.
Conversing on the subject with O'Meara at St. Helena, the latter
observed that it was the opinion of a very distinguished Naval officer,
that if Cochrane had been properly supported, he would have destroyed
the whole of the French ships. ' He would not only have destroyed them '
said Napoleon " but he might and would have taken them out, had
your admiral supported him as he ought to have done. The terror of
the brnlots was so great that they actually threw their powder over-
board, so that they could have offered very little resistance. The
French admiral was an imbecile, but yours was just as bad. I assure
you, that if Cochrane had been supported he would have taken every
one of the ships." — O'Meara's Napoleon in Exile, vol. ii.

162 NAVAL MEDALS.

which was held at Portsmouth. The court showed a strong
bias in favour of the admiral, who was declared to be most
honourably acquitted, and he afterwards received the thanks
of both Houses of Parliament.

The"Pompee," "Castor," " Eecruit," axd "Hautpoult."
April 17th, 1809.

In the month of April, 1 809, three French ships of seventy-
four guns each, were blockaded by a British squadron under
Rear -Admiral Sir A. J. Cochrane in the "Neptune," ninety-
eight, and five other ships, in the road or harbour of the
Saintes, a group of small islands, near Gruadaloupe. On
April 14th, a body of British troops from Martinique
commanded by General Maitland, landed on the largest
island, and on the same day mounted two guns on a mountain
eight hundred feet high, which commanded the ships in the
harbour. Upon tlieso guns being brought to bear on them,
the three French ships got under weigh, and at half -past nine
p.m., put to sea. The night was very dark, but they were
discovered by the sloop "Hazard," eighteen guns. Captain
H. Cameron, who informed the Admiral by signal of their
sailing. The " Pompee," seventy-four. Captain W. Fahie,
being the nearest British ship, followed by the smaller vessels
of the inshore squadron, gave chase, and closed with the
sternmost ship of the enemy at ten p.m., giving her two
broadsides, but the latter having a strong breeze in her
favour, continued her course without returning a shot. A
quarter of an hour after, the eighteen gun-brig "Recruit,"
Captain C. Napier, came up and opened fii'e on the flying
enemy, and at eleven p.m., the "Neptune" joined in the
chase, but was soon out sailed by the French ships. At four
the next morning, the "Eecruit" by her superior sailing,
again closed with the rearmost French ship, the " Hautpoult,"
and assisted at a distance by the "Pompee," opened a gall-

NAVAl, MEDALS. 163

ing fire on lier. A running fight lasted all day, in which all
the French ships occasionally took jmrt, the "Recruit"
several times raking the "Hautpoult," and receiving the fire
of her stern-chasers in return. At eight p.m., the enemy's
ships separated, each steering a different course. The
"Eecruit" and " Pompee " followed the "Hautpoult," and
kept her in sight all night. On the 1 6th at daylight, the brig
owing to her damaged rigging, had dropped considerably astern,
but in the course of the morning, the thirty-eight gun frigate
"Latona" Captain H. Pigott, and the "Castor," thirtj^-two. Cap-
tain W. Roberts, appeared in the north east, and joined in the
chase, which was continued the whole day and night following.
On the 17th at three p.m., the " Castor " got near enough to
open fire on the " Hautpoult," and after an action of about an
hour, the " Pompee " came up and engaged her within musket
shot distance. The engagement lasted till quarter past five
a.m., when the French ship, her rigging and sails cut to pieces,
hauled down her colours. At this time, the "Neptune,"
" York," and " Captain," the " Polyphemus " and " Ethalion "
frigates, and the brigs " Recruit " and " Tweed " were fast
coming up under a press of sail. The " Pompee " was in
nearly as disabled condition as the prize, her main yard and
bowsprit being badly wounded, and her rigging much
damaged. Her loss was her boatswain and eight men killed,
and her captain, first lieutenant, and twenty-eight officers and
men wounded. The " Castor " had one man killed, and six
men wounded, and her damages were slight. The casualties
on board the " Neptune " were one man killed, and four
wounded, the " Recruit " had but one man hurt. The loss of
the enemy out of a crew of six hundred and eighty men and
boys, was over eighty men killed and wounded, including
several officers. The " Hautpoult," a fine seventy -four gun
ship, was added to the British Navy under the name of
" Abercromby," and Sir A. Cochrane, for his gallant conduct,
appointed Captain C. Napier to her command.

t64 NAVAL MEDALS.

The " Cyane " and " Espoik," with " Ceres " and Gunboats.
June 25th and 27th, 1809.

The twenty-two gun sloop " Cyane," Captain T. Staines, and
eighteen-gun brig " Espoir," Commander R. Mitford, forming
part of an expedition under Eear-Admiral Gr. Martin, to
reduce the islands of Ischia and Procida, near Naples ; on
June 2.5th, while lying at anchor two miles from Procida, with
twelve British and Sicilian gunboats ; observed a French frigate,
a corvette, and several gunboats coming out of Pozzuoli Bay.
The British ships weighed, and exchanged a distant fire with
the French forty-four gun frigate "Ceres," the " Eama,"
twenty-eight, and the gun-boats ; but the enemy standing in
shore, all firing soon ceased. The same day Ischia and
Procida surrendered to the British forces. The next morning
Captain Staines' flotilla, intercepted a fleet of gunboats with
a convoy, in all forty-seven sail, bound from Gaeta to Naples,
and after a smart action, captured eighteen gunboats, and
destroyed four. The " Cyane " had her masts and rigging
much damaged, and over twenty shots in her hull, with three
of her crew killed and six wounded. In the evening, the
"Cyane," "Espoir," and gunboats, stood into Pozzuoli Bay,
where the "Ceres," "Pama," and twelve gunboats lay at
anchor, and pitched shot and shell among them. At eight
a.m. the following morning, the "Cyane" was becalmed
so near the shore, that a battery of eight fortj^-two pounders,
two howitzers, and two ten-inch mortars opened upon her,
and became so annoying that Captain Staines embarked in a
gunboat, and leading the others in, soon silenced the enemy's
fire. He then landed with a party of men, spiked the guns,
destroyed the carriages, threw one of the mortars into the sea,
and returned to his ship without a man being hurt. About
five in the evening, as the " Cyane " and " Espoir " lay
becalmed in the offing, the " Ceres," " Pama," and twenty
gun-boats put to sea, and made sail for Naples. The British

NAVAL MEDALS. 165

vessels chased, and soon after six, the Sicilian gun boats and
the " Espoir," being too far astern to do any service, and the
" Ceres," being a mile and a half astern from her company,
Captain Staines manned his sweeps and stood towards her,
she being then about three miles from the Mole at Naples.
Soon after seven p.m. the " Cyane " brought the " Ceres " to
action at pistol shot range, and though assisted occasionally by
the " Fama," the gun boats, and the batteries at Naples,
compelled her shortly before eight o'clock to haul down her
colours. On getting a reinforcement of men from the shore,
the " Ceres " re-hoisted her flag, but at half-past eight her
fire slackened, and soon ceased entirely ; but the " Cyane "
now approaching very near the Mole Head at Naj^les, and
having expended all her powder, was unable to take advan-
tage of the state of her opponent, and hauled off. The sails
and rigging of the "Cyane" was cut to pieces, her masts
badly wounded ; she had nearly fifty shot in her hull, her
chain plates were destroyed, and four of her guns disabled.
Her loss was two men killed, and her captain, and first
lieutenant (dangerously), second lieutenant, a midshipman,
and sixteen men wounded. The " Espoir," which took some
part at the termination of the engagement, sent the gun
boats to the assistance ofthe " Cyane," and they towed her
out of the bay, but she was in such a disabled state that she
was ordered to England to be re-fitted. Her gallant Captain,
lost his left arm, which was taken out of the socket at the
shoulder, and was also wounded in the side. A few weeks
after his arrival in England, Captain Staines received the
honour of Knighthood, his first lieutenant. Hall, was also
promoted, but died the next summer from the effects of his
wounds.

The " BoxNE Citoyenne " and "Furieuse," July 6th, 1809.
See a7ite, page 50.

166 NAVAL MEDALS,

The " Diana " and " Zephyr," September lltli, 1809.

On the afternoon of September 10th, the ten-gun brig
''Diana," Lieutenant W. Kempthorne, discovered the Dutch
brig " Zephyr," fourteen guns, at anchor in a bay under a
fort, at the north end of the island of Celebes. As soon as it
was dark, Lieutenant Kempthorne dispatched most of his
crew in his boats to cut out the enemy, but the boats
returned without having found the "Zephyr," which at
nightfall, the weather being dark and hazy, had weighed,
and made sail towards a strong fort in the bay of Monado, to
the northward. The next morning the Dutch brig was seen
ahead, and got under the protection of the fort before the
" Diana " could come up with her. As the wind had
freshened and there was every appearance of a gale coming
on, the "Zephyr" not caring to anchor on a lee shore, stood
out towards the " Diana," which wore to meet her. About
half -past four a.m. the British brig got within half gun shot of
her opponent, and an engagement commenced, which lasted
more than an hour, during which the " Zephyr," having her
gaff and main-top-gallant mast shot away, the " Diana " got
alongside her and was preparing to board, when the Dutch
brig hauled down her colours. Just as the action ended, five
gunboats came out to the assistance of the " Zephyr," but
the " Diana," taking her prize in tow, stood towards them,
and after a few shots were exchanged, the gunboats put about
and made towards shore. In this affair, the " Diana " sus-
tained no serious damage, and had not a raan of her crew of
forty-five, hurt. The " Zephyr " had her first lieutenant and
four men killed, and seven or eight men wounded. Soon
afterwards Lieutenant Kempthorne was promoted to the rank
of Commander.

The " Sceptre," " Blonde," and others with " Loire "
AND "Seine." December 18th, 1809.

A British squadron consisting of the "Blonde," thirty-
eight, Captain V. Ballard, "Thetis," thirty-eight. Captain

NAVAL MEDALS. 167

G. Miller, " Castor," thirty-two. Captain W. Eoberts, the
eighteen-gun sloops " Hazard " and " Cygnet," Captains H.
Cameron, and C. Dix, the eighteen-gun brig " Ringdove,"
Captain "W. Dowers, and twelve-gun schooner " Elizabeth,"
Lieutenant C. Finch, cruising off Guadaloupe, at dayhght on
December 17th discovered two strange sail making their
way to Basse-terre. The British ships chased, and the
strangers, which were the "Loire" and "Seine," fortj^-gun
frigates, but now mounting but twenty guns each, laden with
troops and military stores for Guadaloupe, finding themselves
cut off from their port, got into a cove called Anse la Barque,
about three leagues to the north west of Basse-terre. The
two French ships anchored head and stern, with their broad-
sides to the sea, and were protected by a battery on each side
of the cove. As the British ships came up, another battery
to the southward of Anse la Barque, opened fire on them,
and hulled the "Ringdove," Ij^ing becalmed, close in shore.
Captain Dowers immediately landed with his boats, stormed
the battery, sj)iked the guns, and blew up the magazine,
and returned to his ship without a man being hurt.
In the evening, the " EKzabeth " was sent to sound the
entrance to the bay, and the frigate " Freija," thirty-six.
Captain J. Hayes, joined from Martinique. At half -past
eight in the morning of December 18th, the " Sceptre,"
seventy-four. Captain S. Ballard, arrived, and preparations
were made for an immediate attack. The "Blonde" and
" Thetis " were ordered to engage the French fiigates, while
the " Sceptre " and " Freija " engaged the batteries, and
the "Hazard," "Cygnet," "Ringdove" and "Elizabeth"
were ordered to take the armed boats of the squadron in tow.
Owing to the light winds the British ships found it very
difficult to take up their positions, but the " Blonde " having
got within a quarter of a mile of the French ships, and within
half pistol shot of a battery, anchored with springs on her cable,
shortly before three p.m., and opened her fire. The " Thetis "
soon after anchored, and commenced firing on the enemy with

168 NAVAL MEDALS.

such effect that at half -past three p.m. one of the French ships
was totally dismasted, and struck her colours. At twenty-
minutes past four the remaining French frigate surrendered,
and the British ships cut their cables and made sail beyond
the range of the fort, which kept up a heavy fire of shot,
grape, and musketry. Soon after five p.m., one of the French
frigates being on fire, blew up, and part of the flaming wreck
falling on board the other frigate, set her on fire and destroyed
her. Just as night was closing in, the boats of the squadron
under the command of Captain Cameron, covered by the fire
of the smaller vessels, pushed for the shore and landed under
a heavy fire. The fort was carried by storm, Captain Cameron
hauling down the French colours with his own hand, and the
boats returned to the ships with but trifling loss, the principal
being that of the gallant Captain of the "Hazard."* The
" Blonde " had her first lieutenant, master's mate, and six
men killed, and two officers and fourteen men wounded ; the
" Thetis " had six men wounded, the total loss of the British
including Captain Cameron of the " Hazard," being nine
killed, and twenty-two men wounded.

The " Cherokee " and " L'Aimable Nelly."
January 10th, 1810.

The ten gun brig " Cherokee," Commander E. Arthur,
with a crew of seventy-five men and boys, on January 10th,
reconnoitred the harbour of Dieppe, and discovered seven
lugger privateers, lying close together at anchor, under the
batteries, within two himdred yards of the pier-head.
Commander Arthur resolved to attack them, and standing in
with a favourable wind, ran between two of the luggers, and
laid one of them on board. The crew of the lugger attempted
to board the " Cherokee " but were repulsed, and the lugger

* Captain Cameron was killed by an unfortunate mistake. On
gaining possession of the French flag, in the exultation of victory, he
wrapped it round his body ; a British sailor seeing this, and taking
him for an enemy, fired at him, and shot him through the heart.

NAVAL MEDALS. 169

was boarded and taken by the British.. The other luggers
kept up a heavy fire of musketry, but the '* Cherokee " got
out with her prize, the " Aimable Nelly," a new lugger of
sixteen guns, with a crew of sixty men, of whom two were
killed and eight wounded. The " Cherokee " did not loss a
man, but her lieutenant and boatswain were wounded. For
this dashing exploit. Commander Arthur was promoted to
post rank.

The "Scorpion" a^-d "L'Oreste."
January 12th, 1810.

Ox January 11th, Captain V. Ballard of the "Blonde,"
commanding a British squadron stationed o£E Basse-terre,
Guadaloupe, detached the eighteen-gun brig " Scoi-pion,"
Commander F. StanfeU, to bring out a French brig, at
anchor near the shore. At nine p.m., while standing in, in
search of the enemy, the British perceived the object of their
attack, the brig " Oreste," sixteen guns, just clearing the
north point of the bay. The " Scorpion" made sail in chase
and by the aid of her sweeps, at eleven p.m. brought the
French brig to action. A running fight followed, in the
course of which the " Scorpion" was exposed to the fii'e of a
battery on shore, till half -past one the next morning, when
the "Oreste" being nearly unrigged, surrendered. At this
moment the barge of the " Blonde " came up, and assisted in
taking possession of the prize. The "Scorpion" had her
masts and rigging much cut, and four of her crew of
one hundred and twenty men wounded. The loss of the
"Oreste" was two men killed, and her captain and nine
men wounded. Being a nearly new vessel, she was added to
the British Navy by the name of "Wellington," and Com-
mander Stanfell was promoted to post rank.

The Capture of Guadaloupe.
January — February, 1810.

A combined Naval and Military Expedition, commanded by
Vice-Admiral the Hon, Sir A. Cochrane, and Lieut. -General

170 NAVAL MEDALS.

Sir Gr. Beckwith, on January 27th, anchored off the town of
Grosier in the island of Gruadaloupe. The next day, the
troops landed at two different places without opposition, and
on February 6th, the island was in the possession of the
British. A medal was given to the troops employed in this
service.* The Navy not being actively engaged, suffered no
loss. The ships which took part in this Expedition were : —
the "Pompee," Vice-Admiral Sir A. Cochrane, Captain C.
Dilkes ; " Abercrombie," W. Fahie ; "Alfred," J. Watson ;
" Alcmene," Hon. W. Maude ; " Asp," E. Preston ; "Aurora"
J. Duer ; " Amaranthe," Gr. Pringle ; "Achates," T. Pinto ;
"Attentive," E. Carr ; "Belette," D. Sloane ; "Ballahou,"
G. Mills; "Bacchus," D. Jeremy; "Blonde," V. BaUard ;
"Castor," W. Eoberts ; "Cherub," T. Tucker; "Cygnet,"

E. Dix ; "Elizabeth," D. Pitch ; " Freija," J. Hayes ;
"Fawn," Hon. G-. Crofton ; "Frolic," T. Whinyates ;
"Forester," J. Watt; "Gloire," J. Carthew; " Guadaloupe,"
M. Head; "Grenada," S. Briggs ; "Hazard," W. ElHot ;
"Loire," A. Schomberg ; "Laura," N. Hunter; " Melam-
pus," E. Hawker ; " Morne Fortunee," F. Wills ; "Netley,"
J. Jackson ; " Orpheus," P. Tonyn ; " Observateur," F.
WetheraU ; "Perlen," N. Thomson ; "Pelorus," T. Huskis-
son ; "Pultusk," J. McGreorge ; "Plumper," W. Frissell ;
"Eosamond," B. Walker ; "Eingdove," W. Dowers ;
"Sceptre," S. BaUard; " Statira," H. Boys; "Scorpion,"

F. StanfeU ; " Savage," W. Ferris ; " Superieure," H. Coxon ;
"Star," D. Paterson ; "Snap," J. Stewart ; "Surinam," A.
Hodge ; " Subtle," C. Brown ; " Thetis," G. MiUer ;
" Vimiera," C. Scobell ; "Wanderer," W. EobiUiard.

The "Thistle" and "Havik,"
February 10th, 1810.

On the morning of February 10th, in latitude 25° 22' north,
longitude 61° 27' west, the ten-gun schooner "Thistle,"

* See " Medals of the British Army," page 106.

NAVAL MEDAIiS. 171

Lieutenant P. Procter, witli a crew of fifty men and boys,
discovered and aliased a strange ship, which, proved to be the
Dutch corvette "Havik," pierced for eighteen guns, but
mounting only ten, bound from Batavia to New York. At
five p.m., the "Thistle" got alongside the "Havik," and
hailed her to bring to, firing a shot across her bows, which
was replied to by a broadside. A running action commenced,
which lasted for five hours, dviring which the "Havik," a
large India built ship, attempted to run the schooner down,
and made every effort to escape. At haK-past eight p.m., the
" Thistle " closed with her opponent, and a smart fire was
kept up for about an hour, when the "Havik" struck her
coloiu's and surrendered. The prize had a valuable cargo,
and on board of her was Eear-Admiral Buyskes, late
Commander-in-chief at Batavia, and his suite. The " Thistle "
had one man killed, and her Commander and six men wounded.
The loss of the " Havik " was one man killed and the Dutch
Admiral, and seven men badly wounded. In the month of
June following, Lieutenant Procter was promoted to the rank
of Commander.

The "Surly," "Pirm," and " Alcide,"
April 24th, 1810.

On April 24th, (or April 20th, according to the letter in the
Gazette) the ten-gun cutter " Surly," Lieutenant P. Welsh,
and sixteen-gun brig " Firm," Lieutenant J. Little, chased
and drove ashore a Prench vessel at the mouth of the Piron.
The boats of the British ships, commanded by lieutenant
Hodgkins, went in under a heavy of musketry from the crew
of the vessel, and a body of four hundred troops on shore,
hove the vessel off the beach, and brought her out. She was
the "Alcide," French cutter privateer, mounting four four
pounders, which were thrown overboard in the chase. The
casualities of the British were the second master of the " Pirm"
killed, and one man wounded.

172 naval medals.

The "Sylvia" and "Echo."
April 26th, 1810.

As the ten-gun cutter " Sylvia," Lieutenant A. V. Drury,
was cruising off Java on April 26th, she observed three brigs
and two lug-sail vessels standing in for Batavia. The
" Sylvia " came up with the sternmost brig, the "Echo,"
eight guns and forty-six men, and after a sharp contest of
twenty minutes, compelled her to strike. The other brigs
made no effort to assist their consort, but made all sail away,
and got under the protection of some batteries, leaving two
lug-rigged transports, (each armed with two long nine-pound-
ers, with crews of sixty men) laden with artillery stores and
valuable goods, which became the prizes of the "Sylvia."
In this affair, the loss of the " Sylvia " was four men killed,
and three wounded ; the Dutch brig had three men killed
and seven wounded.

The " Spabtan*" with "Ceres" and "Sparvieee."
May 3rd, 1810.

The thirty-eight gun frigate " Spartan," Captain J. Brenton,
with the " Success," thirty-two. Captain J. Ayscough, cruising
near Ischia, on May 1st chased into the Mole at Naples the
French forty-gun fi'igate "Ceres," the " Eama," twenty-
eight, corvette, the " Sparviere," eight, brig, and a cutter.
Captain Brenton, feeling assured that the French vessels would
not put to sea, while two British frigates were lying off the
port, despached the " Success " to cruise off Capri, while the
" Spartan," alone stood in towards Naples. At five o'clock on
the morning of May 3rd, the French squadron was dis-
covered coming out from the Mole at Naples, consisting of
the "Ceres," "Fama," " Sparviere," the "Achille," cutter,
ten guns, and seven gun-boats, each carrying a long eighteen-
pounder. Four hundred Swiss troops were also embarked on
board the " Ceres" and "Fama," making a total of ninety-

* For this action thirty-four medals were issued.

NAVAL MEDALS. 173

five guns and about fourteen hundred men, opposed to forty-
six guns and two hundred and fifty-eight men. About eight
a.m., the " Ceres " opened fire on the British frigate, which
made no return till every gun was covered by her opponent,
when a most destructive broadside, treble shotted, was
poured in at pistol shot distance. The carnage among the
troops on board the "Ceres" was frightful, as they were
drawn up in ranks from the cat-head to the tafPrail, in readi-
ness for boarding. The " Spartan " then gave the " Fama "
and the brig a broadside in succession, and cutting off the
cutter and gun-boats from the rest of the enemy's squadron,
hove in stays, and engaged them on both sides as she came
round. The " Ceres " wore, and followed by the corvette and
brig, stood toward the batteries at Baia. The British fi'igate
pursued, but the breeze dying away, she was engaged on her
larboard bow by the " Fama " and " Sparviere," and the
cutter and gun-boats sweeping up on her stem and quarter,
opened a heavy fire. Captain Brenton was wounded by a
grape shot in the hip, and being carried below, Lieutenant
G. Willes took the command. The sea breeze springing up,
the "Spartan" wore, and with a raking broadside, shot
away the foretopmast of the " Fama," which ship was on the
point of surrendering, when she was towed away by the gun-
boats. Another broadside brought down the main topmast
of the " Sparviere," and compelled her to haul down her
colours at ten p.m., by which time the "Ceres" was fast
approaching the protection of the batteries. Owing to the
disabled state of her sails and rigging the "Spartan" was
rendered unmanageable, or the "Fama" would have been
captured. The British fi'igate, having repaired her damages,
took her prize in tow, and stood across the Bay of Naples, to
the mortification of Murat, who had been watching the
action from the Mole, and expecting to see his squadron
return in triumph with the " Spartan." To add to his chag-
rin, the " Sj)arviere " was his own yacht, and for her loss he
severely reproached his officers. The loss of the " Spartan,"

174 NAVAL MEDALS.

wlio was twenty-three men short of her complement, was a
master's mate, and nine men killed, and her captain, first
lieutenant and twenty men wounded. The French acknow-
ledged a loss of over one hundred and twenty men in killed
and wounded. The "Spartan" in consequence of her
damages, and the very severe wound of her Captain, was sent
to England, where she arrived in July following. Lieutenant
Willes was promoted to the rank of Commander, and Captain
Brenton was presented by the Patriotic Fund with a sword
valued at one hundred guineas. The King of the Two Sicilies
gave him the Grrand Cross of the Order of St. Ferdinand, and
in November, 1812, he was created a baronet of Great Britain.

The "E.OYALIST." Action with, and capture of Six Armed
French Vessels, May and June, 1810.

The "Royalist" eighteen guns, brig-sloop, of the largest
class. Captain G. J. Maxwell, while cruising in the Channel
between May 1st, 1809, and February 24th, 1810, captured
five French Privateers, viz. — "La Princesse," lugger, sixteen
guns, fifty men, '"Le Grand Napoleon," eighteen guns,
seventy -five men, November 17th, " I'Heureuse PJtoile," cutter,
two guns, fifteen nen, December 6th, " La Beau Marseille,"
lugger, fourteen guns, sixty men, December 10th, "Le
Francois," lugger, fourteen guns, sixty men, December 31st,
and the " Prince Eugene " lugger, fourteen guns, fifty-five
men, February 24th, 1810. The dates given of the captures
in the official list, are consequently wrong. Caj)tain Maxwell
was promoted to post rank in June 1810.

The "Thames," "Pilot," and "Weazle," at "Amanthea,"
July 25th, 1810.

At daybreak on July 25th, the thirty-two gun frigate
"Thames," Cai:)tain G. Waldegrave, and the eighteen-gun
brig "Pilot," Captain J. T. Nicolas were cruising on the
coast of Naples, when the eighteen-gun brig "Weazle,"
Captain H. Prescott, made a signal for an enemy's convoy ;

NAVAL MEDALS. 175

consisting of thirty-two transports from Naples, laden with
stores for Murat's army at Scylla ; protected by seven gun
boats, each mounting a long eighteen pounder, and four
scampavias or armed vessels. On the approach of the British
ships, the transports ran upon the beach under the town of
Amanthea, when they were flanked by two batteries, and
defended by the armed vessels drawn up in line. The Thames
and brigs opened fire within grape shot distance, and soon
drove the enemy fi'om their vessels, and the boats of the three
ships, under the command of Captain Prescott, and Lieutenant
E. Collier of the "Thames," pushed off to bring them out.
The British were much annoyed by musketry from the walls
of the town, but covered by the fire of the ships, by six p.m.
all the vessels were brought off or destroyed, with the loss of
one man killed, and seven men wounded, on the part of the
captors. For their behaviour in this affair. Captain Prescott
and Lieutenant Collier were jDromoted.

Capture of Baxda Neira, August 9th, 1810,
f See ante, page 51. J

The "Boadicea," "Otter," and "Staunch," with
"French Squ.vdron," September 18th, 1810.

As the thirty -eight gun frigate "Boadicea," Captain J.
Rowley, the " Otter " eighteen-gun sloop, Commander J.
Tomkinson, and the " Staunch," brig, Lieutenant B. Street,
were lying at St. Denis in the Isle of Bourbon, on the
morning of August 9th, two French ships with a prize, were
discovered in the ofiing. The French ships were the forty
gun fi'igate " Yenus," and the sixteen-gun corvette "Victor,"
and their prize was the British thirty-two gun frigate
"Ceylon," Captain C. Gordon ; which after a chase which
began the day preceding, and a hot action lasting over three
hours, they had captured that morning. In the action the
"Ceylon" had lost her fore and main topmasts, and the

176 NAVAL MEDALS.

" Venus " her mizzen mast, and fore and main topmasts. The
British weighed and made sail in chase of the enemy, who
were making the best of their way towards the Isle of France.
The "Victor" took the "Ceylon" in tow, hut finding the
British ships gaining rapidly on her, she removed her men
from the " Ceylon," cast her ofp, and stood away to the east-
ward. At twenty minutes to five p.m. the " Boadicea " got
alongside the "Venus," and after a smart cannonade often
minutes, the French frigate struck her colours. On board her
were found Major General Abercrombie and his staff, who
had been captured in the " Ceylon." The "Boadicea" took
her prize in tow, and the " Otter" rendered the same service
to the " Ceylon," while Captain Grordon resumed the command
of his recovered ship. The " Victor " being too far off to be
pursued with any chance of success, the British ships returned
to the Isle of Bourbon. In this affair, the "Boadicea" had
two men wounded, the loss of the "Venus" was nine men
killed, and fifteen men wounded. She was a fine new ship of
one thousand one hundred tons, and was added to the British
Navy by the name of " Nereid e."

The "Beiseis" ajstd " Sans-Souci,"
October 14th, 1810.

At noon, on October 14th, the ten-gun brig "Briseis,"
Lieutenant Gr. Bentham, cruising in the North Sea, fell in
with the French privateer schooner " Sans-Souci," fourteen
guns. After a chase of eight hours, the "Briseis" brought
the schooner to close action, which was maintained for an hour,
the vessels almost touching each other. Being defeated in
three desperate attempts to board the British brig, the ' ' Sans-
Souci " struck her colours, with a loss of eight men killed, and
nineteen wounded, out of her crew of fifty -five men. The loss
of the " Briseis " was, out of her completement of seventy-five
men and boys, two officers and two men killed, and eleven
men wounded. For this action Commander Bentham was
promoted to post rank.

NAVAL MEDALS. 177

Sir W. Hoste's Action off Ltssa. March 13tli, 1811.
See ante, page 53.

^Defence of Anholt. March 27th, 1811.

The small island of Anholt in the Cattogat, captured from
the Danes in 1809, was garrisoned by three hundred and fifty-
Royal Marines, and thirty-one Marine Artillery, commanded
by Captain R. Torrens, R.M., the whole being under Captain
J. W. Maurice, R.N., Governor of the Island. The Danes
resolved to obtain possession of the Island, and on March
23rd, a flotiUa of twelve gunboats, each mounting two long
twenty-four or eighteen pounders, and four howitzers, and
manned with from sixty to seventy men, with twelve trans-
ports, carrying above twelve hundred troops and seamen,
assembled in Gierrild Bay. The next day a Danish ofiicer,
under a flag of truce, visited the island, ascertained the
strength of the garrison, and that the only vessel cruising ofE
the island was a small armed schooner. The flotilla, accord-
ingly set sail, and at four in the morning of March 27th, the
Danish force disembarked during a thick fog, without oppos-
ition. Captain Maurice was aware of the impending attack,
and had made preparations to resist it. The garrison was
under arms before dawn, and on the approach of the Danes
opened such a fire upon them from the York and Massareene
batteries, as drove them from some houses they had taken
possession of, and compelled them to seek shelter behind the
sandhills on the beach. Unknown to the enemy, the thirty-
two gun frigate " Tartar," Captain J. Baker, and the sixteen-
gun brig " Sheldrake," Captain J. Stewart, had arrived the
day before on the north side of the island, and on hearing
the firing, got under weigh to attack the Danish gun-boats.
The main bodj' of the troops landed made several determined
attempts to carry the British batteries by assault, but the heavy
fire of grape and musketry strewed the plain with killed and
wounded, the Commander of the enemy fell while leading on

• Forty-six medals were issued to the survivors of this action.

178 NAVAL MEDALS.

liis men,* and the second in command had both his legs
carried away by a cannon ball. At the same time the
" Anholt," a small armed schooner, commanded by Lieutenant
H. L. Baker, anchored close to the shore, and opened fire on
the flank of the assailants, who finding it impossible to
advance or retreat, presently displayed a flag of truce, and
surrendered. The gun boats on discovering the approach of
the " Tartar " made off towards the westward of the island,
whither the remainder of the Danish troops had fled, and re-
embarked them before the British ships, which had to run
several miles to the leeward to weather the reef, could get
near enough to molest them. The gun boats on leaving the
island separated, some making for the coast of Jutland, and the
others, running before the wind for the Swedish coast. The
"Tartar" pursued those standing for Jutland, and captured
two transports ; the " Sheldrake " made sail after the gun
boats towards Sweden, and after the exchange of a few shot,
captured two, and sunk another, sustaining no loss. The loss
of the British garrison was two men killed, and Captain
Torrens and twenty -nine men wounded, the loss of the Danes,
including their three chief officers, was between thirty and forty
men killed, and about thirty men wounded. Including the
men on board the captured vessels, over six hundred and forty
of the assailants were taken prisoners, and so ended the
Danish expedition to Anholt.

The " Arrow," with Chasse-Marees,
April 6th, 1811.

On April 6th, the " Ai-row," Lieutenant S. Knight, was
engaged with some Chasse-Marees, and batteries, off the
coast of France. For this service, Lieutenant Ejiight was
promoted to the rank of Commander a few months after.

' " The Danish Commandant (Major Llelstedt) was much beloved.
He fell from a musket shot from a marine at my elbow ; the fellow had
fired at him five times ineffectually, the sixth brought him down, when
he exclaimed — " take that pinch of snuff you scoundrel," and immedi-
ately began to re-load his piece with all the coolness imaginable."
Letter from an Officer present.)

NAVAL MEDALS. 179

The " AsTREA," " Phcebe," " Galatea " and " Racehokse,"
WITH French Frigates. May 20tli, 1811.
The French forty-gun frigates " Eenommee," " Clorinde,"
and " Nereide," bound from Brest to the Isle of France with
troops and munitions of war, found on their arrival at their
destination, that the island was in the possession of the
British, having been captured in the preceding December.
The French Commodore bore away for Madagascar, and on May
20th, off the south of that island, he was discovered by the
British frigates " Astrea," thirty-six. Captain C. Schomberg,
" Phcebe," thirty-six. Captain T. Hillyar, " Gralatea," thirty-
six, CajDtain W. Losack, and " Racehorse," eighteen-gun brig
Captain J. de Eippe. About four o'clock p.m. the " Astrea,"
being the leading ship, returned the fire of the " Eenommee,"
and the " Phcebe " and " Galatea " as they came up opened
fire in succession. The cannonade produced a calm, and by
the failure of the breeze the " Astrea " was unable to wear,
while the " Eenommee " and " Clorinde " brought up on the
stern and quarter of the "Phoebe" and "Galatea," and
poured a most destructive fire into them, the " Nereide " at
the same time exchanging a distant and partial fire with the
" Astrea." About half -past six p.m. a slight breeze springing
up, the "Phoebe" brought the "Nereide" to close action,
and in twenty-five minutes completely silenced her, but the
" Eenommee " and " Clorinde " coming to her assistance, the
" Phoebe " bore away. But before this, the two French
frigates had terribly cut up the " Galatea. Her boats were
sunk in endeavouring to tow her head round, but at length
by getting sweejis out of the head, she brought her broadside
to bear on the " Eenommee," after sustaining the fire of her
two opponents for nearly three hours. When the French
frigates left to support the " Nereide," the " Galatea," her
masts much wounded, her rigging cut to pieces, over fifty
shot holes in her hull, nearly four feet of water in her hold,
and more than sixty of her crew killed and woimded, made
sail towards the "Astrea" and " Eacehorse," about eight

180 NAVAL MEDALS.

p.m. Soon after, her fore and mizzen top-masts fell over-
board, and Captain Losack hailed the Commodore, that the
" Q-alatea" was in too disabled a state to renew the action, or
chase the enemy, now making off to the northward. The
" Astrea," "Phoebe," and " Racehorse" pursued the French
frigates, and just before ten p.m. the " Eenommee " was
brought to close action by the " Astrea," and after a smart
contest of twenty-five minutes, surrendered. Sending a boat
to take possession of the prize. Captain Schomberg with the
" Astrea " and " Phoebe " made all sail after the " Clorinde,"
till two a.m. on May 21st, when finding there was no chance
of overhauling the French frigate, he gave up the chase.
The " Gralatea " made the best of her way to Port Louis, and
the " Nereide " much shattered, reached Tamatave, where on
May 26th she surrendered to the "Astrea," "Phoebe," and
" Racehorse." In this action the damages of the " Astrea "
were but trifling, and her loss two men killed, and her first
lieutenant and fifteen men wounded. The fore topmast of
the " Phoebe " fell just after giving up the chase of the
"Clorinde," and her lower masts and rigging were much
damaged. Her loss was eight men killed, and twenty-three
men wounded. The " Galatea," out of her complement of
two hundred and seventy one men and boys, had her first
Lieutenant of Marines, and fifteen men killed, and her captain,
and forty-six men wounded. The "Racehorse" escaped
without any loss. The loss of the enemy in the two captured
ships according to the official accoimt, was their Commodore
(killed) and two hundred and seventy -four officers and men
killed and wounded. The " Renommee " and "Nereide,"
being fine new frigates, were added to the British Navy, the
" Renommee " under the name of " Java," and the " Nereide "
as the " Madagascar."

The "Hawke" and "Heron,"
August 18th, 1811.
The sixteen-gim brig "Hawke," Captain H. Bourchier, on
August 1 8th, when near the island of St. Marcouf, discovered

NAVAL MEDALS. 181

a French convoy protected by three gun brigs, and two large
luggers, steering for Barfleur. Captain Bourchier chased,
and on nearing the enemy, the five armed vessels stood out
from the convoy to receive the " Hawke," which came up and
engaged them within half pistol shot about half-past five p.m.
For some time the action was maintained with great spirit on
both sides, till two of the brigs, the two luggers, and fifteen sail
of the convoy were driven on shore. In the act of wearing to
prevent the third brig fi-om raking her, the " Hawke" also
grounded, when the brig and some of her convoy that had
previously struck, made their escape. After being an hour
and a half exposed to a fire of artiUary and musketry from the
shore, the " Hawke" got again afloat, and anchored to repair
her damages. Captain Bourchier then sent in his boats under
the orders of Lieutenant Price, to bring out or destroy as many
of the vessels as he could, and under a fire of musketry fi-om
the beach, the brig " Heron," sixteen guns, but mounting only
ten, and three large transports, laden with ship timber, were
brought out. The loss sustained by the " Hawke " in this
well executed enterprise, was one seaman killed, and four
wounded. Captain Bourchier took his prizes into Portsmouth,
and soon after was promoted to post rank.

CAPxruE OF Java.
August and September, 1811.

The Governor General of India, Lord Minto, having
resolved to dispatch a Naval and Military force to reduce the
Island of Java, an expedition was assembled in Madras Eoads,
under the command of Commodore W. Broughton and Lieu-
tenant General Sir S. Auchmuty. The first division of troops
commanded by Colonel E. Gillespie sailed on April 18th, and
were followed a week after by the second division, under the
command of Major General "WethereU. On August 4th the
expedition anchored in the Bay of Batavia, and the troops,
amounting to about eight thousand men landed without

12ri

182 NAVAL MEDALS.

opposition the same day at Chillingcliing, about twelve miles
to the eastward of Batavia. On August 8th, the city of
Batavia surrendered, and was taken possession of by Colonel
GiUespie. The next day, Eear Admiral the Hon. R. Stopford
joined the expedition, and superseded Commodore Broughton
in the command of the fleet.

The ships employed in this expedition were the " Scipion,"
seventy-four, Eear-Admiral Hon. R. Stopford, Captain J.
Johnson ; " Illustrious," seventy -four. Commodore W.
Broughton, Captain E. W. Testing ; " Minden," seventy -four,
E. W. Hoare ; " Lion," sixty-four, H. Heathcote ; " Akbar,"
forty-four, H. Drury ; the thirty-eight gun frigates " Nisus,"
P.Beaver; "President," S. Warren; "Hussar," J.Craw-
ford ; " Phaeton, F. Pellew ; the thirty-six gun frigates
" Leda," G. Sayer ; "Caroline," C.Cole; "Modeste," Hon.
G. Elliot ; "Phoebe," J. Hillyar ; " Bucephalus," C. Pelly ;
"Doris," W. Lye ; the thirty -two gun frigates "Cornelia,"
H. Edgell ; "Psyche," J. Edgcumbe ; "Sir F. Drake,"
G. Harris ; the sloops " Procris," E. Maun sell ; " Barra-
couta," W. Owen ; "Hesper," B. Reynolds ; "Harpy," H.
Bain ; "Hecate," H. Peachy; "Dasher," B. Kelly; " Sama-
rang," J. Drury. There were also eight of the Company's
cruisers under Commodore J. Hayes, making with the trans-
ports and gunboats, a fleet of about one hundred sail. A
body of about five hundred seamen were landed under the
command of Captain Sayer,* assisted by Captains Festing,
Maunsell, Eeynolds and Stopford ; who were employed in
erecting and manning the batteries to attack the strongly
entrenched and fortified position of Cornells, occupied by the
enemy's general, Jansens, and his army. A detachment of
marines under Captain E. Bunce, was also landed. After a,
heavy cannonade, the Dutch position was carried by storm at
dawn on August 26th, and nearly the whole of the hostile

* Captain Sayer of the " Leda," was given the Field Officers gold
medal for his services, the only instance on record of a Captain in the
Navy receiving such a reward.

NAVAL MEDALS. 183

army were killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. A few more
skirmishes, and gallant exploits followed, till Java and its
dependencies, surrendered on September 18th. The losses
sustained by the Navy, in these operations, were fifteen
seamen and marines killed, and Captain Stopford, with five
other ofiicers, and forty-nine men wounded, and three men
missing. The property taken in the island of Java amounted
to nearly £1,000,000, and was shared among the captors.

The "Skylark" and "Locust" with Flotilla.
November 11th, 1811.

The sixteen gun-brig " Skylark," Commander J. Boxer,
and the twelve gun-brig "Locust," Lieutenant J. Gredge, on
November 11th, observed twelve French gun-brigs, near Cape
Grisnez, standing along shore to the eastward. The British
ships chased, and captured one of the enemy's vessels, with
four twenty -four pounders and sixty men, and drove another
on shore near Calais, under a hot fire fi'om the batteries and
musketry on the beach. For this service Lieutenant Gedge
was promoted to the rank of Commander.

The "Alceste," "Active" axd "L^nitie," with
Fkexch Frigates, November 29th, 1811.

Ox November 29th, as the thirtj-eight gun frigates
"Alceste," and "Active," Captains M. Maxwell, and J. A.
Gordon, and "Unitie," thirty-two. Captain E. Chamberlayne,
were cruising in the Adriatic, near the island of Augusta,
three strange sail appeared, which proved to be the French
forty-gun fi'igates "Pauline," and " Pomone," and the fi-igate
built store ship "Persanne," fi-om Corfu to Trieste, laden
with brass and iron ordnance. On discovering the British
frigates, the French ships made sail to the north west, and
were chased b}' the "Alceste," and her companions. At
eleven a.m. the "Persanne" finding she could not keep way

184 NAVAL MEDALS.

with the "Pauline" and " Pomone " separated from them,
and hore up before the wind, and the " Unitie " was ordered
by Captain Maxwell to go in pursuit of her. The " Alceste "
and " Active " continued the chase of the " Pauline " and
"Pomone," and at twenty-four minutes past one p.m. the
" Alceste " under a press of sail to get alongside the French
Commodore, a short distance ahead, exchanged broadsides
with the " Pomone," but a shot carrying away her main top-
mast, the wreck fell over on the starboard side, and the
"Alceste" dropped astern. Cheers of "Vive I'Empereur,"
arose from both the French ships, but the " Active " coming
up, took the place of the " Alceste," and brought the
" Pomone " to close action about two p.m. Shortly after, the
"Pauline" stood for the "Alceste" and both ships about
half-past two p.m. became closely engaged. After an action
of thirty minutes, the French Commodore, seeing that the
"Pomone" was getting the worst of it with the "Active,"
and observing the eighteen-gun sloop " Kingfisher," Captain
E. Tritton, apj)roaching in the distance, hauled his wind, and
stood to the westward under all sail. The "Alceste" then
ranged up on the larboard beam of the " Pomone " and
opened fire on her, the "Active" having unavoidably shot
ahead. The main and mizzen masts of the " Pomone " fell
overboard, and immediately afterwards she hoisted a Union Jack
in token of surrender. Neither of the British frigates being in
a condition to pursue the " Pauline," the French Commodore
escaped, and reached Ancona in safety. In the mean time
the " Unitie " pursued the " Persanne " and was galled
considerably by her stern chasers. About four p.m. the
British frigate got near enough to open her broadside, the
" Persanne " returned it, and immediately hauled down her
colours. The sails and rigging of the "Unitie" were con-
siderably damaged, but she had but one man wounded. The
"Persanne" had two men killed, and four men wounded.
The casualities on board the " Alceste," out of a crew of two
hundred and eighteen men and boys, were a midshipman and

NAVAL MEDALS. 186

six men killed, and a lieutenant and twelve men wounded.
The " Active " had a midshipman and seven men killed, her
gallant captain lost a leg,* and two lieutenants and twenty-
fo;ir men were wounded. The fore-mast of the " Pomone "
fell soon after her capture, and her hull was so shattered
hy the well directed fire of the " Active " that she had five
feet of water in her hold. Out of her crew of three hundred
and thirty two men, fifty were killed and wounded, among
the latter ' being her captain. For this action, the first
lieutenant of the " Alceste," and the first and second
lieutenants of the "Active" were promoted to the rank of
Commanders.

The " Yictorious " and " Rivoli," February 22nd, 1812.
See ante, page 5Ii..

The " Eosaeio " and "Griffon," with Flotilla.
March 27th, 1812.

The ten-gun brig "Eosario," Captain B. Hai-vey, cruising
about four or five miles from Dieppe, on March 27th,
observed twelve brigs and a lugger standing alongshore.
This was a division of the Boulogne flotilla, boimd to Cher-
bourg. Each brig carried three long twenty-four -pounders,
and an eight-inch brass howitzer, with a crew of fifty men.
The " Eosario " made sail to cut off the leewardmost of the
brigs, but the whole formed in line, and engaged the

* Captain Gordon was wounded about the middle of the action.
While leaning on the capstan, a thirty-six pound shot came in through
a port hole, grazed a caronnade slide, took off a seamen's leg, and
struck the captain on the knee joint, severing his leg as if done by a
knife. As he was being carried below, he directed his first lieutenant,
Dashwood, to do his best, and gave similar advice to Lieutenant
Hayes, should any mischance happen to his senior officer. Shortly
afterwards Lieutenant Dashwood lost his right arm, and Lieutenant
Hayes took the command, and though wounded, fought the " Active "
till the end of the action. When the "Pomone" surrendered, the
French captam delivered his sword to Captain Maxwell as the senior
officer, who considenng the " Pomone " to be the fair prize of the
" Active," sent the sword to Captain Gordon, as his by the right of
conquest.

186 NAVAL MEDALS.

" Eosario " in succession, and aftei'wards bore down to
endeavour to lay her on board. The sixteen-gun brig
" Griffon," Captain G. Trollope, appearing in the offing,
Captain Hai-vey summoned her to his assistance, and imme-
diately his signal was answered, about forty minutes past
noon, again engaged the rear of the enemy, who were
endeavouring to get into the port of Dieppe. About half-
past one p.m., being to windward, the " Rosario " ran into
the middle of the flotilla, drove two of the brigs on board
each other, and backing her main topsail, engaged them
within musket shot, until they got clear, and then stood on
and engaged a third brig, which she soon dismasted, and
compelled to anchor. Passing her, the " Rosario " drove the
next brig on shore, and bearing up to leeward, ran another
on board and carried her, being then no more than three
quarters of a mile from the beach. Taking his prize in tow,
Captain Harvey bore away beyond the reach of the batteries,
and met the " Griffon " coming up under a press of sail, to
take part in the action. Captain Trollope engaged and drove
ashore another brig in St. Aubin's Bay, under a heavy fire
from the batteries, after which Captain Harvey who was
rej)airing his damages, signalled the " Griffon " to attack the
part of the flotilla which had come to an anchor. Captain
Trollope ran his brig between one of the vessels of the enemy
and the land, laid her on board, cut her cables, and brought
her out under a furious fire from the batteries. Finding the
"Griffon" was too much disabled in her rigging to renew
the attack, although his prisoners equalled his crew in
number, Captain Harvey ran alongside the brig he had
previously dismasted, which, unknown to him had just been
abandoned by her crew, and brought her away. AVith their
three prizes the " Rosario " and " Griffon " made sail for the
Downs, while the French Commodore, with his seven remaining
vessels entered Dieppe. In this really gallant achievement,
the only loss sustained by the British was one midshipman,
J. Dyer, and four men wounded on board the " Rosario."

NAVAL MEDALS. 187

Captains Harvey and Trollope were promoted to post rank,
and given the ribbon of Companions of the Bath, and Mr.
Dyer for his distinguished conduct during the action, was
made a lieutenant.

The "Northumberland" and "Growler," with French
Frigates. May 22nd, 1812.

Two French forty-gun frigates, the " Arienne " and
"Andromache," and the sixteen-gun brig " Mamelouck,"
having for some months committed great depredations on
British commerce in the Atlantic, the " Northumberland,"
seventy-four, Captain Hon. H. Hotham, was dispatched to
intercept them on their return to France. On the morning of
May 22nd, while cruising near the Isle of Grroix, with the
twelve-gun brig " Grrowler," Lieutenant J. Weeks, in com-
pany ; Captain Hotham discovered the three French ships in
the north-west, crowding all sail to get into L' Orient. The
" Northumberland " fetched to windward of the harbour, and
cut the enemy off from their port, but was exposed to the fire
of the French batteries on shore. Shortly before three p.m.
the wind blowing very fresh from the north-west, the French
ships formed in line, under all sail, and covered by their
batteries, made a bold endeavour to pass between the " Nor-
thumberland " and the shore. Captain Hotham stood in as close
as he could to Pointe de Pierre-Laye, and there with his main
topsail shivering, waited for the frigates, which hauled so
very close round the point, that he did not think it practicable,
the " Northumberland " drawing over twenty -four feet of
water, to get nearer the shore and lay the leading frigate on
board, as he intended. He therefore bore up, and ran par-
allel to the French squadron, at about four hundred yards
distance, engaging it and three batteries on the coast for
about twenty minutes. Captain Hotham's design being to
prevent the frigates passing outside the dry rock Graul, the
" Noi'thumberland " had to be steered so near it, as to leave

188 NAVAL MEDALS.

no room for her opponents to pass between her and the rock,
and to avoid running on the rock herself ; a most hazardous
proceeding, as the smoke which rolled in clouds ahead of the
ship concealed every object from view. By the skilful pilot-
age of the master, Mr. H. Stewart, the •' Northumberland "
passed the rock within her own length, and the two frigates
and the brig were compelled to take the channel inside of it.
Hei'e, the water being not deep enough for them to pass, at
a quarter to four, p.m., the two frigates under all sail, groun-
ded, and in five minutes after the brig ran on the rocks
extending from the Graul to the mainland. The " Northum-
berland " then hauled off to repair her damaged sails and
rigging, leaving the enemy's ships to the effects of the falling
tide, which in a short time left them on their beam ends,
with their mast heads towards the shore. In the meanwhile
the " Grrowler " joined, and opened fire on the grounded ships
at a very short distance. About half past five the " North-
umberland " anchored in six and a half fathoms water, and
by means of a spring brought her broadside to bear on the
two frigates and brig, lying with their keels nearly out of
water, at point blank range. She received in return a feeble
fire from three or four guns of the "Andromache," and a
heavy fire from three batteries on the mainland, of which the
shot from one only reached her. Having kept up a well-
directed fire for an hour and a quarter, and riddled the
bottoms of the enemy's ships with shot, their crews deserting
them, and the "Andromache," inflames, the "Northumber-
land " weighed, and stood out of reach of the battery, which
had caused her more damage than the fire of the ships and
the other batteries combined during the day. About eight
p.m. the "Andromache" blew up, at half past eleven
the " Arienne " was on fire and burning fiercely, and the
" Mamelouck " was blown up and destroyed the next day.
Before dawn, the " Northumberland " and " Growler " were
under weigh,* and stood out to sea, having sustained a loss of
five men killed, and a lieutenant, and twenty-seven men

NAVAL MEDALS. 189

wounded. These casualties occurred on board the seventy-
four, tlie " Growler " liaymg suffered neither damage nor loss.
The Commander of the " Gfrowler," and the first lieutenant
of the " Northumberland " were deservedly promoted for
this service.

The " Hyacixth," " Goshawk," and " Eesolute,"
AT Malaga. May 29th, 1812.

A number of fast sailing and fast rowing French privateers
sailing from Malaga, under the command of Barbastro, a
daring and able chief, having committed great ravages on
British merchant shipping. Captain T. Ussher, in the twenty
gun sloop, " Hyacinth," with the sixteen gun sloop
" Goshawk," Commander J. Lilburne, the gun brig " Eesolute,"
Lieutenant J. Keenan, and No. 16 gunboat, Lieutenant T.
Cull, was sent by Rear Admiral Legge, to put a stop to their
depredations. As the enemy's vessels would not be decoyed
from their port. Captain Ussher determined to attack them
with his boats, though defended by two batteries, mounting
nineteen long twenty-four pounders between them. The
expedition was commanded by Captain Ussher himself,
assisted by Commander Lilburne, Lieutenants Cull and
Keenan. At nine in the evening of April 29th the boats with
the gunboat, set out on their desperate service, Captain Ussher
leading in his gig, with six men. Followed by Lieutenant
Hastings in the " Hyacinth's " pinnace with twenty men, he
dashed at a fifteen gun battery on the mole head, and carried
it by storm in less than five minutes, while Commander
Lilburn with the gun boat and other boats, boarded and took
possession of the enemy's vessels. Barbastro' s own vessel the
" Braave," of ten guns, with hundred and thirty men, was
cajitured, but he, with most of his crew escaped by jumping
overboard. Having spiked the guns of the batterj^. Captain
Ussher rowed up the harbour to superintend bringing out the

190 NAVAL MEDALS.

prizes, but tlie moon rising with uncommon brightness,
discovered the position of the assailants. The castle command-
ing the harbour opened a heavy fire on the boats, and a
regiment of French infantry which occupied the mole head
battery immediately it was evacuated, fired vollies of musketry
into the prizes and boats, at a few yards distance. Commander
Lilburne fell mortally wounded, and the breeze totally dying
away, it was with the utmost difficulty that Barbastro's vessel
and another of similar force were brought out, the other
prizes being abandoned. The loss of the British in this well
planned action was severe. Out of the hundred and forty
nine officers and men engaged, Commander. Lilburne and
fourteen men were killed, and fifty-three Officers and men
wounded. The body of Commander Lilburne was interred at
Gribraltar with all naval honours. Though dated May 29th
in the official list, this affair took place on April 29th, 1812.

The " Dictator," " Podargus," &c., off Mardoe,
July 6th, 1812.

Ox the evening of July 6th, as the sixty-four gun ship
" Dictator," Captain J. P. Stewart, the eighteen-gun brig
"Calypso," Commander H. Weir, the "Podargus," brig,
fourteen. Commander W. Pobilliard, and " Flamer," brig.
Lieutenant T. England, were off Mardoe on the coast of
Norway ; the mast heads of a Danish squadron consisting of
the new forty-gun frigate " Nayaden," three eighteen-gun
brigs, and many gunboats, were seen over the rocks. There
being a man on board the " Podargus " acquainted with the
place, Commander Robilliard volunteered to lead the attack,
but the "Podargus" ran aground on entering the passage.
Leaving the " Flamer " to assist her, Captain Stewart stood
in with the " Calypso," and shortly before eight p.m. the two
ships, the "Calypso " leading, opened fire on the Danish
frigate and her consorts, running under a press of sail inside

NAVAL MEDALS. 191

the rocks. At half -past nine p.m., after having sailed for
twelve miles through a passage scarcely wide enough in some
places to allow room for the studding sail booms of the
" Dictator " to be out, Captain Stewart ran his ship aground,
with her broadside bearing on the Danish frigate and brigs at
musket shot distance, in ifche small creek of Lyngoe, where they
had anchored close together.

The "Calypso," which had also grounded in the chase, shortly
came up, and both ships oj^ened such a destructive fire on
the enemy, that the " Nayaden " was literally battered to
pieces, and in flames, the three brigs compelled to surrender,
and those of the gun-boats that were not sunk, sought safety
in flight. The action had scarcely ended, and the " Dictator "
got again afloat, when the gun boats rallied and commenced
another attack, but were so warmly received by the " Calypso "
that they again retreated. Meanwhile the " Podargus " and
"Flamer," both being aground, were engaged with another
division of gun boats, and batteries on shore, but by extra-
ordinary exertions of their crews they at length got afloat, very
much damaged in hulls and rigging. At three the next morn-
ing, the "Dictator" and "Calypso," with two prize eighteen
gun brigs, in attempting to get through the passages,
were attacked by a division of gun boats stationed behind the
rocks, so that not a gun could be brought to bear upon them
from either ship. Both brigs grounded, and being complete
wrecks were abandoned by their captors. In this well execu-
ted enterprize, the " Dictator " had five men killed, and two
officers and twenty-two men wounded, the "Podargus," two
officers and seven men wounded, the "Calypso," three men
killed, one wounded, and two men missing, and the " Flamer,"
one man killed, and one wounded. The Danes acknowledged a
loss of three hundred men killed and wounded. Commanders
"Weir and Pobilliard were promoted to post rank, and first
lieutenant W. Buchanan, of the " Dictator," was made a
commander.

192 naval medals.

The " Sealakk " and " Ville de Caen,"

July 2 let, 1812 *

The ten gun schooner " Sealark," Lieutenant T. Warranrl,
while cruising off the Start on July 21st, was informed hy
signal from the shore, of an enemy being in the south-east
quarter. The " Sealark " made all sail in that direction, and
after a three hours run, discovered the French privateer
lugger " Ville de Caen," sixteen guns, chasing two merchant
ships standing up channel. On the approach of the " Sealark "
the lugger quitted the merchantmen, and altering her course,
made off under all sail. The " Sealark " chased, and gaining
on the lugger, ran her on board between her fore and main
masts, and a close engagement followed, which lasted an hour
and a half. The privateer's crew endeavoured to set the
British ship on fire with hand-grenades, but by their un-
skilful use of them, set their own vessel on fire, and in the
confusion, J. Beaver, the Master of the "Sealark" boarded
the lugger at the head of a few men, and carried her cutlass
in hand. The '* Sealark " out of a crew of sixty men and
boys, had seven men killed, and her commander, a midship-
man, and twenty men wounded, several of them severely.
The loss of the " Ville de Caen," out of her complement of
seventy-five men, was her captain and fourteen men killed,
and sixteen men wounded. For this action. Lieutenant
Warrand was promoted to the rank of Commander.

The "Eoyalist" and "La ErsE."
December 29th, 1812.

At eleven p.m. on the night of December 29th, the eight-
een gun-brig "Eoyalist," Commander Gr. Downie, cruising in
the Channel off Hythe, fell in with, and after a short action
captured, the French privateer lugger, "La Euse," sixteen

* This is the rarest of the Naval Medals, it having been given to the
four only survivors of the action in 1849. A specimen with clasp, in
the Greig Collection, sold for £14 5s. Od.

NAVAL MEDALS. 193

guns, with crew of sixty-five men. The prize had her main
mast shot away, and one of her crew killed, and another
wounded, before she struck her colours. She was a new
vessel, on her first cruise, and had made no captures.

The "Weasel," with "Gunboats."
April 22nd, 1813.

At daybreak on April 22nd, the eighteen gun-brig
" Weasel," Commander J. Black, cruising in tlie Adriatic,
discovered and chased a French convoy, making for Trau and
Spalatro. As the brig approached, the convoy separated, the
greater part with ten gun-boats, bearing up for the Bay of
Boscalina, where at half-past five a.m. they anchored in a
line, about a mile from the shore. At six o'clock the
" Weasel" anchored with springs on her cables, within pistol
shot distance, and engaged them for twenty minutes, when
the gun-boats cut their cables, ran close in shore and again
opened their fire. Commander Black cut his cable, followed
them, and renewed the action at the same distance. Three heavy
guns and two or three hundred infantry from the heights
over the brig, now added their fire to that of the gun-boats.
The action continued till ten a.m., when three of the gunboats
struck their colours, two were driven on shore, and one sunk.
Four more came to their assistance from the eastward, and
anchoring outside the "Weasel," obliged her to engage on
both sides, but this re-enforcement soon ran in and joined the
others, and the eight gun-boats, from behind a point of land,
from which their mast heads could only be seen from the
"Weasel's" deck, opened a most destructive fire of grape
shot on the brig. The crew of the "Weasel" originally
short by the absence of men in prizes, was soon so reduced,
that she could only man four guns, and her grape being all
expended, her marines, and some of the seamen fired
musketry. This lasted till about half -past six p.m., when all
firing ceased on both sides. The "Weasel" was in a very

194 NAVAL MEDALS.

critical condition, being almost a wreck, within a few yards
of a lee shore, her rigging and sails cut to pieces, her masts
shot through, her cables and anchors destroyed or unservice-
able, her hull pierced with shot, several between wind and
water, and her pumps shot away, so that she could only be
kept afloat by constant bailing at both hatchways. As soon
as it was dark, Commander Black sent in his boats, and
burnt the gun-boats which had gone ashore, with eight of the
convoy, and brought away their anchors and cables, by means
of which he began warping his brig out. At daylight on
April 23rd, having warped about a mile fi"om the shore, the
wind blowing strong into the bay, the "Weasel" was again
attacked by the remaining gun-boats, Avithout being able to
bring her broadside to bear on them. The whole of the day
and the succeeding night, the brig continued slowly warping
out of the bay, her crew being exhausted with fatigue. On
the 24th at noon, a battery on a point she was obliged to pass,
opened on her, and the gun-boats raked her astern, but on
receiving a broadside, they sheered off, and at five p.m. on
the third day, all firing ceased, and the "Weasel" was safe
in the offing. In this hazardous but admirably conducted
enterprise, the British vessel had her boatswain and four men
killed ; and her commander, first lieutenant, master's mate, a
midshipman, and twenty-one men wounded. The loss of the
enemy could not be ascertained, but must have been heavy.
For his intrepid conduct, Commander Black was promoted to
post rank.

The "Shannon" and "Chesapeake."
June 1st, 1813, {see ante., page bb.)

The " Pelican " and " Argus."
August 14th, 1813.

On the 12th of August the eighteen-gun brig "Pelican,"
Commander J. P. Maples, sailed from Cork in search of an
American sloop which had been doing much damage to the

NAVAL MEDALS. 195

commerce in St. Greorge's Channel. At daybreak on August
14th the "Pelican" came in sight of a large brig making
sail from a ship she had captured and set on fire. The
" Pelican " bore down under all sail to close with the enemy,
the United States twenty-gun brig " Argus," Captain W.
Allen, which made no attempt to escape, but shortened sail
to allow the "Pelican" to come up. At six a.m. the
" Argus " opened fire on her opponent within grape shot dis-
tance. The crew of the " Pelican " gave three cheers, and
returned the fire with such effect, that within five minutes,
the main braces, gaff, and main trysail mast of the " Argus "
■were shot away, and Captain Allen severely wounded. Soon
afterwards the "Pelican" bore up under the stern of her
enemy, raking her, and then ranging up on her starboard
quarter, poured in such a destructive fire, that the "Argus"
with her rimning rigging and wheel ropes shot away, became
entirely unmanageable. At a quarter to seven, the ships
having fouled each other, W. Young, master's mate of the
" Pelican " at the head of a party of men, boarded the
"Argus," and carried her with slight resistance, though
Young himself fell mortally wounded almost immediately he
stepped on her deck. The rigging and sails of the "Pelican "
were much damaged, and two of her carronnades were dis-
mounted. Of her crew of one hundred and thirteen men and
boys, she had besides the master's mate, one man killed
and five men wounded. The hull of the ' • Argus ' ' was consider-
ably injured, and of her crew of one hundred and twenty-five
six men were killed, and her captain and seventeen men wound-
ed. The prize was taken to Plymouth, where on August 1 8th,
Captain Allen died of his wound, and was buried with all
military honours. A few days after, Commander Maples was
desei-vedly promoted.

St. Sebastian. August — September, 1813.

A squadi'on under the command of Captain Sir Gr. Collier,
co-operated with the army at the siege and capture of St.

196 NAVAL MEDALS.

Sebastian during the months of August and September, 1813.
Ships of the line and frigates not being able to get near enough
to produce any effect, sloops and gun-boats only could bring
their guns to bear on the defences. The ships employed in
this service, were the "Ajax," R. W. Otway ; "Andromache"
G. Tobin ; " SurveiUante," Sir G-. R. Collier ; " Revolution-
naire," J. C. Woolcombe ; " President," F. Mason ; " Magici-
enne," Hon. W. Gordon ; " Beagle," J. Smith ; "Challenger"
F.Vernon ; " Constant," J. Stokes ; "Dispatch," J. Gallo-
way ; " Freija," W. Scott ; " Holly," S. Treacher ; " Lyra,"
R. Bloye ; "Juniper," N. Vassall ; "Sparrow,". J. Taylor ;
and "Arrow," J. Aplin. Men serving in the boats of other
ships present during the months of August and September,
and employed on the inner line of sea blockade, were also
entitled to the medal. A party of seamen was employed on
shore under the command of Captain J. Smith of the
"Beagle" and on August 31st, the boats of the squadron,
under the orders of Captains Galloway and Bloye, with some
of the smaller vessels, made a demonstration at the back of
the rock, which diverted a large proportion of the garrison
from the defence of the breach, which was assaulted by the
troops, and the town taken. The citadel held out, b\it
capitulated on September 10th. The loss sustained by the
Navy was very small.

The "Thunder," and "Neptune."
October 9th, 1813.

The " Thunder," bomb vessel, Commander W. 0. Pell, on
October 9th, on her way from Spithead to Woolwich, observed
a large armed lugger off the Owers light. The stranger,
which was the privateer "Neptune," of Dunkirk, sixteen
guns, with a crew of sixty -five men, took the " Thunder " to
be a merchant ship, and to favour the deception Commander
Pell hauled in for the land, as if he intended to run his ship
on shore. The trick was successful, the Frenchman came up

NAVAL MEDALS. 197

under a crowd of sail, and ordered the supposed merchantman
to heave to and surrender. With her crew prepared for
boarding, the " Neptune " put up her helm to lay her antici-
pated prize on board, when Commander Pell put his helm
down, and poured in a broadside fi-om four carronades, with
a volley of musketry. The lugger fell on board the " Thun-
der," whose crew instantly boarded, and after a short hand tO'
hand conflict, in which four Frenchmen were killed, and ten
(including one mortally) wounded ; the "Neptune" was-
taken. The "Thunder" had but two men wounded. For
this, and other gallant actions, Commander Pell, on November
1st following, was promoted to post rank.

Capture of Gtluckstadt,

January 5th, 1814.

A British squadron under the command of Captain A.
Farquhar, co-operated with a division of the army of the
Crown Prince of Sweden in the siege and capture of Gluck-
stadt, on the Elbe, 1813-14. A body of seamen and marines
served on shore under Captain A. Q-reen, and the loss sustained
afloat and ashore, was three men killed, and sixteen wounded.
After an investment of sixteen days, followed by six days
bombardment, Gluckstadt capitulated, January 5th, 1814.
The ships present on this occasion, were the " Desiree,'*
thirty-six. Captain A. Farquhar, " Shamrock," schooner, ten,
J. Marshall, "Hearty," brig, J. Eose, "Blazer," brig, F.
Banks, "Piercer," brig, J. Kneeshaw, "Redbreast," brig,
Sir G. M. Keith, and eight gun boats. For their services.
Captains Farquhar, Green, Marshall, and Eose, and Lieut-
enants Banks, KJneeshaw, and Sir G. M. Keith, were presented
with a gold medal by the Swedish Government.

The " Venerable," " Cyane," and two French Frigates.
January 16th and 20th, 1814.

On January 1 6th, about seven in the morning, the seventy-

198 NAVAL MEDALS.

four gun ship " Venerable," Captain J. A. Worth, with the
flag of Rear Admiral P. C. Durham, on his way to take the
chief command at the Leeward Islands ; the " Cyane,"
twenty-two gun sloop. Captain J. Forrest, and the brig
"Jason," a French prize captured some days before, in
charge of Lieutenant Moffat, and twenty-two men of the
"Venerable" ; fell in, near the Canary Islands, with the French
frigates " Alcmene " and " Iphigenia," forty guns each, from
Cherbourg, on a cruise. The " Cyane " having found that the
two ships were enemies, informed the "Venerable" by signal,
which immediately went in chase, and by the superiority
of her sailing, at about six in the evening arrived within hail
of the " Alcmene," the sternmost frigate. To a summons to
surrender, the " Alcmene " hoisted her colours and fired a
broadside at the " Venerable," which was returned, when the
French frigate suddenly bore up under all sail in the smoke,
and ran straight on board the seventy-four, expecting that
Jier consort, in accordance with a pre-concerted arrangement,
would second her bold attempt. The frigate was instantly
lashed alongside, and Captain "Worth with a hundred
boarders sprang on her deck, and after a sharji conflict
of fifteen minutes, hauled down her colours. The "Ij)higenia"
hauled sharp up and stood away, leaving the "Alcmene" to
her fate. Out of her crew of three hundred and nineteen
men and boys, she had thirty-two men killed, and fifty
officers and men wounded, including her commander. The
loss of the "Venerable" was two men killed and four
w^ounded. Meanwhile, the " Cyane " and " Jason " (the
latter having but two guns on board,) continued the chase
of the flying " Iphigenia," and at ten p.m., the brig, having
outsailed the "Cyane," opened on the frigate, but finding
her guns in reply too heavy, abandoned the contest. An
hour or two after the " Cyane " came up near enough to use
her bow guns, and continued exchanging shots with the
•enemy till nearly five o'clock the next morning, when the
*' Iphigenia" hauled up and fired three broadsides at the

NAVAL MEDALS. 199

flloop, wh-icli finding she was over-matched, dropped astern,
but still endeavoured to keep the chase in sight. Thus
passed the remainder of that day, and the whole of the next,
and the day after, August 18th and 19th, when the " Cyane "
lost sight of the object of her pursuit. During this time, the
" Venerable " having removed the prisoners, secured her
prize, and repaired her damages, was fast coming up under a
press of sail, steering to the north west.* At daybreak on
the morning of August 20th, the " Venerable was within two
miles of the " Iphigenia," but from her mast head the
" Cyane " was not to be seen. At eight a.m. after a running
fight, and having thrown her boats overboard, and cut away
Tier anchors without effect, the French frigate fired a broad-
side, and struck her colours. f Neither of the ships sustained
any loss, and the " C^'ane " also escaped without any casualties.
The prizes being nearh* new ships, were added to the British
Navy, the " Alcmene " as the " Gloire," and the " Iphigenia "
as the " Dunira," which name was afterwards changed to the
^' Immortalite."

* When the captain of the " Alcmene " came on board the
*' Venerable " to deliver up his sword, though wounded, he was so
enraged with the captain of his consort (who was his senior) for leaving
him unsupported, that he could think of nothing else. Admiral
Durham sent him into his cabin, and ordered the surgeon to attend
him. It being a rainy night, the Admiral wore his great coat over his
uniform, and presently entering the cabin, he found the surgeon
dressing the French captain's wounds, and a marine givii?g him light
•with a lanthorn. Taking the lanthorn from the marine, he said to the
Frenchman, " Your comrade hailed you just as we came up," he
answered " Yes," — he said — " If we part company I shall change my
course every two hourSj and my rendezvous will be in the north
•west." The Admiral returned the lanthorn to the marine, called the
master, gave him the facts, and cold him he calculated on falling in
with the frigate in the west north west, at about two hundred miles
distance, and ordered him to steer accordingly under all possible sail.

t When part of the crew of the " Iphigenia" was brought on board
the " Venerable." the prisoners from the '• Alcmene " were so enraged
at them f jr not having attempted to board the " Venerable " on the
other side on January 16th, that Admiral Durham was obliged to call
up his marines with fixed bayonets, and station them between the
parties to keep the peace.

200 NAVAL MEDALS.

The " EuROTAS " and " Clorinde,"*
Februaiy 25tli, 1814.

On February 25th, in latitude 47° 40' north, longitude 9°
30' west, the thirty-eight gun frigate " Eurotas," Captain J.
Philliniore, discovered the French forty-gun frigate "Clorinde "
on her way to Brest, after a cruise. The British frigate chased
and being the fastest sailer, at five p.m. passed under the stern
of the "Clorinde," andgave her her starboard broadside. Then
getting alongside her antagonist, a furious contest of twenty
minutes followed, in which the niizzen mast of the "Eurotas"
was shot away, and the fore top-mast of the "Clorinde."
The French frigate then shot ahead, but the " Eurotas "
luffing up, the ships were now again side by side, and the
action continued with re-doubled ardour. At twenty minutes
past six the " Eurotas " lost her main mast, and about the
same time the mizzen mast of the " Clorinde " came down.
Ten minutes afterwards the foremast of the " Eurotas" went
overboard, which was followed by the fall of the mainmast of
her opponent. The British ship was now totally dismasted
and unmanageable, and at half -past seven p.m. the "Clorinde"
with her fore yard only standing, set the remains of her fore-
sail, and her fore stay-sail, and stood away, out of gunshot.
Captain Phillimore having been severely wounded by a grape
shot in the shoulder. Lieutenant R. Smith took the command
of the " Eurotas," the wreck was cut away, and every
exertion made during the night to get up jury masts, and
keep after the enemy. Soon after six the next morning, the
" Eurotas " with three effective masts, again made sail after
the enemy, then about four miles distant, and in the same
dismasted state as on the previous evening. About noon,
while evidently gaining on the chase, to the mortification of
every one on board the "Eurotas," two sail hove in sight.
The nearest was the thirty-six gun frigate " Dryad," Captain

* Fortv-one medals were claimed by the survivors of this action,
in 1849. '

NAVAL MEDALS. 201

E. Galway, and the other the " Achates," sixteen, shjoji,
T. Morrison. On nearing the " Clorinde," she hoisted French
colours aft and English forward, and sent a boat to the
'* Dryad," proposing terms of capitulation. These were
refused, and about half-past one the " Dryad " hauling up on
the " Clorinde's " quarter, fired a gun at her, when she
struck her colours, and was at once taken possession of.
The French Captain offered his sword to Captain Gralway,
"who very honourably refused it, observing that it was only
due to Captain Phillimore. Out of her complement of three
hundred and twenty-nine men, the " Earotas " had two mid-
shipmen and nineteen men killed, and her captain, two
officers, and thirty-six men wounded. The " Clorinde " of
her crew of three hundred and forty-four men, had thirty
killed, and forty wounded. For his gallantry. Lieutenant
Smith was promoted to the rank of Commander. The
^' Dryad " took the prize in tow, and proceeded with her to
Portsmouth, where she was added to the Bi-itish Navy by
the name of " Aurora."

The " Hebrus " axd " Etoile,"

March 27th, 1814.

See ante, page 56.

The "Ph(ebe," "Cherub," and "Essex."
March 28th, 1814.

For six weeks, in the months of February and March, 1814,
the United States fi-igate "Essex," thirty-two guns, and the
twenty-gun ship " Essex Jxmior," (formerly a British whaler)
were blockaded in Valparaiso, by the thirty-six gun frigate
"Phoebe," Captain J. Hillyer, and the "Cherub," eighteen,
sloop. Captain T. Tucker. After an ineffectual attempt or
two to escape, on March 28th, the "Essex" drove out to sea
during a heavy squall, which carried away her main top-mast.
The "Phoebe" and "Cherub" chased, and the "Essex"

202 NAVAL MEDALS.

finding she could not weather them, anchored about half a
mile from the shore, bej^ond the limits of neutrality. Shortly
after four p.m. a distant and intermittent action commenced,
strong and baffling winds preventing the British ships from
closing with the enemy. At five and twenty minutes to six
the "Phoebe" closed with the "Esses," and after an engage-
ment of twenty minutes, the latter ship cut her cable, and
endeavoured to run ashoi*e, but eventually let go an anchor
and brought up about three quarters of a mile from the
beach. At twenty minutes past six, seeing the " Phoebe "
preparing to anchor alongside her, the American shij) hauled
down her colours and surrendered. About forty of her crew
escaped to the shore, many were drowned in the attempt, and
sixteen were saved by the British boats. The sails and
rigging of the "Phoebe" were much injured, and she had
received seven thirty-two pound shot, between wind and
water. Her first lieutenant (Ingram) and three men were
killed, and seven men were wounded. The " Cherub "
escaped with little damage, and had but one man killed, and
her commander and two men wounded. The loss of the
"Essex" seems to have been twenty-four men including a
lieutenant, killed, and forty-five men wounded, but the
American account makes it larger. The "Phoebe" and her
prize, the latter commanded by Lieutenant Pearson, set sail
for England, and on November 13th arrived in Plymouth*
Sound, when Lieutenant Pearson was promoted to the rank
of Commander.

" Opeeations in the Potomac."
August 17th, 1814.

A British squadron under the command of Captain J.
Gordon, consisting of the thirty-eight gun fi-igate " Seahorse,"
"Euryalus," thirty-six, Captain C. Napier, bomb-vessels
" Devastation," T. Alexander, " iEtna," E. Kenah, and
"Meteor," S. Eoberts ; rocket-ship "Erebus," D. Bartholomew,

NAVAL MEDALS. 203

"Anna Maria," tender, M. Gray, and sloop "Fairy," eight-
een, H. Baker, on August 1 Tth weighed anchor, and without
the aid of pilots, began to ascend the river Potomac, towards
Washington, the navigation being totally unknown to anyone
on board. The next day the "Seahorse" grounded, and
was only got afloat again by removing her guns. On the
25th a sudden squall did the ships much damage, the
"Euryalus" having all her top-masts blown away. On the
27th the squadron, after each of the ships had been aground
many times, arrived off Fort Washington, the principal
defence of the town of Alexandria. The bomb vessels sheUed
the fort, and blew up the magazine, and the next morning at
daybreak took possession of it. The garrison evacuated the
place, and the town capitulated. The fort and some batteries
were destroyed with their artillery, and after three days the
squadron with twenty-one prizes deeply laden with merchan-
dise, was on its way down the river. In warping down the
intricate channel, the ships were much annoyed by gun-boats
and fire-vessels, the Americans had erected batteries on all
commanding positions, and the banks were lined with
militia and riflemen. The "Devastation" and "Erebus"
grounded, but were got afloat, the batteries were silenced,
and on September the 9th, the ships sailed out of the
Potomac, and anchored in the same place they had quitted
twenty -three days before. The loss in this well conducted
enterprise, was the second Lieutenant of the "Fairy," C.
Dickenson, and six men killed, and Captains Napier and
Bartholomew, and thirty-three men wounded. No ships of a
similar draught had ever before attempted the navigation of
the river, with their guns and stores on board.

The "Endymion," ajstd "President."

January 15th, 1815.

See ante, page 57,

204 NAVAL MEDALS.

TnE "Malta," and "Berwick," at Gtaeta.
July 24th, 1815.

GrAETA, in the Kingdom of Naples, held out in the cause of
Napoleon, for several weeks after the Battle of Waterloo.
An Austrian force under Baron de Lauer, invested the place
"by land, and the British ships "Malta," eighty. Captain W.
Fahie, and " Berwick," seventy-four, Captain E. Brace,
"blockaded it by sea. After several bombardments, the
■Governor being informed by Captain Fahie of the surrender
of Napoleon to Captain Maitland in the " Bellerophon,"
capitulated on August 8th. The casualties on board the
British ships in these operations were — "Malta," four men
•wounded, "Berwick," one man wounded.

"Battle of Algiers."

August 27th, 1816.

The corsairs of the coast of Barbary had for centuries
"been the terror of mariners in the Mediterranean, but after
the fall of Napoleon in 1815, the British Government resolved
before reducing the Mediterranean fleet, to endeavour to
■compel the Deys to abandon their lawless and inhuman
T^ractices. Lord Exmouth, Commander in chief on the station,
in March, 1816, appeared with his fleet before Tunis and
Tripoli, which submitted, and agreed to abolish Slavery, but
the Dey of Algiers refused, and requested time to refer the
matter to the Grand Signior at Constantinople. This was
granted, and Lord Exmouth sailed for England, but on May
23rd following, at Bona near Algiers, the crews of between
500 or 400 small vessels engaged in the coral fishing were
barbarously massacred or carried into capti^dty by the
Algerines. To punish this atrocity and to abolish Christian
Slavery, a fleet under the command of Lord Exmouth, was
despatched against Algiers from Pljniiouth, July 28th, con-
sisting of the " Queen Charlotte," one hundred guns, Admiral
Lord Exmouth, Captain J. Brisbane ; " Impregnable,"

NAVAL MEDALS. 205

ninety-eight, Rear-Admiral D. Milno, Captain E. Brace ;
"Superb," seventy -four, C. Ekins ; "Minden," seventy -four,
W. Paterson ; " Albion," seventy-four, J. Coode ; " Leander,"
fifty, E. Chetham ; "Severn," forty, Hon. F. Ayliner ;
" Glasgow," forty, Hon. A. Maitland ; " G-ranicus," thirty-
six, W. F. Wise ; " Hebrus," thirty-six, E. Palmer ; the
sloops "Heron," eighteen, G. Bentham ; "Mutine," eighteen,
J. Mould ; brigs, " Britomart, " ten, P. Riddell ; "Cordelia,"
ten, W. Sargent; "Jasper," ten, T. Carew. Bomb-vessels,
" Beelzebub," W. Kempthorne ; " Fury," C. Moorsome ;
" Hecla," W. Popham ; " Infernal," Hon. G. Percival, a
transport, an ordnance sloop, and a despatch vessel. On
August 9th the fleet arrived at Gibraltar, and found lying
there a Dutch squadron under the command of Vice-Admiral
Baron Van de Capellan in the " Melampus," forty, and con-
sisting of three other frigates of forty guns each, one of
thirty guns, and an eighteen gun corvette. On learning the
object of the expedition. Admiral Van de Capellan solicited
and obtained permission to take part in the attack with his
squadron. During the passage of the fleet from England,
Lord Exmouth took the greatest care to train the seamen in
accurate gunnery. Every day, Sundays excepted, they were
exercised at the guns, and practised at a target, and on
Tuesdays and Fridays the ships cleared for action, and each
fired six broadsides. On August 1 3th every ship received a
plan of the fortifications of Algiers, with instructions respect-
ing the position she was to occupy. On the 27th at daybreak
the fleet was in sight of the place, and Lieutenant Burgess
with a flag of truce was sent to the Dey to demand certain
prescribed conditions, among which were "the abolition of
Christian Slavery, and the immediate liberation of the
British Consul,and the officers and men of the " Prometheus. "*
The boat was met by one from the shore, and an answer

* The " Prometheus," eighteen, sloop, Captain W. Dashwood,
joined the fleet just before it arrived at Algiers, having on board the
wife and daughter of the British Consul, but the Dey had imprisoned
the Consul, and detained two boats' crews belonging to the 'Prometheus.'

206 NAVAL MEDALS.

promised in two hours, in the mean time the fleet stood
into the hay and lay to about a mile from the city. The
fortifications of Algiers were of a very formidable char-
acter, and were considered to be almost impregnable.
On the mole, which projected about a quarter of a mile
into the sea, and curved round to meet another pier which
with it formed the principal harbour, more than two
hundred guns were mounted, thirty-two, twenty-four, and
eighteen pounders. The sea front of the place bristled with
batteries of two and three tiers, armed with upwards of five
hundred heavy guns and mortars. The whole Algerine fleet
consisting of nine large fi'igates and corvettes, and about
forty gun and bomb vessels, lay ready for sea, in the harbour
inside the mole. About two p.m. Lieutenant Burgess returned
to the fleet without an answer from the Dey, and Lord
Exmouth immediately made the signal for attack. At half-
past two the " Queen Charlotte " anchored by the stern,
about fifty yards from the mole head, and was lashed to the
mainmast of an Algerine brig which lay at the entrance of
the harbour. This was scarcely done when a shot was fired
at the ship, and another at the " Superb." At the flash of
the first gun, the Admiral gave the order to fire, and the
action commenced, each British ship taking a part the instant
she could bring her guns to bear. Ahead of the flag-ship
lay the " Leander," and ahead of her were the "Severn"
and " Glasgow." The " Superb " anchored about two hun-
dred and fifty yards astern of the "Queen Charlotte," and
the " Minden " at about her own length from the " Superb."
The "Impregnable" not being able to reach her appointed
station, was exposed at five hundred yards distance to the
concentrated fire of two batteries, one of three tiers of guns,
and the other of two. The "Albion" brought up near the
"Impregnable," but weighed again, and anchored within
her own length of the " Minden." The " Grranicus " waited
till all the ships had taken their stations, then anchored in
the space between the flag-ship and the " Superb," a position

NAVAL MEDALS. 207

of which Lord Exmouth said a three decker might be justly
proud. The Dutch Admiral anchored the " Melampus "
with her jib-boom over the taffrail of the " Glasgow," and
his other frigates took up positions near to him, under a
heavy fire. The bomb vessels anchored about two thousand
yards from the batteries, and threw shells into them and the
town, over the fleet, with admirable precision, and the smaller
vessels, gun and rocket boats, placed themselves where they
could most annoy the enemy. The third broadside of the
" Queen Chaiiotte," levelled the battery on the mole-head to
its foundations, and she then directed her fire with good
results on the town gate, and lighthouse batteries.* Soon
after the action commenced, the enemy's gun-boats came out
with the expectation of boarding the flag-ship and the
" Leander " in the smoke, but a few broadsides chiefly from
the latter ship, cut them to pieces, and sent thirty-three of
them out of thirty-seven to the bottom. About four p.m. the
barge of the " Queen Charlotte," under the command of
Lieutenant Richards and Major Gosset of the Miners,!
went in and set fire to an Algerine frigate moored across the
entrance of the mole, and soon after by the incessant and
well directed fire of the mortar and rocket boats, all the
vessels in the harbour were in flames. At half-past foiir,
Eear Admiral Milne sent a message to Lord Exmouth, stating
that the " Impregnable " had sustained a loss of one hundred
and fifty men killed and wounded, (a third part of the
casualties being caused by the bursting of a shell between
decks) and requesting that a frigate might be sent to divert
some of the fire from his ship. The " Glasgow " was ordered
to perform this service, but the wind had been lulled by the
cannonade, and she was only able after nearly an hour's

* A twelve pounder was mounted in the fore and main tops of the
" Queen Charlotte," each loaded with three hundred musket bullets,
which swept the parapet of the battery, and drove the Algerines from
their upper tier of guns.

t Eighty-four men of the first battalion Royal Sappers and Miners
under the command of Majors Gosset and Reed, served as marines on.
board the " Queen Charlotte," and " Impregnable.

208 XAYAL MEDALS.

exertion to reach a better position between the "Severn"
and the " Leander " for annoying the enemy. To relieve the
" Impregnable," an ordnance sloop, fitted as an explosion
vessel with one thousand one hundred and forty-three
barrels of gunpowder, and intended for the destruction
of the Algerine fleet, directed by Lieutenant T. Fleming,
and Major Reed of the Sappers and Miners, was run
on shore under a semi-circular battery which gave most
annoyance and exploded about nine p.m. The ships kept
up a tremendous cannonade till ten p. m., when the batteries
on the shore being destroyed and most of the others almost
silenced, they cut their cables and taking advantage of the
land breeze stood out of the ba3^ The wind being very light
they made slow progress, and the " Leander," " Superb," and
"Impregnable," suffered a good deal from the fire of a fort,
on which no guns could be brought to bear, at the upper angle
of the defences. By two a.m. on the morning of August 28th,
the whole fleet was beyond the reach of shot or shell, and was
assisted in taking up an anchorage by the blaze of the Algerian
ships and store houses, which illumined the bay. The loss of
the victors was heav}^, especially on board the flag ship, which
had eight men killed, and one hundred and thirty one men
wounded,* the "Impregnable," fifty men killed and one
hundred and sixty wounded, and the " Leander," seventeen
men killed and one hundred and eighteen wounded, the total
casualties in the British shijDS being one hundred and twenty
eight men killed and six hundred and ninety men wounded.
The total loss of the Dutch ships was thirteen men killed, and
fifty two men wounded. Next morning at daylight the bomb
vessels resumed their positions, and soon after the captain of
the port came off, accompanied b}^ the Swedish Consul, and
informed Lord Exmouth that all his demands would be com-
plied with. These were the abolition of Christian slavery for

* Lord Exmouth himself had a very narrow escape. He was slightly
wounded in the thigh, face, and hand, a cannon shot carried away the
skirts of his coat, broke one of the glasses, and bulged the rim of the
spectacles in his pocket.

NAVAL MEDALS. 20^

ever, the delivery to tlie British of all Christian slaves, (up-
wards of one thousand two hundred) the restoration of three
hundred and eighty two thousand five hundred dollars paid by
Naples and Sicily to redeem their subjects, thirty thousand
dollars to be paid to the British Consul as a compensation for
the loss of his property, and peace with the Netherlands..
Having thus fully accomplished all the objects of the expedition,
on September 3rd the fleet sailed for England, leaving the-
" Prometheus " to attend the British Consul. For the skill
and gallantry he displayed on this occasion Lord Exmouth
was created a Viscount of the United Kingdom,* Rear-
Admiral Milne was made a K.C.B. and Captains Ekins,
Aylmer, "Wise, Maitland, Paterson, and Groode, received the-
order of C.B. Pour Commanders were advanced to post rank,.
and sixteen Lieutenants were promoted to the rank of
Commander, thirty-two mates and midsliipmen also received
commissions as Lieutenants.

" Battle of Navarino."
October 20th, 1827.

Tn the year 1827, a bloody and ferocious contest, commen-
cing in 1821, still continued between the revolted Greeks and
the Turks. The Greeks fought for independence, but Ibrahim.
Pacha, the most savage and ruthless of the Turkish Generals,
occupied the Morea with an overwhelming force, and devastated
the countiy with fire and sword. To put an end to these
atrocities, a treaty was signed between England, France, and
Russia for the pacification of Greece ; and Vice-Admii'al Sir
E. Codrington, in September, sailed with a British squadron
to Navarino, on the western side of the Morea, in the harbour-

* By order of the Prince Regent a large gold medal was struck and
presented to Lord Exmouth on his return to England. On the obverse
is the bust of the Prince, surrounded by the couplet, " To tame the
proud, the fetter'd slave to free. These are imperial arts, and worthy
thee." Below are the words "George Prince Regent." On the
reverse is a representation of the battle, and in the exergue the words,
" Algiers bombarded its fleet destroyed and Christian slavery extin-
guished, August 27th 1816." But four of these medals were struck.

210 NAVAL MEDALS.

of which, place, was lying the Turkish and Egyptian fleets.
Here he was presently joined by a French squadron, under
Rear Admiral de Eigny, and in the month following, hy a
Russian squadron, under Rear Admiral Count de Heiden.
The combined fleet consisted of the British ships — "Asia,"
eighty-four, Vice Admiral Sir E. Codrington, Captain E.
Curzon ; "Genoa," seventy-four, W. Bathurst ; "Albion,"
seventy-four, J. A. Ommaney ; "Glasgow," fifty, Hon. J.
A. Maude, "Cambrian," forty-eight, G. "W. Hamilton;
"Dartmouth," forty -two, T. Fellowes ; "Talbot," twenty-
mght, Hon. F. Spencer, the brigs, " Rose," L. Davies ;
"Mosquito," G. B. Martin ; "Philomel," Viscount Ingestre,
and " Brisk," Hon. W. Anson ; three French ships of seventy-
four guns each, one of sixty, a forty-four gun frigate, and
two schooners ; four Russian seventy-four gun ships, a fifty
^un ship, and three frigates. The Turkish and Egyptian
fleets amounted to about one hundred sail, comprising two
eighty-four gun ships, one seventy-six gun ship, four double
banked sixty-four gun frigates, fifteen forty-eight gun frigates,
and the remainder corvettes, brigs, schooners, and fire ships.
On his arrival before Navarino, Sir E. Codrington informed
Ibrahim that his ravages and massacres could no longer be per-
mitted, and the latter agreed to suspend all offensive operations
while he communicated with the Vizier at Constantinople.
But a detachment of his fleet not being permitted to leave the
Tiarbour to act against the Greeks at Patras, Ibrahim threw
his promises to the winds, and re-commenced his work of
butchering and devastation with a ferocity which soon would
have rendered the surrounding country a desert. The British
Admiral to check these acts of brutal extermination, resolved
to enter the harbour of Navarino, and anchor his ships along-
side the Turco -Egyptian fleet, so as to be able to compel
Ibrahim to observe the conditions of his agreement. The
Tiarbour is about six miles in circumference and almost in the
iorm of a horse-shoe, the only passage into it being about
:six hundred yards in width. On the right hand stands the

NAVAL MEDALS. 211

iortress or citadel of Navarino, mounting many guns, and on
the left hand, on an island, were heavy batteries, which
defended the entrance to the harbour and commanded the
anchorage within. About half -past one a.m. on October 20th,
"the combined fleet led by the " Asia" stood into the harbour
in two lines, the British and French ships forming the weather
or starboard column, the Russians the lee line, and passed
ihe batteries unmolested. The Turco-Egyptian fleet was
moored in the form of a crescent, in three lines, the largest of
them presenting their broadsides towards the centre, and the
smaller vessels inside filling up the intervals ; at the entrance
of the harbour lay six fire-ships. The "Asia" anchored
alongside a ship of the line beariag the flag of the Capitan
Bey, and on the larboard quarter of a double banked frigate
with the flag of Moharem Bey, Commander-in-Chief of the
^Egyptian squadron. The " Grenoa " brought up abreast of a
double banked frigate, within a hundred yards of her leader,
and the " Albion " took up her position astern of the "Genoa."
The French line of battle ships followed the English, and took
their stations opposite four Egyptian ships to the windward.
To the Russian squadron was allotted the ships of the enemy
to the leeward. The frigates "Cambrian," "Glasgow," and
"Talbot," took stations abreast of the British ships of the
line, with the French frigate " Armide," on the left hand side
in entering the harbour, and the "Dartmouth" with the
smaller vessels, watched the movements of the fire-ships.
Strict orders were issued by Sir E. Codrington that not a gun
w^as to be fired, unless the combined fleet was first attacked by
the Turks. Most of the ships had anchored, and the sails of
many were furled, when Captain Fellows of the " Dartmouth"
•sent a boat under Lieutenant Fitzroy to one of the fire-ships
with a request that they would move a little further away
from the position he occupied. On proceeding alongside the
flre-ship, a fire was opened on the boat, by which Lieutenant
Fitzroy and several of the boat's crew were killed and wounded.
The fire was returned by the " Dartmouth " to cover her boat,

212 NAVAL MEDALS.

and the engagement soon became general. The "Asia" at
first directed her guns solely upon the ship of the Turkish
Admiral, though nearer to the ship of Moharem Bey, and as
the latter did not fire at the " Asia," the " Asia " did not fire
at her. Ho"^vever, presently the Egyptian opened fire on the
English fiag-shij), and to quote Sir E. Codringtons' dispatch,
his ship "was consequently effectually destroyed by the
"Asia's" fire, sharing the same fate as his brother Admiral
on the starboard side, and falling to leeward a complete wreck."
The "Asia" then was exposed to a raking fire from vessels
in the second and third line, her mizzen mast was shot away,
several of her guns disabled, and many of her crew killed and
wounded.^'- For four hours the conflict raged with unabated
fury. The batteries opened on the allies, and probably did
nearly as much damage to friends as foes, and as each ship of
the enemy was disabled, such of her crew as could escape set
her on fire, and she drifted about in flames to the danger of
all near, till she blew up. The "Genoa" suffered severely,
two of her ports were knocked into one, by a couple of stone
shot weighing one hundred and twenty pounds each, her
masts, yards, and rigging were cut to pieces, and her captain
mortally wounded by a grape shot.f The "Albion" was-
exposed to the united broadsides of several ships, including
one of seventy-four, and another of sixty-four guns. About
half an hour after the beginning of the action, one of them
fell foul of her, and her crew made a desperate attempt to
board, but were repulsed with heavy loss. The Turk was

* Sir E. Codrington had several narrow escapes. His bat and coat
sleeve were pierced by bullets, and anotber struck the watch in his
fob, indented its case and broke its works, but did him no injury.

t On board the British ships there was considerable danger of the
guns bursting by being overloaded. The men were allowed to double
shot the guns, and strict orders were given that this charge was not to
be exceeded, but in their zeal they often cramii:ed shot upon shot and
filled the guns almost to their muzzles. An Officer of the " Genoa "
detected one of his crew ramming into his gun two thirty-two pound
shot, a thirty-two pound charge of grape, and a lot of canister on the
top of all, and rebukmg him for his disobedience of orders, the seamen
replied — mopping his face v»'ith the sponge rammer — "Lord, sir, 'tis,
best to give 'em a taste of all our pills."

NAVAL MEDALS. 213

then boarded by Lieutenant Drake with a party of men, and
carried, when she was found to be on fire. The boai'ders
returned to their ship, and the cables of the enemy's ship
having been cut, she drifted clear of the "Albion" and
sliortly afterwards blew up. The French Admiral's flag-ship
was only saved from being grappled by a fire-ship by the
^'allant conduct of Captain Davies in the "Rose," and the
boats of the British squadron. The " Talbot " being engaged
with a double banked Turkish frigate, the French frigate
" Armide " came between her and another frigate of the
■enemy which was raking the British ship, and compelled her
to strike. The French ships behaved extremely well, and
the conduct of the Russian squadron elicited the highest
praise of Sir E. Codrington, in fact, if both had not perfectly
co-operated with the British, the latter would have been in a
very critical situation. About six p.m. the firing ceased on
both sides, and favoured by a light breeze the allied fleet
weighed and stood out to sea, while the "Cambrian" and
" Glasgow " with two French ships of the line, took a position
ojiposite Ibrahim's camp, with orders to open fiLre on it if
the batteries flred on the ships while leaving the harbour.
All the harbour was covered with wi-eckage, masts, spars, and
flaming hulls, for the Turks fearing all their ships would
become prizes to the victors, set on fire and blew up many
which were almost uninjured. The heavy loss of the allies
shows the obstinate defence made by the enemy. The
casualties of the British were, on board the " Asia," the
master, captain of marines, mate, boatswain, pilot, and four-
teen men killed, and six oflicers and fiJty-one men wounded.
The "Genoa" had her gallant captain, Bathurst,'" four
officers and twenty -two men killed, and three officers and
twenty-nine men wounded. The " Albion " had two officers

* Captain Bathurst who was popularly known in the service as
" the good captain," survived his wound eleven hours. His body was
brought to England in the " Genoa," and buried at Plymouth with all
military honours.

214 NAVAL MEDALS.

and eight men killed, and seven officers and forty-two men
wounded, the " Dartmouth " two officers and four men killed,
and two officers and six men wounded, the " Talbot," a
midshi2')man and five men killed and four officers and thirteen
men wounded, the total British loss being seventy-five men
killed and one hundred and ninety-seven men wounded.*
The loss of the French was forty-three men killed and one
hundred and forty-four men wounded, and the loss of the
Russians, fifty-nine men killed and one hundred and thirty-
nine men wounded. The loss of the enemy was estimated by
themselves at several thousands. This battle virtually ended
the Greek struggle for inde2:>endence. Before the end of the
year the army of Ibrahim quitted the Morea, and Count
Capo d'Istria was elected President of the the Greeks.

"Syria." November, 1840.
8ee ante, page 60.

* The conduct of the " Hind," cutter, tender to the " Asia," mount-
ing eight six-pounder carronades, with a crew of thirty men,
commanded by Lieutenant J. Robb, in this action, has seldom been
equalled in the British Navy. She had been sent to Zante with
dispatches and entered the harbour just as the engagement commenced.
Taking a raking position on the stern of a double banked frigate,
. Lieutenant Robb opened on her a well directed fire for about three-
quarters of an hour though exposed to the broadsides of a brig, frigate,
and a corvette. The "Hind's" cable was cut by shot, and her
anchors disabled, but she brought up between a corvette and a brig,
which she engaged till the latter blew up, and her only remaining
cable having been cut, she drifted from the corvette. Shortly after,
the cutter ran foul of a large Turkish frigate, her boom entering one
of the main deck ports of the frigate, whose crew made repeated
attempts to board, but were repulsed. Finding their efforts useless,
about sixty of the enemy pushed off in a large boat, with the intention
of laying the cutter on board, but when nearly alongside, two
carronades charged to the muzzle with grape and canister, were
discharged with such effect that the boat was cut to pieces, and most
of her crew killed and drowned. The " Hind " then dropped clear of
the frigate, and soon after the action ended. Four of her crew were
killed and ten wounded. Three of her guns were dismounted and
twenty-three round shot had pierced her hull. She was named by the
fleet, " His Majesty's line of battle cutter."

NAVAL MEDALS. 215

BOAT ACTIONS.

Many of the most daring and desperate exploits of the
British Navy have been performed in boats, and actions classed
under boat services, may favourably compare with storming
an obstinatety defended breach, or carrpng a fort by escalade
without the aid of artillery. In both cases volunteers were
called upon for the service. Boat actions were generally
commanded by Lieutenants, who if successful, were usually
promoted. The gallant deeds accomplished in cutting out
ships of the enemy in the face of apparently almost insuper-
able obstacles can never be surpassed, and the skill and
daring of those in command was only equalled by the heroic
conduct of the men they led to victory. An Admiralty Order
dated June 7th, 1848, states — " Her Majesty has been pleased
to take into her gracious consideration the many instances of
gallantry displayed b}'' the officers, seamen, and marines in boat

actions and to direct that such sei'V'ices, if distinguished

by the promotion of the officer conducting the enterprise, shall
entitle those who were present, and now living to the medal.
But the officers, seamen, and marines of the ships from which
the boats were detached, are not to participate in the
distinction, which only properly belongs to those personally
engaged."

'• WiLLEMSTADT." March 15th, 1793.

Ox the night of March 15th, part of the crew of the thirty-
two gun frigate " Syren," Captain J. Manley, lying at anchor
at the Maese, embarked in three gunboats, under the
command of Lieutenant J. Western, and proceeded to attack
five French batteries which had been erected to bombard
Willemstadt, a fortress situated on a small island about thirty
miles east of Helvoetsluys. Favoured by a fog, the boats got
into position and opened such a well directed and destructive
fire on the French, that they abandoned their works and fled^
The works were destroyed, and the next day the Dutch
Governor of Willemstadt took possession of the guns, with

216 NAVAL MEDALS.

acknowledgements to the British. A few cla3^8 after, as
Lieutenant Western was attacking a French camp on the
Moordj'ke, he was shot through the head, being the first
British officer that was killed in the war.

"Martinique." March 17th, 1794.

The boats of the following ships of the fleet commanded by
Vice Admiral Sir J. Jervis, employed at the reduction of
Martinique, were engaged in this service. " Boyne," ninety-
eight, Vice-Admiral Sir J. Jervis, Captain G. Grey ;
" Vengeance," seventy-four, Commodore C. Thompson, Captain
H. Paulet ; " Irresistible," seventy-four, J.Henry; "Asia,"
sixty-four, J. Brown ; "Veteran," sixty-four, C. E. Nugent ;
" Beaulieu," fort}^ J. Salisbury; "Assurance," forty-six,
V. Berkeley ; " Santa Margaritta," thirty-six, E. Harvey ;
"Blonde," thirty-two, J. Markham ; " Winchelsea," thirty-
two, Lord Garlies ; " Quebec," thirty-two, J. Rogers ;
"Rose," twenty-eight, E. Eiou ; "Nautilus," sixteen, J.
Carpenter ; "Zebra," sixteen, R. Fauknor ; "Avenger,"
"Woolwich," " Vesuvius," " Ulysses," " Aurora," " Drome-
dary," "Rattlesnake," "Roebuck," "Experiment," "Sea-
flower," "Tormentor," "Spiteful," and "Venom."

The French frigate " Bienvenue," twenty-eight, was lying
in Fort Royal Bay, Martinique, moored by chains within
fifty yards of the shore. On the morning of March 17th, the
boats under the command of Lieut. Bowen, of the "Boyne,"
opened fire on the forts, and pulled into the bay to attack the
frigate. As soon as the boats were within range, the troops
in the forts kept up a heavy fire of musketry on thein, and
the frigate poured into them musketry and rounds of grape
shot. In the face of this, Lieut. Bowen got alongside the
fi-igate and boarded her with but little opposition, the greater
part of her crew having fled to the shore as the boats
approached. The frigate's sails being unbent and the wind
blowing directly into the bay, the incessant fire from the forts.

NAVAL MEDALS. 217

to -which the British could make no adequate return, making
it almost impossible for them to go aloft and set the sails,
Lieut. Bowen was obliged to push off with the French
captain and about twenty other prisoners, and leave his prize
behind ; with a loss of three men killed and four or five men
wounded. The forts were stormed and captured a day or two
afterwards, when the " Bienvenue " again came into the
possession of the British, and was added to the Navy by the
name of " Undaunted. {See ante, page 69.)

Cutting out the " Mutine."
May 29th, 1797.

On May 28th, the frigates " Minerve " and "Lively,"
Captains B. Hallowell and Gr. Cockburn, cruising off Santa
Cruz in the island of Tenei'iffe, discovered a French brig at
anchor in the road. On the following day the boats of the
two ships, under the command of Lieut. T. M. Hardy of the
" Minerve," supported by Lieuts. L. 0. Bland, H. Hopkins,
J. Bushby, and W. Gr. Grage, made an attack on the brig as
she lay at anchor, boarded and carried her. A heavy fire of
cannon and musketry was immediately opened on her from
the sliore, and from a large ship lying in the road, and the
wind failing, the boats were obliged to take her in tow. For
nearly an hour the prize was under fire, but about four p.m.
she was brought safe out of gun shot, and proved to be the
brig-corvette " Mutine," mounting fourteen guns. In carry-
ing out this enterprise, Lieut. Hardy and fourteen of his men
were wounded, but none were kUled. The " Mutine," a fine
vessel of three hundred and fifty tons, was added to the
British Navy by the same name, and the command of her
given to Lieut. Hardy.

Cutting out the " Bella Aurora."
June 9th, 1799.

The thirty-two gim frigate " Success," Captain S. Peard,
on June 9th chased a Spanish polacca into the harbour of

218 NAVAL MEDALS.

La Selva, and there being no appearance of batteries to pro-
tect her, Captain Peard resolved to cut her out with his boats.
At four in the aftei-noon, three boats with forty-two men,
commanded by Lieuts. Stacey and Stupart, put off from the
ship, got alongside, boarded, and after a sharp contest
carried the polacca " Bella Aurora," laden with cotton, silk,
and rice, and mounting ten guns, with a crew of one hundred
and thirteen men. She was fully prepared to resist the
attack, being surrounded by boarding nettings, and suppoi'ted
by a battery, and a large body of small arm men on the
shore. The loss of the British in this enterprise was three
men killed, and Lieut. Stupart and nine men wounded (one
mortally.) A few months afterwards Lieut. Stacey was pro-
moted to the rank of commander.

Re-Capture of the " Lady Nelson."
December 20th, 1799.

On the evening of December 21st, the ten-gun cutter,
" Lady Nelson," while off Cabrita Point, was surrounded
and attacked by three French privateers and some gun bo:it8,
in sight of the " Queen Charlotte," one hundred guns, and
the thirty-six gun frigate " Emerald," lying in the bay.
Vice-Admiral Lord Keith, whose flag was flying in the
" Queen Charlotte," ordered the boats of the two ships,
under the command of Lieut. W. Bainbridge to go to the
assistance of the cutter, but before the boats could get up
with her she had been captured and taken in tow by two of
the privateers. Lieut. Bainbridge with sixteen men in the
barge of the " Queen Charlotte," ran alongside the " Lad}'-
Nelson," boarded, and after a sharp contest recaptured her,
taking prisoners seven French officers and twenty-seven men.
The two privateers cut the tow ropes and made off towards
Algesiras, and favoured by the darkness escaped. In this
dashing affair Lieut. Bainbridge was severely wounded, with
several of his men. Six or seven of the enemy were killed or

NAVAL MEDALS. 219

knocked overboard in the encounter. Soon afterwards Lieut.
Bainbridge was deservedly promoted.

Capture of the " Cerbere,"
July 29th, 1800.

At the end of July 1800, the fourteen-gun cutter " Yiper,"
acting Lieutenant J. Coghlan was attached to the squadron of
Sir E. Pellew engaged in blockading Port Louis. There being
some small vessels lying at the entrance to the harbour.
Lieutenant Coghlan, sought and obtained permission fi'om the
Admiral to cut out a French brig, mounting three long
twenty-four pounders, and four six-pounders, full of men,
moored with springs on her cables, within pistol shot of three
batteries, and not a mile distant from a French seventy-four
gun ship, and two frigates. With a ten oared cutter, manned
with twelve volunteers from the squadron, Mr. S. H. Paddon,
midshipman, and six men from the "Viper," a boat from the
"Amethyst" and another from the "Yiper," Lieutenant
Coghlan set out on his daring enterprise on the night of June
29th. As he neared the brig it was discovered her crew were
at quarters, the other two boats were not up, but the
Lieutenant pushed on with his handfid of men and boarded
the brig on her quarter. The night being extremely dark,
in boarding, Lieutenant Coghlan jumped into a net which was
hanging up to diy, and while entangled in it was run through
the thigh by a pike, several of his men were wounded, and
the whole of them forced back into the boat. Having hauled
further ahead the British again boarded, but several of them
were knocked overboard, and the whole the second time
rejjulsed. With unfailing courage a third attempt was made,
and after an obstinate contest, in which six of the enemy
were killed, and twenty, including every officer, wounded, the
"Cerbere" became the prize of the victors, with a loss of
one man killed, and eight men with Lieutenant Coghlan and
Mr. Paddon wounded, the former in two places, and the latter

220 NAVAL MEDALS.

iu six. The two otlier boats now joining, the prize was towed
out under a heavy hut ineffectual fire from the batteries.
Lieutenant Coghlan was confirmed in his rank, though he had
not quite served the regulation time, and the officers and men
of the squadron to mark their sense of such distinguished
bravery, relinquished all claim to the " Cerbere," and gave
her up to her actual captors. As a testimony of his admiration
of the intrepid conduct of Lieutenant Coghlan, Earl St.
Vincent presented lum with a handsome sword of the value
of hundred guineas.

Cutting out the " Gtuepe,"
August 29th, 1800.

On August 29th, a British squadron under the command of
Sir J. B. "Warren, in the seventy-four gun ship " Renown,"
consisting of the "London," "Lupetueux," "Courageux,"
"Amethyst," " Stag," "Amelia," "Brilliant," and "Cynthia,"
with several transports, fell in with a French privateer, off
Vigo, which ran in under the batteries at Redondela for
shelter. In the evening, Lieutenant Burke of the " Renown,"
with twenty boats of the squadron, proceeded to cut the vessel
out. Soon after midnight the boats got alongside the enemy,
which was the eighteen-gun privateer " Guepe," with a crew
of one hundred and sixty men, fully prepared to meet the
attack. As the boats approached the Frenchmen cheered, but
the British boarded, and notwithstanding the captain of the
" Gruepe " had closed his hatches to keep his men to their
quarters, in fifteen minutes the ship was in the jjossession of
the assailants, with the loss of four luen killed, and three
oflicers and seventeen men wounded. The loss of the enemy
was twenty-five men killed, and her Commander (mortally)
and thirty-nine men wounded. Lieutenant Burke who was
wounded in the affair, was promoted to the rank of Commander
immediately afterwards.

NAVAL MEDALS. 221

CUTTIXG OUT THE " Sa.N JoSEF,"

October 27tli, 1800.

On October 27th the thirty-eight gun frigate " Phaeton,"
Captain J. N. Morris, chased a Spanish polacca ship, which
ran in for the land, and mooied under the protection of the
fortress of Fuengirola, near Malaga. Late in the evening,
four boats from the " Phaeton," under the orders of her first
lieutenant, P. Beaufort, proceeded to attack the j)olacca
" San Josef," mounting fourteen-guns, all brass, two of them
long twenty -four pounders, with a crew of fifty-six seamen
and soldiers. The launch not being able to keep up with the
other three boats. Lieutenant Beaufort pushed on without
her, though fired on by a French privateer schooner, which
had entered the roadstead unseen in the night. About five
in the morning the boats got alongside the polacca, and in
spite of an obstinate resistance, boarded her and brought her
out, with the loss of one man killed, and Lieutenant Beaufort
and three officers and men wounded. Of the enemy, six wore
badly, and thirteen slightly wounded. Being a fast sailing
vessel, the " San Josef" was immediately commissioned as a
British sloop of war, and named the " Calpe." In November
following. Lieutenant Beaufort was promoted to the rank of
Commander.

Cutting out the " Ciievkette,"
July 21st, 1801.

During the summer of 1801, b}' the orders of Vice-Admiral
Cornwallis, Commander-in-chief of the Channel fleet, the
frigates "Doris," Captain C. Brisbane, " Beaulieu," Captain
S. Poyntz, and "Uranie," Captain W. H. G-age, were stationed
off Brest harbour to watch the motions of the Fx*ench and
Spanish fleets lying there. In the month of July, the Prench
twenty-gun corvette " Chevrette " was discovered at anchor
under some batteries in Cameret Bay, and the British resolved
to attemj)t to cut her out. On the night of July 20th, the

222 NAVAL MEDALS.

"boats of tlie " Doris " and " Beaulieu " manned by volunteers,
under the orders of Lieutenant W. Losack, who had been
sent by the Admiral from the " Ville de Paris," to take the
command, set out on the enterprise, hut the boats not pulling
alike, separated, part returning to the ships, and the others
expecting their comrades, lay on their oars till daylight at the
enti'ance of Cameret Bay, where they were seen from the
corvette and the shore. The next morning the " Chevrette "
got under weigh, and running more than a mile farther
up the bay, moored close under some heavy batteries,
took on board a body of soldiers, loaded her guns to the
muzzle, and stationed a gun -vessel armed with two thirty-
six pounders, as a guard boat at the entrance of the
bay. Having taken all these precautions against attack,
she then displayed in defiance, a French ensign over
an English one. This last provocation only made the British
more eager for the attack, and at about half -past nine on the
night of June 21st, the boats of the three frigates (the "Uranie"
having rejoined) with the barge and pinnace of the " Robust "
seventy-four, numbering in all fifteen, and containing two
hundred and eighty officers and men, under the command
of Lieutenant Losack, proceeded a second time to attempt to
cut out the " Chevrette." Soon after they had put off, a boat
was seen near the shore, and supposing it to be a look out
boat from the corvette, Lieutenant Losack with his own and
five other boats gave chase. The remaining boats under the
command of Lieutenant R. Maxwell of the "Beaulieu," after
waiting some time for the return of Lieutenant Losack, and
finding he did not rejoin, proceeded alone on the enterprise
with about one hundred and eighty officers and men. Having
formed his plan, Lieutenant Maxwell pointed out to his officers
and men their several duties, that while part of them were en-
gaged with the enemy on deck, others should fight their way
aloft and cut the sails loose, others were to cut the cables, and the
quarter-master of the " Beaidieu "* was ordered to take charge
* The quarter-master of the " Beaulieu," H. Wallis, who was ordered

xVAVAL MEDALS. 223

of the lielm. It was about half-past twelve at night, and the
moon was fast sinking below the horizon when the boats
reached the entrance of the ba}'. A half an hour later they
were discovered by the "Chevrette," who after hailing,
opened a heavy fire of gi'ape and musketry upon them,
followed by volleys of shot fi'om the batteries on shore. In
the face of all this, the British pushed on, the boats of the
"Beaulieu" boarding the ship on her starboard bow and
quarter, and the boats of the '• Uranie," one of the " Robust "
and one belonging to the "Doris," on the larboard, in spite
of a most obstinate resistance,* in which the assailants lost all
their fire arms, and with their cutlasses only boarded the enemy.
While the fight was hotly maintained on the deck, the top
men fought their way aloft, and though the foot ropes were cut
or strapj)ed up, in less than thi-ee minutes after the ship had
been boarded, down came the topsails and courses of the
"Chevrette," and her cable having been cut, she began
drifting out of the bay, under a light breeze. On finding the
ship under sail, many of the enemy jumped overboard, others
threw down their arms, but some having fled below, kept up

by Lieutenant Maxwell to take charge of the helm of the " Chevrette,"
had been seven years in his ship, and was always among the foremost
in any service of danger. JJuring the time he belonged to the
" Beaulieu," he had saved the lives of nearly a dozen men from
drowning, jumpmg overboard sometimes in almost a gale of wind, at
the hazard of his own. This brave man cut his way to the wheel,
killing one or more of the enemy in his progress, and though bleeding
from several wounds he had received, remained at his post, and steered
the ship until she was beyond the range of the batteries, and out of
danger. Jlr. Brown, boatswain of the " Beaulieu," having with much
difficulty gained the tatfrail of the " Chevrette," saw the officer who
commanded his party, fighting his way up a little further forward ;
for an instant looking round to select the best place to make a push
to join him, he stood as a mark for the enemy's fire, when waving his
cutlass, he cried " Make a lane there, I'm coming " jumped down
among the enemy, and cut his way through them till he reached his
friends on the forecastle, which, animated by his example, they soon
cleared of the enemy.

* The French fought most desperately, armed with fire arms, swords,
pikes, and tomahawks, by which several of the British had their arms
cut off in attempting to board. Many of the British were killed and
wounded before the boats got alongside, the barge of the " Beaulieu "
was sunk by shot, and during the conflict the enemy more than once
boarded the boats.

224 NAVAL MEDALS.

a fire of musketry from the main deck, till tliey were
threatened with no quarter if they continued a useless
resistance, when they surrendered. The shore batteries kept
up a fire of round and grape till the corvette was beyond their
range, and about this time Lieutenant Losack with his six
boats joined companj^, and took command of the prize.

The loss of the victors in this daring exploit, considering
the enormous odds against them, was not heavy. Lieutenant
of Marines J. Sinclair, a midshii:)man and nine men were
killed, one man drowned, and two lieutenants (one mortally)
four other officers, and fifty-one men wounded. The loss of
the " Chevrette " was far greater. Her captain, six officers,
and eighty-five seamen and soldiers were killed, and five
officers and fifty-seven men wounded. Lieutenant Losack
was immediately pi"omoted to the rank of commander, but in
consequence of the dissatisfaction this caused in the fleet, on
August 9th following, Admiral Oornwallis ordered a court of
inquiry as to the real facts of the capture, to be held on
board the " Mars." The result was that Lieutenant Maxwell
received from the Admiralty promotion to commander's rank,
to which his distinguished skill and bravery justly entitled him.
The cutting out of the corvette is a deed to be remembered
with pride by every British seaman, performed in the
presence of the combined fleets of France and Spain, who
saw one of their ships captured in a position considered
to be almost impregnable. In this affair the enemy were
not surprised, they expected an attack, and were prepared
to meet it, not only the ship herself, but the batteries on shore
which protected her were in readiness, and on their guard ;
they outnumbered their assailants by three to one ; but the
British boarded, cariied, got the vessel under weigh, and
though exposed to the heavy fire of the surrounding batteries,
and still engaged in a conflict on board, brought her out of a
difficult and narrow roadstead in the darkness of the night,
with not two-thirds of the force which were dispatched on the
sei-vice.

XAVAL MEDALS. 225

CUTTIXG Orx THE " VeXTEUX,"

June 27th, 1803.

Ox the night of June 27th, three boats from tlie thirty-
eight gun frigate "Loire," Captain F. L. Maitland, under
the orders of Lieutenants Temple and Bowen, were sent in to
attack the French brig " Venteux," mounting four long
eighteen pounders, aad six thirty-six pounder carronades,
lying close under the batteries of the Isle de Bas. Owing to
the heavy rowiug of one ot the bouts, two uuly gut alongside
the brig, but these boarded, and after a hot contest of ten
minutes, captured her. The casualties of the British were but
the boatswain and five men wounded. The second officer and
two men of the "Venteux" were killed, and her captain,
four officers and eight men wounded. For this service, which
to quote Captain Maitland, " added lustre to the British
arms," Lieutenant Temple was promoted to the rank of
commander, and he and Lieutenant Bowen were presented by
the Patriotic Fund with swords of the value of fifty guineas
each.

Capture of a Sciiooxer,
November 4th, 1803.

As the thirty-six gun frigate " Blanche," Captain Z. Mudge,
was lying at anchor off the entrance of Macenille Bay, island
of St. Domingo, on the morning of November 4th, an armed
French schooner was seen coming out of the Caracol Passage.
The launch of the "Blanche," armed with a twelve pound
caronnade, with a crew of twenty-eight men, under the
command of Mr. J. Smith, master's mate, was sent to attack
her. The launch got alongside, boarded, and after a fight
of ten minutes the schooner was in the possession of the
British. The prize which Captain Mudge described "as one
of the finest vessels of her class, he ever saw," mounted a
long nine pounder on a pivot, and had a crew of thirty men,
of whom one was killed, and five were wounded. The loss of
the launch was one man killed, and two men wounded.

226 NAVAL MEDALS.

Capture of the " CrRiEux,"

February 4th, 1804.

At tlie beginning of the year 1804, the " Centaur,"
seventy-four, Captain M. Maxwell, was cruising off Fort
Royal Bay, Martinique, and on the evening of the 3rcl of
February, four of her boats containing seventy-two seamen
and marines, under the orders of Lieutenant E. C. Reynolds,
were dispatched to cut out the French brig corvette " Curieux,"
of sixteen guns, lying at anchor, readj^ for sea, close under
Fort Edward, at the entrance of the Careenage, Fort Royal
Harbour. The ship was prepared for an attack, her guns
and swivels were loaded, her boai'ding nettings triced up, and
a watch of twenty-eight officers and men on deck. Just
before one a.m., after a pull of twenty miles, the boats were
hailed, and fired into by the " Curieux," but the British
Marines returned the fire, and the boats got alongside.
Lieutenant Reynolds made his boat fast to a rope ladder
which was hanging at the brig's stern, and mounting it, cut
away some of the tricing lines with his sword, and part of
the netting falling, the other boats boarded the brig on her
quarter. After a most determined resistance the French
were overpowered, their captain was wounded and knocked
overboard,^' and the " Curieux," her cables being cut, stood
out of the harbour, under a smart fire from the forts, and
before daylight was safe alongside the " Centaur." The loss
of the assailants considering the nature of the enterprise was
very small, nine men only being wounded, but among them
were Lieutenant Reynolds, who had received no less than five
severe wounds, and Lieutenant Bettesworth his second in
command. On the part of the French, ten officers and men

* The French captain (Cordier) had a singular escape. Being
knocked overboard and stunned, he fell on the fluke of the anchor,
from whence he fell into one of the boats of " Curieux," which was
alongside, full of water casks. The only man in the boat, cut her
adrift, and pulled for the shore, which he reached by the time the
captain had recovered his senses, and realised to his chagrin the
peculiarity of his situation.

NAVAL MEDALS. 227

were killed, and thirty, including all the officers but one,
woun4ed, some mortally. The prize was considered to be
one of the best manned and best disciplined brigs in the
French Navy. Her command was given to Captain Reynolds,
but that gallant officer died from the effects of his wounds in
the month of September following. Swords of the value of
fifty guineas each, were voted to him and Lieutenant Bettes-
worth, by the Patriotic Fund.

Capture of the " Confiaxce,"
June 4th, 1805.

The thirty-eight gun fi-igate " Loire," Captain F. L.
Maitland, was cruising near Cape Finisterre, when receiving
information that a French privateer was getting ready for sea
at Muros, Captain Maitland resolved to attempt to capture or
destroy her. At nine on the morning of June 4th, the
" Loire " stood into the bay with her boats in tow, containing
fifty ofiicers and men, under the command of Lieutenant J.
Yeo, assisted by Lieutenant S. Mallock of the marines. As-
the " Loire " hauled round the point of Muros Eoad, a
battery of two eighteen pounders opened on her. A few
guns were fired in return, but seeing from its commanding
situation that the battery would greatly annoy his ship. Captain
Maitland made a short speech to Lieutenant Yeo and his men,
saying that it being the King's birthday he trusted the}-
would show their loyalty by their conduct on this occasion, and
ordered them to push for the shoi-e, and spike the guns. The
men replied with a cheer, and in a few minutes landing under
the battery, the Spaniards abandoned their guns and fled.
The " Loire " stood on, and as she opened the bay, a corvette
pierced with thirteen ports of a side, and a brig pierced for
ten guns, were discovered at anchor, fitting for sea, but
neither had any guns on board. At the same time a fort
mounting twelve long eighteen pounders, about a quarter of
a mile distant, opened a well directed fire on the frigate,

228 NAVAL MEDALS.

almost every shot striking her hull. Captain Maitland
anchored with a spring, and commenced firing on the fort,
but the Spaniards were so well protected by their embrasures,
that the fire of the frigate was comparatively harmless. In
a few minutes the " Loire " had nine men wounded, when
suddenly the fire of the fort ceased, and the British flag was
seen displayed over its walls. Lieutenant Yeo having taken
possession of the two gun battery, and spiked the guns,
observed the fort firing on the "Loire," and although it
appeared to be a regular fortification, gallantly resolved to
attack it instantly. Occupied in cannonading the frigate,
and not expecting an attack from the land side, the garrison
had neglected to close the outer gate of the fort, through
which the British rushed, though a French sentry had
given an alarm. At the inner gate the assailants were
met by the garrison headed by the Grovernor, but Lieutenant
Yeo sprang forward, and with a single stroke laid the Grovernor
dead at his feet, breaking his own sword in two by the force
of the blow. A severe contest followed, till most of their
ofiicers fell, and many of the enemy jumped out of the
embrasures twenty-five feet from the ground, when the
survivors threw down their arms and called for quarter. Of
the British, Lieutenant Yeo, C. Clinch, Mate, and four men
were wounded. The loss of the garrison, which included
about one hundred of the crew of the privateer " Confiance,"
at anchor in the harbour, was heavy. The governor, a
Spanish volunteer, the second captain of the " Confiance,"
and nine others were killed, and thirty men (including nearly
all the officers of the privateer) wounded. The guns having
been spiked, their carriages destroyed, and part of the fort
blown up, the British with two brass guns, forty barrels of
XDOwder, and fifty stand of arms, embarked in their boats and
returned to the "Loire." In the meanwhile the two
privateers had been taken possession of by Captain Maitland.
The " Confiance " was a ship of four hundred and ninety tons,
and was fitted to carry twenty -four eight pounders on a flush

NAVAL MEDALS. 229

deck. The brig was the "Belier," but her guns stated to be
eighteen pounder carronades were on shore. Lieutenant Yeo*
was promoted to the rank of Commander, and appointed to
the ship whose capture was chiefly owing to his bravery. A
sword of the value of one hundred guineas, and others of
fifty guineas value, were presented to Captain Maitland, and
Lieutenants Yeo and Mallock, by the Patriotic Fund.

Cutting out the "C^sae,"
July 16th, 1806.

A British squadron of six sail of the line and a frigate,
under the command of Commodore Sir S. Hood in the
" Centaur," seventy-four, was cruising off Rochefort in July,
when the Commodore learning that a convoy laden with stores
for the fleet at Brest, was lying ready for sea in Verdon Road,
at the entrance of the river Gironde, under the protection of
two brig-corvettes, determined to cut them out. A boat of

* This exploit of Lieutenant Yeo, was commemorated by Dibdin in the
following song, entitled

LIEUTENANT YEO.

Off Cape Finisterre lay the King's ship " La Loire,"

When a privateer foe Captain Maitland he saw,

So a boat's crew he sent with the Spaniards to cope,

Who was called " L'Esperance " — in plain English " The Hope,"

Tho' but a forlorn hope she proved to the foe,

Made a prize by the boat's crew and Lieutenant Yeo.

" Tis the birth of our King boys " — the captain he cried,
" To crown it with victory then be your pride ;
The birth of your Sovereign distiuguish, in short,
By planting his flag on that proud Spaniard's fort,"
So the gallant boat's crew volunteered all to go,
To conquer or die with brave Lieutenant Yeo.

Then Lieutenant Yeo, to his lasting renown,
The fort he knocked up, and the Governor down,
The Don's captured ensign waved over his head.
And planted the flag of King George in its stead,
Let the trumpet of fame then thro' all the world blow,
To the glory of Britons and Lieutenant Yeo.

Dibdin, it will be seen, was wrong as to the name of the French vessel,
and also as to the enterprise being accomplished by a single boat's
crew.

230 NAVAL MEDALS.

each ship was selected and sent to the " Isis " frigate, which
ship proceeded off the Gironde, and joined there the forty-
four gun frigate "Indefatigable," which was watching the
convoy. The six boats from the line of battle ships,
"Conqueror," "Prince of Wales," "Eevenge," "Polyphemus,"
"Monarch," and "Centaur," under the command of Lieu-
tenant E. R. Sibly of the last mentioned ship, with three boats
from the '• Indefatigable," and three from the "Isis," twelve
in all, on the evening of June 15th set out from the
" Indefatigable " for the mouth of the Grironde. At midnight
they entered Verdon road, and immediately attacked the
French sixteen-gun brig-corvette "Ctiesar," with a crew of
eighty-six men, fully prepared for resistance. While cutting
away the boarding netting of the brig. Lieutenant Sibly was
badly wounded,* but she was boarded, and carried after a
very gallant defence, her commander. Lieutenant Pourre,
being among the slain. The other brig, the " Teazer " (late
British) of fourteen guns, in the darkness of the night slipped
her cable, and favoured by the wind and tide, escaped by
running up the river, followed by the convoy. In the mean-
while the prize, exposed to a fire from the " Teazer " and the
batteries on both sides of the river, worked out under the
direction of Lieutenant Parker of the "Indefatigable," and
joined the two frigates at anchor in the offing. The British
loss was rather severe. Lieutenant C. Manners, of the
"Revenge," a master's mate, and seven men were killed, and
four Lieutenants, and thirty -five men wounded. A midship-
man and nineteen men of the "Revenge" were made
prisoners, their boat being disabled by shot and obliged to
run on shore to avoid sinking. Shortly after, Lieutenant
Sibly received the rank of Commander.

* Lieutenant Sibly received seven severe wounds, and Lieutenant
Parker was also wounded. In working out, the " Cassar " was exposed
to the fire of the batteries and the "Teazer," for nearly two hours
Most of the boats were so damaged by shot, or so badly stove, that they
swamped, and were obliged to be cut adrift.

naval medals. 231

Capture of a Privateer,
January 2nd, 1807.

The tliirty-two gun frigate "Cerberus," Captain W. Selby,
cruising between Martinique and Dominica, on January 2nd,
chased two French, schooners, and a sloop, standing for
St. Pierre. Prevented fi-om reaching that port, they all three
anchored under a battery, near the Pearl rock, and very close
to the shore. About eight in the evening, the boats of -fhe
"Cerberus," commanded by Lieutenants Coote and Bligh,
who volunteered for the service, boarded two of the vessels,
under a hea\'y fire of cannon and musketry from the shore,
and though their sails were unbent, brought them out, with
the loss of two men kiUed, and Lieutenant Coote (who was
severely wounded in the head, and deprived of his eyesight)
a midshipman, and eight men wounded. The third vessel,
making use of her sweeps, and favoured by the darkness,
escaped. Lieutenant Coote was promoted, and a pension
granted him, which was afterwards increased to Four
Hundred Pounds per Annum. The Patriotic Fund also pre-
sented him and Lieutenant Bligh, with swords valued at fifty
Guineas each.

Capture of the " Lynx,"
January 21st, 1807.

At daybreak on January 21st, the thirty-two gun frigate
"G-alatea," Captain G. Sayer, cruising off the coast of Caraccae,
discovered a strange sail, which proved to be the French brig-
corvette "Lynx," sixteen guns, with a crew of one hundred
and sixty-one men and boys, from Guadaloupe, bound to the
Caraccas. At noon the frigate was nearly becalmed, and
the "Lynx" using her sweeps left the "Galatea" so fast
that at two p.m. her top-gallant sails onl}' were visible above
the horizon. About this time, six boats, containing seventy-
five ofiicers and men imder the command of first Lieutenant

232 NAVAL MEDALS.

W. Coombe, left the frigate to attempt to board the enemy,
then about four leagues distant. Shortly before nine p.m.,
after rowing about twelve leagues, the boats came within
pistol shot of the " Lynx," in two lines, and after hailing her,
attempted to board on both quarters. The brig having her
guns trained aft, opened a heavy fire of grape and musketry,
and repulsed her assailants, wounding among others Lieut-
enant Coombe. A second attempt was made to board, with
no more success than the first, the British having to combat
under every disadvantage, with more than double their
numbers. The boats then dropped astern, and poured
through the stern and quarter ports of the brig a destructive
fire of musketoons and small arms, which almost cleared the
deck of the enemy, and a third and successful attempt
was made to board. A desperate conflict followed, but the
boarders in a few minutes drove all before them, and those
Frenchmen that were not lying killed or wounded on the
deck, fled to the bowsprit and jib-boom, or up the shrouds,
and below for shelter. The loss of the victors was heavy.
Lieutenant Walker and eight men were killed, and Lieutenant
Coombe, two other officers, and nineteen men wounded, some
severely. The " Lynx " had a lieutenant and thirteen men
killed, and her captain, five other officers, and fourteen men
wounded. The prize, a fine vessel of three hundred and
thirty- seven tons, only two years old, was purchased into the
British service, her name changed to the " Heureux," and
the command of her given to Lieutenant Coombe, with the
rank of commander. A sword of the value of fifty guineas
was voted to him by the Patriotic Fund, which he did not live
to receive, being killed in another cutting out enterprise, the
next year. At the request of his widow it was presented to
her, to be kept in the family as a memorial of his services.
Swords of the same value were voted to Lieutenant Gibson,
and to Messieurs Green and Sarsfield, master's mates, and a
piece of plate was voted to Lieutenant AValker, and presented
to his nearest relative.

naval medals. 233

Capture of the " Galliard,"
April 19tli, 1807.

The British brig " Eichmond," Lieutenant S. S. Heming,
cruising near Cape Mandigo, on tlie coast of Portugal, in
search, of a privateer which had plundered some merchant
vessels, discovered a lugger with Spanish colours, at anchor
in a bay about six leagues to the northward of Peniche.
Finding it was the vessel of which he was in quest. Lieut-
enant Homing, as soon as it was dark, sent in his gig and
jolly boat, under the orders of Sub -Lieutenant G-. Bush, to
capture or destroy her. The two boats pulled into the bay,
and in face of a broadside of four guns discharged at them,
boarded the lugger cutlass in hand, captured, and destroyed
her. Her crew of thirty-six men, with the exception of twelve
jumped overboard, and escaped to the shore. In this affair
three of the British were wounded.

Capture of a Gunboat,
February 13th, 1808.

On the evening of February 13th, the twenty-gun ship
" Confiance," Captain J. L. Yeo, lying off the Tagus, sent
her cutter and jolly boat with fourteen men under the orders
of R. Trist, master's mate, to row guard at the mouth of the
river, in consequence of a report that the Russian squadron
under Vice Admiral Siniavin, which for some months had
been blockaded by the British in the Tagus, was about to put
to sea. When Mr. Trist had arrived at his station, he saw a
French gun-vessel lying at anchor under fort San Pedro,
between the forts Belem and San Julian, which he immedi-
ately boarded and captured in the most gallant manner,
without the loss of a man. The prize was the gun-vessel
No. 1, mounting one long twenty-four pounder, and two
brass six pounders, with one hundred stand of arms, and a
crew of fifty men, of whom three were killed, and nine

234 NAVAL MEDALS.

wounded. Consideriug the daring of the attack, and the
disparity of force, a more successful and gallant achievement
has seldom been recorded, and fully entitled Mr. Trist to the
promotion he shortly after obtained.

Capture of an Armed Ship at Port d'Anzo,
July 10th, 1808.

On July 9th as the twenty-two gun ship " Poi-cupine,"
Captain Hon. H. Duncan, was lying becalmed under Monte
Circello, on the coast of Romania, two gun boats and a
merchant vessel were discovered running down under the
land to the westward. The boats of the " Porcupine " under
the command of Lieutenant G. Price, were dispatched in
pursuit, and after a pull of eight hours in a hot sun, drove
the merchant vessel on shore, and compelled the gunboats,
each of which were armed with a long twenty-four pounder,
to seek shelter under the batteries of Port d'Anzo. At this
time, three other vessels were seen coming down from the
westward, and the " Porcupine " recalled her boats, to
go in chase, but the three vessels succeeded in getting
into the harbour with the gunboats. Captain Duncan
observing that one of the three vessels which last entered
the harbour, a large six-gun polacca, lay further out
than the others, resolved to attempt her capture. Soon
after nightfall on the next day, the boats of the " Porcupine,"
under the command of Lieutenants Price and Smith, pulled
into the harbour, and though the crew of the polacca, between
twenty and thirty men, were prepared for an attack, and had.
secured their vessel to the beach, which was lined with French
soldiers, and within pistol shot of two batteries, a tower, and
the gunboats, the British boarded and carried her. The wind
being light and baffling, it was an hour and twenty minutes
before the prize was got beyond gunshot, and this desperate
service was effected with no more loss than eight men
wounded. Among them was the gallant Lieutenant Price,

NAVAL MEDALS. 235

who was severely injured in the head and leg, and who for
liis distinguished conduct in this, and other similar attacks,
was promoted to the rank of commander.

Capture of the " Fama" axd a Cutter at Nyborg.
August 11th, 1808.

At the time of the uprising of the Spaniards against tlie
oppressive rule of the French in 1808, a body of about twelve
thousand Sj)anish troops under the comtnand of the Marquis
de la E,omana, were stationed on the shores of the Baltic, witli
the alleged intention of invading Sweden, in conjunction with
a Danish army. On learning the state of affairs in Spain,
these troops swore to be faithful to their country, and were
eager to join their countrymen to assist in overthrowing the
tyrant to whom they owed their banishment. A small British
squadron was cruising in the Cattegat, commanded by Eear-
Admiral Keats, in the "Superb," seventy-four, comprising the
"Brunswick," seventy - four, Captain T. Graves; the
"Edgar," seventy-four. Captain J. Macnamara, and five or
six smaller vessels. According to a plan concerted between
the Rear- Admiral and the Marquis de la Eomana, the latter
on August 9th took possession of the fort and town of Nyborg,
on the island of Funen. The Admiral then wrote to the
Danish governor, engaging to abstain fi-om any act of hostility
if the Si:)aniards were immolested by the Danish or French
troops, but stating that if any opposition was offered to the
embarkation of the Spanish troops, the town of Nyborg
would probably be destroyed. The Danish garrison made no
resistance, but the Danisli eigh teen-gun brig " Fama," and
a twelve-gun cutter, moored in the harbour near .the town,
rejected aU uffers, and prepared for action. The Spanish
General being unwilling to act against the Danes, and the
capture of the vessels being absolutely necessary, some small
vessels and boats, under the orders of Captain Macnamara,
entered the harbour, and attacked and carried both the

236 NAVAL MEDALS.

vessels, with the loss of Lieutenant Harvey of the " Superb,"
killed, and two men wounded. A few days afterwards ten
thousand Spaniards were conveyed to England, and subse-
quently to their native country.

Boats of the " Heureux," at Mahaut.
November 28th, 1808.

The sixteen gun brig "Heureux," Captain W. Coombe,
was cruising off the island of Gruadaloupe, when information
was received of seven vessels ready for sea, lying iu the
harbour of Mahaut, under the protection of two battei'ies.
Captain Coombe resolved to attempt to cut them out, and
with three boats containing sixty-three men, with a pilot,
set out on this service on the night of November 28th. After
rowing six hours, they lay on their oars to await the setting of
the moon, and at four a.m. got alongside a schooner with a
crew of thirty-nine men, which Captain Coombe in his barge,
with nineteen men, boarded and captured, after a few minutes
hard fighting. In the meanwhile. Lieutenant Lawrence
landed, and spiked two twenty-four pounders in the nearest
battery, and then boarded and took possession of a brig. Before
either of the vessels could be got underweigh, the shore was
lined with troops and fieldpieces, which opened a heavy fire
on the captured ships. Daylight was appearing, and finding
it impossible to get the prizes afloat, Captain Coombe was
giving orders to abandon them, when he was struck by a
twenty -four pound shot, and expired, exclaiming, "I die for
my country." Lieutenant Lawrence who was wounded in the
■ arm, abandoning the captures, succeeded in returning to the
" Heureux," about six a.m. without any further loss.

Destruction of Gunboats and Convoy at Hango.
July 7th, 1809.

A British squadron consisting of the seventy-four gun ships
"Implacable," Captain T. B. Martin, " Bellerophon," Captain

NAVAL MEDALS. 237

S. Warren, "Melpomene," thirty-eight, Captain P. Parker,
and eighteen-gun sloop " Prometheus," Captain T. Forrest,
was cruising off the coast of Finland, in the Baltic, when a
Russian flotilla of eight gun-boats, each armed with a long 24
and 30 pounder, and manned with forty-six men ; and some
merchant vessels, was discovered at anchor under Hango
Head. It being resolved to attempt the capture or de-
struction of the flotilla, the boats of the four ships, seventeen
in number, containing about two hundred and seventy officers
and men, under the command of first Lieutenant J. Hawkey,
of the "Implacable" assisted by Lieutenant Allen of the
"Bellerophon," Lieutenant Rennie, of the " Melpomene " and
Lieutenant J. Stirling of the " Prometheus," set out on the
enterprise at nine o'clock in the evening. The boats, said
Captain Martin in his official letter, " proceeded with an
irresistible zeal and intrepidity towards the enemy (who had
the advantage of local knowledge) to attack a position of
extraordinary strength within two rocks, serving as a cover to
their wings, whence they could pour a destructive fire of grape
on our boats, which, notwithstanding advanced with perfect
coolness, and never fired a gun till actually toucli^ng the
enemy, whom they boarded sword in hand, and carried all
before "them." Of the eight gun boats, six were captured,
one was sunk, and one escaped, and the twelve merchant ships
under their protection, laden with powder and provisions for
the Russian army, were also taken and brought out, and a
large armed ship captured and burnt. Tliis gallant achieve-
ment was not accomplished without serious loss. Lieuteaant
Hawkey having carried one gunboat, was struck by a grape
shot in the act of boarding a second, and fell, exclaiming —
" Huzza, push on, England for ever." Lieutenant Stirling,
a midshipman and fourteen men were also killed, and thirty-
seven men wounded. The Russians acknowledged a loss of
sixty-thi-ee men killed, many were drowned in the attempt to
reach the shore, and of the hundred and twenty-seven prisoners
taken, fifty-one were wounded.

238 NAVAL MEDALS.

Storming Battery. Julj' 14th, 1809.

On July 14tli, Lieutenant H. Battersby, with a party of
seamen and marines from the eighteen-gun sloop "Scout,"
Captain W. Eaitt, attacked a battery which commanded the
port of Carri, between Marseilles and the Ehone, captured it,
spiked the guns, killed five of the enemy, and took seven
prisoners, without any loss. For this service, and his gallant
behaviour on similar occasions, Lieutenant Battersby was
promoted to the rank of Commander in September following.

Capture of a Cutter and Schooner,
July 25th, 1809.

The boats of the " Fawn," commanded by Lieutenant
Morgan on July 25th captured a cutter, and the schooner
" Guadaloupe." No more information relative to this affair
is at present available.

Capture of Russian Gunboats,
July 25th, 1809.

The Eussian army in Finland received most of their
supplies by their coasting trade, protected by gun-boats, and
small armed vessels. A British squadron in the Grulf of
Finland, commanded by Captain D. Pater, comjDrising his
own ship the " Princess Caroline," seventy-four, the " Mino-
taur," seventy-four, Captain J. Barrett, the thirty-two gun
frigate " Cerberus," Captain H. Whitby, and eighteen gun
sloop "Prometheus," Captain T. Forrest, on July 25th,
discovered four Russian gunboats and an armed brig lying
at anchor at Fredericksham, near Aspo Roads. At half -past
ten at night, the boats of the squadron, seventeen in number
commanded by Captain Forrest who volunteered his services,
assisted by Lieutenants Bashford, Callenan, Pettet, Forster,
and Finnimore, pulled into the Roads, boarded, and after a

NAVAL MEDALS. 239

most desperate conflict, captured and brought off three gun-
boats, each mounting two long eighteen pounders, with crews
of forty-four men, and an armed brig laden with provisions.
The Eussians fought with the utmost obstinacy, every man of
the crew of one of the gun-boats being killed or wounded
before she sui'rendered. The British loss was heavy. Lieut.
Callenan, another lieutenant, a midshipman, and sixteen
men were killed, and Captain Forrest, Lieutenant Forster,
three midshipmen, and forty-six men wounded. Twenty-
eight Russians were killed, and fifty-eight wounded. For
his gallant conduct in this action. Captain Forrest was
immediately advanced to post rank.

Capture and Destruction of a Battery at Bremerle,
July 27th, 1809.

The French troops in Hanover making fi-equent predatory
incursions in the neighbourhood of Cuxhaven ; Caj^tain Lord
G. Stewart, cruising with a small squadron near the mouth
of the Elbe, consisting of his own ship " L'Aimable," the
" Mosquito," W. Goate, " Briseis," E. Pettet, " Ephira," G.
Watts, and "Pincher," S. Burgess ; landed a detachment of
seamen and marines for the purpose of intercepting them.
As the British advanced, the enemy retreated, till they
reached the town of Gessendorf where they seemed resolved
to make a stand. Captain Stewart decided upon an immediate
attack, and while Captain Goate with a detachment advanced
towards Gessendorf, Captain Pettet with another party took a
battery of four twelve pounders in flank, and the remainder
of the British headed by Captain Watts, attacked it in front.
On the approach of Captain Goate, the enemy evacuated
Gessendorf, and the defenders of the battery, being threatened
on two points, abandoned it, and fled, with the loss of several
killed and wounded, and four prisoners, including their
Commandant. The guns with their carriages, and the
battery were destroyed, and the detachment after a march of

240 NAVAL MEDALS.

twenty-eight miles in a hostile country, returned without the
loss of a man to their ships.

Capture of Six Gux-boats.
July 29th, 1809.

On the morning of July 28th, the seventy-four gun-ship
"Excellent," Captain J. West, lying at anchor off Trieste,
discovered a convoy making towards that port. Gretting
under weigh, the "Excellent" ran between the vessels and
their destination, and compelled them to take refuge in Duin,
a port four leagues to the north-west of Trieste. The
eighteen-gun sloop "Acorn," Captain R. Clephane, and
sixteen-gun brig "Bustard," Captain J. D. Markland, were
in company, and at ten p.m.. Captain Clephane with the two
sloops, and the boats of the " Excellent," under the command
of her first lieutenant, J. Harper, were sent in to capture or
destroy the convoy. About midnight, the boats covered by
the "Acorn" and "Bustard," which engaged the castle, in
face of a heavy fire entered the harbour, and boarded and
carried six Italian gun-boats, three mounting three long
twenty-four pounders, and the others three long eighteen
pounders. At the same time Captain R. Cummins landed with
a small party of marines, and dislodged the enemy from the rug-
ged cliffs surrounding the harbour. The gun-boats, with ten
coasting vessels, laden with flour, brandy, rice and wheat
were brought safely out, with no greater loss than the master
of the " Bustard," Mr. K. Robinson, and seven men wounded,
one of them mortally.

Boats of the " Amphion " at Cortelazzo.
August 28th, 1809.

The thirty-two gun frigate " Amphion," Captain W. Hoste
cruising in the Adriatic, on August 24th, discovered lying in
the port of Cortelazzo, near Trieste, six Italian gun-boats,

NAVAL MEDALS. 241

and a convoy of trabaccolos, under a battery of four twenty-
four pounders. Tlie shallowness of the water not allowing
the fi-igate to enter the port, Captain Hoste decided to send
in his boats. To prevent any suspicion of his intention, he
kept off out of sight from the land, till the evening of August
26th, when soon after midnight he anchored off the place.
At three in the morning, a party of seventy men under the
command of Lieutenants Phillott and Jones, landed about a
mile to the southward of the battery, leaving another party
under the orders of Lieutenant Slaughter, in the boats, to
attack the vessels when the battery had been carried. At
a quarter past three a.m., Lieutenant Phillott assailed the
battery, and though surrounded by a ditch and chevaux-de-frise
captured it in ten minutes, and made the pre-arranged signal
for the boats to advance. The guns in the battery were
immediately turned on the gun-boats, which were boarded
and taken possession of after a slight resistance, by Lieutenant
Slaughter, though mounting long twenty -four pounders and
swivels. Two trabaccolos laden with cheese and rice were
brought off, and five others burnt. The battery was destroyed
and the guns spiked, and the boats returned to the "Amphion"
with but one man wounded. For his distinguished behaviour
on this and other occasions, Lieutenant Phillott was promoted
to the rank of commander.

Destruction of Cona^oy at Eosas,
November 1st, 1809.

At the end of October, a fleet of armed transports and store
ships, in the company of three sail of the line and two fi-igates,
sailed from Toulon for Barcelona. They were intercepted by
the British fleet, and two of the ships of the line were driven
on shore, and destroye d by their own crews. The greater part
of the convoy put into the bay of Eosas, and anchored under
the protection of the castle, and several strong batteries. The
convoy consisted of seven merchant vessels, in charge of the

242 NAVAL MEDALS,

sixteen-gun store ship "Lamproie," Lieutenant de Vaisseau
Bertaud la Breteche, two armed bombards, and an armed
xebec. Lord CoUingwood deciding on the capture or de-
struction of these vessels, detached Captain B. Hallo well, in
the " Tigi-e '' eighty, with the "Cumberland" seventy-four.
Captain Hon. P. Wodehouse, " Yolontaire" thirty-eight. Cap-
tain C. Bullen, "Apollo " thirty-eight. Captain B. "W. Taylor,
"Topaz" thirty-six. Captain H. Hope, " Philomel " eighteen.
Captain Gr. Crawley, " Scout " eighteen. Captain W. Eaitt,
and "Tuscan" sixteen, Captain J. Wilson, on this service.
On the evening of October 31st, after nightfall, the squadron
bore up for the bay of Rosas, and anchored about five miles
from the castle, except the smaller vessels, which continued
under way to cover the boats. The boats under command of
first Lieutenant J. Tailour, of the "Tigre," assisted by
Lieutenants and officers from all the other ships,* proceeded
at once to attack the enemy, who were fully prepared to meet
them. The "Lamproie" had her boarding nettings up, and
a gun-boat in advance to give notice of the apj) roach of the
assailants, and the shore batteries were also on the alert.
As the boats neared the enemy, an alarm gun was fired, which
they answered by three cheers, and each division taking its
allotted station, the "Lamproie" was boarded, and in spite
of an obstinate resistance carried in a few minutes. The other
vessels though bravely defended, were also captured, in the
face of a heavy fire from the castle, and the batteries, and volleys
of musketry from troops which lined the beach. Though the
enemy outnumbered the British two to one, by daylight on
November 1st every French vessel was burnt or brought out,
and the supplies for the French army in ^pain taken, or
destroyed. This success was not gained without severe loss.
Lieutenant Tait of the " Volontaire," a master's mate, and

* Many officers in tlie fleet volunteered for this service, and com-
raanded boats. Lord Collingwood in his ofl&cial letter stated, " Lieu-
tenant Tailour led to the assault in a most gallant manner, and was
followed by the other officers, as if each was ambitious of his place, and
desired to be first."

XAVAL MEDALS. 243

thirteen men were killed, and five Lieutenants, (including
Lieutenant Tailour*) and fifty other officers and men wounded.
The loss of the enemy must have been very heavy. For his
gallant conduct, Lieutenant Tailour was immediately pi'omoted
to the rank of Commander.

Cutting out the " Nisus " at Gtuadaloupe,
December 13th, 1809.

The thirty-eight gun frigate " Thetis," Caj^tain G. MiUer,
in company with the gun brigs " Pultusk," sixteen, Captain
W.Elliot, "Achates," ten. Captain T. Pinto, "Attentive,"
Lieutenant R. Carr, and schooner " Bacchus," Lieutenant C.
Jermy, while cruising off the island of Guadaloupe, on
December 12th, observed the French sixteen gun brig-corvette
" Nisus " lying at anchor under the protection of a battery in
the harbour of Hayes. In the evening, the boats of the
squadron under the command of Captain Elliot, assisted by
Lieutenants Belcliier, Ruel, and Cooke, were dispatched to
cut the vessel out. The British landed without opposition,
and made their way through a thick wood, and over a high
hiU, till they reached the rear of the battery, which they
attacked and carried, forcing the defenders to abandon it.
Leaving Lieutenant Belchier to destroy the guns and battery,
a service he effectually performed, Captain Elliot with the
boats, supported by the brigs, entered the harbour, and
boarded and captured the corvette, with but four men
wounded. The prize, a fine vessel of about three hundred
and forty tons, was added to the British Navy by the name
of " Guadaloupe."

* While in the act of boarding the French commodore's ship, Lieu-
tenant Tailour was severely wounded by a pike thrust on the side of
his head near the temple, but staunching the flow of blood by means
of a knotted Handkerchief, he was soon again among the foremost in the
fi'-^ht. Had he not at once applied this rough and ready species of
tourniquet, the wound would have proved mortal.

244 naval medals.

Attack on French Gunboats in Basque Eoads,

February 13tli, 1810.

At the beginning of the year 1810, a small British squadron
under the command of Captain Sir J. S. Yorke, in the eighty
gun ship " Christian VII.," was lying in Basque Roads.
On February 13th, three deeply laden chasse-marees, part of
a convoy which had sailed from the Charente, grounded on a
reef between Aix and Eochelle, and Sir J. Yorke sent in
eight boats from his own ship, the " Armide," thirty-
eight, Captain L. Hardyman, and the " Seine," thirty-six,
Captain D. Atkins, under the orders of Lieutenant H. Gruion, to
destroy the vessels. As the boats advanced, nine French
boats, each armed with a twelve pounder caronnade, and six
swivels, and rowing from twenty to thirty oars, pulled out
from the Isle d'Aix to prevent the accomplishment of their
object. Lieutenant Guion to decoy them from the range of
their batteries, feigned a retreat, and then suddenly altering
his course, turned, and went directly for them. The enemy
fled, but Lieutenant Guion in the barge of the "Christian VII"
came up with the rearmost boat, and boarded and captured
her, sword in hand. Lieutenant Roberts of the " Armide,"
pursued the other boats, but being unable to come up with
them, set fire to the three chasse-marees on the reef, and
destroyed them, they being abandoned by their crews. In this
affair, not a man of the British was hurt ; and for his gallant
conduct in this, and other boat actions, Lieutenant Guion
was shortly afterwards deservedly 2)romoted to the rank of
Commander.

Capture of a Fort at Jacotel.
May 1st, 1810.

In the month of April, 1810, the thirty-six gun frigate,
Captain N. J. Willoughby, joined a British squadron cruising
off the Isle of France, and was detached to cruise off the

NAVAL MEDALS. 245

south-east coast of tlie island. Oa April SOth a large mer-
chant ship was discovered lying at the anchorage of Jacotel,
within pistol shot of two batteries commanding the entrance
of the harbour. Having on board a black inhabitant of the
island, as pilot, Captain Willoughby determined to attempt
to cut the ship out, and with his boats manned with one
hundred seamen and marines, set out on this expedition at
midnight. Having with difficulty found and entered the
difficult passage to the anchorage, and reached the only suit-
able place for landing, with the surf half filling the boats,
the French schooner ''Estafette" lying close under the
batteries, descried the British, and gave the alarm. The
batteries at once opened on the spot, and on landing the
assailants were exposed to a heavy fire of musketry. They
pushed on at the run, and in ten minutes the nearest battery
mounting two twelve -pounders, was carried, and the guns
spiked. Captain Willoughby and his men then attacked a
guard house in the rear, defended by two field pieces, about
seventy regular troops, and a large party of militia which,
while the British were capturing the battery, had attacked
the men left in charge of the boats, and had driven them into
the centre of the harbour. The seamen and marines charged,
and the French gave way and fled, leaving their field pieces,
and their commanding officer (who was in the act of spiking
the guns) in the possession of the assailants. "Hitherto"
said Captain Willoughby in his official letter " twilight had
hid our force, but full day showed to the enemy the
" Nereide's" small band of volunteers. The strongest battery
was still in their possession, to gain which it was necessary
to cross the river Jacotel." The river ran at the foot of a
high hiU covered with wood, and was defended by Colonel
Bolger with a strong body of militia, and two twelve-pounders.
Owing to heavy rains the river had become so swollen, and
its stream so rapid, that the tallest man could scarcely wade
across. In face of a smart fire, the British, with the loss of
most of their ammunition, crossed the river, and on reaching

246 NAVAL MEDALS.

the opposite bank, cheered, and charged with the bayonet-
The hill, the guns, and the colours, with the commandant,
were captured, and the militia fled with all speed. Having
spiked the guns, destroyed the works, and embarked the two
field pieces, with a quantity of stores, Captain Willoughby
was returning to his ship, when the party which had been
driven from the first battery rallied, and being strongly rein-
forced by the militia, made a show of resistance on the left.
The British having made a movement to get into their rear,
which would have cut off their retreat, the militia and regulars
again fled in disorder, while the victors repassed the river and
returned to their boats. After having destroyed a signal
station one mile inshore. Captain Willoughby and his men
re-embarked, bringing away the schooner, which the men
left in charge of the boats had boarded, and joined the
** Nereide " in the ofiing.

This gallant enterprise was performed with the loss of one
man killed, and Lieutenant Deacon and six men wounded,
the loss of the enemy could not be ascertained. On the
"Nereide" joining the squadron off Port Louis, Captain
Lambert sent in a flag of truce with the captured French
officers, and received in exchange for them thirty-nine
British seamen and soldiers.

Capttjre of Twenty -five Vessels at Geao.
June 28th, 1810.

The British frigates, "Active," thirty-eight. Captain J.
Gordon, and "Cerberus," thirty-two. Captain H. Whitby,
under the orders of Captain W. Hoste, of the "Amphion,"
thirty -two, were cruising in the GuK of Trieste, in the month
of June. On the morning of June 28th, the "Amphion"
chased a convoy laden with naval stores for the arsenal at
Venice, into the harbour of Grao. Captain Hoste decided
upon the capture or destruction of the vessels, which, owing
to the shoals, could be effected only by boats. In the evening

NAVAI- MEDALS. 247

he signalled to the "Active" and "Cerberus," to send their
boats to him at midnight, but owing to her distance in the
offing the "Active" was unable to obey the signal in time.
At the hour appointed the boats of the "Amphion" and
" Cerberus," commanded by Lieutenant W. Slaughter, (second
of the "Amphion") assisted by Lieutenants D. O'Brien, and
J. Dickenson, pushed off, and before daylight landed a little
to the right of the town. On advancing the British were
attacked by a body of French troops, and armed peasantry,
who were charged with the bayonet, and a sergeant and
thirty-five men made prisoners. The town was then entered,
and the vessels, twenty -five in number, taken possession of,
but it being low water, it was late in the evening, and only
after great exertions they were got afloat, and over the
bar. In the mean time the boats of the "Active" came up,
and assisted in repelling another attack of the enemy, taking
their Commander and twenty-two men prisoners. Five vesssels
were brought out with their cargoes, and a number of small
trading craft, laden with the cargoes of eleven vessels which
were burnt. At eight p.m., the boats and the prizes had
joined the ships, which had anchored about four miles from
the town. The loss of the victors in this dashing affair, was
four men killed, and Lieutenant Brattle of the Marines, and
seven men wounded. Lieutenant Slaughter was promoted to
the rank of Commander in the month of November following.

Storming Batteries in Basque Eoads.
September 27th, 1810.

On the night of September 27th, the boats of the "Cale-
donia," one hundred-and-twenty, Captain Sir H. Neale,
" Valiant," seventy-four. Captain E. Oliver ; and " Ai-mide,"
thirty-eight, Captain E. Dunn, lying in Basque Eoads, were
despatched under the orders of First Lieutenant Hamilton of
the "Caledonia," to take or destroy three brigs laden with

248 NAVAL MEDALS.

Government stores, anchored under the protection of a strong-
battery at Pointe du Che. As it was known that the enemy
had strengthened the position with field pieces, and that a
strong body of troops was assembled for the protection of the
vessels, a party of one hundred and thirty marines, com-
manded by Captains T. Sherman and McLachlan, with Lieu-
tenant Little, was added to the seamen from the three ships.
At half-past two the marines were landed under Pointe du
Che, but the alarm was given by the brigs, and under a
smart fire Lieutenant Little advanced, captured the battery
and spiked the guns. In the meantime Captain Sherman
took position on the main road, facing the village of Angoulin,
supported by one of the launches with an eighteen-pounder
carronade. The enemy advanced from the village and
attacked him, but were driven back with loss. The French
then made another attempt with a field piece, but were
charged with the bayonet, put to flight, and the gun taken.
While this was going on, the seamen had captured two of
the brigs, and destroyed the other, and the party re-embarked
without losing a man. Lieutenant Little and one man were
wounded. The enemy left fourteen dead in the battery, but
what loss they sustained from the fij-e of Captain Sherman's
division and the launch could not be ascertained.

Capture of the " C^sar."
November 4th, 1810.

On November 4th, the eighteen-gun sloop ''Blossom,"'
Captain W. Stewart, cruising off Cape Sicie, chased a xebec,
but it falling calm. Captain Stewart dispatched his cutter and
yawl, manned with volunteers, in pursuit, under the orders of
Lieutenant S. Davis. About seven p.m., as the boats neared
the vessel, which was the privateer " Caesar," of Barcelona,
of four guns and fifty-nine men, she opened fire on them,
killing Lieutenant Davis and three seamen, and wounding

NAVAL MEDALS. 249

H. Hambly, master's mate, and four others. Mr. J. Marshall*,
midshipman, with twenty-six men remaining, ran alongside,
boarded and carried the vessel after a smart contest, with the
addition of five more men wounded. The privateer had four
men killed and nine men wounded.

Attack on Shipping at Port St. Mary,
November 23rd, 1810.

At the end of the year 1810, Cadiz was blockaded by land
by the French, who made vigorous preparations for a siege,
and collected a flotilla of gun -boats to co-oj)erate by sea.
A British squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Sir
E. Keats lay off the place, and with gun-boats and bomb
vessels very much annoyed the enemy, and hindered the
construction of their works. On November 23rd the " Dev-
astation," " Thunder," and " Etna," bombs, with a number
of English and Spanish mortar and gun-boats, under the
orders of Captain Hall, attacked the French flotilla at Port
St. Mary, and threw some hundred shells among them with
considerable effect. Being exposed to the fire of Fort Catalina,
Lieutenants "Worth, and Buckland, of the Eoyal Marine
Artillery, and a midshipman were killed, and four English
and four Spanish seamen wounded in this service.

Destruction of the Frigate "L'Elize."
December 24th, 1810.

About the middle of November, 1810, two French frigates
of forty guns, the "Amazone," and " L'Elize," sailed from
Havre for Cherbourg, but being chased by part of a British
squadron commanded by Captain Pulteney Malcolm in the

* Better known afterwards as Lieutenant J. Marshall, author of the
" Koyal Naval Biography," a work remarkable for the extent and
accuracy of its information.

250 NAVAL MEDALS.

" Donegal," seventy-four, and unable to weather Cape Bar-
lleur, they made for the road of La Hougue, and anchored
under the protection of a strong battery. Here they were
attacked by the British ships, with but little effect, and after
being closely blockaded for nearly a fortnight, the "Amazone '*
slipped out in the night and got safe into Havre. On
December 6th the " EKze " was attacked by a bomb vessel,
driven ashore, and completely bilged. She lay a wreck
tiU the night of December 23rd, when Captain C. Grant, of
the thirty-eight gun frigate " Diana " sent in his boats,
manned by volunteers, under the orders of Lieutenant Eowe,
to destroy her. Although she was lying under heavy batteries,
Avith three armed brigs within hail, which opened on the
boats with round and grape shot, the " Elize " was set on
fire, and completely destroyed, without a man of the assailants
being hurt.

Destruction of a Brig at Parenza,
May 4th, 1811.

The thirty-eight gun fi-igates "Belle Poule," Captain J.
Brisbane, and "Alceste," Captain M. Maxwell, cruising off
the coast of Istria, on May 4th, chased an eighteen gun
French brig into the small harbour of Parenza, where she an-
chored under a battery. The depth of water in the harbour
was not sufficient to admit the frigates, but the brig lying
within gunshot of the entrance, the " Belle Poule " followed by
the "Alceste," stood in within a cable's length of the rocks,
and opened a well directed fire on the brig and the battery.
After an hour's cannonading, the brig much damaged, hauled
on shore further up the harbour, out of the reach of shot, and
the frigates, with no greater loss than three men wounded,
stood out to sea, and anchored about five miles from the shore.
As nothing more could be effected by the ships. Captain
Brisbane determined to take possession of an island that lay

NAVAL MEDALS. 251

in the mouth of the harbour, within musket shot of the
town. At eleven at night the boats of the frigates, manned
by two hundred seamen, and one hundred marines, under the
orders of first Lieutenant J. McCurdy of the " Belle Poule,"
assisted by Lieutenants Boardman, Chartres, Hickman, and
Lloyd, pulled in and occupied the island without resistance.
By five in the morning of the 5th, a battery was erected on
a commanding position, and two howitzers, with two nine-
pounders mounted, a field piece was also placed on the left
to divide the attention of the enemy. Soon after dayKght
the French opened a cross fire, from four different positions,
which was immediately returned, and sustained with vigour
on both sides for five hours. At the end of that time the
brig was cut to pieces and sunk, and the assailants re-em-
barked with their guns, with the loss of the gunner and one
seaman of the " Belle Poule," and two men of the " Alceste "
killed, and one man wounded, making the total loss of the
British, four men killed and four men wounded.

Capture of Fort Marrack,
July 30th, 1811.

In the month of April, 1811, an expedition sailed from
Madras to reduce the Dutch island of Java.* Among the
ships employed in this service was the "Minden," seventy-
four, Captain E. W. Hoare. Some French fi-igates were
daily expected with re-inforcements from Eui'ope for their
Dutch allies, and the only harboui" available to them was
that of Marrack, about seventy -four miles west of Batavia.
The anchorage was defended by a strong fort, situated on a
promontory, mounting fifty-four heavy guns, with a garrison
of one hundred and eighty troops. A night attack on the
fort was jirojected by the boats of the " Minden " and
"Leda" carrying four hundred and fifty men, under the
command of Lieutenant E. Lyons of the " Minden," (after-

• See ante, page 181.

252 NAVAL MEDALS.

wards Admiral Lord Lyons G.C.B.) who liad volunteered to
liead the party. A few hours before the boats were to
push off, intelligence reached Captain Hoare of the arrival
of a battalion of Dutch soldiers at a barrack about half
a mile in the rear of the fort, and the enterprise being consid-
ered too hazardous was abandoned. A few days after, on
July 25th, Lieutenant Lyons was detached with the " Min-
den's " launch and cutter, containing nineteen prisoners, with
orders to land them at Batavia. On the 27th he landed his
prisoners, but learned that the Dutch had no information of
the expedition, and did not exj)ect to be attacked during the
prevalence of the monsoon. On the morning of the 29th he
wrote to his caj)tain, that he had determined on making a
midnight attack on Fort Marrack, with every hope of a
successful result. His whole force was but thirty -five officers
and men, with whom he ventured on an undertaking for
which four hundred and fifty men had been considered inade-
quate. But Lieutenant Lyons had served under the gallant
Captain Cole at the capture of Fort Belgica, at Banda-Neira,
in the preceding year, and was prepared to encounter and
overcome obstacles which most men would have considered
insuperable. Having made his preparations, at sunset he
placed his boats behind a point which screened them from
the view of the enemy's sentinels. At half-past twelve at
night, the moon fast sinking below the horizon, he pulled for
the fort, but was perceived and challenged by the sentinels,
who fired their pieces and alarmed the garrison. Nothing
daunted, he ran his boats aground in a heavy surf, under the
embrasures of the lower tier of guns, and placing his ladders,
entered and captured the lower battery, three of the enemy
being cut down in the act of putting matches to their guns,
and the remainder flying from tLeir post. Having reformed
his men, he carried the ujjper battery, but on reaching the
summit of the hill, he found the garrison drawn up to receive
him. The British fired, and at once charged. Lieutenant
Lyons shouting that he had four hundred men and would

NAVAL MEDALS. 253

give no quarter. The Dutch, broke, and fled through the
gateway at the rear of the fort, leaving behind them two
ofiicers and fourteen men killed, and twenty-seven men
wounded. The victors were not allowed to remain in quiet
possession, for at one a.m. a battery in their rear, and two
gunboats in the harbour, opened fire on them. A few guns
from the fort returned the fire, but the majority of the
British were employed in spiking the guns and destroying the
works. The fire from the battery was extremely well direc-
ted, and the whole of the Dutch troops in the barracks,
not half a mile distant, got under arms and advanced to
retake the post. The gate of the fort was left open, but
two twenty-four-pounders, loaded almost to their muzzles
with musket balls, commanded the entrance, and lest they
should be fired too soon, Lieutenant Lyons held one match,
and his second in command. Midshipman W. Langton, the
other. The head of the enemy's column on nearing the gate,
saw that it was open, and with a cheer rushed on. At ten
yards' distance the two guns were discharged with deadly
effect, the Dutch fled in disorder down the hill, and the gate
was shut. By the dawn of day the fort was rendered incap-
able of protecting the expected French frigates, and the last
shot fired fi'om the last gun that was spiked, sank
one of the two gunboats. Lieutenant Lyons leaving
the British colours flying on the fort, and taking the
captured colours of the enemy, then returned to his boats
to re-embark, but found the barge almost beaten to pieces by
the surf and not sea-worth}^, so the whole party put off in the
cutter.* Not a man was killed, but Mr. Langton and three
seamen were slightly wounded. The mortification of the
enemy may be imagined, when they saw at the rising of the
sun, the force which had captured their fort, and inflicted on

* When Lieutenant Lyons reported himself on his return to the
" Minden," Captain Hoare could not at first credit his accouiat, but
being convinced by the sight of the Dutch colours taken from the fort,
he exclaimed — " I should as soon have thought of your snufiing the
moon, so impossible does it seem."

254 NAVAL MEDALS.

them such heavy loss, returning to their ship in one small
boat. This gallant exploit of Lieutenant Lyons in accom-
pHshing with thirty-five men an enterprise which had been
deemed too hazardous to be undertaken by four hundred and
fifty, did not at first meet with the reward it deserved.
Commodore Broughton in his official letter, stated that he had
acted contrary to orders,* thus putting it out of the power of the
admiralty to show their approval of his conduct by promotion.
His gallantry was fully appreciated by his brother officers and
Rear Admiral the Hon. R. Stopford, who succeeded Commo-
dore Broughton on the station, and within a few months
Lieutenant Lyons, and Mr. "W. Langton, received their well
earned advancement to higher rank.

Capture of three Danish Gun-Brigs,
August 2nd, 1811.

On August 1 st, a small British squadron, consisting of the
"Quebec," thirty-two, Captain C. S. Hawtayne, the sixteen-
gun brig "Raven," Commander G. Lennock, the brigs
"Exertion" and "Redbreast," Lieutenants J. Murray, and
Sir G. M. Keith, Bart. ; with the hired armed cutters "Alert,"
and "Princess Augusta," were cruising off the Texel, when
Captain Hawtayne was informed that some Danish gun-brigs
were lying at anchor near the island of Norderney. Samuel
Blyth, First Lieutenant of the " Quebec," having volunteered
to attempt to cut them out, was despatched with ten boats,
containing one hundred and seventeen seamen and marines, on
this service. On the morning of August 2nd, the boats entered

• On his return to England Lieutenant Lyons had an interview with
the Hon. C. Yorke, First Lord of the Admiralty, who said to him : —
" I see that Commodore Broughton was mistaken in saying ' contrary
to orders,' for that was not the case, and there is a wide distinction
between contrary to orders, and without orders, which was really the
case ; but as the Commodore's letter has appeared in the Gazette, we
really must delay your promotion a little, or every lieutenant sent in
with a launch for a load of water will steer for the nearest fort and
attack it."

NAVAL MEDALS. 255

the river Jahde, and in the afternoon came in sight of four
gun-brigs, each armed with a long twelve and two long six
or eight-pounders, and manned with twenty-five men. As
soon as the boats came within gun shot, they received a heavy
fire of grape and canister shot, but Lieutenant Blyth in the
barge of the "Quebec," pulling rapidly up, boarded the first
vessel, and in a few minutes captured her, killing one man,
wounding two, and driving the remainder below. Her twelve
pounder was then turned on the other brigs, but there being
no lighted match at hand, the gunner of the " Quebec " fired
the gun, by discharging his pistol at the priming. Some
loose powder lying about the deck, caught fire from the flash,
and exploded a number of cartridges lying near under a sail,
which killed and wounded nineteen men, including Lieutenant
Blyth, who was blown overboard, but managed to reach one
of his boats. Bat this accident did not prevent the capture of
the remaining vessels, and in ten minutes all were in possession
of the British. In this affair the assailants had two men
killed, and nine men wounded, including Lieutenants Blyth,
and Slout, the latter ofiicer dying of his wounds a few days
afterwards. Three of the men who had been blown up died
the next day, and several were dreadfully scorched, among
them being Lieutenant Moore of the marines. The prizes were
all brought out, and joined the squadron off Heligoland, and
in the following month Lieutenant Blyth received his promotion
to the rank of Commander.

Capture of two Danish Vessels,
September 20th, 1811.

In the year 1811 Danish privateers were constantly attack-
ing the merchant ships passing through the Sound and Belt,
at the entrance of the Baltic. Vice-Admiral Sir J. Saumarez
in the "Victory," lying in Wingo Sound in the month of
September, having learnt that two privateers had taken a

256 NAVAL MEDALS.

position among some small islands ten leagues to the south of
Gothenburg, detached two of his boats under the command of
Lieutenant D. St. Clair, and Mr. Purcell, midshipman, in
search of them. After a pull of many miles the British came
in sight of the enemy, who had moored their vessels in a
small creek, landed their guns, and placed them on a height
which commanded the ships and the approach to them.
Lieutenant St. Clair made for the battery, landed, and
ascending the hill, carried it sword in hand, the Danes flying
at his onset. Six of the enemy were killed, and a few
prisoners taken, with the loss to the victors of one man killed,
and another wounded. The privateers were taken out and
anchored alongside the "Victory" the following morning.
Shortly after, Lieutenant St. Clair was promoted to the rank
of commander, and Mr. Purcell made Lieutenant.

Capture of the " Langtjedocienne,"
December 4th, 181L

On December 4th the boats of the " Sultan" seventy -four,
Captain J. West, under the command of Lieutenants Anderson
and "Woodcock, attacked, boarded and captured off Eastia,
the French brig " Languedocienne " of six guns and fifty-three
men, and a settee carrying eight guns, with a crew of thirty-
one men. One man of .the enemy was killed, and several
wounded, the casualties of the British were four men wounded.

Capture of the xebec "Martinet,"
April 4th, 1812.

The boats of the thirty-six gun frigate "Maidstone,"
Captain Gr. Burdett, under the orders of Lieutenant A.
McMeekan, attacked, and captured, off Cape de Gatt, on
April 4th, the French privateer xebec " Martinet," with two
guns and a crew of fifty-one men. For this service Lieu-
tenant McMeekan was promoted.

naval medals. 257

Capture of Gun-boats,
September let, 1812.

On the night of August 31st, Captain W. Hoste, of the
thirty-eight gun frigate " Bacchante," lying off the south
west coast of Istria, dispatched five boats containing sixty-
two officers and men under the command of Lieutenant D. H.
O'Brien,* to cut out some vessels laden with ship timber for
the Venetian Government, in Port Lema, near Rovigno.
Having boarded and captured two vessels laden with wine at
the entrance to the port, Lieutenant O'Brien learned that the
vessels of which he was in quest were anchored under the
protection of a French xebec, mounting three guns, and two
gun -boats. Leaving his prizes in charge of Mr. Langton, mid-
shipman, and six seamen, O'Brien with his remaining fifty-five
men pushed on, and captured, without losing a man, seven
vessels laden with timber, and the three armed vessels
protecting them.f These vessels mounted between them
seven guns, with crews of seventy-two men all told.

Capture of Gun-boats at Maestro,
September 17th, 1812.

On the evening of September 16th, Captain C. Eowley in
the " Eagle," seventy -four, anchored off Cape Maestro, near

* Lieutenant O'Brien, afterwards Captain O'Brien, was wrecked in
the " Hussar," on the Saints near Brest, in 1804, and was a prisoner
in France for nearly five years. After one or two most daring but
fruitless attempts to escape, he was at length successful though
suffering the greatest privations, in reaching Trieste, from his prison at
Bitche, regaining his liberty in 1809. He subsequently published a
most interesting narrative of his captivity and adventures.

t On approaching the xebec with muffled oars. Lieutenant O'Brien
was hailed by a stentorian voice in the insulting terms — " Come along-
side you English b s." He thanked the speaker for his polite

invitation, and assuring him he would be with him immediately ; under
a discharge of grape from a twelve pounder carronade, and a volley of
musketry, sprang on board before the enemy had time to fire their
other guns. The Frenchmen dropped their lighted matches and
jumped overboard, but some never reached the shore, the captain,
who had once been in the English service, among them.

258 NAVAL MEDALS.

Ancona, and sent his First Lieutenant, A. Cannon with, three
boats to intercept the coasting trade of the enemy. The next
morning Lieutenant Cannon discovered a convoy of twenty-
three sail standing towards Goro, protected by two gun-boats.
As he advanced to attack them, the vessels, each of which
carried a six or eight-pounder, formed in a line, under cover
of a four-gun battery, near the beach lined with armed men,
with the gun-boats in front. The British pushed on, boarded
and carried the largest gun -boat, and turning her guns on the
other and the convoy, captured all the vessels but two, with
the loss of Lieutenant Cannon, who fell mortally wounded,
and died a few days after. Lieutenant T. Festing then took
the command, and being unable to man all the prizes, bui'nt
six, and brought out the remaining seventeen, including the
two gun-boats. In this gallant affair besides Lieutenant
Cannon, the victors had one man killed ; one mortally, and
three slightly wounded. Lieutenant Festing was promoted
to the rank of commander in December, 1826.

Attack on Mittau, Riga.
September 29th, 1812.

In the month of September a flotiUa of British and Russian
gun boats, with the boats of the " Aboukir " and " Eanger,"
under the orders of Captains Hew Stuart, and J. Brenton, with
Hear Admiral Muller of the Russian Navy, proceeded up the
river Aa, in the Gulf of Riga, to assist in repelling an attack
by the Prussians, who were allies of the French. They met
with no opposition until September 29th, when within five
miles of Mittau, they found three booms placed across the
river, about half a mile distant from each other. "Within
pistol shot of the third boom, which was very strong, were
three batteries of four guns each. The booms were destroyed,
and as the boats came up, the enemy abandoned their works
and fled, leaving behind them fouj.- twenty -four pounders. The

NAVAL MEDALS. 259

British boats were always in advance, and the flotilla took
possession of Mittau the same day, where large magazines of
clothing, grain, some arms and ammunition were found, with
about four hundred sick and wounded of the enemy. On the
evening of September 30th, after destroying the enemy's
works and a bridge, the flotilla returned, having sustained no
loss.

Capture of Five Gtun-brigs.

January 6th, 1813.

At daybreak on January 6th, the thirty-eight gun frigate
^' Bacchante," Captain W. Hoste, and eighteen-gun brig
** Weasel," Captain J. Black, were lying becalmed near Cape
Otranto, at the entrance of the Adriatic, when five vessels
were discovered, three steering towards Otranto, and two to
the eastward. Signalling to the "Weasel" to chase the
vessels to the eastward. Captain Hoste despatched the boats
of the "Bacchante" under the orders of Lieutenant D. H.
O'Brien, assisted by Lieutenants Hood and Gosling, in
pursuit of the vessels making for Otranto. At eight a.m.
after two hours chase. Lieutenant O'Brien in the barge, came
up with and captured the sternmost gunboat, mounting two
guns, a twelve, and six-pounder, fitted on pivots, with a crew
of thirty-six men ; and leaving Midshipman T. Hoste* with
seven men, in charge of the prize, pushed on and captured the
two others, which were making every effort to reach the coast
of Calabria. The " Weasel " failing to overtake the two gun-
vessels she chased, sent two of her boats under the command
of Lieutenant Whaley in pursuit, with a boat fi'om the
" Bacchante " under Master's mate E. Webb.f The "Bacch-

* Mr. Hoste sent his prisoners below, and fastened the hatches over
them. A breeze springing up, he loaded and fired the bow gun of the
captured vessel at her flying companions, which contributed much to
their surrender.

t Mr. Webb's boat carried a three-pounder in her bow, with a crew
•of eighteen men.

260 NAVAL MEDALS.

ante's " boat soon overhauled, and, in face of a determined
opposition, captured the rearmost gun boat, carrying two guns
with a crew of forty men, and, leaving her to be taken
possession of by the boats astern, made after, and carried the
remaining vessel. This dashing achievement, was executed
without any loss to the victors, though the shot from the gun-
vessels splintered the oars in the men's hands as the boats
were pulling towards them. The above service, with two
other exploits of Lieutenant O'Brien, appeared in the Grazette
the same day, and he was immadiately promoted to the rank
of Commander.

Capture of two Danish Gun-boats,

March 21st, 1813.

In the month of March, the brigs "Blazer" and " Brav-
drageren," Lieutenants F. Banks, and T. Devon, were lying at
anchor off Cuxhaven, when hearing of the presence of a
Danish privateer, Lieutenant Devon volunteered with a boat
from each brig, to go up the river Elbe in search of her.
At midnight on March 20th, with the gig of the " Brevdrag-
eren" carrying a midshipman and eight men, and the six
oared cutter of the " Blazer," containing eleven men under
the orders of Mr. W. Dunbar, Lieutenant Devon started on
the hazardous service he had undertaken. Having proceeded
about thirty miles up the river, at daylight on the 21st, the
boats found themselves near two vessels at anchor, which
proved to be Danish gun-boats, which immediately hoisted
their colours, and opened fire, but the shot luckily passed
over the heads of the British. Lieutenant Devon ran his gig
alongside in the smoke of the second discharge, and boarded
and captured without the loss of a man, the Danish gun-boat
" Jonge Troutman," mounting two long eighteen -pounders,
and three twelve- pounder carronades, with a crew of twenty-
six men. The cutter coming up, the prisoners were secured
under the hatches, the cable cut, and sail made after the other

NAVAL MEDALS. 261

vessel -vrliicli was steering for Brunsbuttel, about four miles
off. The breeze being light, the cutter was also sent in pur-
suit, wliicli overtook and captured without opposition, the gun-
boat " Liebe," of the same force as the other. For this gallant
exploit Lieutenant Devon received his well merited promotion.

Capture of the " Whampoa," Letter of Mahque,
April 28th, 1813.

The boats of the thirty-six gun fi-igate " Orpheus," Captain
H. Pigott, on the North American Station, under the
command of acting Lieutenant AV. T. Dance, on April 28th
captured and destroyed the American Letter of Marque
" Whampoa," mounting eight guns. In this affair the only
man hurt on the side of the British was Lieutenant W. M.
Collins, who was mortally woimded. In July of the same
year Lieutenant Dance was promoted.

Destruction of Fort and Cannon Tountdry — Feench Town
AND Havee-de-Grace, April and May, 1813.

In the month of April, Eear-Admiral Cockburn, with a
squadron of small vessels resolved to endeavour to cut off the
supplies of the Americans, and to destroy their stores and
public works, situated on the rivers at the head of Chesapeake
Bay. On the evening of April 28th, having with him the
brigs "Fantome" and "Mohawk," with the "Dolphin,"
" Eacer," and " Highflyer," tenders, he anchored in the
entrance of the Elk river, and with the boats of his small
squadron, and those of his flag-ship, the "Marlborough,"
seventy-four, and of the "Maidstone," "Dragon," and
" Statira " frigates, commanded by Lieutenant Gr. A. West-
phal, first of the "Marlborough," proceeded up the river to
destroy some military stores at a place called French Town.
In the boats were one hundred and fifty-five marines and

262 NAVAL MEDALS.

artillerymen under Captains M. Wybourn and T. Carter, the
whole force being under the command of the Eear-Admiral
himself. The next morning the boats arrived within gunshot
of French Town, and were fired on by a six-gun battery.
The marines landed, and the American militia abandoned the
battery and fled into the adjoining woods. The guns of the
battery were disabled, and the public stores, with five vessels
lying near, were destroyed, but private property was not
molested. One man of the Americans was killed, and one of
assailants was wounded. On their way back, the boats, on
passing a large village called Havre-de-Grrace, though out of
gunshot, were fired on, which determined the Admiral to
make that place his next object of attack. The shallowness
of the water not permitting the near approach of the vessels,
the marines embarked at midnight, on May 2nd, in the boats,
and, after a pull of six miles, at daylight the next morning
got opposite the battery, which mounted six guns, and
immediately opened a smart fire on the British. The
marines pushed for the shore and landed, the Americans
deserted their battery and retreated. A cannon foundry
near, was then advanced on and destroyed, with five twenty-
four pounders mounted for its protection, and thirty other
guns ready for use, and in progress of construction. Another
division of boats destroyed five vessels and large stores of
flour up the Susquehanna. In these operations private
property was respected, unless the owners offered armed
opposition, and all supplies required by the British were paid
for at full value. At Havre-de-Q-race, Lieutenant Westphal
was slightly wounded, and received his promotion soon
afterwards.

Capture of Battery and Vessels at Morgion.
May 2nd, 1813.

On May 2nd a small squadron consisting of the " Eepulse,"
seventy-four, Captain E. H. Mowbray, the " Undaunted,"
thirty-eight. Captain T. Ussher, " Volontaire," thirty-eight,

NAVAL MEDALS. 263

Captain Hon. G. Waldegrave, and eighteen-gun brig
" Redwing," Captain Sir J. G. Sinclair, was cruising off
Morgion, between Marseilles and Toulon. Finding that some
new batteries had been erected in the vicinity. Captain
Mowbray detached one hundred marines of his own ship, with
the marines of the " Volontaire " and " Undaunted " under the
order of Captain M. Ennis, to attack and destroy them. At the
same time, the boats of the squadron, under first Lieutenant
J. Shaw,* of the " Volontaire," covered by the launches with
caronnades, and the " Redwing," were sent in to bring out
some vessels that were in the harbour. The marines landed,
drove a body of French troops to the heights in rear of
the harbour, and kept them in check, till six laden vessels
were brought out, and the batteries were blown up and
destroyed. In this service two men were killed, and Lieu-
tenant Shaw and three men wounded.

Destruction of Vessels in the Connecticut River.

April 8th, 1814.

On the evening of April 7th, Captain Hon. T. B. Capel, in
the "Hogue," seventy -four, with the " Endymion " and
"Maidstone," frigates, and fourteen-gun brig "Boxer,''
Commander R. Coote, dispatched six boats from his squadron,
under the orders of Commander Coote, and Lieutenant H.
Pyne, to attempt the capture or destruction of some American
vessels, near Pettipague point, about fourteen miles up the
Connecticut river. The next day the party reached their
destination, and after a skirmish with some militia, captured
and destroyed twenty-seven vessels, with some boats and a
quantity of naval stores. In the evening the boats dropped

• Three days before, on March 30th, the boats of the " Undaunted,"
"Volontaire," and " Redwing," under the command of Lieutenant J.
Shaw, were sent to attack a convoy in the harbour of Morgion. Early
the next morning the party landed, two batteries were taken, and the
guns thrown into the sea, or spiked. Eleven vessels laden with oil,
&c. were brought out, and others destroyed, with the loss to the victors
of one man killed, and four wounded.

264 NAVAL MEDALS.

down the river, and reached their ships, with no greater loss
than two men killed, and two wounded. For his gallantry on
tins occasion, Commander Coote obtained post rank, and Lieu-
tenant Pyne was made a Commander.

Capture of "L'Aigle," May 24th, 1814.

The boats of the "Elizabeth" seventy-four, Captain E. L.
Gower, under the command of Lieutenant M. Roberts, on
May 24th boarded and captured L'Aigle, a French National
xebec mounting six-guns, a howitzer, and two swivels, with a
crew of forty-one men. The prize was lying under the guns of
the island of Vide, near the town of Corfu. The captors appear
to have sustained no loss, and in the month of September
following Lieutenant Roberts was advanced to the rank of
Commander.

Captuee of the "Tigress" and "Scorpion."

September, 3rd and 6th, 1814.

In the month of August, 1814, two American schooners,
the " Tigress" and the "Scorpion," were employed in Lake
Huron in blockading a British garrison at the head of the
lake. Lieutenant M. Worsley being informed that the
vessels were five leagues apart resolved to attempt their
•capture, and on the evening of September 1st, himself, with
a midshipman and eighteen men embarked in one boat, and
Lieutenant Bulger of the Eoyal Newfoundland regiment, and
Major Dickson, with a party of seventy-two officers and men,
in three others. On September 3rd, having ascertained that
the nearest vessel was lying at anchor six miles off, Lieutenant
"Worsley pushed on, and at nine p.m. came in sight of her.
When within a hundred yards of the enemy, the boats were
discovered, and a smart fire was opened on them from a
twenty-four pounder, with a volley of musketry. Before the
smoke cleared away, two boats on each side boarded the
vessel, and in five minutes the United States schooner

NAVAL MEDALS. 265

" Tigress," with a crew of twenty-eight officers and men, was
in the possession of the British. The loss of the captors was
two men killed, and Lieutenant Bulger, and four or five men
wounded. Early next morning the prisoners were removed,
and preparations made for an attack on the other schooner
which was lying fifteen miles distant. On the fifth she was
seen working up to join her consort, the American ensign and
pendant being still kept flying on board the captured vessel.
In the evening she anchored about ten miles from the "Tigress,"
which vessel at daybreak on September 6th slipped her
cable, and ran down within ten yards of the " Scorpion "
before the latter supposed her to be an enemy. The " Tig-
ress " ran alongside, boarded, and after a contest of three
minutes, the flag of the " Scorpion " was hauled down. The
prize had a long twenty-pounder mounted, and a twelve-
pounder in her hold, with a crew of thirty officers and men,
of whom two were killed, and two wounded. The British
had two men wounded, making a total loss of two men killed,
and eight wounded. The captured vessels with their stores,
were valued at upwards of £16,000. In July 1815, Lieutenant
Worsley was advanced to the rank of commander.

Capture of Five Gun- Vessels and a Sloop,
December 14th, 1814.

The British having decided to attack New Orleans, and
the head of Lake Borgne being the point selected for
the disembarkation of the troops in boats, it was necessary
to capture or destroy five American gun-boats, armed with
heavy guns, with a sloop and schooner, which were cruising
on the lake.* On the night of December 12th, forty -two

" These gun-vessels were from seventy-five to one hundred and twenty-
nine tons burden each, and some of them had twice crossed the Atlantic.
Four of them carried a long thirty-two pounder, six long six-pounders,
two five-inch howitzers, and four swivels. The vessel of the command-
ant mounted a long twenty-four pounder on a pivot, four twelve-
pounder caronnades, and four swivels. The sloop and schoouer carried
one gun each.

266 NAVAL MEDALS.

launches, armed "with twenty-four, eighteen, and twelve
pounder carronades, with three gigs, containing nine hundred
and eighty seamen and marines in three divisions ; under
the orders of Commanders N. Lockyer, H. Montr essor, and
S. Roberts, pushed off from the "Armide," to attack the
enem}'.* The next morning tlie American Commandant,
Lieutenant T. Jones, observed the advance of the boats, and
detached a schooner to destroy some stores at St. Louis Bay,
at which place he supposed the British intended to land.
The schooner was unsuccessfully attacked by some of the
boats, being moored under the protection of a two-gun
battery, but dreading anotlier attack, she was destroyed by
her own crew, together with the storehouses. With consider-
able skill. Lieutenant Jones then moored his five gun-vessels
with springs on their cables, and boarding nettings triced up,
in a close line athwart a narrow channel, in such a situation
that their approach would be most difiicult and destructive
to any assailant. At about half-past nine on the morning of
December 14th, having pulled thirty-six miles against a
strong current nearly all the way, and being within long gun
shot of the enemy, Commander Lock3^er ordered his boats to
anchor, to allow his men a little rest and to take their break-
fast. An hour later the boats again took to their oars,
pulling against a current running at the rate of three miles
an hour, and advanced in the face of a heavy fire of roimd
shot and grape from the enemy's flotilla. It was almost
noon when the foremost British boat, in which was Com-
mander Lockyer and Lieutenant Gr. Pratt, got alongside the
gunboat bearing the Commodore's pendant. A desperate
conflict followed, in which nearly all the assailants were
either killed or wounded, among the latter being Commander
Lockyer and Lieutenant Pratt (mortally), but the remainder

* The British squadron comprised the following ships—" Tonnant,"
flag ship, Vice-Admiral Cochrane ; " Korge," " Bedford," " Ramillies,"
" ]ioyal Oak," "Armide," "Sea-horse," " Cydnus," " Trave,"
"Sophie," "Meteor," "Belle Poule," "Gorgon," " Alceste," " Dio-
mede," and " Weser."

NAVAL MEDALS. 267

succeeded in boarding the vessel, and, being well supported
by the first barge of the " Sea-horse," and the boats of tho
" Tonnant," commanded by Lieutenant J. B. Tattnall, she
was speedily in the possession of the British. The guns of
the captured gunboat were immediately turned on the remain-
ing four, and, the second and third divisions of the boats
quickly coming up, in five minutes the whole of the
American force was taken. The loss of the victors was
severe, owing to the heavy fire opened upon them in their
slow advance against the current. Three midshipmen and
fourteen men were killed, and Commander Lockyer, five
lieutenants, ten other officers, and sixty-one men wounded,
making a total of seventeen men killed, and seventy-seven
wounded. The loss of the Americans was trifling in com-
parison, six men killed, and thirty-five men, including Lieu-
tenant Jones, wounded. For their gallant conduct on this
occasion. Commanders Lockyer, Montressor, and Roberts,
were made post-captains, and some of the lieutenants and
midshipmen also were promoted.

This closes the list of boat actions for which medals were
awarded, but many deeds as daring and successful were
performed in the course of the long war, for which the
survivors received neither medals nor promotion.

The China Medals, 1840-42-1856-1860.

A General Order was issued at the end of the year 1842,
which among other matters announced that — " Her Majesty
has been pleased to direct that medals be granted to the
officers and men of Her Majesty's and the East India
Company's Naval and Military forces, without distinction,
who took part in the most prominent events of the war, in
commemoration of the success of Her Majesty's arms in China,
and in token of Her Majesty's high approbation." The
medal, which was supplied by the Indian government.

268 NAVAL MEDALS.

was designed by Wyon, and bears on the obverse the
Queen's bead, with the inscription "Victoria Eegina,"
Reverse, a shield bearing the arms of Great Britain resting
against a palm tree, with cannon, flags, an anchor, &c., above
being the motto — "Armis Exposcere Pacem," and in the
exergue, "China" with the date 1842. No clasp issued.
Ribbon crimson, with yellow edges. The medal for the
second war with China, was granted by a warrant dated
March 6th 1861, and is similar to that given for the first war,
except that the date 1842 on the reverse is omitted. Ribbon
the same. Clasps were issued for " Fatshan 1857," (given to
seamen and marines only,) "Canton 1857," " Taku Forts,
1858," "Taku Forts, 1860," " Pekin, 1860."^- An additional
clasp inscribed " China, 1842 " was given to those in possession
of the first medal. The name of the recipient, and that of the
ship in which he served, is impressed ou the edge of the medal.

First War with China, 1840-42.

In consequence of the arrogant behaviour of Chinese
ofiicials, restrictions on trade, and insults to the British
Commissioner, Captain Elliot, the two countries drifted into war,
and hostilities between England and China commenced in 1839.
On November 3rd in that year, the " Volage," twenty-eight,
Captain H. Smith, with the eighteen-gun slooj) " Hyacinth,"
Commander Warren, were attacked by a Chinese flotilla of
twenty-nine war junks and fire ships, near Cheunpee, which
they utterly routed and dispersed with loss. In the month
of June 1840, the Chinese made a futile attempt to destroy
the " Volage " and other English shipping, lying in the Canton
river, with fire junks, and on the 21st of the same month a
British squadron consisting of the " Wellesley," seventy-four,

* There was but one medal issued for the second Chinese war with
five clasps, which was given to a Royal Marine artilleryman. When
first issued, the ribbon of the medal was blue, yellow, red, white, and
green, in stripes, but afterwards changed to crimson and yellow.

JVIedal for J<~irst Chinese Wa¥\.

NAYAL MEDALS. 269

Commodore Sir Gordon Bremer, "Conway," twenty-eight,
Captain Bethiine ; " Cruiser," sixteen, Commander Giffard ;
"Algorine," ten. Lieutenant Mason, the " Atalanta " and
" Queen," East India Company's steamers, with seventeen
transports, carrying a body of troops, arrived at Macao, and
immediately blockaded the port of Canton. The " Alligator,"
twenty-eight, Captain Kuper, with the -'Larne," and "Mada-
gascar," steamer, had arrived a few days before.* Leaving the
"Druid," "Volage," "Hyacinth," and "Madagascar," to
blockade the Canton river, the Commodore with the other
ships and transports proceeded to the north on July 5th, and
attacked the island of Chusan. The ships covered the landing
of the troops and silenced the batteries, and the next day the
whole island with the walled city of Tinghae, was in the
possession of the British, who had but one seaman wounded.
The same day Rear- Admiral G. Elliot arrived in the "Melville,"
seventy-four, and assumed the chief command, but owing to
severe illness, returned to England in November following.
After the capture of Chusan, the Eear-Admiral sailed with the
squadron for the Gulf of Pecheli and anchored at the mouth of

* The following ships were engaged in the operations on the Coa>t
of China, in the year 1840. " Melville," seventy-four, Rear-Admiral
Hon. G. Elliott, Captain Hon. E. S. Dundas ; " Wellesley," seventy-
four. Commodore Sir J. G. Bremer, Captain T. Maitland ; " Blenheim,"
seventy-four, Sir H. F. Senhonse ; "Druid," fort\-four, J. Smith ;
"Blonde," forty-four, F. Bourchier ; "Volage," twenty-eight, G.
Elliott • " Conway," twenty-eight, C. D. Bethune ; " Alligator,"
twenty-eight, H. Kuper ; " Larne," twenty, J. P. Blake ; " Hyacinth,"
twenty, W. Warren ; " Modeste," twenty, H. Eyres ; " Pylades,"
twenty, T. V. Anson ; " Nimrod," twenty, C. A. Barlow ; " Cruiser,"
eighteen, H. W. Giffard ; " Columbine," eighteen, T. J. Clarke ;
" Algerine," ten, T. S. Mason ; " Rattlesnake," troopship, and the
East India Company's steamers — " Queen," ]\Iadagascar," " Atalanta,"
and "Enterprise." The " Samarang," twenty-six. Captain Scott ;
"Calliope," twenty-eight. Captain Herbert; "Herald," twenty-eight.
Captain Nias, with the " Nemesis," Master W. H. Hall, joined the fleet
about the end of the year. The latter vessel, a steamer of the East
India Company, commanded by Master W. H. Hall, R. N. (afterwards
Rear-Admiral Sir W. H. Hall, K. C. B.) was the first iron steamer that
doubled the Cape of Good Hope. Being armed with two thirty-two
pounders on pivots, five long six-pounders, and a rocket-tube, and
drawing less than five feet of water, this " devil ship " caused more
terror and consternation among the Chinese than any vessel of the
squadron.

270 NAVAL MEDALS.

thePeiho, with tlie intention of opening direct negociations with
the Chinese conrt. In their alarm the Chinese sent a special
commissioner to Canton, with ostensible powers to conclude a
treaty, and some months were occupied in fruitless negociations,
during which time the Chinese erected strong batteries on
each side of the Bocca Tigris, the entrance of the Canton river,
and believed themselves strong enough to bid the British
defiance. The "Queen" flying a flag of truce was fired on
by the forts, and all hope of a peaceable settlement having
vanished. Sir Gr. Bremer, who again took the chief command
on the departure of Admiral Elliot, on January 7th, 1841,
attacked the batteries of Chuenpee, and Tycocktow, at the
entrance of the Canton river. The " Calliope, " "Hyacinth,"
and "Larne," with the "Nemesis" and two other steamers,
opened fire on the Chuenpee batteries from the sea, and a
body of troops and seamen attacking them on the land side,
they were speedily captured. At the same time, Captain
Scott, with the "Samarang," "Druid," "Modeste," and
" Columbine," engaged and silenced the Tycocktow batteries
on the opposite side of the river, and then landed a party of
seamen who destroyed them. A number of war junks were
attacked and destroyed by the "Nemesis," the " Starling "
tender, and boats of the "Calliope," in Anson's Bay, * the
whole of the operations being effected with the loss of
Lieutenant Bower of the " Samarang," killed, and two oflicers
and eight men wounded. This success so intimidated the
enemy, that the next day when the ships approached the Bogue
forts higher up the river, they hauled down their colours, and

*In the attack on the junks in Anson's bay, the first rocket fired from
the " Nemesis " blew up a large junk, and destroyed every man on
board. The junks were provided with a novel kind of boarding or
rather fishing nets, fastened all round their sides, and triced up over
the guns. As the junks were in shallow water, the Chinese expected
an attack by boats only, and intended when they came alongside, to
throw the nets over them, men and all, and capture them alive, as a
poacher catches hares. But the rockets and shot from the " Nemesis,"
soon made the enemy think of nothing but their own safety, and long
before any boats got alongside, the nets and junks were both abandoned,
their crews endeavouring to escape to the shore.

NAVAL MEDALS. 271

the Commissioner Keshen agreed to concede all tlie demands
of the victors. A few days after he signed a preliminary
treaty, ceding the island of Hong Kong to the British, and
agreeing to pay six million dollars as a war indemnity, and to
allow trade to be again established. Hong Kong was given
up, and taken possession of, but it soon became e\'ident that
hostilities would again be necessary to compel the Chinese to
fulfil their other engagements. The British squadron had
retired to Hong Kong, and the enemy employed their time in
strengthening the Bogue forts, and erecting additional
batteries on the islands in the river. A proclamation was
posted on the walls of Canton offering a reward of fifty-
thousand dollars each for the heads of Captain EUiot, and Sir
G. Bremer, who decided on an immediate attack. On
February 2oth, the " Wellesley," flagship, the "Blenheim,"
and "MelviUe" with the "Calliope," " Samarang,"
"AUigator," "Druid," and "Herald," the " Modeste,"
" Queen," " Nemesis," and some rocket boats entered the
Bocca Tigris, and opened fire on the forts, which the Chinese
regarded as impregnable. The Anunghoy batteries on the
left side of the river mounted one hundred and seventy-two
guns, many being forty-two pounders and some of larger
calibre, and on the island of North Wantong was another
battery of about one hundred and sixty-seven guns, some
being ten inch guns of unusual length. The island of South
Wantong left unoccupied by the enemy, had been seized in
the night by the British, and a battery erected on it which
commanded the works on the northern island. The ships
attacked in two divisions, Sir Gr. Bremer with the " Wellesley "
and "Druid" engaged the batteries of Wantong, the
" Blenheim," " MelviUe," and "Queen" with the rocket boats,
attacked the batteries of Anunghoy, while the light division
under Captain Herbert, consisting of the "CaUiope,"
"Samarang," "Herald," "Alligator," "Modeste," and
" Sulphur," directed its attention to the batteries on Wantong,
and those facing Anunghoy. The "Nemesis" and

272 NAYAL 5IEDALS.

"Madagascar" were engaged in landing and covering the
troops. At eleven in the morning the action commenced.
The battery on South Wantong poured rockets aud shells on
the batteries of North Wantong and Anunghoy, which, with
the broadsides from the ships, soon almost silenced the fire of
the enemy, and Sir H. Senhouse landing with a party of
seamen and marines, stormed all the batteries on Anunghoy
in succession, and in less than two hours was in possession of
the whole island. The batteries on North Wantong were also
silenced by the ships, and with the forts were stormed and
captured by the troops. Over four hundred pieces of cannon
were taken and destroyed, with the loss to the victors of ten
men wounded, five of them belonging to the fleet. The line
of battle ships being unable to proceed above Wantong, the
next morning, Sir G. Bremer, sent Captain Herbert with the
"Calliope," "AUigator," "Herald," "Sulphur," "Modeste,"
" Nemesis" and " Madagascar," up the river to attack the forti-
fications on the island of Whampoa. A battery of more than fifty
heavy guns was disabled by the ships, a flotilla of war junks
dispersed, and a large frigate rigged ship bearing the flag of
the Chinese Admiral, which formerly as the "Cambridge,"
had been an East Indiaman, was captured and burnt. A small
party of seamen and marines under Captain Herbert, then
landed and stormed the battery. Two days after, Sir Gr.
Bremer arrived with reinforcements, and Howqua's fort, a
strong work on the Northern end of Whampoa, mounting one
hundred guns, was abandoned at his approach. On March
1 3th, the Macao passage forts were attacked and carried by
the "Modeste," "Starling," "Madagascar," and boats of
the squadron, under the orders of Captain Herbert. Still
fighting their way, the lighter vessels and boats forced all the
barriers, and stormed or silenced all the forts on the main
stream, till on March 18th, Canton lay at their mercy. The
Chinese Commissioner earnestly entreated a suspension of
hostilities, which was granted, but the enemy taking advant-
age of the forbearance of the British to erect new batteries,

NAVAL MEDALS. 273

and attempting to destroy the British ships lying at anchor
in the river by fire rafts, warlike operations were resumed.
On May 22nd, forty-three war junks with a large number of
fire rafts were attacked and destroyed by the " Nemesis " and
boats, and during the days following, the forts and works of
the enemy on the river, with an entrenched camp above
Canton, were attacked and carried by the squadron. Naval
Brigade, and troops. At six o'clock on the morning of May
27th, when the troops under Sir Hugh Gough were ready to
storm the City, a flag of truce was hoisted, and the Chinese
sued for peace. A treaty was sigaed, by which the enemy
agreed to pay six million dollars to the British Commissioners
within a week, as a ransom for Canton, the victors consenting
to restore the forts they had captured, and to withdraw their
forces to the mouth of the river, till peace was restored
between the nations. On August 9th, Sir Henry Pottinger
arrived at Macao, to supersede Captain Elliott, who was
recalled, and as sole plenipotentiary with authority to settle
all disputes. With him came Rear-Admiral Sir W. Parker,
who assumed command of the squadron at Hong Kong. In
conjunction with Sir H. Gough he at once decided to attack
Amoy, and leaving a small squadron at Hong Kong, on the
21st of August, with the "Wellesley," seventy -four, bearing
his flag, the "Blenheim," two frigates, six smaller vessels,
four steamers, and twenty-one transports, he sailed northwards
for that place.

On the 25th the squadron reached Amoy, and found the
front of the bay on which the town is situated, covered with
granite forts and batteries, two miles in length, mounting
over one hundred and fifty guns. In the mouth of the
harbour was the island of Kalongsew, the key of the place,
also strongly fortified with batteries mounting over seventy
guns. The following day the attack commenced, the line of
battle ships engaging the long battery, and the smaller
vessels the works on Kalongsew. In less than one hour and
a half the Chinese were driven from their batteries, and a

274 NAVAL MEDALS.

body of mariues under Captain Ellis, landed and took
possession of them, and the whole island, without loss. As
the fii-e from the long battery slackened, the troops landed
covered by the "Nemesis" and " Phlegethon," drove the
Chinese out of their works, and captured them and the heights
above the town. By five in the evening Amoy was in the
possession of the British, with the loss of one man killed, and
seven wounded. The guns amounting to nearly five hundred,
with the batteries, were destroyed, a garrison of about five
hundred and fifty men was left in charge of the island of
Kalongsew, with the "Druid," "Pylades," and " Algerine,"
under the command of Captain Smith, as a protecting squadron,
while the remainder of the ships and troops proceeded to re-
occupy the island of Chusan. Here too the fortifications were
found to be greatly increased and strengthened, since the
British left the place at the beginning of the year. The sea
front was covered with batteries mounting more than ninety
guns, but on October 1st the place, with the city of Tinghai, was
captured after a heavy cannonade, by the troops and Naval
brigade, with trifling loss. A small garrison was left in Chusan,
and on October 10th the strongly fortified town of Chinghae,
situated on the mainland opposite Chusan, after its defences
had been battered by the ships, was carried by storm by the
troops, and a party of seamen and marines under Captain
Herbert. Three days later the important city of Ningpo
surrendered to the British without firing a shot, and Sir H.
Gough established his head quarters there for the winter.
In March 1842, the Chinese made fruitless attempts to destroy
the British ships at Chinhae and Ningpo by fire rafts, and the
British learning that these rafts were constructed at Tzekee,
a place a few miles further up the river, Commander
Morshead with the " Queen," and boats of the " Columbine,"
was dispatched to search for and destroy them. He
discovered about forty in a perfect state of preparation, filled
with combustibles and fireballs, and leather caps and fire
proof dresses for the men in charge of them. The whole were

NAVAL MEDALS. 275

scuttled and desti'oyed. Oa May 18th the town of Chapoo
was captured after a feeble resistance by the enemy, and
arrangements were made for an attack on Nankin, the ancient
capital of the empire, situated two hundred miles from the
mouth of the river Yang-tse-Kiang. Near the point where
this river flows into the sea it is joined by the Woosung, at
the mouth of which is a village of the same name, and about
three miles distant is the town of Paoushan. The Chinese
had here erected some very formidable works, consist-
ing of an embankment of great thickness, reaching from
"Woosung to Paoushan, mounting one hundred and thirty-
four guns of large calibre, with stakes driven in along
the front to prevent the landing of troops. Opposite
Woosung was a large fort built of brick, flanked by a
line of embankments and mounting twenty-one guns. At
six on the morning of June 16th, the ships proceeded to the
attack on Woosung, each sailing vessel being in tow of a
steamer. The " Blonde " led the way followed by the flag
ship " Cornwallis," seventy -four. Just as the action was
beginning, the " North Star," twenty-six. Captain Sir E.
Home, arrived, and was immediately towed in, and took her
station ahead of the " Blonde." For some time the enemy
maintained the contest with unusual resolution, but the fire of
the ships dismounted their guns, and caused such havoc among
them, that before eight o'clock they abandoned their batt-
eries and retreated. The other forts were cannonaded and
captured, and the " Nemesis " and " Phlegethon " attacked and
destroyed a flotiUaof war junks, some being fitted with paddle
wheels, turned by a capstan worked by hand. The troops
were then disembarked and marched on Paoushan, which
they entered without any opposition. Two days afterwards
Shanghai was occupied by the British, and on July the 6th,
the fleet, which including transports, numbered over seventy
sail, proceeded up the Yang-tse-Kiang. The large city of
Chin-Kiang-foo was captured by storm, after a desperate
resistance by the Tartars, on Jidy 2l8t, by the troops,.

i276

NAVAL MEDALS.

and on August Hth, the fleet and army were in readiness to
attack Nankin. Convinced at last of their inability to oppose
the British, the Chinese were anxious for peace, and on
August 29th, a treaty was signed on board the " Cornwallis,"
by which twenty-one million dollars were paid by them as a
war indemnity. Canton, Amoy, Ningpo, Shanghai, and Foo-
chow were opened to trade, and the island of Hong Kong
ceded in perpetuity to the British.* At the end of the war
the fleet in China consisted of the following vessels. " Corn-
wallis," seventy -four, Vice-Admiral Sir W. Parker, Captain
P. Richards; " Blenheim," seventy-four, Rear- Admiral Sir T.
Cochrane, Captain Sir T. Herbert ; " Vindictive," fifty, J. T.
Nicholas ; " Blonde," forty-two, T. Bourchier ; " Thalia,"
forty-four, C. Hope ; " Endymion," forty-four, Hon. W. F.
Grey; "Cambrian," thirty-six, H. D. Chads; "North Star,"
twenty-six. Sir J. E. Home; " Calliope," twenty-eight, A. L.
Kuper ; "Herald," twenty-six, J. Nias ; "Dido," twenty,
Hon, H. Keppel ; "Pelican," eighteen, P. Justice ; "Modeste,"
eighteen, E. B. Watson ; " Harlequin," eighteen, Hon. F.
Hastings ; " Columbine," sixteen, W. H. Morshead ; " Child-
ers," sixteen, E. P. Halsted ; "Clio," sixteen, E. N. Troubridge ;
"Hazard," sixteen, C. Bell; " Wanderer," sixteen, G. H.
Seymour; "Serpent," sixteen, W. Nevil ; "Wolverine," six-
teen, J. S. Johnson; " Cruiser," sixteen, J. Pearce ; " Hebe,"
four, C. Wood ; "Algerine," ten, W. H. Maitland ; "Eoyalist,"
ten, P. Chetwode ; " Starling," schooner, H. Kellett ; "Plover,"
brig, E. Collinson ; the steamers " Driver," C. Harner ;
"Vixen," H. Boyes ; and the E. I. Company's steamers
" Akbar," J. Pepper ; " Auckland," E. Ethersey ; " Queen,"
W. Warden ; " Memnon," F. Powell ; " Hooghley," B. Eoss ;
*' Sesostris," H. A. Ormsby ; " Nemesis," W. H. HaU, E.N. ;
<' Proserpine," Commander Hough, E.N. ; " Phlegethon," J.
M'Cleverty, E.N. ; " Pluto,,' J. Tudor, E.N. ; and " Medusa,"
B. Hewitt ; the troopships "Apollo," C. Frederick ; "Belleisle,"

* For an account of the Military Operations of the war, see " War
Medals of the British Army."

NAVAIi MEDALS. 277

J. Kingcome ; " Jupiter," G. B. HofEmeister ; " Rattlesnake,"
J. Sprent ; " Alligator," E. Browne ; " Sapphire," J. E.
Fittock ; and the hospital ship "Minden," M. Quin.

The Second War with China, 1856-1860.

The Chinese having seized the lorcha "Arrow," sailing
under British colours, at Canton, and committed other acts of
agression, England and China were again at war in Octo-
ber, 1856. All remonstrances addressed to the Imperial
Commissioner Yeh at Canton, being useless, and failing to
obtain any satisfaction, Mr. H. Parkes, the British Consul at
Canton, and Sir J. Bowring, Plenipotentiary at Hong Kong,
applied to the naval Commander-in-Chief on the station,
Eear- Admiral Sir M. Seymour,* to support their demands for
redress from the Chinese government. On October 23rd the
Admiral stormed the Barrier forts and spiked the guns, and
proceeding up the river, drove the Chinese out of the forts
below the city, and captured the Dutch Folly, a strong fort
mounting fifty guns, situated on a small island, immediately
opposite the centre of Canton. Yeh offering a reward of thirty
dollars for the head of every Englishman, the waU of the city
was breached by the ships, and a party of seamen and marines,
landing under Commodore Elliot, and Captain Stewart, blew

* The squadron under the command of Sir M. Seymour consisted of
the " Calcutta," eighty-four, Kear-Admiral Sir M. Seymour, Captain
W. K. Hall ; " Winchester," fifty, Captain Wilson ; ""Sybille," forty,
Hon. C. Elliot ; "Pique," forty, Sir F. ISIicholson ; "Hornet,"
seventeen, C. Forsyth ; " Encounter," fourteen, G. W. O'Callaghan ;
"Comus," fourteen, H. Jenkins ; " Kacehorse," fourteen, C. Bernard ;
" Bittern," twelve, W. Bate ; " Sampson," six, G. S. Hand ;
" Barracouta," six, W. Fortescue ; " Coromandel," five, Lieutenant
Douglas. Soon after the commencement of hostilities the squadron
was re-inforced by the " Sanspareil," seventy, A. C. Key ; "Nankin,"
fifty, Hon. R. Stewart ; " Amethyst." twenty-six, S. Grenfell ; " Esk,"
twenty-one, Sir R. McClure ; "Cruiser," seventeen. Commander
Fellowes ; "Niger," fifteen, Hon. A. Cochrane ; "Elk," thirteen,
Commander Hamilton ; "Acorn," twelve, Commander Hood ; "In-
flexible," six, Commander Corbet, and several gunboats.

278 NAVAL MEDALS.

open one of the gates, and entered the city. The British re-
emharking the same day, was regarded as a success gained by
the enemy, who made daring but useless attempts to destroy
the British ships by fire rafts and infernal machines, some
charged with three thousand pounds of powder. Commiss-
ioner Yeh continuing obstinate. Sir M. Seymour decided
to leave Canton for the present, and to capture and hold
possession of the Bogue forts, which would give him complete
command of the river, and the trade of the city. The forts
had been much strengthened since the last war, and mounted
upwards of two hundred guns, but they, as well as the
Anunghoy forts, were captured after a very trifling resistance,
with the loss to the British of one man killed and four men
wounded. Returning to Canton, the Admiral attacked and
destroyed a fort called the French Tolly, which the Chinese
had re-armed, and garrisoned the Dutch Folly in the middle
of the river, with one hundred and forty seamen under the
command of Commodore Elliot.

This operation was about the last in 1856, and for some
months, with the exception of a skirmish or two, but little
was done. The force at the disposal of Sir M. Seymour was
too small to accomplish much more than to keep the Chinese
in check, the "Calcutta," under Captain Hall, being dis-
patched to protect Hong-Kong, and the Admiral anxiously
awaited instructions and re-inforcements. In March, Com-
modore the Hon. H. Keppel arrived at Singapore in the
"Ealeigh," fifty, and hearing that Sir M. Seymour was in
urgent need of support, he set off in the face of the north-
eastern monsoon to join him. On April 14th, when within a
few leagues of Hong-Kong, the " Ealeigh " ran on a sunken
rock and became a complete wreck. No lives were lost, and
the Admiral placed the " Bittern " sloop, and the hired
steamers "Hong-Kong" and "Sir C. Forbes" under
Keppel' 8 orders, with which vessels he proceeded up Canton
river.

NAVAL MEDALS. . 279

FATsnAN Creek, June 1st, 1857.

0:^ the right bank of the Canton river are several large
creeks, the largest being known as Fatshan Creek, from the
populous city of that name, which is situated about twelve
miles from the entrance. In these creeks the war junks
were built and fitted out, the principal flotilla lying in
Fatshan Creek, the approaches to which the Chinese, during
the early months of 1857, had been carefully fortifying.
On May 25th and 27th, the steamers and boats of the
squadron, under the orders of Commodore Elliott and Com-
manders Forsyth and Corbet, attacked and destroyed a large
number of junks in Escape Creek and Sawshee Channel,
which enabled the Admiral to direct the whole of his lighter
force against the main flotilla of the enemy in Fatshan Creek,
which consisted of above eighty junks of the largest size,
manned by six thousand picked warriors, and armed with
heavy guns. The Chinese had chosen their position with
judgment. Two miles from the mouth of the creek, on the
right bank, rose a steep hill, on which was a battery of
nineteen heavy guns. Higher up, on the opposite bank, was
another batterj^, and just beyond it lay fifty junks moored
side by side, the thirty-two pounders in their bows com-
manding the whole stream. At half -past three on the
morning of June 1st, Sir M. Seymour, in the " Coromandel,"
supported by eleven other gunboats, and between fifty and
and sixty boats, manned by nearly two thousand men, pro-
ceeded to attack the enemy. Rockets were immediately
thrown up by the batteries and junks, showing that the
Chinese were not to be taken by surprise, and the battery on
the hill opened a heavy fire. Three-quarters of a mile fi'om
the hill the " Coromandel" grounded, but the Admiral went
on board his galley, and with the boats under Commodore
Elliott, landed, mounted the hill, and stormed the battery,
with trifling loss. Most of the gunboats grounded one after
the other, except the "Haughty" and "Plover," but the

280 NAVAL MEDALS.

boats pushed on, and joined the division under the orders of
Commodore Keppel, who had been ordered not to enter the
creek till the battery on the hill was captured. The
"Haughty" and boats then engaged a flotilla of junks, and
in a short space of time the whole were captured and set on
fire. In the meanwhile. Commodore Keppel (afterwards Sir
H. Keppel, Admiral of the fleet), in the " Hong-Kong," with
his division of boats, supported by the "Plover," had
attacked the battery and junks on the opposite bank of the
creek. The "Hong-Kong" soon ran aground, and the
"Plover," to avoid doing the same, was forced to lie to, so
the Commodore, in his galley, led oo the boats and boarded
the largest of the junks, her crew, with those of the others,
jumping overboard and escaping to the land. Leaving some
of his boats to burn the captured junks, the Commodore
pushed on towards another flotilla in the distance, and after a
pull of three miles, came in front of an advanced body of
nine junks, most of which were aground, and behind them
were twenty junks of the largest size, so compactly moored
that their heavy bow guns appeared like the broadside of a
frigate. As he advanced, the junks opened upon him a fire,
the rapidity and precision of which exceeded anything yet
experienced in China. Almost every boat was struck ; the
launch of the " Calcutta " and Keppel' s own boat were sunk,
Captain Cochrane's gig was disabled, and his sleeve torn
from his arm by a grape shot. The boats feU back towards
the " Hong-Kong," which was aground, to re-form, while
the Chinese, thinking the day their own, furiously beat their
gongs and uttered loud yells of triumph. But the tide was
now fast flowing, the Admiral sent up a re-inforcement, and
the British renewed the attack with such vigour, that in less
than twenty minutes the junks slipped their cables and fled
up the river. They were pursued, and of the whole fleet but
three escaped capture, with the loss to the victors of thirteen
men killed and forty men wounded.

An exceedingly graphic and stirring account of the action was

NAVAL MEDALS. 281

writtea by the gallant Commodore Mmself, in a letter to liis
friends in England, from which the following extract is taken :
*' When the ' Hong-Kong ' grounded, I led on the boats in
my gig, but, as the tide was rising, she kept following us as
fast as she could. The first division of the Chinese fleet was
attacked by about nineteen hundred men, and soon gave way.
I did not take up more than a quarter of that number to
attack the second division, which was three miles higher up
the river, in a well selected place, and evidently the elite of
their fleet. They numbered exactly twenty, in one compact
row, mounting from ten to fourteen guns each, two of them
on the stern and bow being heavy thirty-two-pounders.
I saw I had all the ' Raleigh's ' boats well up, and determined
to push on. They fired occasional shots as if to ascertain
our exact distance, but did not open their heaviest fire until
we were within six hundred yards, and then I soon saw how
impossible it would be to force our way until I had rein-
forcements. We cheered, and tried to get on, when a shot
struck my boat quite amidships, cut one man in two, and took
off the arm of another. Prince Victor of Hohenlohe, who was
with me, jumped forward to bind the man's ai-m with his neck-
cloth. While he was doing so, another round shot passed
through both sides of the boat, wounding two others of the
crew. The boat was filling with water, and I got on one of
the seats to keep my legs out of it, just as I stepped up, a
third round shot went through both sides of the boat, not
more thtin an inch below the seat on which I was standing.
Many of our boats had now got huddled together, the oars of
most being shot away. A boat of the ' Calcutta ' being
nearest, we got in, pulling our wounded men with us. My
dog ' Mike,' refused to leave the body of the seaman who
had been his favourite, we were obliged to leave him.* I
then gave the order to retii-e on the "Hong Kong," and re-
form abreast of her. While we were going down a shot cut

* " Mike " managed to reach the shore, and on the return of the
boats down the river, swam off to them, and was restored to his master.

282 NAVAL MEDALS.

away all the oars on one side. I called to Lieutenant Graham
to get his boat ready, as I would hoist my broad pennant,
and lead the next attack in his boat. I had no sooner spoken,
than a shot disabled his boat, wounding him, and killing and
wounding four others. I saw Graham one mass of blood, but
it was from a marine who stood next to him, and part of
whose skull was forced three inches into another man's
shoulder. When I reached the 'Hong Kong,' the whole of
the enemy's fire seemed to be centred on her. She was
hulled twelve times in a few minutes ; her deck was covered
with the wounded who had been taken on board from the
boats. I was looking at them, when a round shot cut down a
marine, and he fell among them. From our paddlebox
I saw that the heavy firing was bi'inging up strong reinforce-
ments. The account of my having been obliged to retire had
reached them, and they were pulling up like mad. I
ordered a bit of blue bunting to be got ready to represent my
broad pennant ; I called out — ' Let us try the row-boats
once more, boys,' and went over the side into our cutter. At
this moment there arose from the boats, as if every man took
it up at the same instant, one of those British cheers so full
of meaning, that I knew it was all up with John Chinaman.
They might sink twenty boats, but there were thirty others
which would go ahead all the faster. On we went. Three
more cheers, and then began an exciting chase for seven
miles. As our shot told on them they ran ashore, and tlieir
crews forsook them. Seventeen were come up with, and
captured in this way, three only escaped." At the conclusion
of the chase the British found themselves almost in the middle
of the city of Fatshan, with shops and trading junks along
the banks. The gallant commodore proposed landing,
fortifying himself in the city, and demanding a ransom, but
was recalled by an order from the Admiral.

Capture of Canton, December 29th, 1857.

Several French missionaries having been murdered by the

NAVAL MEDALS. 288

Chinese, who treated all demands for redress by the French
government with contempt, the British were joined by a
French force under Admiral de Genouilly, who in conjunction
with Admiral Sir M. Seymour and General Van Straubenzee,
resolved upon attacking Canton. A summons was sent to the
Chinese Commissioner Yeh, to surrender the city within forty-
eight hours, which being disregarded, the " Acteeon " and
" Phlegethon," with a squadron of English and French gun-
boats, proceeded up the river and anchored in three divisions,
facing the walls of Canton. A naval brigade of one thousand
five hundred and fifty men was formed in three divisions,
under the command of Captains Stuart, Key, and Sir R.
M'Clure, the commander of the whole being Commodore
Elliot. On December the twenty-eighth the ships opened fire
on the place, and the troops and naval brigade landing,
captured Lin's fort, a strong battery on a hill to the east of the
city. The next morning the assault was given, the walls were
carried by escalade after a short resistance, and by nine
o'clock Canton was in the possession of the allies. The loss
of the captors was about one hundred and thirty men killed
and wounded, more than one half belonging to the naval
brigade. Among the killed was Captain Bate of the
" Acteeon " who was shot dead while reconnoitring the walls.
A few days after. Commissioner Yeh was captured by Captain
Key with a party of seamen, and sent a prisoner on board the
" Inflexible." He was eventually sent to Calcutta, where he
died in the month of April following. The forts of Canton
were blown up, and the fleet proceeded towards Tientsin, and
anchored off the mouth of the Peiho.

Capture of the Peiho or Taku Forts.
May 20th, 1858.

Lord Elgin, the British plenipotentiary, on April 24th
sent in a statement of his final demands to the Chinese
Government, which as usual was treated with evasion and

284 NAVAL MEDALS.

delay, and the enemy employed the time in strengthening
their forts and defences till they considered them to be
impregnable. A summons for the surrender of their forts,
to be held as a surety till the conclusion of a treaty, receiving
no answer, the British and French Admirals decided on an im-
mediate attack. The works were of a very formidable character.
On both sides of the river for nearly a mile, earth works and
batteries had been erected, commanding every part of the
channel, mounting one hundred and forty heavy guns, and
several hundred gingals. In the front of all a strong boom
was placed, reaching across the river, the sides of which were
strongly staked to prevent any attempt at landing. In the
rear were several entrenched camps, occupied by picked
troops sent from Pekin. Early on the morning of May 20th,
the flags of the two Admirals were hoisted on the " Slaney "
gunboat, and at ten a.m. the signal was made for attack.
Commander Saumarez in the "Cormorant" led the way, and
at full speed went for the boom, which was composed of five
seven-inch bamboo cables. Her men were lying flat on the
deck, no one but her commander and an ofiicer or two being
visible, when with a crash she shivered the boom, passed
through, and disregarding the fire of the southern forts,
engaged those on the northern bank. The "Nimrod,"
Captain R. Dew, followed, and opened fire on the southern
forts, diverting their attention from the " Cormorant." Four
French gunboats followed, and for an hour the contest lasted,
as the Chinese stood well to their guns. The batteries being
nearly silenced, the landing parties in tow of the smaller gun-
boats pushed for the shore, and having but a few yards to
advance, were in the embrasures at once, taking the enemy
entirely by surprise. On witnessing the capture of the
southern forts, the defenders of the northern forts abandoned
them, and the landing parties entered them without any
opposition. The "Bustard," "Opossum," and "Staunch,"
attacked a formidable battery higher up the river, which pro-
tected the entrenched camp, but on a landing party taking

NAVAL MEDALS. 285

it in flank, the enemy fled in disorder. In about two hours
from the commencement of the attack the whole of the
defences were in the posession of the allies, and the Chinese
utterly routed. The casualties of the British were twenty-
one men killed and wounded, the loss of the French was
sixty-seven men killed and wounded, mostly caused by the
explosion of a magazine in one of the forts after its capture.
The road to Pekin was open to the victors, and convinced of
the futility of further resistance, a treaty was signed by the
Chinese Commissioners at Tientsin, on the twentj^-sixth of June
following, in conformity with the terms proposed by the allies.

Taku Forts, August 21st; Pekix, October 13th, 1860.

The Chinese refusing to ratify the treaty, and all attempts
at negociation having proved useless, recourse was again had
to arms. On June 25th, 1859, an unsuccessful attack was
made on the forts at the mouth of the Peiho, by a squadron
of gun-boats under Pear-Admiral James Hope, which much
increased the arrogance of the enemy. The fortifications had
been greatly strengthened since their capture by Sir M.
Seymour, and were now regarded by the Chinese as impreg-
nable. As early as possible in the next year, a combined
British and French expedition, under Sir Hope Grant and
General Montauban, sailed from Hong Kong, and on August
Ist landed at Pehtang, fi-om whence, on the 12th following,
an advance was begun towards the Peiho. Pear-Admiral
Hope was in command of the British squadron, and superin-
tended the disembarkation of the troops, who on reaching a
place called Tangkoo, were fired on by a battery, supported
by a few junks. Being almost beyond the reach of artillery,
Captain Willes and Commander Gibson, of the " Chesapeake,"
fifty-one, crossed the river with a party of seamen in some
native boats, stormed the battery, spiked the guns, and burnt
the junks, with no more loss than one man wounded. In the
capture of the Taku forts on August 21st the Navy took but

286 NAVAL MEDALS.

a slight part, the gunboats " Woodcock," " Clown," " Drake,"
and "Janus," only co-operating in the attack on the lower
fort, and sustaining no loss. The other operations, ending
with the occupation of Pekin, on October 13th, belong to
military historj', an ample account will be found in " War
Medals of the British Army." On October 24th, a final
treaty, in ratification of that signed two years before, was
concluded at Pekin, by Lord Elgin, and the allied forces
returned to Hong'-Kono:.

THE BUEMESE MEDALS, 1824-26, and 1852-53.

On A2)ril 14th, 1851, the Grovernor-Greneral of India
announced in a General Order, that the Queen had been
graciously pleased to assent to a Medal being granted at the
charge of the East India Company, to the surviving officers and
soldiers of the Crown, and of the Company, who were engaged
in the several services enumerated, including the ofiicers and
seamen of the Eoyal Navy, who took part in the Burmese War
of 1 824-26. The Medal has on the obverse a diademed head of
the Queen, with the words "Victoria Eegina." On the
reverse is a figure of Victory seated, holding in her right
hand an olive branch, and in her left a laurel wreath, a
trophy of Indian arms, and a palm tree being in the back-
ground. Above is the inscription " To the Army of India,"
and in the exergue the dates "1799-182G." Ribbon, light
blue. A clasp was given with the Medal, inscribed " Ava."

A General Order dated January 23rd, 1854, stated that the
Queen had been pleased to sanction the issue of a Medal for
the purpose of commemorating the services rendered during
the operations against the Burmese (1852-3). This Medal
with a Clasj) inscribed " Pegu," was given to all ofiicers and
men of the Army and Navy who took part in the war. It
has on the obverse the diademed head of the Queen, with
the words " Victoria Regina." On the reverse is a figure of

^EDAL FOR Second ^ui^ese War,

NAVAL MEDALS. 287

Victory crowning a seated ■vrarrior with a laurel wreath. In
the exergue is a lotus flower. Ribbon, crimson with two
blue stripes. The name of the recipient and his ship, are
indented on the edge of the medal. After the war with
Persia in 1856-7, this Medal was designated the "Indian
General Service Medal," and has been given as a reward for
the numerous expeditions against the tribes on the frontiers
of India, and in the territories adjoining. It was granted
to the Naval forces engaged in the expedition against
Perak, 1875-6.

The first war with Bitrmah, 18'24-26.

Through repeated acts of aggression on the part of the
Burmese, and inroads on the frontiers of India, war was
declared by the Indian Government against Burmah in 1824.
Commodore C. Grant was in command of the Naval forces in
India, and he at once despatched Captain Marryatt in the
" Larne " twenty, with the "Sophie" eighteen-gun sloop,
Captain F. Ryves, to co-operate with the troops under the
command of General Sir A. Campbell. At the instance of
Captain Marryatt the "Diana" steamer was purchased at
Calcutta, and employed in the expedition, in which she was
of the greatest service, though she carried no guns, and was
armed onl}- b}' soldiers and marines. She was the first steam
vessel ever employed in warfare, and her novel appearance and
movements astonished the Burmese. The forces assembled,
sailed from Port Cornwallis in the Andaman Islands, with the
"Liffey," fifty, Commodore Grant, " Slaney," twenty, C.
Mitchell, "Larne," twenty, F. Marryatt, "Sophie," eighteen,
F. Eyves, four of the Comj)any's cruisers, under the command
of Captain H. Hardy, the " Diana," and a large number of
small vessels, and lugger rigged boats. On May 10th the
ships anchored at the mouth of the Rangoon river, and after
a few broadsides from the " Liffey " and " Larne," Rangoon
was taken possession of by the British, without the loss of a

288 NAYAIi MEDALS.

man. Some little time elapsed before the troops were able to
advance, but on June lOth. Kemmendine was assaulted and
taken, and at the end of October, Martaban was captured.
Commodore Grant being seized with a sickness which proved
mortal, was succeeded in his command by Captain Marryatt,
who sent his first lieutenant Frazer, up the river, with the
"Satellite," ten, two Company's cruisers, the " Teigumonth,"
Captain Hardy, the "Thetis," Lieutenant Grreen, andthesmaller
vsssels of the squadron, which greatly assisted the troops by
breaching the stockades and capturing the war boats of the
enemy. The Burmese made several abortive attempts to
destroy the British ships by fire rafts, which they sent down
the river by night, on one occasion the boats of the squadron
towing no less than fifty-three of them, made of timber and old
canoes, saturated with tar and petroleum, flaming furiously,
clear of the shipping. The British suffered much from
dysentery and cholera, twenty-seven of the original crew
were all that were left on board the " Larne," and the ship
was ordered to Penang for the recovery of the sick. Captain
Coe then took command of the "LifEey," and transferred
Captain Marryatt to the "Tees," twenty-six, and the
"Arachne," eighteen, arriving, her commander, H. D. Chads
took Marryatt' 8 place as commander of the river Flotilla. The
" Arachne " drew too much water to be very serviceable, but
Commander Chads embarked some of his men in the
"Satellite," and in her, with the " Diana," another vessel,
and twenty-five gun boats, proceeded up the river, both sides
of which were fringed with stockades, and in many places
staked. The "Satellite" often grounded, but the "Diana"
got her off the shoals and towed her abreast of the
stockades, which she battered to pieces, and contributed
materially to the capture of Martaban.*

The enemy made strenuous efforts to re-capture Kemmen-

* The naval portion ef the force which actually captured Martaban,
was commanded by Lieutenant Keele of the " Arachne," and consisted
of thirteen gun vessels, one mortar boat, and an armed transport.

NAVAIi MEDALS. 289

dine, the post being advantageously situated for launching
their fire rafts down the river among the shipping. In
November, their best General Bandoolah, with a vast army,
and a most formidable array of war boats and fire rafts
advanced to the attack. In the absence of Captain Chads,
who had gone up the Pegu river. Captain E^'ves of the
" Sophie " was in command, but his carronades were no match
for the long nine-pounders which the boats of the Burmese
carried, and which enabled them to batter the British vessels
at a distance beyond the range of their shot in reply. The
boats of the squadron were manned, and placed under the
orders of Lieutenant Kellett, who leaving the " Ai-achne "
soon after midnight, surprised the enemy at daj^break, and
before his unexpected and close attack they fled in disorder.
The greater part escaped, but seven boats were captured, one
of which was ninety-six feet in length, and carried a crew of
seventy-six oarsmen besides warriors. This repulse but in-
cited the Burmese to still greater efforts, and on December
Ist, a very determined attack was made on Kemmendine.
Several unsuccessful attacks had been made dui'ing the day,
but when darkness set in another desperate effort was made.
The sky and the surrounding country were brilliantly
niuminated by the flames of many tremendous war rafts,
which came down with the ebb tide, and seemed almost to fill
the river. Behind them was a flotilla of two-hundred war
boats, ready to take advantage of the confusion to attack the
British shipping, but the skill of the seamen were more than
a match for the devices of the enemy. Manning their boats,
they grappled the flaming rafts, and towed them past the ships,
or ran them ashore on the muddy banks of the river, where
they were consumed harmlessly*. Lieutenant Kellett in the

• The fire rafts were most ingeniously contrived, and constructed of
bamboos firmly put together. Between every two or three rows of the
bamboos was a line of large earthen jars, filled with petroleum and
cotton. Brimstone, tar, and other inflammable ingredients were dis-
tributed m different parts of the rafts, producing flames of almost
unextinguishable fierceness. Many of the rafts were more than a

290 NAVAL MEDALS.

" Diana," poured rounds of grape and musketry into tlie war
"boats, whicli retreated with precipitation, and Captain Chads
sending up the boats of the " Arachne," which opened fire on
the flank of the enemy, their attack on the land side was
defeated with heavy loss. Many of the war boats were
captured, and with a floating stockade were destroyed. About
the close of the year, Lieutenant Kellett in the " Diana" and
some boats, went up the Panlang branch of the river, and
attacked a flotilla of war boats, capturing three of the largest,
carrying nine and six pounders, and about forty others, laden
with ammunition and stores for the Burmese army. In
January 1825, Captain Chads was succeeded in his command
by Captain Alexander of the "Alligator," twenty-eight, who
transferred the crews of the larger vessels which were not
able to proceed far up the stream, to the boats, and with the
"Satellite," "Diana," and some mortar and gunboats, the
flotilla advanced up the river towards Ava.

The army also marched towards the capital, keeping near
the bank of the river to avail itself of the support of the flotilla
which protected its flank, and destroyed the war boats and
stockades of the enemy. On April 2nd, the strongly fortified
town of Donabew was taken possession of by the British. In
an attack on the preceding day, the Burmese General, Ban-
doolah was killed, and the garrison fled panic stricken during
the night. On April 24th, the combined forces reached
Prome, which place surrendered without firing a shot. It
was very strongly fortified, over one hundred guns being
mounted in the different stockades. In the mean time the
^'Larne," Captain Marry att, with the "Mercury," cruiser,
and a body of troops under Major Sale, had proceeded up
another branch of the river and attacked Bassein, which

hundred feet in length, and divided in pieces attached to each other
by a sort of hinge, so arranged, that when they caught upon the cable,
or the bow of a ship, they might double on each side of her, and ensure
her destruction, as she would instantly be enveloped in flames from the
deck almost to the mast head, ■

NAVAL MEDALS. 291

place, after a few broadsides from the ships, was captured on
February 24th. In September, Commodore Sir J. Brisbane,
who had been appointed to succeed Commodore Grant in
command of H. M's. ships in India, arrived at Prome, with
the boats, and greater part of the crew of the " Boadicea,"
frigate. At the close of the rainy season, the enemy made
some proposals for peace, but before the end of November
the negociations were broken off, and an army of fifty
thousand men advanced to attack Prome. Captain P.
Studdert, with the " Champion," sloop, having arrived at
Rangoon, was appointed to the command of a line of gun-
boats and armed vessels, to keep open the communications
that place and Prome. On December 1st and 2rid, the
combined forces of the British attacked and completely
defeated the Burmese army, the flotilla under the command
of Captain Chads capturing nearly three hundred boats laden
with stores. At the end of the month, the enemy again made
overtures for peace, and a treaty was signed at Melloon,
January 3rd, 1826, but their only object being to gain time,
in less than three weeks after the war was renewed. The
Burmese having rallied at MeUoon, on January 19th, the
troops under Sir A. Campbell, actively supported by the
flotilla under Captain Chads, (Sir J. Brisbane being sick and
returning to Penang) carried the place by storm in a few
hours, with trifling loss. The army advanced to Yandaboo,
only forty -five miles from Ava, and convinced at last of his
utter inability to resist the invaders, the King sent ambass-
adors to sue for peace, and agreed to the terms dictated by
the British Greneral. On July 24th, 1826, a definitive treaty
of peace was signed, by which the " golden footed " monarch
ceded one-third of his dominions to the East India Company,
and paid a million sterling as an indemnification for the
expenses of the war. The first instalment of two hundred
and fi.fty thousand pounds was taken to Calcutta by Caj)tain
Chads in the " AUigator."

292 naval medals.

The Second AVar with Buemah, 1852 — 53.

In the year 1851, British, traders began to complain that
the provisions of the treaty of 1826 were systematically viola-
ted by the Bunnese, and that they were subjected to insults,
imprisonment, and other injuries by the Governor of Rangoon,
for which they could obtain no redress. After an inefPectual
attempt at negociation by the Indian Government, war was
declared against Burmah, on April 2nd, 1852. An army of
about six thousand men under Major General Godwin, was
despatched to the Irrawaddy, accompanied by a small squad-
ron under the command of Commodore G. Lambert, in the
"Fox," forty; consisting of the "Serpent" sixteen. Com-
mander Luard ; "Rattler" eleven, Commander Mellersh ;
"Hermes" six. Commander Fishbourne ; "Salamander" six
Commander Ellman, and a gunboat. With these were thir-
teen vessels of the East India Company*. Rear-Admiral
Austin, Commander-in-Chief on the India Station, accompanied
the expedition, hoisting his flag in the "Rattler," and super-
intended the naval operations till Martaban and Rangoon
were in the possession of the British. On April 5th the ships
attacked Martaban with such effect, that the troops captured
the place with but feeble resistance on the part of the garrison.
Rangoon was attacked on April 11th. The " Feroze,"
"Moozuffer" and " Sesostris " commenced the bombardment,
and blew tip a magazine, when the "Fox" and "Rattler"
came up, and by their broadsides silenced and destroyed the
stockades on the banks of the river. Commander Tarleton of
the "Fox," then landed with a party of seamen and marines,
and captured the stockades one after the another, spiking the
guns, and destroying their ammunition. A Naval brigade of
one hundred and twenty men, under the command of First

* The Company's ships were — the "Feroze," seven ; " Moozuffer,"
seven; " Zenobia," six; "Medusa," five; "Sesostris," four; "Ber-
enice," one ; " Pluto," seven ; " Tenasserim," six ; " Phlegethon," six ;
" Proserpine," six ; " Mahanuddy," four ; " Enterprise," two, and
" Fire Queen," two.

NAVAL MEDALS. 293

Lieutenant Dorville of the "Fox," served on shore with the
troops, and constructed and worked a battery of heavy guns.
On the 14th of April, Rangoon was stormed, the casualties in
the fleet being seventeen men killed and wounded. In May,
G-eneral Godwin and Commodore Lambert, with four of the
Company's Steamers, having on board about eight hundred
men, proceeded to attack Bassein, one of the three chief ports
of Burmah. On the 19th of May the ships anchored in front
of the city, and opened fire on the stockades, the troops landing
under cover of their guns. Before evening the place was in
possession of the British, and leaving a small garrison, the
remainder of the expedition returned to Rangoon. At the
beginning of July, Commander Tarleton was sent up the
Irrawaddy with a small squadron to attack Prome. He
found the place defenceless, and took possession of it, but
having with him no force to leave as a garrison, the next day
he returned down the river. In the main stream he met with
the Burmese army crossing the river, on which he opened fire
with shot and shell. Between forty and fifty boats were cap-
tured and destroyed, and the General's state barge, with a
standard, and two golden umbrellas fell into the hands of the
British. Early in October Prome was again captured, after a
trifling resistance, by which four men were wounded, and
occupied by the troops. Captain G. Loch of the "Winchester"
fifty, destroyed a number of stockades in the neighbourhood,
which had been constructed as rallying points for the Burmese
army. One, a short distance below the city, occupied a very
strong position on a height called Akonktoung, beyond the
reach of ships in the river, and was armed with five guns,
and a garrison of nearly four hundred men. Captain Loch
with a party of eighty men, covered by the fire of the " Med-
usa," Lieutenant Fraser, landed, clambered up the hill by a
path overgrown with jungle, and pouring in a volley on the
surprised Burmese, they fled in confusion, and the battery was
taken and destroyed. Pegu had been captured in June pre-
ceding, but after destroying the fortifications, the British

294 NAVAL MEDALS.

returned to Rangoon. The enemy then re-entered, and began
fortifying the city. On November 21st a combined force drove
out the Burmese with small loss, and re-occupied the j)lace.
The regular troops of the enemy were disheartened, and the
natives were generally favourable to the British, but the chiefs
of some of the half independent tribes still kept up the war,
burning the villages, and devastating the country. One of
these chieftains called Myat-toon, took possession of a post
near Donabew, which commanded the chief branch of the
river. In consequence of his depredations, a force of three
hundred men of the Bengal Native Infantry, with nearly the
same number of seamen and marines from the " Fox," " Win-
chester," and " Sphinx," were sent under the command of
Captain Gr. Loch to dislodge him. On February 2nd, 1853
the British landed without opposition, and the next morning
marched against the enemy, through a jungle of stunted trees
and brushwood. The following day they reached a deep and
broad creek, on the opposite side of which the enemy occupied
a strongly entrenched position. The path was narrow, and
blocked by an abattis of sharp pointed bamboos, making it
impossible for more than three men to march abreast. The
field guns were in the rear, and as the assailants approached
the bank of the creek, a murderous fire was opened upon them
by the Burmese, secure behind their breastworks. Lieutenant
Kennedy of the " Winchester," and Captain Price of the
67th Bengal Infantry were shot dead, and Captain Loch after
two ineffectual attempts to cross the creek, fell mortally
wounded. Nearly sixty men had fallen, when Commander
Lambert who had succeeded to the command, reluctantly gave
the order to retreat. The guns were spiked and abandoned,
and the survivors, unmolested by the enemy, returned to
Donabew, and embarked in their boats. A month afterwards,
another expedition under Gleneral Sir J. Cheape, after a hot
contest of four hours, stormed and destroyed the stronghold
of the robber chieftain. In the month of June following, the
war was ended by mutual agreement, without a formal treaty.

NAVAL MEDALS. 295

The province of Pegu was annexed to the territories of the

East India Company, and the Irrawaddy opened to British

trade.

Third Burmese War & Annexation of Burmah, 1885-87.

For many years after the termination of the War with
Burmah in 1 853, peace was maintained between the Burmese
and the Indian Grovernment, but in 1885 the relations between
the two countries were very unsatisfactory, by reason of the
high-handed proceedings of Thebaw the despotic King of
Burmah. He extorted money on different pretences from the
" Bombay and Burmah Trading Company," and when the
Agents of the Company refused to pay the blackmail demand-
ed from them, they were harassed and plundered, and at last
fired upon by some of the King's troops. Remonstrances
proving to be useless, an ultimatum was forwarded to the
King, embodying the demands of the Indian Grovernment, one
being, that a British Agent should reside at Mandalay. This
was refused, Thebaw declared war, and announced his inten-
tion of conquering and annexing the country of the "barbari-
ans." An expedition was despatched to Burmah under the
command of General Prendagast, who reached Thayetmyo
November 14th, 1885, and issued a proclamation to the
Burmese declaring the dethronement of Thebaw. The first
hostile act was the capture of one of the King's war vessels
by two armed launches from H. M. S. "Turquoise," after a
smart encounter. A Naval Brigade was formed, commanded
by Captain R. Woodward of the "Turquoise," and on Nov-
ember 19th, Eear-Admiral Sir P. Richards arrived at Rangoon
in the "Bacchante," fourteen, and assumed command of the
Naval operations. A strong position on the left bank of the
Irrawaddy, was shelled by the " Woodlark," with such effect
that the British troops found it deserted and entered it
unopposed, and a few days afterwards the Naval Brigade
under Captain Clutterbuck captured another Burmese position
at Mayangj-an. On the 27th of November King Thebaw
announced his unconditional surrender to the British General,

296 NAVAL MEDALS.

and the garrison of Ava laid down their arms. The next day
Mandalay was occupied without opposition, the King was
put on board a steamer and sent to Rangoon, and soon after-
wards to India. In the subsequent operations the Navy took
very little part, and on January 1st, 1886 Lord Dufferin,
Viceroy of India, announced the annexation of Upper Burmah
to the British Empire. The squadron under the command of
Rear- Admiral Sir F.W. Richards consisted of the "Bacchante,"
fourteen, flagship ; " Briton," fourteen, Captain R. M. Lloyd ;
"Turquoise," twelve, Captain R. Woodward; and the
"Kingfisher," "Mariner," "Osprey," "Penguin," "Ranger,"
"Reindeer,' "Sphinx," and "Woodlark," sloops.

Perak, November, 1875, March, 1876.

Perak is situated on the west side of the Malay Peninsula.
A civil war arising bet wee q claimants to the succession as
Sultan, in 1875, Colonel Sir W. D. Jervois, Q-overnor of the
Straits Settlements, accepted a surrender of the sovereignty
from Ismail, one of the claimants, and appointed Mr. W. J.
Birch as British Resident in Perak. Por some time matters
went well, but in November, Ismail, weary of the restraint of
the resident, and intending to seize the throne for himself,
attacked the Residency at the head of a band of marauders,
tore down the British flag, murdered Mr. Birch, and shame-
fully multilated his body. On the news of this outrage
reaching Singapore, troops under General Colborne were sent
to Perak, c^uickly followed by the corvette " Modesto," and
the gun-boats " Thistle," "Ply," and "Ringdove," from the
China station. Commander Stirling of the " Thistle," with
every available man of his ship and of the "Ply," entered
the Perak river in November, 1875 and took possession of
the Residency, and having fitted some native boats with field
pieces and rockets, moved further up the river, and attacked
and demolished the stockades of the enemy, capturing six
guns, and recovering Mr. Birch's books and papers. With the
Naval Brigade were about three hundred Ghoorkas, a small

NAVAL MEDALS. 297

party of the 1 Oth Foot, and some Artillery. The Perak river was
blockaded by Commander Bruce, and an advance made by three
columns into the Malay territory. A Naval Brigade under Cap-
tain Singleton of the " Ringdove," co-operated with the troops
under General Colborne on the Perak river, another undcn-
Commander Q-arforth of the "Philomel," was joined with
General Ross and the Larat field force, and a third under
Commander Stirling, co-operated with Colonel Hill, in Sunghir
Ujong, and in the Sunghir and Lakut rivers.* On January
4th, 1876, General Ross attacked and stormed Kotah Lama,
the stronghold of the most turbulent of the natives. On the
19th, Ismael was attacked and defeated with heavy loss, and
after enduring much misery in the jungle, surrendered on
March 22nd, and was sent a prisoner to Singapore. General
Colborne highly praised the services of the officers and men
of the Naval Brigade, who, as oars were useless in the muddy
streams, were occupied day after day in poling boats laden
with gains and stores, against currents that often ran at the
rate of four miles an hour, under a broiling sun, through a
steaming pestiferous jungle. The men were sometimes for
many days without bread, and lived on tinned meat, varied
occasionally by the flesh of a wild buffalo. They were
drenched by torrents of rain, and often marched through
ooze and water waist deep. In the advance to Kinta they
toiled through a jungle so dense that not a vestige of the sun
was visible overhead, and for ten days they were without
cover of any kind, and slept on the damp ground. As Vice
Admiral Ryder, Commander-in-chief on the station, wrote on
his dispatch " The rapidity of the successes of the various
expeditions, was owing mainly to the special and professional
aid given by the Naval Brigades as rocket and gun parties,
and in fitting and managing the country boats, which alone
could be used."

* The officers and men of H.M.S. " Egeria," four, and the officers
and crew of the " Charybdis " and " Hart," gun vessels, also received
the Medal and clasp for the part they took in the operations up the
Lingie and Lakut rivers.

298 NAVAL MEDALS.

THE NEW ZEALAND MEDAL.

This medal was granted by a Greneral Order, March 1st,
1869, to the officers and men of the Army and Navy who had
been engaged in the two wars in New Zealand, during the
years 1845 — 47 and 1860 — 66. On the obverse is the Queen's
head, crowned and veiled, with the inscription "Victoria,
D.G. Britt. Eeg. F.D.," reverse, a laurel wreath within which
is engraved the dates of the services of the recipient, with the
words " New Zealand " abov^, and " Virtutis Honor," below.
No clasp issued. Ribbon, dark blue, with a broad red stripe
in the centre. The recipient's name and ship, are indented
on the edge of the medal. Some of the medals were issued
without dates on the reverse, but most with dates varying
from 1845 to 1847, and from 1860 to 1866.

The First New Zealand War, 1845 — 47.

The New Zealand wars arose principally through disputes
with the natives concerning the sale and possession of land.
All the members of each tribe regarded the land they occupied
as their hereditary property, and if the consent of the whole
tribe was not given to its sale and transfer, they looked upon
the proceedings as invalid and worthless. In 1844, a power-
ful chief called Hone Heke, grew discontented with the
customs duties, the high prices of tobacco and blankets, and
the absence of the whaling ships at the town of Kororareka
(now Russell,) near to which he resided. Considering that
the British flag which was flying on the hill above the place
represented the power which fettered the trade, and kept away
the whalers, Heke, on July 8th, 1844, assembled his men,
danced the war dance, cut down and burnt the flag-staff, and
plundered, and held possession of the town for several days.
H.M.S. " Hazard," eighteen. Captain Robertson, with a
party of the 96th Regiment presently arrived off Kororareka,
the flag-staff was re-erected, and troops stationed to guard it,

Jhe JVew ^Zealand ^edal.

NAVAL MEDALS. 299

As Heke threatened the flag-staff should not remain, Captain
Robertson landed with a gun and a few men, a blockhouse
was erected and the place put in a state of defence. At day-
break on March 11th, the handful of men guarding the
flag-staif were surprised and over powered by Heke and his
followers, and the staff again cut down. At the same time
Captain Robertson was attacked by about two hundred
natives, under a chief called Kawiti, and after a smart skir-
mish, was compelled to spike his gun, and fall back to a
fortified house near the beach. Aided by the guns of the
" Hazard," the troops and inhabitants for three hours repelled
the attacks of the natives, when unfortunately their magazine
exploded. During a truce, which was asked by the enemy to
carry off their kiRed and wounded, it was resolved to abandon
the settlement, and the soldiers with all the inhabitants,
embarked on board the " Hazard," and a few other ships
which were lying in the bay, and sailed for Auckland. The
town was then again plundered and burnt by the natives.

Reinforcements arrived from Australia, and troops were
dispatched to Kororareka, where they landed without
opposition, re-hoisted the British flag and proclaimed martial
law. Heke having fortified himself at a place called Okaihau,
about eighteen miles inland, a force consisting of the 58th
Regiment, a detachment of the 96th Regiment, and a party
of seamen from the "Hazard," and "North Star," twenty-
six. Captain Sir J. E. Home, in all about four hundred men,
under the command of Colonel Hulme, with about the same
number of native allies, set out to attack him. It took four
days to reach the pah, or fortification, during which time the
rain fell in torrents, and being without tents, two-thirds of
the ammunition, and all the biscuits carried by the men were
unfit for use on arriving at Okaihau. The pah was found to
be impregnable in the absence of artillery, and after a fruit-
less assault, and repulse of a sally made by the natives, the
British returned to their ships, with a loss of thirteen men
killed and thirty-nine wounded. More troops arriving from

300 NAVAL MEDALS.

Australia, anotlier expedition was dispatched against Heke,
who occupied a strong position at Oheawai, a place nineteen
miles inland from the Bay of Islands. With the troops were
a party of men from the "Hazard," and eighty volunteers
from Auckland, the whole numbering six hundred and thirty
men, with four guns, and about two hundred and fifty natives ;
commanded by Colonel Despard, of the 99th Regiment.
On June 23rd the force reached Oheawai, a pah ninety
yards long, and fifty wide, with projecting flanks ; sur-
rounded by three rows of palisades, between was a ditch
five feet deep, with traverses and loopholes. The guns were
useless against the stockades, though at last fired at a range
of eighty yards, but Commander Johnstone of the " Hazard"
bringing up a thirty-two pounder, two breaches were made,
and Colonel Despard ordered an assault. The assault was
made on July 1st by one hundred and sixty soldiers under
Major Bridge, and forty seamen and volunteers under Lieu-
tenant Phillpotts of the " Hazard," who strove in the face of
a heavy fire to enter the place, but the inner palisade beiug
unbroken, the party was repulsed, with two officers, and half
their number killed and wounded. The officers killed were
Captain Grant of the 58th and Lieutenant Philpotts,-" E.N.,
son of the Bishop of Exeter. On the night of June 10th as
the troops were preparing for another assault, the enemy
abandoned their position, which was taken and destroyed by
the British. For some time after this, no active operations
were undertaken, till Captain, (afterwards Sir G. Grey,) was
appointed Governor in November, who gave the two Chiefs
Heke and Kawiti a fixed time to decide for peace or war, and
this period expiring without any satisfactory answer from

* Lieutenant Philpotfcs having been some time on the station in the
"Hazard," was well known and respected by Heke and the natives.
As he was endeavouring to hew down the palisades with an axe at the
head of his men, the defenders called to him several times and bade
him go away, or they should shoot him. To this he paid no attention,
and fell. His body bemg left in the possession of the Maories, was by
them partly cooked and eaten.

NATAL MEDALS. 301

either of them, Colonel Despard was ordered to renew hostili-
ties. The Maories being in want of food, divided their force,
Heke remaining in a position he had fortified at Ikorangi,
while Kawiti fortified and garrisoned a place called Euapeka-
peka, on the side of a hill in the midst of a forest. On
December 15th, H. M. S. " Castor," thirty-six. Captain C.
Graham, arrived on the coast and sent one hundred of her
men up the country to join the expedition, and on the 20th
following the E. I. C's sloop " Elphinstone," eighteen, Com-
mander Young, anchored in the bay, and sent a party of forty
seamen to join Colonel Despard. The whole European force
amounted to about one thousand two hundred men, comprising
the 58th Regiment, with detachments of the 99th Regiment,
Royal Artillery, E. I. C's Artillery, marines and volunteers,
with a Naval Brigade of three hundred and twent}^ men, from
H.M.S. ships,* " North Star," " Castor," " Racehorse,"
"Osprey" and the E. I. C's sloop "Elphinstone," under the
command of Commander Hay of the "Racehorse." The
ordnance consisted of three thirty-two pounders, one eighteen
pounder, two twelve pounder howitzers, one six pounder, four
four and a half inch mortars, and two rocket tubes. There
were also four hundred and fiity native allies imder their
Chiefs Waka, Repa, and Macquarrie.

On December 22nd, a division of five hundred men, including
one himdred and fiity seamen, with three guns, took up a
position blocking Heke's approach to Kawiti's puh, while the
main body of the force, seven hundred strong, encamped at
about three quarters of a mile from Ruapekapeka. Great
difficulty was experienced in transporting the heavy gun8,f '

* The crews of the s'eam sloops "Inflexible" and "Driver," also
were engaged in some of the operations during the war.

t The thirty-two pounders were hauled over hill and dale eighteen
miles, through the hush, in native canoes welded round with strong iro-i
bands, by the seamen and marines to the sound of fife and drum. Th j
bravery of the Maories was undeniable, and their conduct in irregular
warfare magnanimous in the extreme. As the British pioneers were
cutting passages through the bush for the guns, the native sentries,

802 NAVAL MEDALS.

the country being a succession of hills, many of them very
steep. The path through the woods was very narrow, and on
both sides covered thickly with ferns, two and three feet in
height, mixed with a species of brushwood, six and seven feet
high. It frequently required fifty or sixty men, in addition
to eight bullocks to each gun, to get it up the hills and through
the jungle. The natives had improved in the art of forti-
fication, Euapekapeka being found to be a much stronger
place than Oheawai. The pah measured about one hundred
and twenty yards by seventy, well flanked at the sides and
angles, surrounded by two rows of palisades, three feet apart,
made of timber twelve to twenty inches in diameter, and
fifteen feet high. Inside the palisades was a ditch, with
traverses, and the earth thrown up behind to form an inner
parapet. On December Slst the British opened fire from all
their guns in position, and continued it to January 2nd, when
the enemy made a sortie, which was repulsed. On the 10th,
two breaches were made in the stockade, and the defenders
losing heart, began to retire into the surrounding wood.
Next morning, some of the native allies finding the pah
almost deserted, crept up to the breaches, and supported by a
detachment of the 58th regiment, rushed into the place, which
after a trifling resistance was taken and destroyed, the loss of
the British being thirteen men killer], and thirty wounded.
This virtually finished the war. A few days after, Kawiti,
and Heke wrote to the Governor siieing for peace, which was
granted to them, and the contest was at an end. For their
services in this war. Captains Sir E. Home, and C. Graham,
E.?T., were made Commanders of the Order of the Bath.

many of whom spoke English, would call out " you may come so far,
but if one step beyond, we shall fire on you." Occasionally as if for
amusement, they would hang up a blanket about fifty yards from their
pah, and would invite our native allies to take it down if they dared.
A brisk passage of arms would penerally follow, resulting after a lar2;e
expenditure of ommunition on both sides, in one or two being killed,
and about half a dozen or so wounded.

naval medals. 303

The Secoxd New Zealand War, 1860-66.

ArxER a long pei'iod of quietness, a long and desultory war
broke out in New Zealand, lasting, with an interval of peace
for many months, nearly five years. It arose as before, from
disputes with the natives concerning the sale and possession
of land. In 1860 the transfer of land to the settlers provoked
the Maories of Taranaki to appeal to arms in defence of what
they imagined to be their rights, and the conflict eventually
spread over the greater part of the North Island. At the
beginning of the struggle the British troops in New Zealand
were but few in number, and till reinforcements arrived it was
as much as they coxild do to maintain their ground. After some
skirmishes, an attack on the Natives at Taranaki was repulsed
with heavy loss of the assailants, but troops arrived from
Australia, and General Pratt defeated the enemy at Mahoetaki
on November 6th, 1860. After more skirmishes and military
operations, peace was re-established on March 19th, 1861, but
it proved to be only a lengthened truce. Hostilities were
resumed in May, 1863 by an attack made by the natives on a
military escort, and the province of Auckland again became
the seat of war. Several skirmishes and military actions fol-
lowed, but the Navy took little part in the conflict till November
20th, when an attack was made on a strong pah the enemy
had erected on an eminence at Eangariri, near the Waikato
River. After a bombardment of an hour and a half, the
position was attacked by a force of about one hundred men,
regular troops, artillery men, seamen, and militia, commanded
by Greneral Cameron. The outer works and rifle pits were
soon carried, but the stormers finding stronger defences in
front of them, hesitated, and then fell back before the fire of
the enemy. The militia, though encouraged by their ofiicers,
who placed themselves in the front, remained immoveable,
but the small body of Eoyal Artillery, about fifty all told,
armed with swords and revolvers, headed by their Colonel,
Mercer, rushed forward, and gained the parapet of the pah,

304 NAVAL MEDALS.

when their gallant leader fell mortally wounded, and his
handful of brave gunners were repulsed. Two or three of
his men who attempted to bring him off were shot down,
when Surgeon AV. Temple went to his assistance, and dressed
his wound under a shower of bullets. His noble conduct
being witnessed by General Cameron, Surgeon Temple
received the Yictoria Cross. A body of seamen from H.M.S.
" Eclipse," commanded by Commander Mayne, then endeav-
oured to carry the position but were repulsed, and an attempt
made to dislodge the enemy by means of hand grenades also
failed. But the Maories were disheartened, and at dawn the
next day they surrendered. One hundred and eighty were
taken prisoners in the pah, and forty-five were found dead.
The loss of the assailants was one hundred and thirty-five
officers and men killed and wounded. In the early part f)f
1864, the enemy erected a very strong pah at Tauranga. It
was built on the highest part of a narrow neck of land, well
palisaded, and defended by an intrenched line of rifle pits.
On both sides were swamps extending to the sea, so that it
was secure from a flank attack, and commanding the entrance
to the district, it was known as the "Gate Pah." On April
22nd, after a reconnaissance. General Cameron made pre-
parations for attacking the position. The forces under his
command were the 43rd and 68th Regiments, detachments of
three other Regiments and Eoyal Ai'tillery, with a Naval
Brigade of over three hundred men, from H.M. ships
" Pelorus," " Eclipse," " Harrier," and " Esk," the squadron
commanded by Commodore Sir W. Wiseman.* The whole
numbered about seventeen hundred men of all ranks, with
six Armstrong guns, two howitzers, and eight mortars.
The General, intending to cut off the retreat of the enemy,
after nightfall made a feigned attack on the front of the post,
while the 68th Regiment, with a party of seamen, picked

* The crews of H. M. S. " Cordelia " and " Falcon," received the
Medal for services in 1860—61.

NAVAL MEDALS. 305

their way through the swamp, and before morning were
posted in the rear of the pah. Soon after daybreak, the
artillery opened fire on the j)lace, and continued with slight
intermission till about four in the afternoon, when the
palisades being almost destroyed, and a practicable breach
made, an assault was ordered. One hundred and fifty men
of the 4 3rd Regiment, with the same number of seamen and
marines, under Commander Hay of the "Harrier," formed
the assaulting column, under the command of Lieut. -Colonel
Booth of the 43rd. The remainder of the regiment, with a
body of seamen and marines formed the reserve. Com-
mander Hay led the stormers, who, with a ringing cheer,
crossed the ditch, mounted the embankment, and rushed
through the breach into the pah, and as only a few straggling
shots were heard, the reserve outside thought the post was
won. Suddenly a tremendous fire of musketry, accompanied
with savage yells, arose in the interior of the pah, and in a few
minutes the storming party was seen retiring through the
breach, soldiers and sailors mixed together in utter disorder.
In the few minutes preceding. Colonel Booth, Commander
Hay, Captain Glover, and almost every officer of the column
had fallen, killed or wounded. Captain Hamilton at once
led on the supports, crying — "Follow me men," but fell
shot through the head, the supports became mixed with
the fugitives, and in spite of the exertions of their officers,
the whole body, hotly fired on by the enemy, fell back to the
nearest cover. Night had now fallen, but the British lay on
their arms in their entrenchments within a hundred yards of
the enemy, furious at their repulse, and officers and men
resolved to conquer or die on the morrow. When Commander
Hay fell mortally wounded, Samuel Mitchell, captain of the
fore top of H. M. S. "Harrier," went to his assistance, and
refused to leave him, though ordered by the dying officer to
do so, and to look after his own safety. He took the
Commander in his arms, and carried him outside the pah,
amidst a shower of bullets, and for his gallant conduct was

306 NAVAL MEDALS.

deservedly rewarded with, tlie Victoria Cross. Surgeon
Manly, R.A. also gained the same distinction for attending to
the wounded under a heavy fire. During the night which
was wet and dark, the Maories evacuated the pah, and
stealing in small parties through the swamp, eluded the
vigilance of the 68th. In the early morning the stronghold was
found silent and deserted, and was quietly occupied by the
British.* Colonel Booth and a few men were found stiU alive,
and to the credit of the enemy had not been illtreated during
the night, nor had the bodies of the slain been mutilated. In
this disastrous affair, the Naval Brigade had four officers and
forty men killed and wounded. A few weeks after, the
Maories were totally defeated at Te Ranga, and among the
chiefs killed was Eawhiri, the leader at the Grate pah. In the
month of August following, most of the chiefs submitted
unconditionally to the government, but the war still lingered
on, till the year 1866. The Navy took no active part in the
contest after the Grate j)ah affair, and subsequently to the year
1866 the struggle was carried on solely by the colonial forces,
under Colonel Whitmore (afterwards General Sir G. Whit-
more), who in January 18G9 finally crushed the last outbreak
of the Maories.

* The soldiers blamed the sailors for the miscarriage in this affair
and they retaliated by throwing the blame on the military. The day
was fast closing when the assault was given, and it seems that when the
party led by Commander Hay got into the interior of the pah, there
was nothing to be seen but a few dead and wounded Maories lying
about, and concluding that the place was abandoned, some of the men
began straggling in search of plunder. The enemy, who were lying
concealed, and almost uninjured from the bombardment, in holes dug
out of the earth, covered with turf and brushwood, suddenly rose up on
all sides, and poured in such close and destructive volleys, that the
stormers surprised, and seeing most of their officers shot down, were
seized with a panic, and thought of nothing but saving themselves by
flight.

JhE pAPE jMeDAL.

XAVAL MEDALS.

307

THE CAPE, OE SOUTH AFEICA MEDAL.

A general order issued on November 22nd, 1854, announced
that the Queen had been pleased to command that a medal
should be struck to commemorate the success of Her Majesty's
Forces in the wars in which they were engaged against the
Kafhi'S, in the years 1834-5 and 1846-47, and in the period
between the 24th of December, 1850, and the 6th of February
1853, one of which was to be conferred on every surviving
officer, non-commissioned officer, and soldier, of the regular
forces who actually served in the field against the enemy. The
medal was the same for all years, and has on the obverse the
head of the Queen, with the inscription " Victoria Eegina."
On the reverse is the British Lion crouching to drink under a
bush, above being the words " South Africa," and the date
1853 in the exergue. Eibbon, orange, with dark blue stripes.

308 NAVAL MEDALS.

No clasp was issued with this medal. A similar medal, with,
the substitution of crossed assegais and a shield in the
exergue, instead of the date 1853, ribbon the same, was given
to both services for the campaigns in Kaffraria, and Zululand,
1877-8 and 1878-9. The dates of the campaigns are given
on the only clasp issued.

The Third Kaffir War, 1850—53.

In the South African Wars prior to the year 1 850, the
Navy was not actively engaged, but in the war lasting from
eud of 1850, to March, 1853, a small naval brigade, and a
detachment of Royal Marines took part in the operations,
and received the medal. The naval forces were supplied by
the squadron under the command of Commodore C. Wyvill,
comprising the " Castor," thirty-six, " Orestes," " Grecian,"
"Gladiator," "Pantaloon," and "Penguin." During the
continuance of the war, in July, 1852, Commodore C. Talbot,
with the " Mseander," forty-four, relieved Commodore Wyvill
in the command. In the height of the contest, H.M. iron
troop-ship " Birkenhead," Commander Salmond, sailed from
Queenstown for the Cape, with reinforcements, consisting of
drafts of the 12th Lancers, the 2nd, 6th, 12th, 43rd,
45th, 60th, 73rd, 74th, and 91st Eegiments, under the
command of Colonel Seton of the 74th. On February 26th,
1852, when off Simon's Bay, she struck on a sunken rock,
and in twenty minutes sank. Out of six hundred and
thirty-eight souls on board, but one hundred and eighty-
four were saved. When the ship struck, Colonel Seton called
his officers around him, and impressed upon them the
necessity of preserving order and silence among their men,
and he informed the soldiers by his Sergeant-Ma j or, that
he would be the last man to leave the ship. After placing
the women, children, and sick in the overcrowded boats, the
officers and men drawn up on the deck, as if standing on
parade, went down with the wreck, one of the noblest
examples of heroism ever recorded. In the words of

NAVAL MEDALS. 309

Captain Wright, one of the few who escaped by swimming-
ashore through a sea abounding with sharks, " Every one
did as he was directed, and there was not a cry or murmur
among them, untU. the vessel made her final plunge. All
received their orders, and carried them out, as if the men
were embarking, and not going to the bottom." As a
splendid instance of heroic constancy, King William I. of
Prussia, afterwards Emperor of Germany, ordered the glorious
story to be read on parade, at the head of every regiment in
his service.

Campaign against the Gtalekas and G-aikas, 1877-78.

The Galekas under their chief Kreli, and the Gaikas led by
their chief Sandilli, being mortal enemies of the Eingoes, a
peaceable tribe, wealthy in cattle, who had been since 1835,
under British protection, without provocation resolved to
attack them, in hope of an easy conquest, and plenty of
plunder. The Eingoes, whose name signifies dogs, had
formerly been slaves to the other tribes, and had always been
despised and persecuted by them. On September 25th, 1877^
a body of about five thousand Galekas crossed the frontier,
and fiercely attacked the Eingoes, at a place called Guadana,
but the latter being supported by a small party of the mounted
Police, with a seven pounder gun, repulsed their assailants
with loss. More actions and skirmishes followed, when General
Sir A. Cuninghame, Commander-in-chief in South Afi'ica,
determined to invade Kreli's country with all available forces.
On December 26th the column advanced, the centre under
Colonel Glynn, the right under Major Hopton, and the left
under Captain Upcher. Each party had a few guns, and to
each was attached a small Naval Brigade from H. M. S.
" Active " * and " Florence," with rocket tubes. The

* A party of seamen from the " Active," with a rocket battery under
Sub-Lieutenant Barnes-Lawrance, did good service in an action with
the Gaikas at the Peri bush, and another party under Lieutenant
Craigie, occupied Fort Cuninghame in the Cis Kei territory, and by
their presence overawed the disloyal natives.

810 NAVAL MEDALS.

" Active," Commodore Sullivan, steamed slowly along the
coast as the troops advanced, and communicated with them at
the mouth of the Bashee river. An advanced camp was
formed at a place called N'amaxa, and held by two companies
of troops, and fifty men of the Naval Brigade with two guns,
under the command of Major Owen of the 88th. In January,
1878, this post was attacked by the Gralekas in force, but they
were defeated and driven into the bush with severe loss. At
the end of the month the enemy concentrated their forces in
the Kei Valley, with the intention of assaulting Ibeka, or
Quintana, two places twenty-two miles distant from each
other, in which large quantities of ammunition and stores
had been collected. Ibeka was strongly entrenched and
garrisoned by a detachment of the 24th Regiment, some
Cavalry and Royal Artiller}'-, with two seven pounders, and a
j^arty of seamen from the " Active," with two Armstrong guns
and two rocket tubes. Quintana was enclosed with shelter
trenches and rifle pits, and held by three companies of the
24th Regiment, some light Horse, some Artillery with two guns,
twenty-five seamen with a twenty-four pound rocket tube,
under Captain Wright, and a body of Fingoes, Captain
TJpcher being in command of the entire force. On February
7th, a large body of the enemy under Kreli and Sandilli, made
a determined attack on the position, and got within five
hundred yards of the trenches, when the rockets hissing among
them, and the guns opening on them with case shot, in twenty
m.inutes caused such havoc in their columns, that the}'^ turned
and fled in confusion, pursued by the mounted men and the
Fingoes. The casualties on the side of the victors, were three
Fingoes killed, and three white men wounded. This defeat
virtually ended the war, as the Kaffirs never ventured to
attack any position afterwards, nor did they appear in any
large numbers again in the open country. The war lingered
on for some time in a succession of skirmishes, but the
Galekas were totally disorganized ; Kreli surrendered to the
British, and Sandilli was found dead in the bush. On the

NAVAL MEDALS. 311

29th of June, 1878, an amnesty was proclaimed for all except
the sons of Sandilli, and the G-aikas were removed to new
settlements beyond the river Kei.

The Zulu Wae, 1879.

ZuLULA>T) lies to the north east of Natal, and its inhabi-
tants were the most warlike of all the Kaffir tribes. Chaka,
who became chief of the Zulus in 1810, established a military
despotism, which converted the whole manhood of the tribe
into a disciplined army, subject to the will of one man. In 1 828
this ferocious chief was assassinated by his brother Dingaan,
who waged a bloody but unsuccessful war against the Boers.
He was succeeded by his brother Panda, who wisely preferred
trading to war, and who was on friendly terms with the Boers
and British till his death in 1872. Panda was succeeded by
his son Cetywayo, and at the request of the Zulus, Sir
Theophilus Shepstone attended his installation as King, as the
representative of the British Grovernment. Cetywayo soon
abandoned the pacific policy of his father, and revived the
military system of his predecessor Chaka, re-organising old
regiments, and forming new ones, trained and disciplined by
torture and death. In 1878 the Zulu army numbered over
fifty thousand men, armed with guns, assegais and shields,
eager for war, a menace and cause of apprehension to all
neighbouring states. In August 1878, a party of Zulus made
an incursion into British territory and seized two women as
runawaj' wives of a chief called Siraj-o, whom they carried
across the river Buffalo and put to death. The colonial
government demanded the surrender of the offenders, and the
payment of a fine of five hundred cattle for the violation of
the territory of Natal. Neither being forthcoming. Sir Bartle
Frei'e dispatched an idtimatum to the Zulu King, requiring
among other things the disbandment of his army, freedom of
marriage among his people, and the impartial administration

312 NAVAL MEDALS.

of justice, informing him. also, that unless he complied with
these terms, on or before December Slst, he would be invaded
by a British army to compel his submission. The time
specified expired, and Cetywayo making no sign, the British
forces under Lord Chelmsford crossed the Tugela river on
January 11th, 1879, and the war began. The troops were
divided into three columns, the first commanded by Colonel
Pearson of the 3rd Buffs, the second, by Colonel Glyn of the
24th Eegiment, and the third by Colonel E. Wood, V. C.
With the column of Colonel Pearson was a Naval Brigade of
one hundred and seventy seamen and marines from H. M. S.
" Active " with two seven-pounders, one Gatling gun, and two
rocket tubes, under Captain Campbell. Lieutenant Milne of
the "Active," also joined the staff of Lord Chelmsford as
Naval aide-de-camp. The column with its stores, and one
hundred waggons were conveyed across the river by the Naval
Brigade, the whole numbering two thousand and fifty-five
Europeans, and two thousand three hundred and forty-two
Natives. On January 22nd an action was fought with the
Zulus at Inyezane, in which the rockets of the Naval Brigade
did considerable execution, and checked the rush of the enemy,
who retired leaving three hundred dead on the field. The
casualties of the Naval Brigade were seven men wounded.
The next day the column reached Ekowe, where the news
reached Colonel Pearson of the terrible disaster at Isandh-
Iwana,* on January 22nd, and he decided to fortify the
position, and maintain himself there till re-inforcements
could reach him.

On April 2nd, a relieving force under Lord Chelmsford.,
defeated the Zulus at Gingilhovo and reached Ekowe the
next day. With the relieving column was another Naval

* On this fatal day, the British camp was surprised and overwhelmed
by about fifteen thousand Zulus, and five companies of the 24th
Eegiment practically annihilated. The only sailor in the camp was a.
signal man belonging to H. M. S. " Active," and he was seen with his
back against a waggon wheel, keeping the Zulus at bay with his
cutlass, till a Zulu crept behind him and stabbed him through the
spokes.

NAVAL MEDALS. 313

brigade, consisting of men from the " Shah,"* " Tenedos,"
and " Boadicea," the last named ship flying the broad
pennant of Commodore Richards, who had succeeded Commo-
dore Sullivan in the command. The seamen and marines
"with two guns, two gatlings, and two rocket tubes, were com-
manded by Commander Brackenbury, and Captain Phillips,
both of the " Shah," and in the action Lieutenant Milne and
six men were wounded. On April 7th the naval brigade re-
crossed the Tugela, and part occupied Fort Pearson, while part
garrisoned Fort Tenedos. In the beginning of May, the
detachment from the " Tenedos," under Lieutenant Kingscote
rejoined their ship at Durban. In June the naval brigade
mustering nearly eight hundred men, under the command of
Captain H. F. Campbell of the "Active" joined the first
division of the army, commanded by General Crealock, and
with it again crossed the Tugela. The brigade encamped at
Port Durnford, within seventy miles of Ulundi, where the
decisive battle of the war was fought, but saw no more active
service, being employed in landing stores from the transports
lying off the port, a work of great difficulty on account of the
heavy surf almost constantly breaking on the shore. At the
end of July the men were inspected by General Sir Garnet
Wolseley, who issued an order praising their services,! and
immediately afterwards they re-joined their ships.

* The " Shall " was on her way to England, when on arriving at
St. Helena, the news of the disaster at Isandhlwana reached her. Her
captain, Bradshaw, at once decided without orders, to return to Natal,
where no re-inforcements had yet arrived, and it was feared that the
Zulus would invade the colony. The arrival of the " Shah," and the
landing of her seamen and marines, restored confidence to the colonists
and discouraged the enemy.

t " As the naval brigade is now about to embark. General Sir Garnet
Wolseley wishes to place on record his very high appreciation of the
services it has rendered while acting on shore. The conduct of the
men has been admirable, and their bearing in action every way
worthy of the service to which they belong', while they have worked
hard and cheerfully in their laborious duties, which constitute so
important a part of all military operations." — Extract from General
Order.

314 NAVAL MEDALS.

THE CEIMEA MEDAL. WAE WITH RUSSIA, 1854-56.

On December, 1854, by command of tbe Queen, an order
was issued granting a medal to the army and navy for their
services in the Crimea, with two clasps for the battles of Alma
and Inkermann, which were awarded to the men who had been
present at either or both of the battles. In February, 1855,
a clasp was given for Balaklava, and in October of the same
year a clasp for Sebastopol, to all those who had been present
at the operations between the Ist of October, 1854, and 9th
of September, 1855, when the place was captured. The
medal, by W. "Wyon, has on the obverse the head of the Queen,
with the words "Victoria Eegina " above, and the date 1854
below. On the reverse, a flying figure of Victory crowning a
Eoman warrior with a wreath, the word " Crimea " being in-
scribed on the left of the figure. The clasps are in the shape
of oak-leaves, with acorn ornaments. Eibbon, light blue,
with yellow edges. The medals awarded to the Navy, were
for the most part issued without the names of the recipients
or their ships being engraved on the edge. The greatest
number of clasps issued with any medal, was four. A sjDecial
clasp inscribed " Azoff " was issued to the Navy, and the
marines received clasps for "Balaklava," "Inkermann" and
" Sebastopol." A portion of the Naval Brigade was present
at Inkermann, and received the clasp given for that battle.
The medal was also given to a selection of the French, Sar-
dinian, and Turkish troops, engaged in the campaign.

The War in the Crimea, 1854 — 56.

In June, 1 853, the Eussians crossed the Pruth, and war was
declared between Turkey and Eussia. On November the 30th,
1853, the Eussians destroyed the Turkish fleet at Sinope, and
the English and French fleets entered the Black Sea. The Czar
recalled his ambassadors from London and Paris, and in
March, 1854, England and France declared war against

Jhe Crimean JVIedal.

NAVAIi MEDALS. 315

Russia. News of the outbreak of hostilities reached the
British fleet lying in Kavarna Bay, on the western shore of
the Black Sea, on April 9th, and was received with cheers.
The fleet, under the command of Vice-Admiral D. Dundas, C.B.
comprised the following ships, "Britannia," one hundred and
twenty, flag ship. Captain Carter ; "Trafalgar," one hundred
and twenty, H. F. Grreville ; " Queen," one hundred and
sixteen, F. T. Michell ; "Agamemnon" ninety-one, Rear-
Admiral Sir E. Lyons, Captain Symonds ; "Albion" ninety-
one, S. Lushington ; "Rodney," ninety, C. Graham ; " Lon-
don," ninety, C.Eden; "Vengeance," eighty-four, Lord E.
Russell; " Bellerophon," eighty. Lord G. Paulet ; " Sans-
pareil," seventy, S. G. Dacres ; " Arethusa " fifty, N. R.
Mends; "Leander," fifty, G. V.King; "Tribune," thirty-
one, Hon. S. Carnegie ; " Curacoa," thirty-one, Hon. G. F.
Hastings ; " Retribution," twenty-eight, Hon. T. R. Drum-
mond ; " Diamond," twenty-six, W. Peel ; " Terrible,"
twenty-two, J. McCleverty ; " Sidon," twenty -two, G. Gold-
smith ; "Highflj^er," twenty-one, J. Moore ; "Furious,"
sixteen, W. Loring ; " Tiger," sixteen, G. Giffard ; " Niger,"
thirteen, Commander Heath ; the steam sloops " Cyclops,"
"Sampson," "Firebrand," "Fury," "Inflexible," "Triton,"
"Vesuvius," " Spitfire," and " Viper," and the " Simoom,"
" Vulcan," and " Megwra," trooiD ships. The French fleet
under the command of Admiral Hamelin in the " Ville de
Paris," one hundred and twenty, allied with the British,
consisted of fifteen sail of the line, of which five were first
rates, with twenty-one frigates, and smaller vessels. On the
evening of April 20th, the combined fleets anchored before
Odessa, the Commandant of which place having a few days
before fired on the " Furious," while flying a flag of truce.
On the refusal of the Russian Governor to make reparation
for firing on the flag of truce, by surrendering all the ships
in the mole, the steamers " Sampson," Captain Jones, (who
commanded the squadron), "Terrible," "Niger," "Retri-
bution," and " Furious," with the " Arethusa," and three

316 NAVAL MEDALS.

French steamers, on the morning of April the 22n(l, stood in
and opened fire on the batteries. The steamers rapidly
mewing in short circles, delivered their broadsides in relays
without suffering much damage, as the enemy were unable
to get their range, with such effect that at one p.m. the fort
on the mole blew up, and the other batteries were silenced.
The shi2:)2Ding behind the mole was then destroyed, with the
Imperial docks, barracks, and a large amount of military
stores, with the loss of thirteen men killed and wounded in
the British Squadron. Towards the end of June, some
Hiissian batteries at the Sulina mouth of the Danube, were
destroyed by the " Firebrand " and " Fury," under Captain
H. Parker, who unfortunately was killed in the action.

Bombardment of Sebastopol.
October 17th, 1854.

After the victory of the Alma, the commanders of the
allied forces resolved upon a general bombardment of Sebas-
topol by sea and land. A naval brigade was formed for
service on shore, ten hundred and fifty seamen with fifty
heavy guns, being drafted from the fleet and placed under
the command of Captain Lushington of the "Albion." The
seamen constructed their own batteries without the aid of
engineers, and were ready to open fire before half the guns of
the artillery had been placed in position. On the morning of
October 1 7th the land batteries opened fire on Sebastopol, but
the allied fleets did not co-operate in the attack till after noon.
It had been arranged that the English ships should attack
the north side of the harbour, where were situated Fort Con-
stantine, commanding both sea and land, with one hundred
and four of the heaviest guns then known ; the Star Fort and
the Telegraph Battery, the guns of which could bring a
plunging fire to bear on the assailants, to which the ships
could make no effective reply. The French ships engaged
the defences on the southern side of the harbour, nearest the

NAVAL MEDALS. 317

army, the Turkish ships were in the centre. Most of the
English ships were placed in their allotted positions by
steamers lashed alongside them, the "Albion" by the "Fire-
brand," the "London " by the "Niger," "Britannia" by the
"Furious," "Queen "by the "Vesuvius," "Trafalgar" by
the "Eetribution," "Vengeance" by the "Highflyer,"
"Rodney" by the "Spitfire," " Bellerophon " by the
"Cyclops," and "Arethusa" by the "Triton." The "Ter-
rible," "Tribune," "Samson," "Sphinx," and "Lynx,"
took up independent positions, and engaged principally the
forts and earthworks on the cliff to the north of Fort Constan-
tine. The French ships were first engaged, but about two
p.m., the "Agamemnon," Rear-Admiral Sir E. Lyons,
piloted by the steam tender "Circassian," Master E. Ball,
who volunteered for the service, anchored amidst a shower of
shot and shell, in five fathoms water, about seven hundred
and fifty yards from Fort Constantine, and opened her fire.
A few minutes afterwards the " Sanspareil " and " London "
anchored close astern, followed presently by the " Albion,"
which ships well suj)ported the "Agamemnon," which was
exposed to a cross fire from the forts. The Russians not
expecting a ship to get so near to them as seven hundred and
fifty yards distance, had laid their guns for a longer range, so
that for some time their shot struck only the masts and rig-
ging of the flagship, and one of her shells blew up a magazine
in the fort and disabled many of its guns. The shot from
the batteries on the cliffs inflicted such damage on the
English ships, that after an hour's furious cannonading, the
" Albion " and " London " were obliged to haul off, followed
shortly by the " Sanspareil." The enemy then concentrated
tlieir fire on the "Agamemnon," and cut her masts and rigg-
ing to jiieces, every spar being more or less damaged, and
her main-top and hammock nettings set on fire. Presently
the "Sanspareil" and "Albion" returned, and the " Queen,"
"Rodne}^" and "Bellerophon," by signal bore down to the
support of Sir Edmund, but the " Queen " was almost imme-

318 NAVAL MEDALS.

diately set on fire by a shell and towed out of range. The
" Eodney " ran aground under the guns of Fort Constantine,
but by the exertions of her crew, and the help of Commander
Kynaston, in the " Spitfire," she was got off, and took part
in the action till nearly dusk, when the engagement ceased
by the " Agamemnon " quitting her position, followed by the
other ships. In this affair the casualties in the British ships
were forty-four men killed, and two hundred and sixty -four
men wounded ; of these, eighty-one men belonged to the
"Albion," and twenty-nine to the "Agamemnon."

Two of the ships, the "Albion " and " Arethusa," were so
much damaged that they were sent to Malta for repairs.
Many of the French ships were disabled, and their loss in
killed and wounded was about two hundred men ; the Tur-
kish ships escaped with trifling damage. The Naval Brigade
took a prominent jiart in the land attack, and the destruction
of the Malakoff tower was mainly due to the battery of heavy
ship guns from the "Terrible" and "Retribution." The
result of the contest on the sea side was not satisfactory. It
was a trial of strength between stone and wood, and stone
proved itself the stronger.

During the first six days of the bombardment of Sebastopol,
the Naval Brigade had Lieutenant Greathed of the "Britannia"
and eleven men killed, and Captain Moorsom and sixty men
wounded. In the assault on the Eedan, June 18th, 1855,
Captain W. Peel of the " Diamond," who led a ladder j^arty,
was severely wounded, and out of two parties of sixty men
each of the Naval Brigade, fourteen men were killed, and
forty-six men wounded ; in fact, only three officers engaged,
escaped unhurt. At the end of July, Captain Lushington
being promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral, returned to
England, and was succeeded in the command of the- Naval
Brigade by Captain the Hon. H. Keppel, (afterwards Admiral
of the Fleet, Sir H. Keppel, G.C.B.) At the end of the
year, Admiral Dundas, owing to ill health, struck his flag,
and was succeeded by Sir E. Lyons, whose appointment to the

NAVAL MEDALS. 319

command the fleet welcomed with delight. Sir Edmund
shifted his flag to the "Royal Albert," one hundred and
thirty; and the "Hannibal," ninety-one, Rear-Admiral Sir
Houston Stewart, Captain J. Hay ; "St. Jean d'Acre," one
hundred-and-one, Hon. H. Keppel ; " Princess Royal," ninet}'-
one, Lord C. Paget ; and " Algiers," ninety-one, C. Talbot,
replaced the " Britannia," " Bellerophon," " Trafalgar,"
and " Sanspareil," which were sent home.

Opeeatioxs in the Sea of Azoff,
May 2oth to November 22nd, 1855.

On May 22nd, an expedition consisting of six English* and
three French sail of the line, with twenty-seven English and
twenty Erench frigates and smaller vessels, carrying sixteen
thousand soldiers, and six batteries of artillery, sailed from
Sebastopol for Kertch, a town at the extreme eastern j^art of
the Crimea, where the corn and supplies of the adjacent pro-
vinces were stored, and sent to the beleaguered garrison in
waggons. The Russians made but a faint show of resistance,
but blew up their works and magazines and retired, leaving
behind a large quantity of military stores, twelve thousand
tons of coal, and above one hxmdred pieces of" cannon, as
prizes to the victors. The fleet proceeded to Yenikale, which
place the enemy also destroyed, and abandoned, and the next
day, Captain Lyons in the "Miranda," (which had recently
arrived from the White Sea) with the smaller steam vessels,
entered the Sea of Azoff, and crossing to Berdiansk, destroyed
several vessels and a quantity of grain, stored there for the
use of the Russian Army. At Genitchesk he sent in his boats
to attack some shipping, defended by a strong force of
Russian Infantry with field pieces, covering their advance
with a heavy fire, directed partly at the shipping and partly

* The English ships of the line -were the " Royal Albert," " Aga-
memnon," " Hannibal," " Algiers," " St, Jean d'Acre," and " Princess
Royal."

320 NAVAL MEDALS.

at the troops. The boats under the command of Lieutenant
McKenzie set fire to seventy-three vessels and to some large
magazines of corn, and returned to the ship without any loss.
At the end of four days, Captain Lyons was able to report to
the Admiral, his father, that he had burnt and sunk about
two hundred and fifty vessels, most of them laden with
supplies for the Eussian Army in the Crimea. On June 23rd,
he attacked Taganrog, the strongest fortress of the enemy,
situated in the G-ulf of Azoff, and held by a garrison of about
three thousand troops. He directed the operations in the
" Recruit," a vessel drawing less water than the '' Miranda,"
and the boats of his squadron were reinforced by the light
gun boats and launches of the line of battle ships lying off
the Straits of Kertch, armed with howitzers and rockets.
The boats advanced in two divisions, and in face of a heavy
but ill directed fire, destroyed the Government Buildings, and
extensive magazines of stores, with no more loss than one
marine wounded.

Captain Lyons next destroyed Marioupol, and Grheisk on
the opposite shore of the Grulf, and returning to the Straits,
rejoined the fleet. In these operations Commander Cowper
Coles, and Lieutenant H. Burgoyne, (both of whom after-
wards were drowned in the ill-fated ship " Captain ") greatly
distinguished themselves. Shortly afterwards the gallant
Captain Lyons, in taking part in a night attack on Sebastopol,
was severely wounded by a fi'agment of a shell, and died in
less than a week, deeply regretted by the whole fleet. To his
sorrowing father Admiral Sir E. Lyons, the Queen addressed
a letter of condolence, expressing her deep and heartfelt
sympathy. Commander S. Osborne of the "Vesuvius,"
succeeded Captain Lyons in the Sea of Azoff, of which he
cleared both sides, destroying stores and magazines, shelling
batteries, and hauling some of his lightest boats over the
Spit of Arabat, launched them in the Putrid Sea, and threat-
ened the great road to Sebastopol. At length, the enemy,
hopeless of preserving their vessels from his constant attacks,

NAVAL MEDALS. 321

set fire themselves to all which remained, so that in the whole
sea they had no vessel of any kind left. In all these opera-
tions it was rarely that a single man was killed. Commanders
Osborne and Lambert were posted for their services, and
Lieutenants Day and "W. Hewitt* of the "Eecruit" and
"Beagle," commended for the gallantry of their conduct.
Lieutenant E. Commerell( afterwards Admiral Sir E. CommereH
G.C.B.) of the ""Weser," gained the Victoria Cross for his distin-
guished conduct in destroying stores in the presence of a large
body of Cossacks, on the shore of the Sivash. In November,
Captain Osborne, after destroying stores at Yodina, Glofira, and
Grheisk, as winter was fast approaching, and ice forming,
withdrew from the Sea of AzofE f and re-joined the fleet.

The Baltic Medal.

After the review of the Fleet at Spithead, April 23rd,
1856, the Queen was pleased to command that a medal should

* Afterwards Vice-Admiral Sir W. N. Hewitt, V.C, K.C.B. died 1888.
During the siege of Sebastopol, on October 26, 1854, being mate of
H.M.S. " Beagle " he was in charge of a Lancaster gun, in a battery
on shore, when the Russians made a sortie, and got to within 300 yards
of the battery, on which they opened a sharp fire. An order was
given to spike the gun aud retreat, but JMr. Hewitt answered " that
order did not come from Captain Lushington, and until he orders us to
desert the gun, we shall not move." He then, with his seamen,
aided by some soldiers, got his gun round, and blowing away the para-
pet of the battery, poured in such a destructive fire on the advancing
enemy, that they gave way and retreated. Captain Lushington report-
ed Mr. Hewitt's conduct to the Commander-in-chief, and the Admiralty
promoted him to a lieutenancy. He soon afterwards received the
Victoria Cross.

t The " Azoff " clasp, with the medal, was given to the officers and
men of the following ships. " Miranda," Captain Lyons ; " Vesuvius,"
Commander Osborne ; " Stromboli," Commander Coles ; " Curlew,"
Commander Lambert ; " Swallow," Commander Craufurd ; " Wrangler,"
Lieutenant Burgoyne ; " Beagle," Lieutenant Hewitt ; " Ardent,"
Lieutenant Horton ; " Medina," Lieutenant Beresford ; " Viper,"
Lieutenant Armitage ; " Lynx," Lieutenant Aynsley ; " Recruit."
Lieutenant Day ; " Arrow," Lieutenant JoliSe ; " Snake," Lieutenant
McKillop ; " Grinder," " Clinker," " Sulina." " Danube," " Fancy,"
" Boxer," " Weser," " Cracker " and " Jasper," It was also given to
the crews of the first and second launch of the " Royal Albert " ; first
and second launch of the " Hannibal," ; first and second launch of the
" Agamemnon," first and second launch of the " St. Jean d'Acre " ;
first and second launch of the " Princess Royal," and the first and
second launch of the " Algiers."

322 NAVAL MEDALS.

be struck, and issued to the officers, seamen, and marines,
who served in the Baltic, from March, 1854, to the close of
the blockade in 1855. The medal, by Wyon, has on the
observe, the diademed head of the Queen, with the words
" Victoria Regina," and on the reverse a figure of Britannia
seated, holding a trident in her right hand. In front is
a naval gun and a pile of shot, and in the distance, represent-
ations of Sveaborg and Bomarsund ; above is the word
" Baltic," and in the exergue the date, 1854-1855. Eibbon,
yellow with blue edges. No clasp was issued, and the name
of the recipients were not inscribed on the medal. Two
officers and about one hundred men of the Sappers and
Miners, also received the medal for their services on board
the flag-ship, and at Bomarsund. These medals had the
names of the recipient indented on the edge.

The fleet in the Black Sea was generally regarded as not
much more than an auxiliary to the army, but the flower of
the naval strength of England was sent to the Baltic, where
were the principal arsenals of Russia, and her most powerful
fleet. Nineteen sail of the line, most of which were steamers,
eleven frigates, and a number of smaller vessels were equipped,
and placed under the command of Vice Admiral Sir Charles
Napier, and after being reviewed by the Queen on the 11th
of March, at Spithead, the Admiral weighed anchor and
proceeded to the Downs. Before war was declared between
England and Russia, a portion of the fleet sailed for the
Baltic, and when the news of the declaration of war reached
Kioge Bay, the remainder of the ships had arrived from
England, and Sir C. Napier found himself in command of the
following fleet : " Duke of Wellington," one hundred and
thirty-one, Vice Admiral Sir C. Napier, Commodore M.
Seymour, Captain Gr. Gordon ; " Neptune," one hundred and
twenty. Rear Admiral Corry, Captain Hutton ; "St. George,"
one hundred and twenty, H. Eyres ; " Royal George," one
hundred and twenty, H. Codrington ; "St. Jean d'Acre,"
one hundred and one, Hon. H. Keppel ; " Princess Royal,"

JnE ;Paltic JVIedal.

NAVAL MEDALS. 323

ninety-one, Lord C. Paget ; " James Watt," ninety-one, G.
Elliott ; " Nile," ninety-one, B. Martin ; " Majestic," ninety-
one, J. Hope ; " Cresar," ninety, J. Eobb ; " Prince
Regent," ninety, H. Smith ; "Monarch," eighty-four, J. E.
Erskine ; " Cressy," eighty, E,. Warren ; " Boscawen,"
seventy, W. Glanville ; " Cumberland," seventy, G. Seymour ;
" Edinburgh," sixty, Pear Admiral H. D. Chads, Captain
Hewlett ; " Hogue," sixty, W. Pamsay ; " Blenheim," sixty,
Hon. F. Pelham ; " Ajax," sixty, F. Warden ; " Imperieuse,"
fifty-one, R. B. Watson ; Euryalus," fifty-one, G. Pamsay ;
"Arrogant," forty-six, H. P. Yelverton ; " Amphion,"
thirty -four, A. C. Key ; " Dauntless," thirty-three, A. P.
Ryder ; Leopard," eighteen. Pear Admiral Plumridge, Capt.
Giffard ; Cruiser," seventeen. Com. Hon. G. Douglas ;
"Archer, seventeen, E. Heathcote ; " Valorous," sixteen, C.
Buckle ; "Odin," sixteen, F. Scott ; " Magicienne, " sixteen,
T. Fisher ; " Desperate," eight, C. J. D'Eyncourt ; " Conflict,"
eight, A. Cumming ; "Vulture," six, F. H. Glasse ; " Dragon,"
six, J. Willcox ; " Driver," six, Hon. A. Cochrane ; " Rosa-
mond," six, G. Wodehouse ; " Basilisk," six, Hon. F. Egerton ;
" Hecla," six, AV. H. HaU ; " Bulldog," four, W. K. HaU ;
" Porcupine," three. Lieutenant Jackson ; the surveying
ships "Lightning" and " Alban," Captain T. Sullivan,
and Commander Otter, and the hospital ship " Belleisle,"
Commander Hosken.

Immediately on the declaration of war. Sir C. Napier sent
Rear-Admiral Plumridge with some frigates and smaller
vessels, to the Gulf of Finland, and a few weeks after into
the Gulf of Bothnia, while small squadrons were sent to
cruise in different directions, which almost annihilated the
Russian trade. The "Arrogant" and "Hecla," cruising
near Sveaborg, learning that three merchant ships were
lying at Eckness, a place situated on a narrow creek, about
eight miles from the sea. Captain Yelverton resolved to
attempt to cut them out. The "Hecla," drawing the less
water, led the way, and after silencing an earthwork mount-

324 NAVAL MEDALS.

ing four guns, and dislodging a body of troops with a field
battery, the largest vessel was brought out, the other two
being aground, with the loss to the British of three men
killed and eight wounded. In June, a fine French fleet,
consisting of five ninety-gun ships, two of eighty, and two of
seventy guns, with several frigates and lighter vessels, under
Vice- Admiral Duchesnes, joined Sir C. Napier at Baro Sound
and the combined fleets proceeded up the Gulf of Finland,
and offered battle to the Russian fleet lying at Cronstadt.
The enemy, numbering eighteen sail of the line, besides
frigates, declined to leave the protection of their forts and
batteries, mounting over seven hundred heavy guns, and after
a careful survey of the fortifications, the two Admirals, finding
Cronstadt to be practically impregnable,* and that an attack
would probably end in failure, returned to Baro Sound.
Captain Key in the " Amphion," and Lieutenant Priest of
the " Leopard," with the boats of that ship, the " Odin,"
" Vulture," and " Valorous," captured and destroyed many
merchant ships, and a large quantity of government stores
in the Grulfs of Riga and Bothnia, but the boats of the "Vul-
ture " and " Odin " met with a sad disaster at Gramla Carleby
on the coast of Finland, twenty-three officers and men being
killed and wounded, and the crews of two boats taken prison-
ers, by a large Russian force, after a gallant resistance, in
which nearly every man was wounded. The commanders of
the allied fleets then resolved on an attack on Bomarsund, the
chief fortress of the Aland Isles. A few weeks before, the
surroundings of the stronghold had been carefully surveyed
by Captain Sullivan, and the size and strength of the four
forts ascertained. In July the place was blockaded, and as
the British had no troops available for the service, nine

* The Russian ships were moored in two lines head and stern, across
the only navigable channel, which they completely commanded and
blocked up. They were flanked on each side by batteries, mounting
above one hundred and twenty of the heaviest guns, and on the west-
ern front with its shoals and islets bristled above three hunded and fifty
more. The fortress was quite unassailable, except by a fleet of mortar
boats, of whioh the allies bad none.

NAVAL MEDALS. 325

thousand French soldiers under General Baraguay d'Hilliers,
were conveyed in British vessels to the Baltic, and joined the
fleet on August 2nd. The forts of Bomarsund were of consider-
able strength, and mounted altogether upwards of one hundred
and sixty guns, held by a garrison of two thousand five hund-
red men. They were impregnable to an attack by sea, but
the principal fort was commanded by a hill in the rear of it,
and if attacked on the landward side all the defences were liable
to fall before a resolute enemy. The troops were landed at
three different points, the French to the southwest of the prin-
cipal fort, and a British division of seven hundred seamen,
marines, and sappers to the northward. A battery of thirty-
two pounders was supplied from the English ships, under
Captain Ramsay of the " Hogue," who opened fire on the "West
fort, on the morning of August 15th, at a range of nine hund-
red and fifty yards, with such effect that the commander hung
out a white flag at noon with a request for a truce, and
surrendered the next morning.

In this affair. Captain Ramsay was admirably supported
by a battalion of Chasseurs, armed with Minie rifles, whose
destructive fire aimed at the embrasures, prevented the
Russians from loading their guns. On the morning of the
15th, he turned his guns on the North, or Nottige fort, the
battery being manned by seamen and marine artillerymen
from the " Edinburgh," " Hogue," " Ajax," and " Blenheim,"'
and though the fort replied vigorously, and was supported by
a battery on Presto island, about one thousand four hundred
yards distant, by 6 p.m. one side of the fort was destroyed,
and its commandant surrendered.* In the meantime the
French batteries, and several steamers of the allied fleet
shelled the great fort, aided by a ten inch gun which
Captain Pelham of the " Blenheim " had placed in a battery
from which the ships had driven the enemy a few days before,

• The British ships which were actively engaged in the capture of
Bomarsund, were the " Amphion," " Arrogant," " Valorous," " Edin-
burgh," " Ajax," " Sphinx," " Driver," " Bulldog," and " Hecla."

•326 NAVAL MEI^AIiS.

a,iid prevented any assistance being given to the fort attacked
by Captain Ramsay. The next morning the great fort was again
.-assailed by sea and land, but the attack had scarcely com-
menced, when the Russians hung out a white flag and
surrendered. The fort on Presto island followed the example
of the great fort, and Bomarsund was in the possession of the
allies. Two thousand prisoners wei'e taken, the forts were
hlown up and destroyed, and this ended the active operations
of the combined fleets in the Baltic for the year 1854. The
Trench fleet returned home in September, and a few weeks
after the British fleet withdrew from the Grulf of Finland, an,d
about the middle of December arrived in England. The
<;onduct of Sir C. Napier was severely criticised in Parliament,
and by the press, and it was generally agreed that with the
force at his command much more might have been don^
against the enemy. He was much censured for his want of
■enterjDrise in not attacking Sveaborg, which he considered to
be unassailable, and it must be stated that General d' Hilliers
and Admiral Duchesnes were of the same opinion. But Sir
C Napier at the age of sixty-eight, was not the same man
physically, nor mentally, as when he led the fleet of Don
Pedro to victory, twenty-one years before, nor did he possess
the same nerve and energy that he displayed on the coast of
Syria, seven years later. He had deserved well of his country
ior services in times past, but advancing years had told upon
his strength, and he never should have undertaken the
onerous duties of the Baltic command. On March 20th, 1855,
a flying squadron of six ships under the command of Captain
Watson, of the " Imperieuse," sailed from Spithead for the
Baltic, and was followed on April 4th by the remainder of the
fleet. The Commander-in-chief was Pear Admiral Hon. E.
Dundas, with Pear Admiral M. Seymour second in command.
The fleet was composed as follows : " Duke of Wellington,"
one hundred and thirty. Pear Admiral Hon. P. Dundas, Com-
modore Hon. F. Pelham, Captain Caldwell; "Poyal George,"
one hundred and twenty, H. Codrington ; " Exmouth," ninety.

NAVAL MEDALS. 327

Eear Admiral M. Seymour, Captain W. K. Hall ; " James
Watt," ninety-one, G. Elliott ; " Orion," ninety, J. Erskine
" Nile," ninety, E. Mundy ; " Caesar," ninety, J. Eobb
" Calcutta," eighty -four, J. Stoj)ford ; " Colossus," eighty
E. S. Eobinson ; " Majestic," eighty, J. Hope ; " Cressy,'
eighty, E. L, Warren ; " Cornwallis," sixty, G. WeUesley
"Blenheim," sixty, W. E. Hall; "Edinburgh," sixty, E
S.Hewlett; "Eussell," sixty, E. Scott; " Hawke," sixty^
E. Ommanney ; " Pembroke," sixty, G. Seymour ; "Hastings,'
sixty, J, Caffin ; "Hogue," sixty, W. Eamsay ; " Ajax,'
sixty, F. Warden ; " Imperieuse," fifty-one, E. B. Watson
" Euryalus," fifty-one, G. Eamsay; "Arrogant," forty-six
H. E. Yelverton ; " Amphion," thirty-four, A. C. Key
" Eetribution, " twenty-eight, Eear Admiral Baynes, Captain
Eisher ; " Pylades," twenty-one, T. D'Eyncourt ; " Esk,'
twenty-one, T. Birch ; " Tartar," twenty-one, H. Dunlop
"Cossack," twenty-one, E. G. Fanshawe ; " Magicienne,'
seventeen, N. Vansittart ; " Falcon," seventeen, W. Pullen
" Archer," seventeen, E. Heathcote ; " Cruiser," seven-
teen, Hon. G. Douglas, and " Harrier," seventeen, H. A.
Storey. Thirteen or fourteen smaller vessels, and between
twenty and thirty gun boats, joined the fleet as fast as
they could dispatched from England, many of which as
the season advanced were transferred to the Black Sea.
The Admiral embarking in the "Merlin" surveying vessel,
with Captain Sullivan made several reconnaissances of Cron-
stadt, which he found so much strengthened by the erection of
additional earth works and batteiies, that he, with the
French Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Penaud, who had
joined with his fleet, pronounced the place to be absolutely
impregnable. The combined fleets lay off Cronstadt for a
fortnight, the French ships taking alternate stations with the
British in the van, but as the Eussians would not leave their
harbour, in the middle of June the fleets weighed and fell
back to Seskar. On June 9th Captain Fanshawe of the
"Cossack" sent a boat with a flag of truce, to land a party

328 NAVAL MEDALS.

of prisoners at Hango Head. As soon as tiie boat reached
the shore it was fired into by a body of Russian troops, who
had been concealed behind the rocks and some adjacent
buildings, six of the party of seventeen were killed, including-
one of the pi'isoners, four badly wounded, and the remainder
taken prisoners. As no satisfaction could be obtained for
this outrage (though the wounded and prisoners were treated
with humanity) the Admiral despatched Captain Yelverton
with the "Arrogant," " Magicienne," and "Ruby" gunboat,
to make reprisals on the Russian strongholds on the coast of
Finland. The squadron attacked and destroyed a battery at
Rotsinsholm, and a strong fort at Svartholm, intended to
mount one hundred and twenty guns, with fortified barracks
for one thousand men. In an attack on some vessels at
Viborg, the "Ruby" was brought up by a submarine staked
barrier, and exposed to the fire of a masked battery within
three hundred and fifty yards. Some of the ships' boats which
accompanied the "Ruby" got through the obstruction but were
drivenback, the magazine of the "Arrogant's" cutter was blown
up and the boat swamped. Lieutenant Dowell of the Marine
Artillery, with a volunteer crew from the "Ruby," jumped
into a boat, took the cutter in tow, and brought her out under
a heavy fire. For this daring action Lieutenant Dowell
received the Victoria Cross. In the meantime the allied
Admirals determined to attack the Fortress of Sveaborg,
which place Captain Key in the "Amphion," had been
watching from the first arrival of the fleet in the Baltic. To
distract the attention of the enemy, flying squadrons were
despatched in various directions, one cannonaded Narva,
another threatened the shores of the Grulf of Bothnia, and
Captains Storey and Otter, in the "Harrier" and "Firefly,"
captured and destroyed over eighty merchant vessels at
Nystad and Brandon, with several large magazines of shijD-
building stores. On August 7th the main body of the fleet
which had been lying at Nargen, set sail, and anchored about
two miles and a half from Sveaborg. This fortress, which is

NAVAL MEDALS. 329

situated about a mile from Helsingfors the capital of Finland, is
built on five islands. The two largest are called Vargon and
East Svarto, the latter lying exactly behind the former, and
connected with it by a short bi-idge. To the east of Vargon
were the islands of Grustafsvard, and Bak Holmen, armed with
heavy batteries, the channel between the two being blocked
by a three decker, moored broadside on, with chains running
through her bow and stern ports to the shore. The three
pi'incipal islands presented an almost continuous series of
batteries, and the channels between them were protected by
ships of the line, sunken vessels and infernal machines, to be
discharged by wires connected with the land.

About a mile and a half from the front of the fortress lies
a cluster of rocky islets, which had been carefully surveyed
and buoyed by Captain Sullivan, and among them was placed
a line of mortar boats, which were moored three thousand nine
hundred yards from the enemy's batteries, the five French
vessels, being at the request of Admiral Penaud, placed in the
centre. On one of the nearest islets to Grustafsvard, the French
also threw up a sand bag battery armed with four nine-inch
mortars. The gun boats were in front of the mortar vessels,
and each in addition to its ordinary armament was supplied
with a ten inch gun from the line of battle shijis. As his flag-
ship could not approach within a mile of the mortar vessels.
Admiral Dundas went on board the " Merlin" to superintend
the operations, and Admiral Penaud also shifted his flag to
one of his gunboats. At a quarter to seven on the morning of
the 9th August the mortar vessels opened fire in Sveaborg,
and so accurately had they been placed, and so admirably
were they managed, that every shell fell exactly on the
buildings at which they had been aimed. To allow the mortars
to cool, it had been the rule to fire but seven times in a hour,
but Captain Wemyss and his fellow officers disregarding the
old practice, loaded and fired as fast as possible, throwing no
less than thirty shells an hour. The gun boats under the
orders of Captain Pelham, assisted by Captains Eamsay,

330 NAVAL MEDALS,

Yansittart, Glasse, and Stewart, and Commander Preedy, who
commanded divisions, kept moving continually in circles
among the rocks and shoals, each vessel delivering her fire as
she came opposite the batteries of the enemy. The Russians
replied with a tremendous cannonade, but with very little
effect, though much of their shot fell beyond the mortar vessels,
the movements of the gun boats being so rapid, and their
size so small, that they escaped with scarcely any damage.
Before three hours, the principal buildings in the citadel on
Vargon were in flames, dense clouds of smoke arising, with
explosions that were heard above the roar of the guns. About
noon a succession of heavy explosions occurred at the back of
Grustafsvard, fragments of buildings being hurled into the air,
with hundreds of shells which exploded as they rose, and the
fire of the enemy in that direction was almost silenced.
Admiral Dundas recalled the gun boats before sunset, and at
dusk the boats of the fleet armed with rockets, were sent in
under the command of Captain Caldwell of the flagship, which
prevented the enemy extinguishing the fires, and added much
to the general conflagration. To distract the attention of
the Russians, Captain Yelverton in the "Arrogant," with
the "Cossack," and "Cruiser," made an attack on the
island of Drumsio, and Captain Wellesley in the " Corn-
wallis," with the "Hastings," and " Amphion," engaged
the batteries of the enemy on the island of Sandhamm.
At daylight on the morning of the 10th, the mortar and
gun boats re-ojoened their fire on East Svarto, at a nearer range,
and the engagement was renewed with activity on both sides.
The enemy had placed guns of greater range in position dur-
ing the night, but their fire did but little injury, while the
fiames and columns of smoke which rose from the fortress,
showed that the shells had reached the magazine in the rear of
Vargon, and the buildings on the island of Svarto. At night-
fall, one unbroken sheet of flame spread over the entire range
of buildings in Vargon and Svarto, nothing but the batteries
that were scarped out of the granite rock, and a few detached

NAVAl. MEDALS. -331

structures escaping destruction. In the evening tlie boats
with rockets went in again, and made excellent practice during
the night. The next morning, the conflagration still raging,
and the enemy's batteries almost silenced, the Admirals of the
allied fleets decided to terminate the action, the boats with-
drew, and a few days subsequently the fleets returned to
Nargen.* On the side of the assailants not a man was killed,
and the wounded were not more than sixteen, but the loss of
the Russians was very heavy, nearly the whole of a regiment
-of a thousand men stationed at Gustafsvard having been
killed. To quote the words of Admiral Penaud's despatch,
" The bombardment of Sveaborg, was a complete success, a
terrific fire, which lasted forty-five hours, destroyed nearly aE
the stores and magazines of the arsenal, which is now only a heap
of ruins. The enemy has received a terrible blow, and has
suffered enormous losses." In October, the fleet returned to
Seskar, and in the next month Admiral Dundas sent home his
gun boats and sailing vessels. In the first week of December
the remainder of the fleet sailed for England, and as peace
was signed at Paris in the spring of the next year, the British
fleet returned no more to the Baltic.

' * The ships present at the attack on Sveaborg, were, " Duke of Well-
, ington," " Exmouth," " Euryalus," "Arrogant," "Pembroke," " Corn-
wallis" "Cossack," "Merlin," '-Vulture," "Hastings," "Edinburgh,"
"Amphion," " Magicienne," "Dragon," " Belleisle," "Cruiser,"
"Geyser," " Locust," " Lightning," " Eolus," "Princess Alice," and
" Volcaho " : gunboats, " Starling," "Lark," " Thistle," " Kedwing,"
"Magpie," "Badger," "Pelter." "Snap," "Dapper," "Weazel,"
" Stork," " Pincher," " Gleaner," " Biter," " Skylark," and " Snapper " :
Mortar Vessels, " Rocket," " Surly," " Pickle," " Blazer," " Mastiff,"
"Manly," "Drake," "Porpoise," "Prompt," " Sindbad," " Carron,"
" Redbreast," " Beacon," " Grappler," " Havock," and " Growler."

332 NAVAL MEDALS.

THE INDIAN MUTINY MEDAL, 1857-58.

This medal was granted by a General Order, dated August
18th, 1858, to all engaged in operations against the mutineers,
and to non militai'y persons who had borne arms as volunteers
against them. On the obverse is the Queen's head diademed,
with the words " Victoria Regina," and on the reverse,
Britannia standing, holding a wreath in her outstretched right
hand. On her left arm is a shield bearing the crosses of the
Union, and behind her stands the British Lion. Above is
the word "India," and in the exergue the date 1857-1858.
Ribbon, scarlet and white in alternate stripes. The medal was
given to the Naval Brigades employed in India, without a
clasp, and with clasps, inscribed " Lucknow," and " Eelief
of Lucknow."

The " Shannon " and " Pearl " Brigades in India.

H.M. steam-frigate " Shannon," of fifty guns, was com-
missioned at Portsmouth by Captain W. Peel, September
13th, 1856, and sailed for the China station. Before she
reached Hong Kong, the news of the outbreak of the Indian
Mutiny had arrived there, and Lord Elgin who was on board,
decided to proceed at once to Calcutta with a body of troops.
To this, Sir M. Seymour entirely agreed, and with the
" Shannon," sent the " Pearl," twenty-one. Captain Sotheby,
and the " Sanspareil," seventy -four, Captain Key, having on
board a force of Royal Artillery. The squadron arrived in
Bengal the first week in August, and Captain Key took the
" Sanspareil " up the Hooghly to Calcutta, where he landed
his marines at Fort William, the garrison being sent to
re-inforce the army up the country. Captain Peel proposed
to leave the " Shannon " at Calcutta, and to form her men
into a Naval Brigade. His offer was accepted by the
Governor-General, and on August 13th Captain Peel, with
about four hundred and ten seamen and marines, proceeded

JhE [nDIAN IVIUTINY jMeDAL,

NAVAL MEDAXS. 333

Tip the Ganges in river steamers* to join the force advancing
to the relief of Lucknow. A month later, his first lieutenant,
Mr. Yaughan joined him with one hundred and twenty
more sailors, mostly picked up from the merchant ships in
the harbour, and Captain Sotheby with the crew of the
" Pearl," also started up the river. On reaching Allahabad,
part of the " Shannon " brigade was left to garrison that
place, while the remainder marched towards Cawnpore.
Near Futtehgur, one hundred men of the Brigade, with four
hundred and fifty troops, commanded by Colonel Powell,
attacked four thousand mutineers, and defeated them after
a hard fight, with the loss of three hundred men and two
guns. In the height of the action, Colonel Powell fell, when
Ca2:)tain Peel took the command, and completed the rout of
the enemy. Early in November, the Brigade joined the small
army of Sir Colin Campbell before Lucknow, and two days
after took part in the attack and capture of the Martiniere
College. On November 16th the blue jackets with their
twenty-four pounders, and two eight inch howitzers, breached
the walls of the Secundrabagh and Shah Nujeef, in face of a
perfect hail of bullets from the loopholes of the enemy. In
this affair Mr. Daniel, midshipman, was killed, and altogether
the Brigade had seventeen men killed and wounded. Among
the latter was Lieutenant Salmon (afterwards Admiral Sir
N. Salmon, K.C.B.) who for his intrepid conduct, was, with three
of his shipmates, rewarded with the Yictoria Cross. The
next day the Mess house was carried by storm, and Lucknow
was relieved. Sir Colin Campbell in his despatch said of the
attack on the Shah Nujeef. — " The 93rd and Captain Peel's
guns rolled on in one irresistible wave, the men falling fast,
but the column advanced till the heavy guns were within

* Captain Peel took with him the following ship guns : six eight
inch guns, better known as sixty-eight pounders, weighing fifty-five cwt.
each, two eight inch howitzers, eight twenty-four pounders, two ship
field pieces, and a battery of eight rockets. For the first time in war-
fare, sixty-eight pounder guns were worked as field pieces, as in action
the guns were generally with the skirmishers.

^34 NAVAL MEDALS.

twenty yards of the walls of the Shah Nujeef, where they
were ualimbered and poured in round after round against the
massive walls of the building, the withering fire of the
Highlanders covering the Naval Brigade from great loss.
But it was an action almost unexampled in war. Captain
Peel behaved very much as if he had been laying the "Shannon"
alongside an enemy's frigate." The Brigade on November
27th marched with Sir Colin Campbell for Cawnpore, where
General Windham was hard pressed by the enemy. On
November 29th the heavy guns crossed the Ganges, and on
December 6th, at the battle of Cawnpore, fought against
twenty -five thousand men of the famous Gwalior Contingent,
the best disciplined troops among the mutineers, and who
considered themselves invincible, the Brigade surpassed all
its previous actions. In the words of one present, when the
signal to attack was, given, — " the skirmishers advanced at the
double, and the enemy opened a tremendous cannonade on us
with round shot, shell, and gi-ape. By the time we reached
the canal. Peel's blue jackets were calling out — " Damn these
cow horses," the gun bullocks, " they are too slow." Come
you Ninety Third, give us a hand with the drag ropes as you
did at Lucknow." A company of the 93rd slung their rifles,
and dashed to the assistance of the blue jackets. The bullocks
were cast adrift, and the native drivers were not slow in going
to the rear. The drag ropes were manned, and the twenty-four
pounders wheeled abreast of the first line of skirmishers just
as if they had been light field pieces." After a sharp contest,
the mutineers were utterly routed, and pursued for fourteen
miles, their camp, a large quantity of ammunition, and the
whole of their guns, thirty-two of all sizes, being captured.
On January 2nd, 1858, the Brigade took part in the Battle of
Kallee Nuddee, and by the accuracy of its fire, silenced a gun
of the enemy that was doing considerable damage. In March
following, it was again before Lucknow, with the army of Sir
C. Campbell, and on the 2nd of the month was engaged in the
storming of the Dilkoosha, in which operation two men

NAVAL MEDALS. : 385

■^ere mortally wounded. The Brigade now numbered four
hundred and thirty officers and men,, and Sir E. Lugard
under whom they served, reported that he had never
commanded so weU conducted, or better disciplined men.
The eight-inch guns and rockets of the "Shannon" were
employed in" breaching the " Martiniere " on March 9th, and
while selecting the best place to post his guns. Captain Peel
was wounded in the thigh by . a musket ball. The ball was^
extracted, and he was fast recovering, when he was attacked-
by smallpox, and died on March 27th, sincerely lamented by
his comrades in both services. Shortly before his death he
received the red ribbon of the Bath, which had never before
been given to an officer of his rank. On the 19th of March
the last position of the mutineers was carried, and Lucknow was
in the possession of the British. During these operations the
loss of the Naval Brigade was five men killed, and eleven
wounded. Lieutenant ^ Vaughan, first of the "Shannon,"
succeeded Sir W. Peel in the command of the Brigade, but
its active services ceased with the capture of Lucknow. In
August the men rejoined their ship at Calcutta, and on the
15th of September following, the " Shannon " sailed for Eng-
land. Lieutenant Vaughan was made a commander and
received the order of C.B., and all the other officers were
advanced a step in rank.

The^ -" Pearl " brigade,- under Captain Sotheby also did
good service for over fifteen months, with the Goruckpore
Field Force. In the fall of 1857 it proceeded up the Granges
to Buxar, and from thence to Gai Ghat, where the men con-
structed a bridge of boats, by which a body of Ghoorkas sent
by Jung Bahadoor to co-operate with the British, crossed the
river. On Februar}^ 17th, 1858, Captain Sotheby with one
hundred and thirty men of his brigade, thirty-five Sikhs, and
sixty Ghoorkas, attacked and captured the fort of Chandipoor,
garrisoned by three hundred rebels, and situated in the midst
of a jungle. This success was gained with but four men
wounded. At Almorat, on the 5th of March, the brigade,

336 NAVAL MEDALS.

with wHcli were eighty of the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry,
-and eight hundred Ghoorkas, was attacked by fourteen thous-
and mutineers, with ten guns. In spite of this enormous
disparity of force, the enemy were utterly routed, and pursued
ten miles to their entrenched camp at Belwa, with the loss of
about five hundred men killed and wounded, and eight of their
guns. The blue jackets had but one man killed, and thirty
wounded all of whom recovered. In the succeeding months
the brigade took part in repeated skirmishes and actions, in
most of which the rapidit}' and accuracy of its fii'e contributed
greatly to the defeat of the enemy. In this long and heavy
service forty-five men died or were invalided, but two hundred
and five of the original brigade of two hundred and fifty,
re-joined their ship at Calcutta in February, 1859.* The
blue jackets could truly assert that they had been nearly
twenty times engaged with the enemy, and though often out-
numbered more than seven to one, they had never been
defeated.

• The officers and men of the " Pearl " brigade received the medal
without a clasp.

■y.r^ Ap^•s';lNlA JsIedal.

NAVAL MEDALS. 337

THE ABYSSINIA MEDAL.

This medal, granted by a General Order, dated March, 1869,
is quite different in design to those usually issued. On the
obverse is a crowned and veiled head of the Queen, surrounded
by a star of nine points containing the letters A. B. Y. S. S»
I. N. I. A. Reverse, a laurel wreath, with an inner circle,
within which, in raised letters is the name and ship of the
recipient. Above the medal is a crown, with a ring for sus-
pension. Ribbon, crimson, with broad white edges. Twenty
thousand of these medals were struck, and given to both
services.

The Abyssinian Expedition.

October, 1867, to April, 1868.

In the year 1855, Theodore, a fierce, but able and
ambitious chieftain, who claimed descent from King Solomon,
and had conquered the neighbouring tribes around him,
assumed the title of Emperor of Abyssinia, and expected an
alliance with England on equal terms. The British Govern-
ment sent Captain Cameron as consul to Abyssinia, in 1861,
who on his arrival was welcomed by Theodore, who wrote a
letter to Queen Victoria, which was forwarded by the Consul.
For a long time this letter was unnoticed, and was not men-
tioned in the reply of Earl Russell to Captain Cameron.
This excited the anger of Theodore, and in a visit which the
Consul made to a frontier province, he suspected a desire to
assist the Egyptians, who he believed were preparing to
invade Abyssinia. In revenge for what he regarded as
insults and injuries, the half -savage monarch made prisoners
of the Consul and all the Europeans he could seize in his
territories. Among these were some missionaries, who were
treated alternately with kindness and severity, according to
the caprice of Theodore, sometimes being put in irons, and
removed from place to place, but generally kept strictly

338 .NAVAL MEDALS.

guarded in his camp. Letters passed between Theodore and
the British Government, who sent Mr. Kassam, with Lieut.
Prideaux and Dr. Blanc, on a mission to him with handsome
jDresents, to obtain the release of the captives. At first they
were courteously received, but before the negociations began,
they were seized, and taken as prisoners to Theodore's camp.
Every effort to induce Theodore to release them proving use-
less, the British Grovernment resolved to send- an expedition
to compel their deliverance. The expedition w^s sent from
Bombay. Colonel Mereweather, the Resident at Aden, was
dispatched in advance to select a place for the landing of the
troops, and he fixed upon Zoola, a small village in Annesley
Bay. H.M.S. " Satellite " and other ships anchored in the
Bay, piers and store houses were constructed by the sailors,
wells were dug, and mules and cattle purchased for the
transport service. Sir Robert Napier was appointed to com-
inand the expedition, with Major-Greneral Sir Charles Staveley
as second in command, having under them a force of nearly
twelve thousand men, four thousand of them being British
troops, with about fourteen thousand camp followers. Sir
Robert Napier arrived in the " Octavia," January 3rd, 1868,
and found a port formed on a desert shore, friendly inter-
course existing with the native tribes, and an advanced force
established at Senafe in the highlands of Abyssinia. At the
request of Sir R. Napier, Commodore. Heath, in command, of
the squadron, organised a Naval Brigade of eighty-three
men, with twelve twelve-pounder rocket tubes, in twd
batteries, commanded by Commander Fellowes of the
"Dryad." When the troojis began their march inland, the
Brigade formed part* of the First Division under General
Staveley. Upon the news of the British advance, Theodore
.retreated to Magdala, a natural fortress of immense strength,
situated about four hundred miles from the coast. The
march to this stronghold was over a sea of mountains, witJi
difficult passes, and intersected by ravines filled with rocks
and loose boulders. Day .after day the force toiled on,. ,over

NAVAL MEDALS. 339l

mountains eleven thousand feet above the level of the sea,
suffering greatly from want of water, the days being
oppressively hot, and the nights often excessively cold after
sunset. All superfluous baggage and tents were left behind,
the rations were of the roughest, no spirits, and scarcely any
tea were to be had, and the officers fared as their men. On
the 8th of April, the British reached the Talanta plateau,
about fifteen miles from Magdala, and in view of the fortress,
and after a day's halt, the advanced division was ordered to
move forward at daybreak. Magdala itself was found to be
situated on the highest of three hills, rising more than nine
thousand feet above the sea level, precipitously from the
plain. Almost in front of it were two other hills of less
elevation, called Fahla and Seliasye, the latter being con-
nected with Magdala by a ridge about a mile in length,
flanked by precipices sloping down to ravines three thousand
feet below the level of the hill. Theodore, with his army and
guns, were posted on the flat top of Fahla, between which
and the British camp was a deep ravine. On April 10th, the
baggage of the British proceeded up the ravine in charge of
the Belooches and a guard of the 4th Regiment, the remain-
der of the column marching along the hill to protect it from
an attack in flank. By some misunderstanding, the Belooches
reached the plateau and piled arms, awaiting the arrival of
the second division, the baggage being still slowly toiling up
ihe valley. Theodore, from his hill, seeing the baggage
apparently unprotected, sent down his men to attack and seizeit:
His guns on Fahla opened fire, and several thousand men with
yells of defiance, led by chiefs on ponies, rushed furiously down
the road connecting the hills of Fahla and Seliasye. "When the
head of the body reached the plateau, it divided, part advanc-
ing across the plain, and the remainder rusliing on to attack
the baggage train. The 4th was at once ordered to the front,
and the Naval Brigade from a knoll which conmianded the
plateau, sent a vollej' of rockets among the advancing enemy,
which checked their progress, the missiles being new and

340 NAVAL MEDALS.

strange to them, and enabled the 4th to get into line. The
4th being armed with Snider rifles, here used for the first
time in actual warfare, opened a heavy fire which made
terrible havoc in the ranks of the enemy, their General fell
shot through the head, and the shattered remnant of his
troops fied in disorder. The attack of the enemy on the
baggage train in the ravine was more serious. The baggage
guards defended themselves gallantly, but the Abyssinians
pressed forward till the Punjaubees took them in flank,
and after pouring volley after volley into them, charged with
the bayonet, and drove them back, with a loss of more than
five hundred killed. As the enemy withdrew, the Naval
Brigade again sent flights of rockets among them till
they fled in all directions, few returning to Magdala.
The blue jackets then sent a volley of rockets among the
guns on Fahla, with so true an aim that the gunners aban-
doned them, and they were quietly taken possession of a day
or two afterwards by three ofiicers and eight men. . Theodore
was standing near the guns at the same time and asked Mr.
Eassani whom he had taken with him, if these strange imple-
ments of destruction were used in civilized warfare. The
action lasted but about half an hour, and ended in a tempest
of rain and thunder. The effect of this complete defeat of
his best troops on Theodore, who had considered himself as
invincible, was very great. The next morning he made over-
tures for peace, and sent Lieutenant Prideaux and Mr. Plad
into the British camp, to enquire what terms would be given,
him. The reply was, that his unconditional surrender would
alone be accepted, with honourable treatment for himself and
family. Theodore declined to surrender, but the captives were
released, and arrived safely in the camp. The greater part
of his followers refusing any longer to obey his orders,
Theodore lost heart, and attempted to escape from his strong-
hold in the night. But the British were in front, and the
Gallas, his most inveterate enemies, had encircled the fortress-
on all other sides, rendering his escape impossible, so with

NAVAL MEDALS. 341

the few men that remained faithful to him, he prepared to
defend himself to the last. On Easter Monday, April 13th,
the position was assaulted and carried by storm. About
two, p.m. the artillery and naval brigade, opened a fire of
shot, shell, and rockets, on the place, and the Thirty-third,
with a company of engineers and sappers advanced to the
attack. "With the loss of ten men wounded, Magdala was
taken. Theodore was found dead, lying shot through the
head, and it is supposed that resolving never to be taken
alive, he discharged a pistol into his mouth. His body was
buried in a church within the precincts of the fortress, the
huts of which were burnt, the defences blown up, and all the
guns burst and destroyed. The return of the expedition was
as- successful as its advance, and before the end of June
the last man had left Annesley Bay. Commander Fellows
was posted, and the seamen and marines received the
thanks of Parliament. There were two hundred and thirty-
five sailing ships, and ninety -four steamers engaged in this
expedition, and they landed over thirty-six thousand trans-
port animals, of which but about seven thousand five
hundred were re-embarked. Nearly six thousand camels were
employed, only eighty of which returned, the others having
died during the campaign, the total cost of which was between
eight and nine millions.

342 NAVAL MEDALS.

THE ASHANTEE MEDAL.

This medal was granted by a General Order of June 13th
1 874, to all officers and men who had served on the Gold Coast
between June 9th 1873, and February 4th 1874. On the
obverse is the head of the Queen, veiled and diademed, with
the inscription "Victoria Eegina." Reverse a bush fight,
in relief, from the design of E. J. Poynter, R.A. The name
and ship of the recipient, with the date " 1873-4 " are indented
on the edge of the medal. A clasp inscribed "Coomassie"
was also issued. Eibbon, alternate stripes of black and yellow,
given to both services.

The Ashaxtee Wak, 1873-74.

Cape Coast Castle, the town of Cape Coast Colony, on the
west coast of Africa, has been in the possession of the British
since the seventeenth centuiy, and a tract of country extending
eighty miles from the coast to the river Prah, inhabited by the
Eantis, is under British possession. To the west of Cape
Coast Castle is Elmina, a port formerly belonging to the
Dutch. North and west of the river Prah, is the country of
the Ashantees, a fierce and warlike race, who had subdued or
driven out all the neighbouring tribes, and founded
Coomassie as their capital, about one hundred and forty miles
to the north of Cape Coast Castle. Their religion is the most
degraded fetishism, and hundreds of human beings were
slaughtered yearly as sacrifices by their King< The Ashantees
had a communication with the sea through Elmina, and the
Dutch were in the habit of sending their King an annual
jjresent, or as he regarded it a tribute, but the Dutch having
exchanged Elmina for some ports higher up the Coast, with
the British, the transfer gave great off ence to the black potentate;
who asserted that Elmina belonged to him, and that the Dutch
had no right to dispose of it. The Ashantees looked upon the
Pantis with utter contempt, and considering themselves more

:e ^Iedal.

NAVAL MEDALS. 343

than a matcli for any force the British could bring against
them,* a large force of them crossed the Prah early in 1873
with the intention of capturing Elmina, and fell upon the
villages of the Fantis with fire and sword. A few companies
of the West India Regiment, with some Houssa police, and a
body of Fantis, commanded by Lieutenant Hopkins, en-
deavoured to stop the advance of the enemy, but after a smart
skirmish the Fantis fled, and the Lieutenant was obliged to
retreat. The Ashantees took possession of Dunquah, and
threatened to attack Elmina, and Cape Coast Castle.

Had they pushed on, it is probable that Cape Coast town
and Elmina, would have fallen into their hands, but at this
juncture the " Barracouta'" Captain Fremantle, arrived on the
spot, having on board a detachment of one huudred and ten
marines, commanded by Colonel Festing, E. M. A. The
marines landed at Cape Coast Castle, June 9th, and martial
law was proclaimed. The native inhabitants of Elmina
having joined the enemy, the " Barracouta " bombarded and
burnt the town. A body of about two thousand Ashantees
advancing upon Elmina, were attacked by Colonel Festing
with the marines, a detachment of the 2nd West India
Hegiment, some Houssas, and a party of seamen from the
<' Barracouta," "Druid," "Seagull," and "Argus," under
Captain Fremantle, and driven back with a loss of two
hundred killed and wounded. In spite of this, the whole
countr}' beyond the range of the guns of the forts, was in the
possession of the enemy. On July 5th Commodore Commerell
V. C. (afterwards Admiral Sir J. E. Commerell) arrived in the
"Rattlesnake" from the Cape of Good Hope, and assumed
the naval command, and the next daj^ the "Himalaya"

* The Ashantees had some reason for considering themselves superior
to the British, for in the year 1824 Sir Charles Macarthy, governor of
Cape Coast Castle, crossed the Prah with a small force against them,
and being deserted by his native allies, was surrounded, and completely
destroyed, three white men only escaping. The head of the unfortunate
governor was preserved for many years by the enemy as a charm, or
fetish, and it is asserted that their King sometimes drank his rum from
the ghastly relic.

344 NAVAL MEDALS.

arrived from Barbadoes, with the 2nd "West India Regiment
on board. Four hundred seamen and maiines were landed
from the ships, but sickness by the end of the month, had
reduced the marines to an effective strength of forty-four men,
and the whole detachment with the exception of eighteen men,
were sent to England in the " Himalaya." Shortly afterwards
H. M. S. "Simoom" arrived with a strong body of marines
and marine artillerymen, some of whom were soon engaged in
a expedition up the river Prah. Commodore Commerell
hearing that the enemy were planning an attack on Dixcove at
the mouth of the river, proceeded there, and with some boats
manned and armed, towed by the steam launch of the
" Simoom," ascended the river, to see what facilities it offered
of gaining access to the interior of the country, and to
establish friendly relations with the chiefs on its banks. In
spite of professions of neutrality, he was received by a very
heavy fire from the natives concealed in the dense bush, was him-
self with Commander Luxmoore of the " Argus " severely
wounded, and with the loss of four men killed, and sixteen
wounded, the boats returned to the " Rattlesnake." The town
of Chamah at the mouth of the river was next day shelled by
the "Rattlesnake" and entirely destroyed, but Commodore
Commerell was compelled by his wound to return to the Cape
of Grood Hope, leaving Caj)tain Premantle in command.
H. M. S. "Druid" Captain Blake, with the gunboats
" Merlin," " Bittern," and" Decoy." were actively employed on
the coast, in shelling hostile villages and camps, and from the
2nd of October, when General Sir Gr. Wolseley arrived from
England and assumed the supreme military command, till
November 14th, when Commodore W. Hewitt, V.C. landed at
Caj)e Coast from the " Active," and relieved Captain
Fremantle, the Navy took the most prominent part in the
operations, and was thanked by the Commander-in-chief for
the assistance it had given at all times. An expedition was
secretly formed to attack the Ashantees in the villages near
Elmina. At midnight on October 13th, Sir G. "Wolseley sailed

NAVAL MEDALS. 345

with the " Barracouta " and " Decoy," and landed at Elmina
at about four the next morning, with one hundred and eighty
sailors and marines, a seven-pounder gun, and a rocket
tube.

Some companies of the 2nd West India Regiment who
formed the garrison of the place under Colonel Wood (after-
wards General Sir Evelyn Wood, K. C. B., V. C. joined the
column, and after a long march the enemy were met near a
village in the bush, and defeated with loss. Another village
was attacked and burnt, and the force returned to the coast,
where part embarked, and the remainder marched back to El-
mina. The distance covered by the seamen and marines, who had
been up all night, was twenty-one miles, through several deeji
swamps, under a burning sun. In this affair Captain
Eremantle was wounded, but was still able to perform his
duty. An important position about twenty miles from Cape
Coast called Abrakrampa, lying some three miles off the road
towards the river Prah, was occupied by a body of natives
under Major Russel, and a party of sailors and marines
commanded by Lieutenant Wells, E. N. The place had been
a missionaiy station, and contained a church, which had been
turned into a kind of keep, the walls being loopholed, a
breastwork thrown up, and shelter trenches dug round the
huts forming the village. On November 5th the enemy attacked
the place in force, and made repeated attempts to carry it by
storm, but were xmable to face the heavy fire opened upon
them, and fell back into the bush which surrounded the post
on all sides. As soon as the news reached Cape Coast Castle,
every available man was landed from the ships, and made a
forced march to the relief of Abrakrampa. The force con-
sisted of twenty-two officers and three hundred and three
men drawn from the " Encounter," " Simoom," " Barracouta,"
" Beacon," and " Bittern," commanded by Captain Fremantle,
and was accompanied by Sir Gr. Wolseley himself. The heat
was tremendous, and but about half the men were able to
reach Abrakrampa the next day, to find that the enemy had

346 NAVAL MEDALS.

relinquislied the attack, and were retiring in disorder. The
seamen and marines, with the 2nd "West India Regiment, then
advanced towards the Prah, the Ashantees still retreating
before them. The West Indians were stationed on the bank of
the river, and the blue jackets returned to their ships. The
first part of the war was ended, and the invaders driven across
their frontier with heavy loss, before the arrival of a single
soldier from England, by a small body of sailors and marines,
supported by one black regiment. In December, the 42nd
Highlanders, the 23rd Regiment, and the 2nd Battalion of
the Rifle Brigade, arrived off Cape Coast Castle, in the
•'Himalaya," "Tamar," and " Sarmatian," but means of
transport not being ready, the ships stood out again to sea, the
men not diseijibarking till January 1st. On December 27th
a Naval Brigade numbering two hundred and fifty ofiicers
and men, commanded by Captain Blake, landed and marched
towards Prahsu. The men assisted the Royal Engineers in
constructing a bridge across the Prah, which was comj)leted
on January 20th, and the whole force crossed the river into the
Ashantee territory, the advanced troops reaching the top of
the Adansi hills without opposition. Through illness, Captain
Blake was compelled to resign the command of the Naval
Brigade, and return to Cape Coast Castle where he died. He
.was succeeded by Commander Luxmore, and accompanying
the Brigade were Commodore Hewitt, Captain, (afterwards
Admiral Sir W. Hunt Grrubbe,) and Lieutenant Rolfe, R.N.
At Borborassie, on January 29th, the first engagement
with the Ashantees took place, after crossing the Prah.
The place was carried with a rush by the Naval Brigade
(which had four men wounded) a company of the 23rd, and a
detachment of Major Russel's black regiment. On January
31st the decisive action of Amoaful was fought, half the
Brigade under Commander Luxmore serving with the left
column, and the other half under Captain Grrubbe, and
Lieutenant Gr. Noel with the right, the front attacking force
being the 42nd Regiment, with a detachment of the 23rd

NAVAL MEDALS. 347

Fusiliers. The Eifles fomied the reserve, and with the
remainder of the 23rd, covered the rear. The first shot was
fired a little before 8 a.m., but for an hour little advance was
made, the Ashantees holding their ground in the bush most
tenaciously. The wood was so dense, and the fire directed on
the Brigade on the left, where the men were cutting a path, so
heavy, that Colonel Wood ordered them to lie down, and reply
to the discharges from the bush, which literally fiUed the air
with slugs. A company of Eifles came up in support, and
after some sharp fighting the village of Amoaful was taken
by the Highlanders soon after noon, and the blue jackets and
Eifles having defeated an attempt of the enemy to turn their
flank, the Ashantees gave way and retreated, though all
firing did not cease till some hours later. Six officers and
twenty-six men of the Brigade were wounded. Captain Buckle
E. E. and two men of the 42nd were killed, and altogether,
including the natives, the casualties on the side of the British
were over two hundred and fifty. The loss of the enemy was
very heav}-, between two and three thousand of them
being killed and wounded, among the former being
Amanquatia, their Commander-in-chief, and best General.
The British bivouacked at Amoaful, and the next day the
Naval Brigade, forming the European portion of the advanced
guard, under Colonel McLeod, were sent to attack the neigh-
bouring village of Becquah, the capital of one of the Ashantee
Kings. The village was soon captured and burnt, the enemy
opposing no sustained resistance. In this affair one sailor
was killed, and a few wounded. On the night of February
2nd the whole force was concentrated at Aggemamu, and the
troops in reply to an appeal from Sir G. Wolseley, agreeing to
make their four days' rations last for six days, he determined
to advance at once on Coomassie. The river Ordah was
reached and a bridge thrown across it on the following day,
and with the Naval Brigade bringing up the rear, the British
crossed the river. February 4th was a day of hard fighting.
After a sharp action the village of Ordahsu was taken, and

348 NAVAL MEDALS.

leaving the Naval Brigade and a detachment of the 23rd, to
hold the place with the baggage, the main body pushed on
regardless of aU rear and flank attacks. The Highlanders
and Rifles, with Rait's guns, carried position after position,
till the Ashantees finding it useless to oppose men who
advanced heedless of all ambuscades, fled panic stricken
towards Coomassie, leaving the road strewn with war drums,
chiefs' gilded stools and umbrellas, and killed and wounded.
The victors entered Coomassie without opposition at about
half past five in the evening, and found the King and his men
had fled. This day the casualties of the Brigade, were one
officer and four men wounded. The King's palace was blown
up, the town set on fire and destroyed, and on the morning of
February 6th the return march began. It was impossible to
remain longer, owing to the want of supplies, and the rains
having begun, the rivers would soon become impassable. The
British were not molested on their return, and on February
12th during a halt at Fommanah, ambassadors from King
Coffee overtook the army, bringing with them one thousand
ounces of gold as an instalment of the fifty thousand ounces
demanded, and returned with a treaty of peace which the
King eventually signed.*' Sir Gr. Wolseley with the troops
reached Cape Coast Castle on February 19th, the native corps
were disbanded, and the officers and men of the Naval Brigade
returned to their ships. During the camj)aign, eight men
only were killed in action, and about one hundred and sixty
were but slightly wounded, but many of the troops, and Naval
Brigade died of fever. Of two hundred and fifty petty
officers and men of the Brigade, ninety-five j)er cent were
officially returned as having been disabled by sickness at

* Captain J. Glover R. N. who had been administrator at Lagos,
raised a large force of friendly natives, and making the river Volta the
base of his operations, marched on Coomassie from the east, A small
party of British officers were with him, among whom were Commander
Larcom, Lieutenant Wore, Dr. Rowe, and iJr. Bailey, R. N. His
undertaking was thoroughly successful, and his advance on the
Ashantee capital contributed much towards King Coffee's ulterior
submission.

NAVAL MEDALS. 349

some time or other, and of these, thirty-nine per cent
returned to England as invalids. As to their conduct in the
field, to quote the words of Sir Gr. Wolseley — "All fought
throughout the campaign with the dashing courage for which
seamen and marines are so celebrated."

Since 1874, the Ashantee Medal, or rather one similar, with
a clasp, has been given to the ofiicers and men of both ser-
vices, who have been engaged in operations against the
natives on the coast of Africa.

In November 1887, Colonel Sir F. de Winton, with a body
of the 1 st West India Regiment, aided by boats crews from
H. M. S. "Acorn," "Icarus," and "Rifleman," was engaged
in a punitive expedition against the Yonnie tribes, who had
made a raid into territory under British protection at Sierra
Leone. Eobario the chief town of the enemy was captured,
and on January 2nd 1888, the operations were successfully
ended. The forces employed received the medal, with a clasp
dated 1887-8. A body of blue jackets and marines from
H. M. S. "Boadicea," "Turquoise," "Brisk," "Conquest,"
"Cossack," " Humber," " Kingfisher," " Pigeon," and " Red-
breast," was despatched in October 1890, against the Sultan of
Witu, for the murder of nine Germans in his territory. For
this service, the medal, with a clasp inscribed — " Witu 1890,"
was granted.

A Naval Brigade from H. M. S. "Alecto," "Racer,"
"Sparrow," "Thrush," and "Widgeon," commanded by
Lieutenant H. D. Wilkin of the "Racer," was engaged from
December 29th 1891, to February 5th 1892, in an expedition
up the river Gambia against Fodi Cabba, a robber chief.

On March 12th 1892, another expedition was sent up the
river, which captured and destroyed the town and fort of
Toniataba. In this expedition, a strong detachment of the 1st
West India Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel
Ellis, was engaged. The Naval Brigade was supplied by
H. M. S. "Alecto," "Racer," and "Sparrow," under the
command of Lieutenants Wilkin and Shrubb, of the " Racer."

350, NAVAL MEDALS.

The operations were successfully terminated on April .SOth,
1892. The forces employed, received the medal, with a clasp
dated " 1891-2," for the first expedition, and the medal and
a clasp with the date " 1892," for the second.

A small Naval Brigade from H. M. S. "Herald," and
"Mosquito," was employed against a native chief called
Liwondi in February and March, 1893. The officers and men
engaged, received the medal with a clasp inscribed "Liwondi
1893." Another expedition was sent against the Sultan of
Witu in August, 1893. Between the 7th and 13th of the
month, Pumwani and Jongeni were captured and hostilities
ceased. In this affair a Naval Brigade from the " Blanche,"
"Sparrow," and "Swallow " was engaged, and the officers
and men were granted the medal, with a clasp inscribed
"Witu, August 1893."

A party of volunteers from H. M. S. " Blanche," Com-
mander Gr. E. Lindley, were engaged fi-om August 23rd to
August 25th, 1893, in operations up the Juba river to rescue
two Englishmen who had been taken prisoners by the Somalis.
The officers and men employed iu this service received the
medal, with a clasp inscribed — "Juba Eiver 1893."

In February, 1894, an expedition was despatched up the
Gambia against Fodi Silah, a slave raiding chief in the
Combo territory. The " Alecto " and "Satellite" took the
initiative in the operations, but on February 18th the
"Raleigh" twenty-four guns, with Rear- Admiral Bedford, C.B.
arrived in the river, and a naval brigade fi'om the "Raleigh,"
"Magpie," and "Widgeon," was landed under the command
of Captain Gamble of the flag ship. Fodi Silah had made
raids on natives living under British protection, and had pre-
vented the trading caravans from the interior reaching
Bathurst. It was arranged to advance on this chieftain in
two directions, and to take him by surprise, but it was only
after fatiguing marches and sharp fighting, that the object of
the expedition was gained, with severe loss. Lieutenant
W. H. Arnold, first of the "Raleigh," Lieutenant Hervey of

NAVAL MEDALS. 351

the marines, Lieutenant Meister of the "Magpie," and
seventeen men were killed, and Lieutenant Hon. E. F. Boyle,
and nearly fifty officers and men wounded, mostly belonging
to the "Ealeigh" and "Magpie." The operations lasted
from February 22nd to March 1 1th, and for their services,
Colonel Corbet, E.M., and .Fleet-Surgeon White were made
C.B.'s, and Surgeon Bowden was awarded the Distinguished
Service Order. The other officers and men engaged received
the medal, with a clasp inscribed "Gambia, 1894."

Operations against Nanna, a native chief who had been
for years the terror of the Benin river, were commenced in
August, 1894. He possessed a fleet of armed canoes, with
which he plundered at his will. His stronghold, Brohemie,
was situated on the bank of a narrow creek, about two miles
from the river, the whole country for miles round being a
vast mangrove swamp, overgrown with thick bushes and
high trees. As the steam launch of the "Alecto" was pro-
ceeding up the creek leading to Brohemie, on August 25th it
was suddenly fired on by a concealed battery of heavy guns ;
every one on board, including Commander Heugh of the
" Alecto " was wounded, and the steersman shot dead. As
the Commander himself wrote in his despatch — " I at once
took the helm, and gave the order to go ahead ; this was not
at first compKed with, but in a few seconds afterwards,
Joseph Perkins, leading stoker, got up from where he had
been shot. His foot was hanging by threads, and I am proud
to say that this man engineered the boat back to the ship
under a heavy fire, fainting fi'om loss of blood just as he
got alongside the " Alecto," the boat gradually making
water, and arriving alongside in a sinking condition." But
for the intrepid conduct of Perkins, and Chief Petty-Officer
E. H. Crouch,*" who sent rockets with such precision among
the enemy as to greatly reduce their fire, not a man woidd
have escaped.

* Both these men on their return to England, received the medal
for Conspicuous Gallantry, from the hands of the Quoen, at Osborne,
in January, 1895.

352 NAVAL MEDALS.

On September 18tli, Hear Admiral Bedford in the "Phil-
omel" joined the "Phcebe" and "Alecto" in Benin river,
and the "Widgeon" arrived a day or two after. He found
Nanna's stronghold blockaded, boats patrolling the creeks,
and the ships pitching shells into the town, the roofs of the
houses only being visible far away among the trees. The
extent and defences of the place were unknown, but it was
rumoured that it was armed with artillery and machine guns,
and surrounded by swamps, which were almost impassable.
A direct attack by the creek was found to be impracticable,
so roads were made through the swamps, and Bi-ohemie taken
in the rear. The attacking i:)arty consisting of bluejackets,
marines, and Houssas, with Maxim guns and rockets, under
the command of Captain Campbell of the "Philomel," and
Captain Powell of the " Phcebe," advanced in two columns,
wading waist deep through the swamp and mud, with rain
pouring in torrents. The enem}^ was completely surprised,
and when they saw they were taken in the rear, the men
stationed at the guns commanding the creek deserted them.
Twenty-eight guns were captured in the stockade that fired
on the launch of the " Alecto," they were all spiked, and with
little resistance the town was taken. Brohemie was found to
be a much larger place than had been expected. Many of
the houses were of two storeys with iron roofs, with long rows
of warehouses, filled with stores, among which were fourteen
tons of gunpowder, over one hundred pieces of cannon, from
a three to a thirty -two j^ounder, nearly two thousand flint lock
guns, cases of swords and knives, cases of snider ammunition,
immense quantities of calicoes, beads, and all kinds of hard-
ware, valued at four thousand pounds, and nearly nine
thousand cases of gin, each case containing twelve bottles.
Next day, another fortified town three miles distant, was cap-
tured and destroyed, with Nanna's war canoes, laden with all
kinds of merchandise and valuables. Brohemie was handed
over to the Niger Coast Protectorate Ofiicials, and the Admiral
left the coast on October 3rd. Captains Campbell and Powell

. NAVAL MEDALS. 353

received the honour of C.B., and the Distinguished Service
Order was given to Commander Heugh, and to Lieutenants J.
D. Hickley, and G. Gore-Browne. All the officers and men
who were landed, or were engaged in boat service in connect-
ion with the expedition received the medal, with a clasp
inscribed "Benin Eiver, 1894." In April 1895, it was
announced that the Queen had approved of the medal with a
clasp inscribed, "Lake Nyassa, 1893," being granted to the
forces employed in operations in Eastern or Central Afi'ica,
against Makanjira and others, in November 1893. A party of
seamen were employed on the lake in the "Pioneer and
"Adventure," two screw steamers of thirty-five tons, each
armed with a nine pounder gun and two Nordenfeldts,
Makanjira had killed some Europeans forming part of a sur-
veying party under Captain Maguire. He was defeated in
two actions, and his towns burnt, with the result that he agreed
to give up the slave trade, and pay an indemnity.

354 XAVAL MEDALS.

THE EGYPTIAN AND SOUDAN MEDALS.

By a General Order, dated Octoher, 1882, a Medal was
granted to all forces who landed in Egypt and served there
between July 16th and September 14th, 1882. On the
obverse is the head of the Queen; veiled and crowned, with
the inscription " Victoria Eegina et Imperatorix." Eeverse —
a Sphinx on a pedestal, above which is the word " Egypt,"
and below the date " 1882." The name and shij) of the
recipient are indented on the edge. Eibbon, alternate stripes
of blue and white. Two clasps were issued with this medal —
"Alexandria, 11th July," and " Tel-el-Kebir." The first
was given to the seamen and marines engaged in the action
of July 1 1 th, and the other to all who were present at Tel-el-
Kebir, soldiers, sailors, and marines. At the close of the
first war in the Soudan, 1884, a similar Medal, but without a
date, was given to all men of both services who took part in
the operations against the Arabs in the neighbourhood of
Suakin, from February 19th to March 26th, 1884. Eibbon,
the same. Four clasps were issued with this Medal, "Sua-
kin, 1884," "El Teb-Tamaai," to those who were present at
both these battles ; "El Teb," to those who were present at
that action only, and " Tamaai " to those who were only
engaged in that battle.

By a General Order, at the close of the second campaign in
the Soudan, in 1885, a similar Medal was granted to the
troops and Naval Brigade, with five additional clasps. Eib-
bon, the same. The Order announced that — "Individuals
already in possession of the decoration will only be eligible to
receive such of the clasps specified hereafter as the}' may be
entitled to. All officers and soldiers who served south of
Assouan, on or before March 7th, 1885, wiU be held to be
entitled, to the Medal, exeej)t those who are already in pos-
session of it. All officers and soldiers who were on duty at
Suakin between 27th March, 1884, and 14th May, 1885, will
also be entitled to the Medal, except those already in pos-

yHE pGYPTIAN JVIeDAL.

NAVAL MEDALS. 355

session of it. Her Majesty lias further approved of clasps
being issued as follows : — A clasp inscribed ' The Nile, 1884-
85,' to those officers and soldiers who served south of Assouan,
on or before March 7th, 1885. A clasp inscribed ' Abu Klea,'
to those officers and soldiers who took part in the action
fought there on 17th January, under the late Major-General
Sir H. Stewart, K.C.B. A clasp inscribed ' Kirbekan,' to
those officers and soldiers who took part in the action fought
there on the 10th February, 1885, under the late Major-
General Earle, C.B. A clasp inscribed ' Suakin, 1885,' to
those officers and soldiers who were engaged in the operations
at Suakin between 1st of March and 14th May, 1885, both
days inclusive. A clasp inscribed ' Tofrek,' to those officers
and men who were actually present at the action fought there
on the 22nd March, 1885."* No medals were issued with
single clasps for Abu Klea, Kirbekan, or Tofrek, as all those
who were present at the first two actions were given the clasp
for the Nile 1884-5, and all who were j)i'esent at Tofrek
received the clasp for Suakin 1885. The medals without a
clasp, dating from 1882 to 1885-6 were given to those who
had not been in action, but took part in the operations, to the
captains and officers of ships employed as transports, and to
others who shared in the campaign, as the Australian
contingent, and the Canadian boatmen. The whole number
issued was forty -four thousand.

A Greneral Order dated January 2nd 1890, granted a further
issue of the Soudan Medal, with a clasp inscribed " Gemaizah
1888," to all troops who were at Suakin before December 20th
1888, and who were present at the action on that day. By
the same order, the Medal was given to all troops who were
employed on the Nile, at, and south of Korosko, on August
3rd 1889, and a clasp inscribed " Toski, 1889," was given to
all who were present at that action on August 3rd of the same
year. The total number of clasps already issued with this

* No men of the Naval Brigade were present at Kirbekan, Tofrek, or
Toski.

356 NAVAL MEDALS.

medal is thirteen, and the greatest number given with any
Naval medal was four. The Khedive of Egypt gave a bronze
star to every officer and man of both services, who was
entitled to the English medal. The star is five pointed, and
suspended from a bar, on which is a small star and crescent.
On the obverse is a Sphinx, with the Pyramids in the back
ground, surrounded by a band, with the word " Egypt" and
the date 1882, 1884, or 1884-86 above, and the same in
Arabic below. On the reverse is the Khedive's monogram in
a circle, surmounted by a crown. Ribbon, dark blue. The
star was issued without names, but some of the recipients had
their names and ships engraved on the reverse at their own
expense. All the officers above the rank of captain, who
served in the campaign of 1882 received the Order of the
Medjidie, the class of the order varying with the rank of the
recipient.

"Dive's Star.

NAVAL MEDALS. 357

THE EGYPTIAN WAE.

Bombardment of Alexandria, July 11th, 1882.

Early in the year 1 882, wliat may be styled a revolution,
took place in Egypt. The army, headed by Arabi Pasha,
who had risen from the ranks, set aside the authority of the
KJiedive, and assumed the supreme power, with the intention
of emancijiating the country from all foreign control. The
Khedive was imprisoned in his palace, Arabi became the
head of the national movement, and inscribed on his flags
"Egypt for the Egyptians." The British government sup-
porting the Khedive, Arabi threatened to seize the Suez
canal, and so block the highway to India. As the Egyptians
began to show the greatest animosity towards all foreigners,
an English and French fleet appeared before Alexandria, to
give moral support to the Khedive, and to protect the European
inhabitants. In the month of June, serious riots broke out in
the city, many Europeans were killed and wounded, and the
remainder driven to seek shelter on board the ships in the
harbour. Preparations for war were made on both sides.
The fortifications of Alexandria were strengthened, new bat-
teries constructed, and the garrison increased. Admiral Sir
Beauchamp Seymour, commanding the British fleet,^-* ordered
the Egyptians to discontinue their operations, with no effect,
upon which he sent in an ultimatum threatening an immediate
bombardment, unless the working ou the fortifications was
suspended, and the batteries temporarily surrendered to him.
No attention was paid to this demand, and the British fleet
prepared for action. The French fleet, by orders from Paris,

• The fleet consisted of the " Alexandra " twelve, Admiral Sir B.
Seymour, Captain F. Hotham, " Sultan " thirteen, W. J. Hunt-Grubbe
" Superb " four, T. Le H. Ward, " Invincible " ten, E. H. More Moly-
neux, "Monarch" six, H. Fairfax, " Inflexible " four, J. H. Fisher,
" Temeraire " eight, H. F. Nicholson, " Penelope " ten, G. D'Arcy
Irvine, " Beacon " Commander G. W. Hand, " Condor," Commander
Lord C. Beresford, "Bittern," Commander T. S. Brand, " Cygnet,"
Lieutenant C. D. Ryder, " Decoy," Lieutenant A. H. Boldero, gun-
boats ; and " Helicon," dispatch vessel. Lieutenant W. L. Morrison.

358 NAVAL MEDALS.

had left Alexandria ; all neutral vessels were warned to leave
the harbour, and the British fleet steamed out, and took up a
position opposite the outer forts. On the evening of July
10th, the "Invincible," "Monarch," and "Penlope," anchored
to the west of Fort Mex, and by daybreak the next morning
all the other ironclads were in the positions assigned to them.
The "Sultan," "Alexandra," "Superb," and "Inflexible,"
were opposed to the forts at Pharos Point, and the Ras-el-
Tin, or lighthouse batteries, while the " Temeraire " supported
the "Invincible," "Monarch," and " Penelope," in the attack
on Fort Mex and the adjoining batteries. The gunboats
"Bittern," "Condor," "Decoy," "Cygnet," and "Beacon,"
were placed behind the ironclads, with orders to hold them-
selves at the disposal of the Admiral. At half -past six all the
ships cleared for action, which was begun by the " Alexandra "
pitching a shell into Fort Ada. It was immediately replied
to, upon which all the ships and forts opened fire, and the
engagement became general. The wind was favourable to
the Egyptians, and after the first broadside or two a thick
cloud of smoke enveloped the ships, rendering it impossible
to see the effect of their fire, which could only be directed
frotn the tops. About half-past eight Fort Marsa-el-Kanat
was blown up by shells from the "Invincible" and "Mon-
arch," and by nine o'clock, the "Temeraire," "Monarch,"
and " Penelope," had disabled all the guns but four, in Fort
Mex. Abouthalf-pasttenthe" Sultan," "Superb," and "Alex-
andra," anchored off the Lighthouse Fort, and by their well
directed fire, aided by the "Inflexible," which joined them
about half -past twelve, most of the guns in the Pas-el-Tin
batteries were silenced. Early in the action. Lord C.
Beresford in the "Condor," with two sixty-four pounders,
and one seven inch rifled gun, steamed away to the west and
engaged the Marabout Fort, whose ten-inch rifled guns were
playing on the ships engaging Fort Mex. The excellent
practice of the "Condor" diverted the enemy's fire, and
Admiral Seymour seeing the disproportion of force sent the

NAVAL MEDALS. 359

other gunboats to assist her. Soon after eleven o'clock the
gunboats had silenced Fort Marabout, and joined the iron-
clads before Fort Mex. At two p.m. this fort havmg ceased
firing and the guns seeming to be abandoned, a party of
volunteers, under the command of Lieutenant Bradford of the
''Invincible," and flag Lieutenant Hon. H. Lambton, landed
through the surf, covered by the gunboats, and found the
place deserted by all but the dead. The guns in the Fort
were destroyed by charges of gun cotton, or sj)iked, and the
party re-embarked without loss. About half-past five all
firing ceased, and the ships drew ofp the shore, and anchored
for the night.

The ujjper works of the "Invincible," "Inflexible,"
and " Penelope " were a good deal damaged, and the " Sultan "
and "Superb," were struck in many places, but none of
the projectiles of the enemy pierced the armour of any of
the ships. The " Alexandra "^^ suffered most, but the
" Temeraire " and " Monarch " escaped without damage. The
casualties of the British were six men killed, and twenty-seven
wounded. The next morning, the " Inflexible " and " Temer-
aire " stood in and fired a few shots into Fort Pharos, which
hoisted a white flag, and all resistance fi-om the batteries
ceased. During the night Alexandria was seen to be in flames,
the retiring Egyptians having set the European quarter on
fire, and liberated all the convicts, who plundered the houses,
and massacred all the Europeans they could find. A force of
seven hundred seamen and marines was landed with Gatling
guns, who found that Arabi with his troops, and most of the
inhabitants, had left the city. Commander Lord C. Beresford
was placed in command of a party of seamen acting as police

* During the action, a ten inch shell penetrated the side of the
" Alexandra," and lodged on the main deck. Mr. I. Harding the
gunner, hearing a shout — " There is a live shell just above the hatch-
way," rushed up from below, took some water from a tub standing near,
■and threw it over the burning fuse, and then picked up the shell and
put it into the tub. For this act of heroism, which probably saved
many lives, Mr. Harding received the Victoria Cross.

360 NAVAL MEDALS.

in Alexandria, the streets were cleared of thieves and rioters,
all incendiaries shot, and all natives entering the place dis-
armed. On the arrival of troops from England, Major-General
Sir A. Alison assimied the command at Alexandria, and most
of the seamen except those serving on Captain Fisher's
armoured train, returned to their ships. For his services
Admiral Sir F. B. Seymour received the thanks of Parliament,
and Tvas raised to the peerage by the title of Lord Alcester,
with a grant of twenty-five thousand pounds.

Operatioxs in Egypt, and Battle of Tel-el-Kebir.
September 13th, 1882.

On July 24th some British ti'oops moved out from Alexandria
to Eamleh, a place about six miles distant, of which they took
unopposed jDOSsession and fortified, it being within six or
seven miles of Arabi's entrenched position at Kafrdowar.
More troops arrived from England, and as the enemy were
continually strengthing their defences, on August 5th General
Sir A. Alison made a reconnaissance in force. Besides the
troops, he had under his orders about one thousand marines
commanded by Colonel Tuson, and Captain Fisher's ironclad
train manned by two hundred seamen. In the train was
mounted a forty -poimder Armstrong gun, a Nordenfeldt gun,
and two Gatlings, all the waggons being protected by two
inch armour plates, and sandbags. With the force were also
two nine-pounders, manned by the sailors. The Egyptians
showed a bold front, but after a sharji skirmish were completely
ro;ited with loss, and the British returned to their position at
Eamleh. The blue jackets from the train, and with their
nine pounders, covered the advance and retiring of the troops,
and suffered most, having two men killed and twenty-four
wounded. General Sir G. Wolseley arrived from England on
August 15th, and at once changed the base of operations from
Alexandria to the Suez canal. On August 19th, Captain
Fairfax of the "Monarch" with five hundred seamen and

NAVAL MEDALS. 361

marines, took possession of Port Said, and the following day,
Captain Fitzroy of the "Orion," occupied Isinailia with but
little resistance by the enemy. The Egyptians made an attempt
to re-take Ismalia, but the dispositions of Captains Fitzroy
and Stephenson, aided by the fire of the "Carysfort" and
"Orion," compelled them to retire. The Suez end of tlie
Canal was taken possession of by Admiral Sir W. Hewett,*
who sent Captain Hastings, with the gunboats " Seagull "
and " Mosquito," and two hundred men of the Seaforth
Highlanders under Major Kelsey, against a body of Egyptians
encamped at Chalouf , about seven miles from Suez, and drove
them from their position with a loss of one liundred killed,
and sixty-two prisoners. On August 24th a party of seamen,
under the command of Lieutenant King-Harman of the
" Orion," with two Gatling guns, and some Royal Marine
Artillery, took part in an action at Tel-el-Mahuta, which
ended in the repulse of the enemy. A battalion of Marines,
and Marine Artillery, were engaged in the battle at Kassassin
August 28th, under the command of General Graham, where
after a day's hard fighting, the cavalry charged, and completely
routed the Egyptians. A Naval Brigade of two hundred and
fifty men was formed at Ismailia for service at the front, under
the command of Captain Fitzroy, of the " Orion." In a
second action fought at Kassassin, on September 9th,
Lieutenant Purvis of the "Penelope," while in charge of a
forty pounder in a truck, had his foot carried away by a shot,
and the Marines engaged captured two Krupp guns. Two
days after, the whole expeditionary force, including a con-
tingent from India, was assembled at Kassassin, and on
September 12th, Sir G. Wolseley after a final reconnaissance
of the position of the enemy, explained his plan of attack to
his ofiicers. This was to move with the whole of his forces at
nightfall, and marching eight miles through the desert, to

• On September 1st, Eear Admiral Sir W. Hewetfc landed a Naval
Brigade at Suez, consisting of one hundred and fifty seamen from the
" Ruby " and " Dragon," and a body of marines from the " Euryalus "
under the command of Commander E. G. Hulton.

362 NAVAL MEDALS.

attack the Egyptian entrenchments with the bayonet at day-
break. The position of the enemy was defended by sixty
guns, and a disciplined force of about twenty thousand men,
besides several thousands of irregular troops. The British
army consisted of eleven thousand Infantry, and two thousand
Cavalry, with sixty field guns. In the evening the Camp was
struck, and the troops marched out, piled their arms, and lay
down on the sand till one o'clock in the morning, when they
silently fell into rank and advanced across the desert, guided
by the light of the stars. As day began to break, the dim
outlines of the entrenchments became visible. The Marines
formed part of General Graham's Brigade on the right, the
Marine Artillery were in the rear of the Fourth Brigade,
and the Naval Brigade with six Gatling guns, was on the
left, with the Indian Contingent. The blue jackets also
manned an iron-clad train on the railway, carrying a
forty -pounder. Alison's Highlanders were within three
hundred yards of the enemy's works, before the Egyptians
seemed to be aware of their presence. Then suddenly a
few shots were fired by an advanced picket, followed imme-
diately by a blaze of fire along the whole line. A storm of
bidlets swept over the heads of the advancing troops, who
with a ringing cheer dashed on at the double to the sound of
their pipes, without firing a shot. The first entrenchment
was speedily carried, but from a second the enemy poured in
a heavy fire ; this presently was also carried with a rush, and
the Egyptians broke and fled. The gallant Lieutenant Wyatt
Rawson,* E.N., naval aide-de-camp to Sir G. AVolseley, who

• Of Lieutenant Eawson, who had served under him in the Ashantee
expedition, Sir G. Wolseley wrote thus : " Of my Aides-de-camp, I have
to regret the loss of Lieutenant l^awson, K.N., who was mortally
wounded at 1 el-el-Kebir. Dnrmg the many journeys I made by night,
I found him of great use in directing our line of march correctly,
through his knowledge of the stars. On the 13th instant, I conse-
quently selected him to conduct the Highland Brigade during the night
to the portion of the enemy's works where I explained to him I wished
them to storm. This duty he performed with the utmost coolness and
success, but lost his life in its execution. No man more gallant, fell
on that occasion."

NAVAL MEDALS. 363

had guided the Highland Brigade by the stars during the
night, which was very dark, was among the first to enter the
entrenchments, and fell, mortally wounded, between the first
and the second. Greneral Graham's Brigade on the right was
vigorously opposed, but the defences were stormed, or turned,
one after another, and within an hour fi-om the conmience-
nient of the attack the whole Egyptian army was flying in
complete rout. The marines being in the front line of the
attack suffered rather heavily. Major Strong and Captain
Wardell were shot dead while leading on their men within
twenty yards of the enemy, and three men were killed, and
fifty-four officers and men wounded, a loss only exceeded by
two other battalions engaged. The men of the Naval Brigade
had no casualties. They fired on, and dispersed some
Egyptian cavalry, but on reaching the lines of the enemy they
found them deserted. The rest of the day they spent in
bringing in the wounded, and burying the dead. In the
evening the Brigade started for Zagazig, but on the 17th of
September, it returned by rail to Ismailia, and the men re-
joined their ships.

364 NAVAL MEDALS.

THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

Battle of El-Teb, February 29th, 1884.

The Khedive had been re-instated in Egypt, and the Eng-
lish were making preparations for the evacuation of the
country, when in 1883 a formidable insurrection broke out in
the Soudan against the Egyptian rule. It was headed by a
fanatic who assumed the title of the Mahdi, or Messiah, and
who was regarded by the Soudanese as the successor of Ma-
homet, and their deliverer from the yoke of Egypt. A force
sent against him under Hicks Pasha, was almost annihilated
on November 3rd, and the followers of the Mahdi overran
the Soudan, and besieged the Egyptian garrisons in the
towns they occupied. One of his chieftains, called Osman
Digna, had invested the towns of Sinkat and Tokar, and was
threatening the port of Suakin, on the Red Sea. Admiral
Sir W. Hewitt was ordered to protect Suakin, and with the
"Sphinx," "Decoy," "Ranger," and " Euryalus," anchored
off the town, landed a body of seamen and marines, and
effectually defended it against Osman Digna and his followers.
Valentine Baker Pasha, with an ill-disciplined army of five
thousand Egyptian troops, was sent to relieve the beleaguered
garrisons. He landed at Trinkitat, and proceeded towards To-
kar, but was attacked by Osman Digna at El-Teb, on the 1st of
February, and completely defeated, with the loss of more than
half his men, nearly all the British officers who were with him
being slain. English troops were despatched from Egypt and
Aden, who assembled at Suakin under the command of Major-
General Graham, and were conveyed by sea to Trinkitat, where
they disembarked on February 23rd. A day or two jireviously
the garrison of Tokar surrendered, and joined the enemy.
Most of the stores being landed, the troops marched out of
Trinkitat, and encamped at Fort Baker, about two miles on
the road towards Tokar. A Naval Brigade of thirteen
officers, and one hundred and fifty seamen, with six machine
guns, was with the force, under the orders of Commander E. N.

KATAI. MEDALS. 365

Rolfe of the " Euryalus," who had served with the JN'aval Brig-
ade in Ashantee. A battalion of nearly four hundred marines,
and marine artillerymen, commanded by Colonel Tuson, also
accompanied the troops. On the morning of February 29th,
the advance towards Osman Digna's position at El-Teb
began, the formation being a hollow square, the transport
animals and hospital equipment being in the centre. The
Naval Brigade with their machine guns, occupied the
intervals of the angles at the front, and the Royal Artillery
the angles in the rear, both corps dragging their guns by
hand. The square slowly advanced over the track taken by
Baker's iUfated troops a few weeks before, whose decaying
bodies were lying about in hundreds, polluting the air.
Contrary to their usual custom, the Arabs awaited the attack
in an entrenched position, marked by a number of flags,
nearly a mile in length, on a low ridge. As the column
approached the ridge, guns could be seen placed to meet a
direct attack, and General Graham decided to turn the
position, and work roimd its flank. The square was marching
past the left of the enemy a few hundred yards distant, when
a sharp fire of musketry broke out among the scrub, and two
Krupp guns manned by some of the garrison of Tokar,
opened on it with case shot and shell. Fortunately the aim
was too high, most of the projectiles passing harmlessly over
the column, and but little damage was done. The square
halted, the men were ordered to lie down, and the machine
guns of the sailors, and the guns of the Royal Artillery were
brought into action. A stream of bullets was poured into
the enemy, the Krupp guns being taken in reverse were
silenced, and the gunners were killed or driven from their
posts. Then the order was given to advance, the bagpipes
struck up, the men sprang to their feet with a cheer, and
went straight at the enemy's position. From every bush and
pit the Arabs leaped up, and rushed on the advancing troops.
The brunt of the attack fell on the 42nd, the 65 th, and the
Naval Brigade. But the enemy were swept away by tlie

366 NAVAL MEDALS.

deadly fire of the machine guns and* rifles, and in spite of
their desperate rushes, not one of them broke through the line of
bayonets. Their position was carried, their guns captured and
turned against them, they were charged and broken by the
cavalry, but they fiercely contested every foot of ground, till
the village of El-Teb was taken, when they gave up the
contest, and sullenly retired in the direction of Tokar. The
loss of the British was thirty men killed, including four
officers, and about one hundred and sixty officers and men
wounded. Of the Naval Brigade, Lieutenant Boyds of the
"Carysfort" was mortally wounded, and three seamen
killedf. The next day Tokar was taked without any
opposition, and a quantity of rifles and ammunition destroyed.
The troops then returned to Trinkitat, and re-embarked for
Suakin.

Tamaai, March 13th, 1884.

The power of Osman Digna though shaken, was yet far
from destroyed. The troops from El-Teb had scarcely reached
Suakin, when they were again put in motion against a strong
body of Arabs which he had collected at a place called
Tamaai, and with which he threatened destruction to all
unbelievers. On March 11th the 42nd regiment marched out
of Suakin to Baker Pasha's Zeriba, midway to Osman Digna's

• Captain A. K. Wilson of the " Hecla," serving as a volunteer with
the Naval Brigade, received the Victoria Cross for his bravery at
El-Teb. As the troops charged the Krupp battery, the enemy nearly
broke in at the corner of the square between the 65th, and Naval
Brigade, who were dragging up a Gardner gun. Captain Wilson rushed
into the gap, and fighting desperately, prevented some of the seamen
from being speared. His sword broke in his hand, he was wounded
and would have been killed but for the support of some men of the 65th.

t In a General Order after the battle, Sir G. Graham said of the
Naval Brigade — " The General Officer thanks the Naval Brigade for
their cheerful endurance during the severe work of dragging the guns
over difficult country when suffering from heat and scarcity of water,
and for their ready gallantry and steadiness under fire while serving
the guns. The Naval Brigade contributed materially to the success of
the action, and the General Officer commanding cannot too highly
express his thanks for their services."

NAVAL MEDALS. 367

position, where they formed an entrenched camp for stoi'es and
water. The next day, the main body of the troops, with
General Graham, joined the 42nd at their camp, and the whole
force in two squares, advanced towards Tamaai, halting
at night about two miles from the position of the enemy.
At nine at night. Commander Rolfe, R.N. went out alone from
the camp to reconnoitre the enemy, and found them asleep
round their watch fires, so he concluded that no night attack
was meditated. But about one o'clock the Arabs opened a
random fusilade on the British, which they kept up the
remainder of the night, fortunately with but little effect.
The next morning at eight o'clock, the troops were formed in
two brigades, at about one thousand yards apart, the second
Brigade under the command of General Davis, leading, with
this brigade, consisting of the 42nd and 65th Regiments, were
the marines, and Naval Brigade with machine guns. Then
came the Artillery, followed on the right by the first Brigade
commanded by General Buller. Two squadrons of cavalry
were sent to the front as skirmishers, and a brisk fire began
on both sides, till the Arabs advancing, the cavalry fell back,
and the second Brigade pressed forward, with a heavy fire of
of rifles and machine gnns. The 42nd who were in the front,
with a cheer charged the enemy at the double, but this move-
ment leaving a gap between them and the 65th, the Soudanese
seeing their advantage, rushed like a torrent on the right
side of the square, and threw it into confusion. The 65th
gave way and fell back upon the Marines, both regiments
being inextricably huddled together, so that they had scarcely
room to use their weapons, and the Naval Brigade surrounded
by a mass of soldiers mixed in a wild melee with the foe, and
fighting hand to hand, were unable to use their guns, and
were compelled to abandon them, with a loss of three officers
and several men. But Buller's brigade came up on the right
rear with the steadiness of troops on parade, and with its
close and deadly volleys actually swept away the enemy, not
one of them being able to get near enough to use his spear.

368 NAVAL MEDALS.

The officers of the second brigade then succeeded in checking
further retreat, the men were re-formed, and the two brigades
advanced abreast. The machine guns were retaken, and
turned with great effect on a fresh body of Arabs, who charged
out of a deep ravine in front, and rushed on the troops with
wild yells and glistening spears, till the terrible fire prevailed
over the heroic valour of the enemy, who began to retreat,
leaving a trail of bodies behind them. The ravine was
cleared, and the battle was virtually over, but it was dangerous
to move about the field, as wounded Arabs lay among tlie
scrub and rocks, who refused all quarter, stabbing and
firing on all who came near them. If disarmed, they would
try to crawl to the nearest weapon to have a chance of killing
an infidel, and so going straight to Paradise. At half-past
ten, an advance was made to the wells of Tamaai, three miles
from the battle field. A party of the enemy seeming inclined
to renew the contest, the guns opened on them with such
effect, that they dispersed, and fled to the hills. Two of
Osman's flags were taken, and the next day his camp, with
the village of Tamaai were destroyed, and the troojjs return-
ed to Suakin. The Naval Brigade lost three officers. Lieut-
enant Montressor of the " Carysfort,"' Lieutenant Almack of
the " Briton," and Lieutenant Stewart of the "Dryad." To-
gether five officers and eighty-six men were killed, and eight
ofiicers, and one hundred and three men wounded. Eighteen
men were returned as missing, but afterwards reported
among the killed. Many men died subsequently of their
wounds. According to the correspondent of the Standard,
the loss of the Arabs in killed alone, was at least three
thousand.

SUAKIN, 1884.

After his defeat at Tamaai, Osman Digna was reported to
be occupied in the Tamanieb valley, about four miles from
the last battlefield, in collecting more tribesmen to oppose the
British. Native spies brought in the information that Osman

XAVAL MEDALS. 369

was encamped near Tamanieb, with about two thousand men,
who were eager to fight again. On March 25th, General
Graham, with the 10th and 19th Hussars, 42nd, 60th, 65th,
and 75th Regiments, mounted infantry and marines, marched
out from Suakin once more against the Lieutenant of the
Mahdi, Admiral Sir W. Hewett landing two hundred seamen
to hold the town in the absence of the troops. The heat was
intense, and there were many cases of sunstroke. The troops
bivouacked at night in an oblong square, and the next
morning the cavalry and mounted infantry were sent on in
advance, and two or three skirmishes took place during the
day. The Arabs fired at a distance, and did not come to close
quarters. Early in the morning of March 27th the troops
advanced up the valley, the cavalry being out all round as
scouts. The enemy were driven from a height on which they
attempted to make a stand, by the artillery, Osman's camp,
or the remains of it were destroyed, and the troops returned
unmolested to Suakin. A few days after, Sir G. Graham and
most of the troops sailed for Cairo, and England, leaving at
Suakin a small garrison, including a battalion of marines.
For many months the town was practically in a state of siege,
being almost surroimded by the followers of Osman Digna,
who harassed the garrison with constant nightty attacks.
The officers and men of the " Coquette," " Sphinx," " Briton,"
"TjTie," " Woodlark," "MjTmidon," and "Albacore," were
continually engaged with the enemy in boats at night, or in
manning machine and field guns in defence of the causeway,
and weak points on the flanks. Lieutenants F. G. Kirby of
the "Briton," H. Talbot of the "Carysfort," and M. H.
SejTiioui' of the "Dolphin," did special service in the con-
struction and working of land mines, which protected the out-
13-ing defences of the place, and caused much annoyance to the
enemy. Lieutenant P. Smythies in the " Albacore " for some
time defended the south side of the town, and was frequently
attacked by the Arabs from the quarries, situated two hundi-ed
to three hundred yards distant from the town and harbour,

370 NAVAL MEDALS.

which afforded them excellent shelter. Some nights the
enemy lost heavily by the explosion of mines, and guns
trained on them from the ships. The firing of the Arabs was
almost harmless, being volleys fired at random, generally at
long ranges. In these attacks night after night, lasting for
several months, but one Englishman was wounded, and five
or six natives killed, mostly by spent shots.

THE NILE, 1884-85.

The British Grovernment having decided to abandon the
Soudan, General Gordon, R.E., of Chinese celebrity, and who
had been Governor of the equatorial provinces of Africa under
the Khedive, was sent to Khartoum, to withdraw the Egjrp-
tian garrisons from the country, and to make the best
arrangements he was able for its future government. He
had no connection with the Egyptian Government, which he
declined to serve under any circumstances. General Gordon
reached Khartoum on February 18th, and was received by
the inhabitants with the greatest enthusiasm, but he soon
discovered that the evacuation of the Soudan by the Egyptian
garrisons had become impracticable. Shortly after his arrival
the whole country south of Berber declared for the Mahdi,
in May, Berber was captured, and Gordon himself, with
Col. Stewart was closety besieged in Khartoum. For months
he defended himself with the greatest skill and valour
against overwhelming odds, but it was not until August that
the British Government decided to dispatch an expedition for
his relief under the command of General Lord Wolseley.
Troops were sent from India and England to Egypt ; eight
hundred boats were built in England, at a cost of £75 each,
for the conveyance of the troops up the Nile, steam pinnaces,
and light steamers were provided for towing purposes, and
five hundred Canadian boatmen, with three hundred Kroo-
men, were employed to navigate the boats and steamers over
the cataracts of the river. A Naval Brigade selected from

NXVAIi MEDALS. 371

the Mediterranean fleet, under Captain Lord C. Beresford,
took a full share in the toil of the expedition, and were of
the gi'eatest assistance in transporting men and stores up the
river, and dragging boats by main strength through the
rapids, and over the cataracts. The advance of the troops up
the Nile lasted nearly four months, and was extremely diffi-
cult and laborious. Some of the cataracts extended for two
or three miles, and all the stores had to be taken out of the
boats, carried miles round over broken and rocky ground, and
then shij)ped again beyond the obstruction. It often took
seventy men to haul one boat through the rapids, and on
some days the whole progress made was under a mile. Many
of the boats were capsized and wrecked, and fifty men,
including ten Canadians, were drowned before the expedition
reached Dongola. On January 5th, 1885, the first division of
the Naval Brigade, consisting of four officers and fifty-men,
under Lieutenants Pigott and De Lisle, arrived at Korti, where
Captain Lord C. Beresford took the command. The second
division, under Lieutenants E. Yan Koughnet and R. Poore,
consisted of six officers and fifty petty ofiicers and seamen,
the strength of the two divisions being thirteen officers and
one hundred and one men. On January 8th, the first division
marched from Korti, with the column commanded by General
Sir Herbert Stewart. Three months before. General Gordon
had sent Colonel Stewart and Mr. Power, down the Nile to
Dongola, to endeavour to open communication with the
advancing force, but their steamer was wrecked near Berber,
on October 6th, and the two Europeans, with most of their
party, were massacred by the natives.

ABU KLEA,

Januar}- 17th, 1885.

The situation of Khartoum being known to be critical,
General Sir H. Stewart was dispatched early in January,
by Lord Wolseley, with sixteen hundred men and two

372 NAVAL MEDALS,

thousand camels, across the desert to Metammeh, on the Nile,
about one hundred and seventy miles from Korti ; from
whence he was to proceed in Gordon's steamers to Khartoum,
one hundred n^ile8 further up the river. After a long and
waterless march, the column reached Gakdul, one hundred
miles from Korti, on January 12th, without meeting any
opposition. Water was found here in abundance, and a halt
made for two days. The march was resumed, and on Janu-
ary 16th, the scouts of the 19th Hussars reported the enemy
to be encamped in force, about four miles from the wells of
Abu Klea. The troops were in need of water, but formed a
zareba, a breastwork of prickly thorn bushes, about three
miles from the position of the enemy, and slept on their
arms, exposed to a desultory fire all night, by which five
or six men were wounded, and some camels killed. At six
o'clock on the morning of January 17th, the troops were
formed outside the zareba, the skirmishers were sent out, and
a brisk fire was kept up for some time on both sides, but the
enemy Avould not be drawn from their position. About nine
o'clock in the morning, leaving most of the camels and the
sick and wounded in the zareba with a guard, the rest of the
troops advanced in form of a square, the Naval Brigade with
a Gardner gun being in the centre of the rear face. Lord
C. Beresford was ordered if the square should be attacked in
the front or either of the flanks, to use his own judgment as
to the best place for the gun. The square advanced
for about two miles, under a hot fire from the enemy's
riflemen, and was nearly abreast of their position, marked
by flags waving on poles, when a body of several thousand
Arabs, with loud yells and beating of torn toms, ru-shed
down on the left and left rear of the square, like a
rolling wave of black surf. The skirmishers came racing for
their lives into the square, and the left face being nearly clear,
a volley was sent into the enemy at one himdred and fifty
yards distance with deadly effect. The Naval Brigade ran
their Gardner gun out about five paces from the square, in

NAVAL MEDALS. 373

the centre of the left flank, and opened fire. What followed
is best told in the words of Lord C. Beresford : " After firing'
about forty rounds, or eight turns of the lever, I perceived by
where the enemy were falling, that the gun had too much
elevation, so I gave the order — 'Cease firing,' to alter the
elevation. In a moment this was effected, and we had again
commenced firing on the front ranks of the enemy with the
most excellent results, when after about thirty rounds the
gun jammed. The enemy were then about two hundred yards
from the muzzle of the gun. The captain of it, Will Ehoods,
chief boatswain's mate, and myself, unscrewed the plate to
clear the barrel, when the enemy were upon us. Ehoods was
killed by a spear ; W. Miller, armourer, I also saw killed by
a spear, at the same moment, on my left. I was knocked
down at the rear of the gun, but uninjured, except a small
spear scratch on the left hand. The crowd and crush of the
enemy were very great at this point, and as I struggled
up I was carried against the face of the square, which
was literally pressed back by sheer weight of numbers.
The crush was so great, that at the moment, few of either side
were killed, but fortunately the flank of the square had been
forced up a very steep little mound, which enabled the rear
rank to open a tremendous fire over the heads of the front
rank men. This relieved the pressure, and enabled the front
rank to bayonet or shoot those of the enemy nearest them.
The enemy then, for some reason turned to their right, along
the left flank of the square, and streamed away in numbers
along the rear face of it, where I afterwards heard they
effected an entrance. None of them got into the square at
the place I indicated, where the crush was, which was held
by the mounted infantry. In a very few minutes the terrific
fire from the square told on the enemy. There was a
momentary waver, and then they walked away. I immedi-
ately manned the Gardner, and cleared the jam as soon as I
could. This, however, was not done in time to be of much
use in firing on the retreating enemy." Many of the rifles

374 NAVAL MEDALS.

were also rendered temporarily useless from the same cause,
the jamming of the cartridges. So furious was the rush of
the Arabs that many of them, including a chief on horseback,
penetrated the square, where they stabbed the camels, and
slew the wounded in their litters, but none of them returned,
being every man killed. The battle was won, and at about
half past two in the afternoon the square reformed, and
advanced to Abu Klea wells, where the troops without
covering of any kind bivouacked for the night. The loss of
the British, was Colonel Burnaby, and eight other officers
kiUed, nine officers wounded (Lord St. Vincent, and another
mortally) sixty-five non-commissioned officers and men killed,
and eighty-five wounded. Of the Naval Brigade, Lieutenants
Pigott and De Lisle and six men were killed, and seven men
wounded. The loss of the enemy was very heavy, being
estimated at over two thousand in killed and wounded. At
two in the afternoon on January 18th, the camels and men
having joined from the zareba, the column started for
Metammeh, marching all night, and found itself the next
morning at daybreak, six miles from the river Nile, with the
enemy in force, barring the way. Sir H. Stewart halted near
Abu Kru, and formed a zareba, under a continual fire fi-om the
enemy which caused many casualties. The General himself
was severely wounded, and the correspondents of the
Standard and Morning Post, were killed. Sir Chas. Stewart
then took the command, and decided with the bulk of the
troops to march on, and cut a passage to the Nile. Lord C.
Beresford with the seamen, artillery, engineers, &c., in all
about three hundred men, was left in charge of the zareba,
while the remainder of the column, little more than one
thousand men, formed in square, and pushed on for the
river, under a hot rifle fire from the scrub. As the square
advanced, the enemy formed themselves in three V shaped
columns, but the seven pounders and Gardner guns in the
zareba, opened on them with great effect, destroying the
formation of the largest column, and preventing it from
joining in the attack.

NAVAL MEDALS. 375

About two miles from the zareba, a body of several
thousand Soudanese made a furious rush on the square, but
being repulsed with fearful loss, retreated towards Metammeh.
The wearied troops then marched to the Nile, about two and
a half miles distant, and bivouacked for the night. The next
day, leaving a small force to hold the position on the river,
the column returned to the zareba, the dead were buried, the
wounded removed, and in the evening the whole force was
encamped at Gubat, on the Nile. Here the troops were
cheered by the sight of four of General Gordon's steamers,
which had been awaiting the arrival of the relieving force for
some weeks, on an island a little way above Metammeh. On
the 21st of January, a reconnaisance was made towards
Metammeh, the column being joined by two hundred and fift}'
of Gordon's men, with four guns. The place was cannonaded
with little effect, and being considered too strong to be taken by
assault, the troops retired. Lord C. Beresford took command
of the steamers, and reported them ready to start for
3<]hartoum on January 22nd. Two days after, Sir C. Wilson
left for Khartoum, with two of the steamers, having on board
a detachment of the Sussex regiment, and the Soudanese
troops, in all, about two hundred and eighty men. The Naval
Brigade remained at Gubat, and Lord C. Beresford, on board
one of the steamers, with a party of seamen, a Gardner gun,
and some picked marksmen from the troops, patrolled the
river up and down daily, for twenty miles, raiding villages,
and capturing cattle, goats, and other supplies for the camp.
•On the 31st of January, the second di^asion of the Naval
Brigade, under the command of Lieutenant Yan Koughnet
arrived, and the following daj^. Lieutenant Stuart Wortley,
who had accompanied Sir C. Wilson, returned to Gubat in a
"boat, with the apj^alling news, that Khartoum had fallen
through treachery on the night of January 26th, and the
lieroic Gordon with most of his followers had perished. He
also reported that the two steamers were wrecked, and Sir C.
Wilson and his men were encamped on an island about thirty

376 NAVAL MEUALS.

miles distant, in dangerous proximity to a strong earthwork
held hy five thousand of the enemy. Lord C. Beresford was
directed to proceed to the relief of the party, and manning one
of the remaining steamers with a crew from the Naval
Brigade, and picked men from the mounted infantry, with
two Gardner guns, and Egyptian howitzers, he set off up the
river, on February 2nd. The next morning a strong earth-
work was seen on the left bank of the river, and about a
quarter of a mile beyond it, Sir C. Wilson's steamer on the
rocks. Lord Charles instructed the riflemen and gun's crews-
to fire only into the embrasures as the steamer passed the
earthwork, and not at bodies of the enemy keeping up a heavy
rifle fire from the river's bank, and opening fire from his bow
gun, passed the fort at about one hundred yards distance.
The fire of the machine guns and the marksmen was so
accurate, that the enemy were unable to fire their guns when
the fort bore on the beam, but when the steamer had got
about two hundred yards beyond it, the Gardner guns could
not be brought to bear, and a shot from the enemy penetrated
her boiler. The steamer was at once steered towards the
opposite bank, and when her way was lost, anchored about
five hundred yards from the earthwork. The Arabs seeing
her crippled condition redoubled their fire, but Lord C.
Beresford mounted one of the Gai-dner guns aft, and with his
seven pounders and riflemen, poured such a fire into the
embrasure facing up the stream, that the enemy could
neither bring their gun to bear on the steamer, nor
remove it to another position. A continual fire was kept up on
the earthwork by the guns, and riflemen told off in reliefs,
till night, which was vigorously replied to by the Arabs, their
rifle bullets rattling like hail on the sides of the steamer,
which was protected by thick planks of hard wood, and boiler
plates. During the afternoon, Sir 0. Wilson's men came
marching down the right bank of the river, and halting
opposite the steamer, opened fire with two guns and rifles on
the earthwork, at long range. His sick, wounded, and

NAVAL MEDALS. 377

"baggage were on board a nuggar, which under the command
of Captain Gascoigne, passed the earthwork in safety during
the night, though discovered and fired upon by the enemy.
As soon as it was dark, the steamer ceased firing, and Captain
Beresford hauling his boats close alongside, maintained perfect
silence, that the Arabs might think the steamer deserted.
By arrangement. Sir C. Wilson's party then marched three
miles further down the bank, and halted for the night. After
the nuggar passed the earthwork, the enemy fired several shots
at the steamer, but no return being made, and all remaining
silent, they concluded the crew had abandoned her, ceased
firing, and kept tom toming during most of the night. About
eleven o'clock the next morning, the boiler of the steamer was
cool enough to allow Mr. Benbow, chief engineer, to commence
repairing it, a task which took him ten hours to accomplish.
In the words of Lord C. Beresford, " Too much credit cannot
be given to this officer, as he had to shape the plate, bore the
holes in plate and boiler, and run down the screws and nuts,
almost entirely with his own hands, the artificers and every
one in the stokehole having been scalded severely by the ex-
plosion when the shot entered the boiler. The plate was sixteen
inches by fourteen, so that some idea can be formed of the
work entailed on him." The boiler being repaired, at four
in the morning of the following day, February 4th, the fires
were lighted and steam got up, the furnace doors being kept
shut and every precaution taken, but just before daylight the
enemy saw sparks proceeding from the funnel, and finding
the crew was still on board the steamer, commenced yelling
and firing on her. By this time the anchor was weighed, and
the steamer running up the stream for some distance, turned
round and came down the river with all speed, keeping down
the fire of the earthwork as she passed it, with the machine guns
and riflemen. The nuggar containing the sick and wounded
of Sir C. Wilson's party, was then seen fast aground, just
within range of the Krupp guns in the earthwork. Lord C.
Beresford anchored near, and sent Lieutenant C. Keppel, (son of

378 NAVAL MEDALS.

Admiral Sir H. Keppel) to endeavour to get it ajloat. After
tliree hours work, and throwing overboard most of the
baggage, under a smart fire all the time, he got the nuggar
off without any casualties, and it was taken in tow by the
steamer. Proceeding down the river. Lord C. Beresford took
on board Sir C. Wilson and his men, and arrived at Gubat in
safety the same evening. The casualities of the British in
this service, were one seaman killed, and Lieutenant Van
Konghnet and six men wounded, inclusive of three who were
scalded. Lord C. Beresford praised " the splendid discipline
maintained by the men, one and all, during a tremendous fire
which lasted thirteen hours." Had the steamer been destroyed,
Sir C. Wilson and his whole party would have been massacred.
General Sir Redvers Buller was sent by Lord Wolseley to
take command of the troops, with orders to withdraw them
from Gubat to Korti. On the morning of February 13th,
the Naval Brigade spiked the guns in the two steamers, and
threw them with all their ammunition, overboard, and re-
moved portions of the maehineiy, so as to render the vessels
useless to the Arabs. At daybreak the next day the whole
force left Gubat, marching on foot, and after a smart skirmish
at Abu Klea, reached Gakdul without further opposition.
While here, many of the sick and wounded died, among them
the gallant General Sir H. Stewart, to the unfeigned regret
of every officer and man. During the halt, according to
Lord C. Beresford, the Naval Brigade, among other things,
were employed "in repairing camel's sides by plugging them
with oakum." Korti was reached on March 7th after a
desert march of two hundred miles from Metammeh, with-
out a man of the Brigade falKng out, and the following day
the men were inspected by Lord Wolseley, who praised their
conduct in the highest terms. He especially complimented
Mr. Benbow for his gallant conduct under fire, and presented
him with his own cigarette case as a personal memento. The
Naval Brigade was then broken up, and Lord C. Beresford
resumed his post as Naval aide-de-camp on the staff of Lord
Wolseley, and went with him to Suakin.

NAVAL MEDALS. 379

SUAKIN, 1885.

The news of the fall of Khartoum and the death of General
Grordon caused a profound impression in England, and the
Government, influenced by public opinion, resolved on another
campaign for the recovery of the Soudan. Troops from
England, Cairo, and India were assembled at Suakin to co-
operate with Lord Wolseley on the Nile, and it was resolved
to construct a line of railway from Suakin to Berber, a
distance of 280 miles. The forces collected at Suakin, com-
prising a brigade of Guards, an Indian contingent, and a
Naval Brigade, drawn from the ships in the Red Sea, was
commanded by Genei-al Sir G. Graham. The Engineers
having fixed upon some hUls near the village and wells of
Hasheen, about fourteen miles distant, as the site of an
entrenched camp, after a reconnaisance, General Graham, on
March 20th, moved out of Suakin to occupy the place in
force. He advanced in a square formation, the guns and
camels being in the centre, and the cavalry scouting in fi'ont,
and on the flanks. The first ridge of hills was reached
without opposition, the enemy falling back as the troops
advanced, but on reaching a plain surrounded by rugged
hills, the enemy were seen to be posted in strength on a
hill to the left. Their riflemen opened a hot fire from
among the rocks and scrub, the 49th Regiment and the
Marines were sent against them, and after a sharp contest
dislodged the Soudanese, who, in their retreat, were charged
by the Indian cavalry. But the Arabs being reinforced,
rallied and closed in on the Indians, whose movements were
hampered by the broken ground, and forced them to retire
upon the Guards, who were formed in square. Over two
thousand of the enemy, in pursuit of the cavalry, led by a
youth on a white camel, rushed with loud yells on the square,
but were received with such a withering fire that not one of
them reached the outer line of levelled bayonets by several
yards. The cavalry having re-formed, again charged the

380 NAVAL MEDALS.

now disordered Arabs, and scattered them in all directions.
Another body of the enemy then made an attempt on the
right, but were met by such a hot fire from rifles and artillery
that they were unable to concentrate for a charge, and
sullenly withdrew, followed by the British. The hills being
cleared, at one o'clock the troops were on the point of being
withdrawn, when the Soudanese made another furious onset,
but were repulsed after a hotter contest than any during the
day, and pursued by the 5th Lancers. The 70th Kegiment
was left to hold two redoubts which the sappers had con-
structed on the hills, and the rest of the troops returned to
Suakin, after an engagement which lasted nearly seven hours.
Little more than a week afterwards, the New South Wales
contingent of about eight hundred officers and men, landed
at Suakin, and were enthusiastically received. It being
reported that Osman Digna was again occupying Tamaai in
force, on April 2nd, G-eneral Grraham with about eight thou-
sand men, including the Australian contingent, marched out
from Suakin to meet him. After a fatiguing march of five
hours Tesilah was reached, where a zareba was constructed,
and on the morning following the troops advanced to Tamaai,
which place they found unoccupied, and which again they
burnt. During the advance some skirmishing took place, in
which two men were killed and fourteen wounded, but the
enemy would not come to close quarters, and the force
returned to Suakin unmolested.

NAVAL MEDALS. 381

TOFREK,

March 22nd, 1885.

Two days after the engagement at Hasheen, Major General
Sir John McNeill, V.C. an officer who had served in India,
New Zealand, and Ashantee, marched out of Suakiu at day-
break on !March 22nd, with a squadron of the 5th Lancers,
the 49th Regiment, a battalion of marines, three Infantry
regiments of the Indian contingent, and a party of Engineers,
in the direction of Tamaai. With the force was a Naval
Brigade, drawn from the " Carysfort," "Condor," "Dolphin,"
"Coquette," and "Sphinx," commanded by Commander W.
C. Domville, of the " Condor," in two divisions, each having two
Gardner guns. The object of the advance was to construct
some zarebas about six miles out, to be garrisoned by the
49th regiment, while the other troops were to return to
Suakin. Though the Arabs were seen to be in force on the
hills, and spies and prisoners had reported that it was the
intention of Osman Digna to attack the British advanced
zarebas, no intimation of this seems to have reached General
McNeill. Between ten and eleven in the forenoon, the troops
commenced making the zarebas, a large one in the centre for
the camels, and on the angles of this, two of smaller size, each
to containa battalion, and two Gardner guns, manned by the
Naval Brigade. So little was an attack expected, that one
zareba being completed, with the guns mounted, and the
others in progress of formation, the camels and baggage
animals which had brought the supplies, were beginning to
move off slowly on their return to Suakin, and a portion of
the troops were at breakfast. The working parties were in
the bush, hacking at the tough underwood, with a picket or
two, and a few cavalry scouts thrown out, but none more than
about thirty yards in advance, when suddenly the outposts
came rushing in, through the tx'oops at work, with the enemy
at their heels, uttering fi'ightful yells. " Stand to your arms "

382 NAVAL MEDALS.

resounded on all sides, but the men were scattered, many
working at a distance from the piles of arms, but all did their
best to get into proper position, and form in squares. Every-
thing was in favour of the enemy, before whose furious onset
the whole assemblage of transport animals plunged forward
upon the zareba. " There was a multitude of roaring camels
heaped one upon the other, with strings of screaming mules
entangled in one moving mass. Crowds of camp followers
were carried along by the huge animal wave, crying, shouting,
fighting. Mingled with this mass of brutes and terrified
natives, were the Arab swordsmen, hewing and slashing at
men and animals with the ferocity of demons. They ham-
strung every animal they could reach, and cut the helpless
camp followers to pieces, amidst a shower of bullets from all
sides, and there can be little doubt but that many men and
camels were killed by our owm fii'e in the confused melee."
The troops found themselves suddenly engaged in a most
desperate hand to hand conflict with masses of fanatical and
fearless enemies. The 17th Native Infantry gave M^ay before
the terrific rush of the Arabs, Major Van Beverhoudt,
their commanding officer, was killed in an attempt to rally
his men ; and about sixty of the enemy got inside the
square of the marines, where they were all shot or bayonetted.
Half of the 49th regiment were in their zareba, and the
remainder in a rallying square outside. In the first rush of
the enemy, about one hundred and twenty of them got into
the zareba at the corner, and all were killed after a desperate
confiict. The Gardner guns carried destruction among the
Arabs, but after a round or two, they became jammed, and
the enemy poured like a cataract into the zareba, slashing,
and thrusting, and but few of the detachment escaped
unwounded. The Marines on the left stood firm as rocks,
and the enemy fell in heaps before their well directed volleys.
The blue-jackets in the southern zareba, poured a deadly fire
from their Gardner guns into the masses of the Arabs as they
charged along the front, and the Soudanese realising that

NAVAL MEDALS. 383

thteir attack had failed, withdrew, and disappeared in the
hush from which they had so suddenly burst forth. In this
furious action, which lasted but about haK an hour, the
Naval Brigade had Lieutenant Seymour (first of the ' ' Dolphin " )
and six men killed, and many men wounded, the total
casualties of the British (exclusive of the Indian Contingent)
being seven ofi&cers, and sixty-six men killed, five officers, and
one hundred and twenty men wounded, and one ofiicer, and
one hundred and twenty -foui' men missing. The Indians had
about one hundred and twenty men killed and wounded, and
the Departmental Corps, and camp followers suffered severely.
Upwards. of eight hundred camels, besides transport animals,
were also killed. When the clouds of smoke and dust had
cleared awaj', the ground in and around the zarebas was
seen to be thickly strewn with the bodies of the enemy. It
was computed that over twelve hundred Arabs lay there, for
the most part dead. For every man killed there must have
been one at least wounded, so their loss in killed and wounded
must have amounted to over two thousand men.*" The next
morning General Graham arrived from Suakin with the Guards,
Mounted Infantry, and a convoy of water and stores. A new
zareba was constructed away from the vicinity of the reeking
battle field, and the wounded were removed to Suakin, and
taken on board the hospital ship " Ganges." On the 2nd of
May, Lord Wolseley arrived at Suakin, and on the 7th pro-
ceeded to Otao and Handoub, and inspected the troops. A few
days afterwards he inspected and thanked the Australian Con-
tingent,and on May 16th issued his last General Order, to the

* The fanaticism of the Arabs was amazing. Among their killed
were found several women clad as men. As narrated by an eye-
witness— " when our men went out to bring in the wounded lying in
the bush, these latter crept bleeding on all fours with their spears in
their mouths to stab them, and even hobbled on broken legs to attack
them. One of our men taking pity on a wounded Arab gave him his
water bottle. The Arab took the bottle and drained it, and when he
handed it back, he accompanied it with a thrust from a knife, which
dangerously wounded the man, in return for his kindness. Many of
the Arab wounded entreated our men to kill them, in order that they
might be dispatched to a happy land by the hand of the infidel."

384 NAVAL MEDALS.

" Soldiers, Seamen, and Marines, of the Army of the Soudan."
Of the latter he said, " my best thanks are due to all ranks of
the Eoyal Navy, and of the Marines, who have taken part in
the recent campaign in the Soudan. Wherever hard work or
hard fighting was to be done, the men of those services were
to be found, and I am at a loss to say whether they were
more remarkable for their hard work or their hard fighting."
The Naval Brigade then returned to their respective ships,
and Suakin was evacuated by the bulk of the British troops.

NAVAL MEDALS. 385

GEMAIZAH.

December 20th, 1888.

In the latter part of the year 1888, the Arabs agaia
advanced in force on Suakin, and preparing by the con-
struction of trenches and redoubts to invest the place. General
GrenfeU, commanding the British and Egyptian troops there,
resolved to attack them. The men were under arms before
dawn, on December 20th, and at half-past five the action
commenced by H. M. S. " Racer " opening fire on the trenches
of the enemy. The garrison batteries and forts also opened a
heavy fire on the redoubts of the Arabs, which was ineffectively
returned. The Soudanese and Egyptian regiments then
advanced, the British troojjs consisting of the 20th Hussars,
and the 25th and 41 st Foot, being held in reserve about five
hundred yards in the rear. The attack was made about seven
in the morning, the British infantry opening fire to cover the
Soudanese, who rushed on the Arab entrenchments, drove the
Dervishes out, and captured a heavy gun. At the same time,
the redoubts after a determined resistance were carried, and
the enemy were completely routed, and pursued by the Hussars.
H. M. S. " Starling," and the Eg3'ptian steamers then shelled
the wells. At half past eight the fighting was over, and the
Dervishes dispersed, with the loss of about four hundred men,
all their materiel, and camp. The casualties of the British
were four men of the Hussars killed, and two officers and
three men wounded. This is the last engagement in the
Soudan in which the Navy took part up to the present time,
(1895).*

* The following ships, in addition to those mentioned in the text,
were engaged in the operations in Egypt and the Soudan, 1882-88.
"Northumberland," "Minotaur," "Iris," "Inconstant," "Thalia,"
"Tourmaline," "Turquoise," "Eclipse," " Humber," "Cockatrice,"
"Ready," "Arab," "Mariner," "Ruby," " Serapis," "Tamar,"
"Agincourt," "Euphrates," "Jumna," "Don," "Ranger," "Wye,"
" Orontes," " Seahorse," " Chester," " Supply," " Malabar," " Achilles,"
" Salamis," " Falcon," " Rambler," and " Sandfly."

386 NAVAL MEDALS.

THE MEDAL FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD
CONDUCT.

This Medal was granted by an Order in Council, August
the 24tli, 1831, to the Navy and Marines. At the expiration
of every three years a ship had been in commission, the
Commander could nominate one in every hundred of the crew,
who had served irreproachably twenty-one years, for this
medal, which is accompanied by a gratuity of £15 for first
class petty officers, or sergeants of Marines, of £7 for second
class, or corporals, and £5 for Seamen or Marines. On the
obverse, is an anchor and crown, surrounded by an oak wreath.
On the reverse are engraved the name, rating, ship, and
years of service of the recipient, within a circle, surrounded
by the words ' ' For Long Service and Good Conduct." Ribbon,
dark blue.

In 1848, this medal was superseded by another, having on
the obverse, the head of the Queen, diademned, with the
words " Victoria Regina." On the reverse is a full rigged
ship at anchor, encircled by a cable, and surrounded by the
words " For Long Service and Good Conduct." Ribbon blue,
with white borders. The name, rating, ship, and number of
years service of the recipient, with the date, are engraved on
the edge of the medal.

THE MEDAL FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY.

This medal was granted by an Order in Council, dated
August 13th, 1855. It was given to petty officers, seamen,
sergeants, coi-porals, and privates of the Royal Marines, who
distinguished themselves in action with the enemy ; in the
proportion of eight petty officers, or sergeants and corporals
of Marines, and ten seamen, or privates of Marines, for every
thousand men engaged, with gratuities of £15, £10, and £5,
provided the amount authorised, was not exceeded in any one

NAVAL MEDALS. 387

year. It was only given for about six months from the date
of its issue, as on the institution of the Victoria Cross, in
January, 1856, it was superseded, and considered to be no
longer necessary. The medal is exactly similar to that given
"For Meritorious Service," in the Army,'''' having on the
obverse the diademned head of the Queen, with the words
"Victoria Regina," and on the reverse the inscription "For
Conspicuous Grallantry," with a Crown above ; the whole being
surrounded by a laurel wreath. Ribbon, blue, with a white
stripe in the centre. Most of the medals have the name and
rank of the recipient, with the date of the Action for which
it was given, engraved on the edge. On the return of the
Naval Brigade from the Ashantee W^ar, the Queen to mark
her appreciation of deeds of bravery performed by her sea-
men, ordered another issue of the medal for " Conspicuous
Gallantry." An Order in council dated 7th of July 1874,
announced, "that a silver medal has been established for
such petty officers and seamen of the Royal Navy, and non-
commissioned officers and privates of Royal Marines, as may
at any time distinguish themselves by acts of conspicuous
gallantry in action with the enemy. The medal may, at the
discretion of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, be
accompanied by the grant of an annuity (not exceeding £20)
in the case of chief and first class petty officers of the Navy,
and sergeants of Royal Marines, provided the amount author-
ised from time to time by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury is not exceeded." This medal is now
given for any war in which the Navy or Marines may be
engaged.

* The military medal, for " Meritorious Service," is sometimes given
to sergeants of the Royal Marines, and worn with a blue ribbon.

388 NAVAL MEDALS.

THE VICTOEIA CEOSS.

This decoration was instituted by a Royal Warrant dated
June 29th, 1856. The Warrant states— " Whereas, We,
taking into our Royal consideration that there exists no
means of adequatel}^ rewarding the individual gallant services
either of Officers of the lower grades in our Naval and Mili-
tary Service, or of warrant or Petty Officers, Seamen and
Marines in our Navy, and Non-commissioned Officers and
Soldiers in our Army — and the granting of medals both in
our Navy and Army, is only awarded for long service or
meritorious conduct, rather than for bravery in action, or
distinction before an enemy ; such cases alone excepted where
a general medal is granted for a particular action or campaign,
or a clasp added to the medal for some especial engagement,
in both of which cases all share equally in the boon, and
those who by their valour have particularly signalised them-
selves remain undistinguished from their comrades. It is
ordained, that the distinction shall be styled and designated
the " Victoria Cross," and the Cross shall only be awarded to
those officers and men who have served us in the presence of
the enemy, and shall have then performed some signal act of
valour, or devotion to their country. Anyone who, having
received the Cross, shall again perform an act of bravery,
which, if he had not received such Cross, would have entitled
him to it ; such further act shall be recorded by a bar
attached to the ribbon by which the Cross is suspended, and
for every additional act of bravery an additional bar may be
added. Neither rank, nor long service, nor wounds, nor any
other circumstance or condition whatsoever, save the merit of
conspicuous bravery, shall be held to establish a sufficient
claim to the honour." The decoration is a Maltese Cross of
bronze, attached by the letter V to a bar, on which is a sprig
of laurel. On the obverse is the British Lion and Crown, in
the centre, and beneath on a scroll, the words — " For Valour."
The reverse is plain, with a circle in the centre, in which the

JhE yiCTO^lA pROSS.

NAVAL MEDALS. 389

date of the act of bravery, for which the Cross was given, is
engraved. The name and ship of the recipient, are engraved
on the back of the bar. Ribbon, blue for the Navy, red for
the Army. Every Warrant, or Petty Officer, Seaman, or
Marine, who has received the Cross, is entitled to a special
pension of £10 per annum, and £5 extra per annum is added
for every additional bar. The names of the recipients are pub-
lished in the Gazette^ and a registry thereof kept in the Office of
the Secretary of State for War. The Warrant of 1856 was
revised b}' another, dated April '23rd, 1881, specifying that the
only qualification for the Cross is "conspicuous bravery or
devotion to the country, in the presence of the enemy," and that
the officers and men of the auxiliary and reserve forces. Naval
and Military, were eligible for the decoration. Following is a list
of the Naval winners of the Cross fi'om its institution to the
present time (1895), giving the date when, and the action or
campaign in which the act of bravery was performed, with a
brief notice of the same, and the rank the recipient eventually
attained.

BOTES, D. G. Midshipman H. M. S. "Euryalus." Seki,
Japan, September 6th, 1864. Eor gallantry in carrying the
colours under a heavy fire, at the capture of a stockade, both
his colour sergeants having been wounded, (one mortally),
the colours were six times pierced with balls.

BUCKLEY, Captain C. W. Crimea, May 29th, 1855.
For twice undertaking the desperate service of firing Russian
stores, at Genitchi and Taganrog, in a four oared gig, in the
face of three thousand Russian troops.

BURGOYNE, Captain H. T. Crimea, May 29th, 1855.
For assisting to fire Russian stores at Genitchi, in the presence
of a strong force of the enemy.

BYTHESEA, Rear-Admiral J. C. B. Island of Wardo,
Baltic Sea, August 9th and 12th, 1854. For his intrepidity,
assisted by W. Johnstone, stoker, in seizing Russian dispatches
from five men, three of whom they took prisoners, and
brought on board the "Arrogant."

390 NAVAL MEDALS.

CHICKEN, Mr. G-. B. Indian Navy. For his bravery at
Suhejnee, when he charged into the middle of a body of
rebels, and killed five, before he was himself cut down.

COMMERELL, Admiral J. E., G-. C. B. Crimea, October
1 1th, 1 855. For crossing the isthmus of Arabat, with William
Eickard, quartermaster, and George Milstone, seaman, and
destroying large quantities of stores on the Crimean shore of
Sivash, and retreating, pursued by the enemy with a heavy
fire of musketry.

COOPER, Boatswain H. Crimea, June 3rd, 1855. For
performing a desperate service at Taganrog, in landing and
firing stores in the face of the enemy.

CURTIS, Boatswain's Mate H. Sebastopol, June 18th,
1855. For rescuing a wounded soldier. See Rear- Admiral
H. Raby.

DANIELS, Midshipman E. St. J. Inkermann, and Redan,
November 5th, 1854, and June 18th, 1855. For his gallant
conduct in bringing in gunpowder under a heavy fire, and
bandaging the arm of his leader. Captain W. Peel, R. N. on
the glacis of the Redan, exposed to a very close and heavy
fire.

DAY, Captain Gr. F. Crimea, October 1855. For success-
fully making two reconnaissances within the Russian lines at
Grenitchi, by night, often up to his knees in water.

DO WELL, Lieutenant Colonel Gr. D., R. M. A. Attack on
Viborg, Baltic, July 13th, 1855. For his gallantry in rowing
to the assistance of a disabled rocket boat of the " Arrogant,"
saving three of the crew, and bringing off the boat, under a
heavy fire of grape shot and musketry.

GORMAN, Seaman J. Inkermann, November 5th, 1854.
For his conduct in defending the Lancaster battery under a
heavy fire, using the mxiskets of the disabled soldiers. See
seamen T. Reeves, and M. Scholefield.

HALL, coloured seaman W., H. M. S. "Shannon."
Lucknow, November 10th, 1857. See Commander J. Young.

HARDING, Chief Gunner Israel. H. M. S. "Alexandra,"

NAVAL MEDALS i 391

Alexandria, July 11th, 1882. For extinguishing fuse of live
shell by throwing it into a tub of water.

HAERISON, Boatswain's Mate J. Indian Mutiny,
November 16th, 1857. Por conspicuous bravery at Lueknow,
in volunteering and climbing up a tree to rejply to the fire of
the enemy.

HEWETT, Eear- Admiral Sir W. N., K. 0. B. Sebastopol
October 26th, 1854. Being Mate of the "Beagle," for
defending his battery with one gun, against a heavj^ advance
of Russians. By mistake an order was brought to spike the
gun, which he disregarded, also for conspicuous gallantry at
Inkermann, for which he received a clasp .

HINCKLEY, Seaman G. H. M. S. "Sphinx," China,
October 9th, 1862. For his gallant conduct at Fung Wha, in
volunteering to carry two wounded men to a place of safety,
under a heavy fire.

INOOUVILLE, O., Captain of the Mast. H. M. S.
'' Arrogant." Attack on Viborg, Baltic, July 13th, 1855.
For his intrepidity in jumping overboard, swimming to, and
recovering a disabled cutter, which had drifted under a battery
•of the enemy.

JOHNSTONE, Stoker W. H. M. S. " Arrogant." Baltic,
August 12th, 1854. aSV^ Hear- Admiral J. Bythesea.

KELLAWAY, Boatswain J. H. M. S. "Wrangler."
Black Sea, Azoff, September, 1855. For returning towards
the enemy to assist Mr. Odevaine, who had fallen, and
endeavouring to rescue him from fift}^ Russians. They were
both taken prisoners after a stout resistance.

LUCAS, Captain C. D. In the attack on Bomarsund,
June 24th, 1854, for throwing overboard a live shell, which
had fallen on board H. M. S. "Hector." This was the first
act of bravery for which the Cross was given.

MAYO, Midshipman A., Indian Nav3^ Indian Mutiny,
November 22nd, 1857. For his gallantry in leading the
advance against two six pounder guns, which were keeping
up a heavy fire.

392 NAVAL MEDALS.

MITCHELL, S., Captain of the fore top of H. M. S.
"Harrier." New Zealand, April 29tli, 1864. For bringing-
Commander Hay out of the Grate Pah when mortally wounded,
although ordered by that Officer to leave him, and seek his
own safety.

ODGERS, Seaman W. H. M. S. " Niger," New Zealand,
March 28th, 1860. For being the first to enter a Pah, and
assisting to haul down the flag of the enemy.

PEEL, Captain W. The Crimea, 1854-55, October 8th,

1854. For his intrepidity in taking up a live shell from the
midst of several powder cases, outside a magazine, and
throwing it over the parapet, it bursting as it left his hands,
thereby saving the magazine and many Hves. On November
5th, 1 854, at Inkermann he joined the Officers of the Grena-
dier Guards in defending the colours of the regiment. On
June 18th, 1855, he volunteered to lead a ladder party at the
assault on the Redan, and carried the first ladder until he was
wounded.

PRETTYJOHN, Corporal J. Royal Marines, Inkermann,
November 5th, 1854. For placing himself in an advanced
position, and shooting four Russians.

PRIDE, J., Captain of Afterguard, H. M. S. "Euryalus."
Seki, Japan, September 6th, 1864. For gallantly supporting
Midshipman Boyes when carrying the colours in action,
until wounded.

RABY, Rear-Admiral H. J., C. B. Sebastopol, June 18th,

1855, with Captain of Forecastle J. Taylor, and Boatswain's
Mate H. Curtis. After the assault on the Redan, for carry-
ing in a wounded soldier under a heavy fire.

RICKARD, Quartermaster W. Black Sea, October 11th,
1855. For remaining to assist a fallen comrade, under a close
fire. See Admiral Sir J. E. Commerell.

ROBERTS, Chief Gunner J. Black Sea, May 29th, 185§.
For setting fire to stores in the face of the enemy. See
Captain Buckley.

ROBINSON, Seaman E. Naval Brigade. Lucknow,

NAVAL MEDALS. 393

March 13th, 1858. For having extinguished a fire among
the sandbags of a battery, under a very heavy fire of musketry.

SALMON, Admiral N., K. C. B., Naval Brigade, and
Boatswain's Mate J. Harrison. Lucknow, November 1 6th,
1857. For gallantry in climbing a tree under fire, at the
angle of the Shah Nujiff, in order to reply to the fire of the
enemy, when Captain Peel had called for volunteers.

SCHOLEFIELD, Seaman M. Inkermann, November 5th,

1854. For defending the Lancaster battery. See Seamen
J. Gorman, and T. Reeves.

SEELEY, Seaman W. H. M. S. "Euryalus." Japan,
September 6th, 1864. For his daring conduct in ascertaining
the enemy's position, and remaining at the front after being
wounded.

SHEPPARD, Boatswain J. H. M. S. " St. Jean d'Acre,"
Sebastopol, July loth, 1855. For his gallantry in twice going
into the harbour alone in a punt, and endeavouring to blow
up a Russian Man-of-war.

SULLIVAN, Chief Boatswain J. Sebastopol, April 10th,

1855. For placing a flag on a mound at great risk, so as to
enable fire to be opened on a concealed Russian battery.

TAYLOR, Captain of the Forecastle. Sebastopol, June
18th, 1855. See Rear-Admiral H. J. Raby, C. B.

TREWAYAS, Seaman J., H. M. S. "Beagle." Crimea,
July 3rd, 1855. For cutting the hawsers of a fioating bridge
at Genitchi under a heavy fire, by which he was wounded.

WILKINSON, Thos. Bombai'dier, R. M. A. Sebastopol,
June 5th, 1855. For his conduct in the advanced trenches in
repairing damages under a heavy fire.

AVILSON, Rear-Admiral A. K., H. M. S. "Hecla." Soudan,
El-Teb, February 29th, 1884. For engaging several of the
enemy in defence of a Gardner gun, single handed, and
wounded.

YOUNG, Commander J., Naval Brigade, and Captain of
Foretop, W. Hall, H. M. S. "Shannon." Lucknow, Nov.
10th, 1857. For his gallantry in working a twenty-four
pounder gun, brought up to the angle of the Shah Nujiff.

394 NAVAL MEDALS.

THE DISTINGUISHED SEEVICE OEDER.

This Order was instituted by a Royal Warrant, dated
September 6th, 1886. It is given to the Officers of the Army,
Navy, Marines, and Indian and Colonial Naval and Military
Forces, who have been specially mentioned in dispatches for
meritorious or distinguished services in the field, or before the
enemy. The badge consists of a gold cross, enamelled white,
edged with gold. On the obverse, in the centre within a
wreath of laurel, enamelled green, is the Imperial crown in
gold, upon a red ground. On the reverse, within a similar
wreath, and on a similar red ground, is the Imperial and
Royal cypher — "V.R.I." The badge is worn on the left
breast, with a red ribbon edged with blue. The names of
those on whom the decoration is conferred are published in
the " Gazette," and a register thereof kept in the office of the
Secretary of "War.

MISCELLANEOUS NAYAL MEDALS.
NAVAL ENGINEERS' MEDAL, 1842.

In 1 842, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty issued
a Medal to be presented as a reward " to Engineers of the
first class, serving in Her Majesty's Navy, who by their good
conduct and ability deserve some special mark of notice."
On the obverse is a two-masted paddle steamer, with a trident
in the exergue. On the reverse is a crown and anchor, with
the words — " For Ability and Good Conduct," within a circle,
outside which the name and ship of the recipient are engraved.
Ribbon, dark blue, with white edges. This is one of the
rarest of medals, as but sis or seven were awarded, and after
1847, when the rank of the Engineers was raised, it was no
longer given.

NAVAL MEDALS.

395

THE AECTIC MEDALS, 1818-55, and 1876.

The first Arctic Medal was granted by a Warrant dated
Jannaiy 30tli, 1855, to all Officers and Men engaged in the
several expeditions to discover a North. - West Passage,
between the years 1818 and 1855. The shape of the medal is
octagonal, having on the obverse the diademed head of the
Queen, with the words "Victoria Regina,,' and on the
reverse, a ship among icebergs, with sailors and a sledge in
the foreground. The words "Eor Arctic Discoveries," are
above, and the dates 1818-1855, in the exergue. The Medal
is surmounted bj-- a star, with a ring for suspension fi'om a

white ribbon. On the return of H.M.S. " Alert " and " Dis-
covery," Captains Gr Nares and H. F. Stephenson, from the
Polar Expedition of 1875-6, a Medal was awarded to all
persons of ever}^ rank and class, who served on board the two
ships, between July 17th, 1875, and November 2nd, 1876.
The Medal was also given to the Officers and Crew of the
yacht " Pandora," Captain A. Young, who rendered valuable
assistance to H.M. ships, while in the Polar Seas. This

396 NAVAL MEDAI/S.

Medal is the usual shape, having on the obverse the head of
the Queen, diademed and veiled, with the legend " Victoria
Hegina," and on the reverse, a ship surrounded by floating
ice. Ei])bon, white.

THE ALBEET MEDAL.

The Albert Medal was instituted by a Royal Warrant,
dated March 7th, 1866, as a reward to Mariners and others,
for saving life at sea, and at first consisted of one class only.
This Warrant was revoked by another issued April 12th,
1867, instituting two decorations, the Albert Medal of the
First Class, and the Albert Medal of the Second Class. By
another Warrant, dated 30th April, 1877, the two decorations
were rendered available as rewards for acts of gallantry in
saving life on land, the medal of the first class being granted
only to cases of extreme and heroic daring. If the possessor
of either of the medals, should again perform an act, which,
if he had not received the medal, would have entitled him to
it, such act is rewarded by a bar attached to the ribbon by
which the medal is suspended. The Albert Medal of the
First Class, consists of a gold oval shaped badge, enamelled
in dark blue, with a monogram of the letters V. and A.
interlaced with an anchor in gold, surrounded by a bronze
garter, inscribed in gold letters, "For gallantry in saving life
at sea," surmounted by the Prince Consort's Crown. For
saving life on land, the badge is enamelled in crimson, the
anchor is omitted in the monogram, and the inscription has
the words "on land," substituted for the words "at sea."
The Medal of the Second Class consists of a similar shaped
enamelled badge, but made entirely of bronze. The medals
for saving life at sea, are worn with a dark blue ribbon, with
four white longitudinal stripes, and for saving life on land,
with a crimson ribbon, with four white stripes. The names
of those on whom the medals are conferred are published in
the " Grazette," and a register thereof kept in the office of the
Board of Trade.

fREN-CH Waf; JVTedai,.

NAVAL MEDALS. 397

THE TUEKISH MEDAL FOE EGYPT, 1801.
(See page 112. J

To reward the distinguished services of the British Array-
in Egypt under Generals Abercroiuby and Hutchinson, and
the valuable assistance rendered by the Eoyal Navy under
Lord Keith, in the expulsion of the French ; 8elim III.,
Sultan of Turkey, ordered a gold medal to be struck, which
was given to all the OiRcers, Naval and Military, who were
engaged in the Campaign. The medal is of three sizes, for
Admirals and Generals, weighing nearly one ounce ; for
Captains in the Navy and Field Officers, weighing twelve
dwt., eighteen gr., and the smallest, given to Naval Lieu-
tenants, Captains in the Army, and Subalterns, weighing
eight dwt., eighteen gr. On the obverse of this medal is a
crescent, and star of eight points, surrounded with an
ornamental border. On the reverse is the Sultan's cypher,
within a similar border, with the date 1801, below. Ribbon,
orange, from which the medal was suspended by a small gold
chain and hook.

THE FEENCH MILITAEY MEDAL.

At the close of the war in the Crimea 1856, a compli-
mentary interchange of national decorations took place among
the allies. Queen Victoria gave orders of knighthood, and
the Crimean medal, to a select number of officers and men in
the armies of France, Sardinia, and Turkey, and the French
Emperor decorated seven hundred and nine officers in the
British Army and Navy, with the Legion of Honour, and
gave five hundred of the French war medal to the non-
commissioned officers and men of the British army. A number
of specially selected men in the Navy also received this medal.
The medal is silver gilt, having on the obverse the head of the
Emperor, within a blue enamelled circle, inscribed "Louis

398 NAVAL MEDALS.

Napoleon," surrounded by a laurel wreath. On the reverse
are the words " Valeur et Discipline," surrounded by a similar
circle and wreath, surmounted by the Imperial Eagle displayed,
and a ring for suspension. Ribbon, orange, with green edges.

THE SARDINIAN MEDAL.

Following the example of the Emperor Napoleon, the
King of Sardinia presented four hundred war medals to the
British Army, and fifty to the British Navy and Royal Marines.
The medal was given to officers and men. On the obverse
are the arms of Savoy (a white cross) with a crown above,
surrounded by palm and olive branches, and the inscription
"Al Valore Militare." On the reverse is a laurel wreath,
with the words " Spedizione d'Oriente," and below the dates
1855-1856. Ribbon, dark blue.

THE TURKISH MEDAL.

The Sultan of Turkey distributed over eleven hundred
orders of the Medjidie among the Officers of the British
Army and Navy, and gave a silver Medal to every man who
had served in the Crimea before the capture of Sebastopol.
Five classes of the Order were issued, according to the rank of
the recipient. The Medal, of silver, has on the obverse, a
field gun, on which is spread a map of the Crimea, with a
mortar and anchor alongside. Behind are placed the British,
French, Turkish, and Sardinian flags, and in the exergue is
the word "Crimea," and the date 1855, On the reverse is
the Sultan's cypher within a laurel wreath, with the word
"Crimea," and the date in Turkish below. The Medal given
to the British forces, differs slightly from those given to the
French and Sardinian troops, in the arrangement of the flags
on the reverse. On the British medal, the flags of Grreat
Britain and Turkey are in the front, with those of France and
Sardinia behind, but on the medal given to the French troops,

JuPvKiSH Wap^ JSIedal.

NAVAL MEDALS. 399

the flags of France and Turkey are in the front, with the
British and Sardinian flags in the rear. On the medal given
to the Sardinians, their National flag, with the Turkish, is on
the front, and tho British and French flags behind. The
vessel which had on board a large proportion of the Turkish
medals intended for the British Army, being unfortunately
wrecked, many of our soldiers received the Sardinian medal,
of which there was a surplus, or the French, instead of that
specially intended for them. Ribbon, crimson, with bright
green edges. These medals were issued without the names
of the recipients being engraved or indented on thom.

HONOEAEY EEWAEDS GEANTED BY THE
COMMITTEE OF THE PATEIOTIC FUND, 1803-1810.

The Patriotic Fund was established at a meeting of
merchants, underwriters, and other subscribers to Lloyds,.
July 20th, 1803, at which it was resolved :— " That to
animate the efforts of our defenders by sea and land, it is
expedient to raise, by the patriotism of the community at
large, a suitable fund for their comfort and relief; for the
purpose of assuaging the anguish of their wounds, or palliat-
ing in some degree the more weighty misfortune of the loss
of limbs, of alleviating the distress of the widow and orphan,
and of granting pecuniary rewards, or honorable badges of
distinction, for successful exertions of valour or merit." By
the end of the month upwards of £100,000 was subscribed.
On August 24th, 1809, £424,832 had been received, and
£331,611 expended, in gratuities and annuities to two
thousand and fifty widows, orphans, and relatives of ofiicers
and men killed in action with the enemy, and to seven
thousand six hundred and forty -two ofiicers and men wounded
or disabled, or in the relief of British prisoners in France.
The sum of £21,274 was exj)ended in honorary rewards of
swords and plate to meritorious officers, but in 1810 these

400 NAVAL MEDALS.

rewards were discontinued, as the committee recommended
that the claims of merit alone ought to give place to the
claims of merit and distress combined. On July 1st, 1825,
the operations of the Patriotic Fund ceased in regard to the
war ending in 1815, the total sum subscribed from July, 1803,
to March, 1826, amounting to £629,823. The balance
remaining was held in trust, to provide a foundation for a
subscription in the event of any future war. The following
is a list of the Officers to whom honorary swords, and plate
were awarded, with the estimated value of each article.
Nearly all these honorary rewards were granted to Officers of
the Royal Navy and Marines ; but to render the list complete,
the names of the few military Officers who received swords, or
plate, are included.

HONORAEY SWORDS.

Value.

ADAMS, Lieutenant Charles, H.M.S. "Renommee." £
For his gallant conduct, in the command of one of the
boats belonging to that ship, in boarding and carrying
the Spanish schooner " Giganta,"* on the 4th of March,
1806. . . . . . . .50

AYSCOUGH, Lieutenant James, H.M.S. "Centaur,"
off Mai'tinique, for his bravery in assisting in the complete
destruction of a battery in " Petit Ance d' Arlette," mount-
ing six twenty -four pounders, on the 26th of November,
1803. . . . . . . .50

BAKER, Captain Thomas, H.M.S. "Phoenix," for his
skill and gallantry in the capture of the French frigate
" La Didon," of forty-four guns and three hundred and
thirty men, on the 10th of August, 1805, see Captain The
Honourable Alan Gardner. (See Page 127. J . .100

• The boats of the " Nautilus," eighteen, sloop, took part in this
service. The " Giganta " carried two long twenty-four-pounders,
three four-pounders, and four swivels, had her boarding nettings triced
Tip, was moored within pistol shot of a battery, and further defended
by one hundred musketeers drawn up on the beach.

NAVAL MEDALS. 401

Value.

BAEBER, Lieutenant, H.M.S. " Magicienne," for his £
gallant conduct in the capture of the Dutch gun-boat
" The Schrik " on the 23rcl of March, 1804, when he was
wounded. . . . . . . .50

BAYNTUN, Captain Henry William, v. Captain
Charles Bullen.

BEATTIE, Lieutenant George, of the Royal Marines,
H.M.S. "Blenheim," off Martinique, for his gallant
conduct in storming Fort Dunkirk,* a battery of nine guns
on the 1 7th of November, 1803. . . . .50

BETTESWORTH, Lieutenant George, H.M.S. " Cen-
taur," for his intrepidit}'^ in the capture of the "Curieux,"
French coi-vette, off Martinique, on the 4th of February,
1804 — when he was wounded. fSee Page 226) . 50

BISSELL, Austin, Esq., Commander of H.M.S. "Rac-
oon,"! for the capture of the brig ''La Petite Fille," the
schooner " La Jeune Adele " and the cutter "L'Amelie,"
ofE the coast of Cuba, on the 13th of October, 1803. . 100

BLACKWOOD, H. Captain The Honourable v. Capt-
tain Charles Bullen.

BLIGH, Lieutentant H.M.S. "Cerberus," for most
gallantly boarding and bringing out, a French schooner,
and a sloop, near The Pearl Rock, Martinique, under
a most tremendous fire of cannon and musketry from
the shore,— on the 2nd of January, 1807. (See Page 231. J 50

* The party of one hundred and thirty-four seamen and marines
were under the orders of Commander W. Ferris, of the fourteen-gun
brig " Drake," who volunteered his services. The boats were accom-
panied by the " Swift " cutter. The fort was surprised, the guns
spiked, and the magazine blown up. The privateer schooner " Har-
monie," mounting eight guns, with a crew of sixty-five men, lying in
Marin Harbour, was boarded and captured, with the loss to the
British of one man killed, and five wounded.

t The " Racoon " was an eighteen-gun brig, while she was engaging
the cutter and schooner, the brig " Petite-Fille," which had sur-
rendered, was re-captured by the French crew, who ran her ashore on
the rocks. The loss of the enemy, whose vessels were full of troops,
was about forty men killed and wounded, the " Racoon " sustained no
loss.

402 NAVAL MEDALS.

Value.

BLUETT, B. Lieutentant H.M.S. "Scorpion," for £
gallant conduct in command of Boats, in boarding and
carrying the Dutch national brig, " Atalante," on the
3rd of April, 1804 . . . .. . . 50

BOLTON, William, Captain H.M.S. "Fisgu'ard," for
his determined bravery and conduct, in storming the forts,
citadel, and town of Amsterdam, Ciiracoa, on the 1st of
January, 1807. f See Page 1^.7.) . . . .100

BOWEN, James, Lieutenant H.M.S. " La Loire," who,
with Lieutenant Francis Temple, cut out the " Venteux,"
French Grun Brig, from under the batteries of the Isle de
Bas, on the 27th of June, 1803. . . . .50

BOXER, James, Lieutenant H.M.S. "Antelope," for
his gallant conduct, in the capture of the Dutch gun-boat
the " Schrik," on the 23rd of March, 1804— when he was
"wounded. • . . . . . .50

BOYD, Lieutenant of the Royal Marines, H.M.S.
^'Blenheim," off Martinique, for his gallant conduct in
storming Fort Dunkirk, a battery of nine guns, on the
17th November, 1803. . . . . .50

BRENTON, Captain Jahleel, (afterwards Vice- Admiral
Sir J., Bart.,) of H.M.S. " Spartan " for the very gallant
action fought by that ship against a French squadron,
carrying ninety-six guns and one thousand one hundred
and eight men, in the Bay of Naples, on the 3rd of
May, 1810. { See Page 172. J . . . .100

BRISBANE, Captain Charles, H.M.S. "Arethusa"
for his bravery in the capture of the Spanish frigate ;
"Pomona" of thirty-eight guns, with a complement of
three hundred and forty-seven men, the destruction of
twelve gun- boats, each carrying a twenty-four pounder
with a complement of one hundred men each, and the
explosion of a Castle mounting sixteen thirty-six pounders
near the Moro Castle, in the island of Cuba, On the 23rd
•of August, 1806. f See Page 132. J . . .100

XAVAL MEDALS. 403

BROWN, Captain Robert Hunter v. Captain Nathaniel
Dance.
BULLEN, Captain Charles—

Lloyd's.
Resolved — That swords of the value of £100 each, with appro-
priate inscriptions, be presented to the surviving Captains and
Commanders of His Majesty's ships, who shared in the dangers
and glory of the memorable action with the combined Fleets
of France and Spain, off Cape Trafalgar, on the 21st of
October, 1805, viz. : —

BULLEN, Captain Charles, of the " Britannia."
HARVEY, Captain Eliab, of the " Temeraire."
CONN, Captain John, of the " Dreadnought."
TYLER, Captain Charles, of the " Tonnant."
DUFF, Captain George, of the " Mars."
CUMBY, Captain WiUiam P., of the " BeUerophon."
MANSFIELD, Captain Charles John M. of the 'Minotaur '
MOORSOM, Captain Robert, of the " Revenge."
PELLEW, Captain Israel, of the " Conqueror."
BAYNTUN, Captain Henry William, of the ' Leviathan.'
PILFOLD, Lieutenant John, of the " Ajax."
CODRINGTON, Captain Edward, of the " Orion."
LAFOREY, Captain Sir Francis, Bart., of the ' Spartiate.'
DIGBY, Captain Henry, of the " Africa."
HARGOOD, Captain WiUiam, of the "BeUeisle."
MORRIS, Captain James NicoU, of the " Colossus."
KING, Captain Richard, of the " AchiUe."
REDMILL, Captain Robert, of the "Polyphemus."
RUTHERFORD, Captain WiUiam G. of the "Swiftsure."
HOPE, Captain George, of the " Defence."
STOCKHAM, Lieutenant John, of the " Thunderer."
DURHAM, Captain P. C. of the " Defiance."
GRIND ALL, Captain Richard, of the " Prince."
BERRY, Captain Sir Edward, of the "Agamemnon."
BLACKWOOD, Captain The Honourable H., of the
" Euiyalus."

404 NAVAL MEDALS.

PROWSE, Captain William, of the " Sirius.
DUNDAS, Captain T. of the Naiad.
LAPENOTIERE, John, Lieutenant, of the "Pickle."
YOUNG, Robert, Lieutenant, of the " Entreprenante."

Value.

CANNING, George Lieutenant H.M.S. "Desiree," for £
gallant conduct in bringing out of Monte Christi roads,
six sail of Schooners, under a smart fire from the batteries,
on the 18th of August, 1804. . . . .50

CARR, Lieutenant William, of H.M. schooner "L'Ec-
lair, twelve guns, for his spirited conduct in engaging the
"Grande Decidee" from Guadaloupe, carrying twenty-
two nine-pounders, and two hundred and thirty men, on
the 5th of February, 1804. 50

CLARKE, Captain William Stanley v. Captain Nath-
aniel Dance.

CLEMENTS, Lieutenant Nicholas Brent, H.M.S.
" Mediator," being the leading fire-ship in the attack and
destruction of four French ships of the line, and driving
several others on shore, in Ais Roads, when he was
wounded in this gallant enterprise — on the 11th of April,
1809. (See Page IBIf.J . . . . .50

COCHRANE, Captain Lord, H.M.S. "PaUas," for his
brave and spirited conduct in the capture of the national
corvette " La Tapageuse," in the river of Bordeaux, and
in driving on shore three other national corvettes, where
they were wrecked, on the 5th of April, 1806, . .100

CODRINGTON, Captain Edward, v. Captain Charles
BuUen.

COLE, Lieutenant Thomas, H.M.S. "Blenheim," for
his gallant conduct in the attack and capture of the
French privateer schooner " L'Harmonie " in the har-
bour of Marin, in the Bay of St. Anne, Martinique, on
the 17th of November, 1803— 6w Beattie. . . 50

COMPSTON, Lieutenant WiUiam, H.M. sloop "Drake"
for gallant conduct in cutting out a schooner in the har-

NAVAL MEDALS. 405

Value,
hour of Trinite, Martinique, on the lOth. of February, £
1804, when he was wounded in the arm. . . .50

CONN, Captain John, v. Captain Charles Bullen.

COOMBE, Captain William, to whom, when lieutenant
of H.M.S. "Galatea" a sword of the value of £50 was
voted, on the 2l8t of April, 1807, for gallant conduct —
and who was killed in action with the enemy, before the
sword could be delivered to him. His widow requested
that she might be aUowed to receive it, fondly expressing,
that it might " be kept in the Family, as a Memorial of his
Services." (See Page 232. J . . . .50

COOTE, Lieutenant William, H.M.S. "Cerebus," for
most gallantly boarding and bringing out a French
schooner, and a sloop, near to the Pearl Eock, Martinique,
under a most tremendous fire of cannon and musketry
from the shore, on the 2nd of January, 1 807 f See Page 231.) 50

COENEE, Lieutenant Eobert, H.M.S. " Thisbe," for
his gallant conduct in boarding and carrying, with five
men, the "Veloce" privateer of three guns and forty
men, in the Mediterranean on the 1st of May, 1804. . 50

CEAWFOED, Mr. J. C, mate of H.M.S. "Pallas,"
for his bravery in the capture of the National corvette
" La Tapageuse," in the river of Bordeaux, on the 5th of
April, 1806. . . . . . .30

CEOFTON, Lieutenant George, H.M.S. " Cambrian,"*
for his gallant conduct, in boarding and carrjdng two
ships and the Spanish privateer schooner "Maria," on
the 7th of July, 1805, in the Eiver St. Mary. . . 50

CEOZIEE, Captain Acheson, of the Eoyal Marines.
H.M.S. " Centaur," off Martinique, for his bravery in
assisting in the complete destruction of a battery in Petit
Ance d' Arlette, mounting six twenty-four pounders, on
the 26th of November, 1803 — where he was wounded. . 50

• The " Camhrian " was a forty-gun frigate, commanded by Captain
(afterwards Admiral) J. P. Beresford.

406 NAVAL MEDALS.

Value.
CUMBY, Captain William P. v. Capt. Charles BuUen. £
DACEES, Captain James Eichard, Jun., H.M.S.
"Bacchante," for his distinguished and spirited conduct,
in company with H.M. Ship " Mediator," in the capture
of the French national schooner "Dauphin," and the
destruction of the Fort at Samana,* " that nest for Privat-
eers," on the 25th of February, 1807. . . .100
DANCE, Captain Nathaniel, —

Lloyd's, 14th of August, 1804.

Resolved Unanimously — That the circumstances of an Enemy's
Fleet of Ships of War, commanded by an Admiral (Linois), in
an eighty four gun Ship, being attacked, defeated, and chased
by a Fleet of Merchant Ships, protecting an immense property,
is highly honourable to the British Naval character, and
affords a brilliant example to the present and future ages.

Resolved — That a Sword of £100 value, with a suitable
inscription, be presented to Captain Nathaniel Dance, of the
East India Ship " Earl Camden," who acted as Commodore on
that occasion.

Resolved — That Swords of £50 value each, with appropriate
inscriptions, be presented to the Commanders of the other
fifteen ships engaged in that Action. — viz.

TIMINS, Captain John Fann, of the "Eoyal George."
MOFFATT, Captain WiUiam, of the " Ganges."
FAEQUHAESON, Captain James, of the " Alfred."
HAMILTON, Captain Archibald, of the ' Bombay Castle.'
PENDEEGEASS, Captain James, of the "Hope."
LOCKNEE, Captain John Christopher, of the "Ocean."
KIEKPATEICK, Captain John, of the 'Henry Addington'
FAEEEE, Captain William Ward, of the ' Cumberland.'

* Samana, situated on the east coast of the island of San Domingo,
was a noted resort of privateers. The ships sailed in under French
colours, the fort was cannonaded and stormed, and two privateers,
with two prizes, captured in the harbour. The British loss was two
men killed, and fourteen men wounded.

XAVAL MEDALS. 407

CLAEKE, Captain William Stanley, of the '' Wexford."
MEEITON, Captain Henry, of the " Exeter."
LAEKINS, Captain Thomas, of the " Warren Hastings."
BEOA\TS', Captain Eobert Hunter, of the " Dorsetshire."
WILSON, Captain Henry, of the " Warley."
TOEIN, Captain Eobert, of the " Coutts."
WOEDSWOETH, Captain John, Jun., of the "Earl of
Abergavenny."

Value.
DAWSON, Lieutenant WilHam, H.M.S. ' St. Eiorenzo ' £
in testimony of the gallant manner in -which he continued
the action with the French national frigate " La Piedmon-
taise," (after the death of Captain Hardinge, who fell
gloriously in the early part of the action), and finally
conducted it to a successful issue — off Cejdon, on the 8th
of March, 1 808. f See Fage 137.) . . .100

DIGBY, Captain Henry, v. Captain Charles Bullen.
DILLON, Captain WiUiam Henry, H.M. sloop " Chil-
ders," for his gallantr}^ and able conduct in action with a
Danish ship of War, of much superior force, off the coast
of Norway, on the 13th of March, 1808, in which he was
ver}- severely wounded. fSce Page 139.) . . 100

DOMETT, Lieutenant WiUiam, H.M.S. "Centaur,"
remarkably active in annoying the enemy during the war,
distinguished himself particularly in destroying a battery
of three thirty -two pounders, at Point d'Arlette, and a
^battery of two eighteen pounders, at Point Margot de
Diamant, both on the Island of Martinique, and lost his
life by the explosion of a Sloop, which he had re-captured
fi'om the enemy, on the 9th of February, 1804. Eesolved
— That a sword of £50 value, in memory of his late son,
be presented to the father, Mr. Eobert Domett.

DOUG-LAS, Lieutenant P. L, third of H.M.S. " Fran-
chise," for his gallant and meritorious conduct in the
capture of the Spanish brig " Eaposa," in the Bay of
Campeachy, on the 7th of January, 1806. . . 50

408 NAVAL MEDALS.

Value.

DOWLEE, Mr. WiUiam Pitt, Midshipman, of H.M. £
sloop " Swift," who, in command of a boat with six men,
boarded and carried " La Caridad Perfecta," a Spanish
schooner of twelve guns, and fifteen men, from under the
batteries pi'otecting the harbour of Truxillo, on the 13th
of August, 1805. . . . . . .30

DRUEY, Lieutenant, Second of H.M.S. "Hydra,"
for his daring gallantry in the capture of three armed
Polaccas, in the harbour of Begu, on the coast of Cata-
lonia, and the storming of a fort containing four twenty-
six pounders, and under a heav}^ discharge of musketry,
on the 7th of August, 1807. . . . .5a

DUFF, Captain Greorge, v. Captain Charles Bullen.

DUNDAS, Captain T., r. Captain Charles Bullen.

DUEHAM, Captain P. C, v. Captain Charles Bullen,
— and Honorary Plate.

ELPHINSTONE, Captain E., H.M.S. " Greyhound,"
for his brave and spirited conduct in company with H.M
sloop " Harrier," in the capture of the Dutch republi-
can frigate "Pallas," of thirty-six guns, the "Victoria,"
a two-decked ship of about eight hundred tons, and the
"Batavia," a ship of about five hundred tons, both of
them armed for the purpose of war, and richly laden
with the produce of the Moluccas, in the Java Seas, —
on the 26th of July, 1806. . . . .100

EYEEAED, Lieutenant Matthias, of the 2nd or Queen's
Eoyal Eegiment of Foot, for his great gallantry in
leading on the " Forlorn Hope," in the assault and
capture of Monte Video, on the 3rd of February, 1807. . 50

FAEQUHAE, Captain Arthur, H.M. bomb 'Acheron'
for so nobly supporting the honour of the British Flag,
and successfully protecting the convoy under his care,
against two French frigates in the Mediterranean, on the
4thof February, 1805. f See Page 125. J . .100

FAEQUHAESON, Captain James, r. Captain Nath-
aniel Dance.

NAVAL MEDALS. 409

Value.

FAEEEE, Captain William Ward v. Captain Nath-
aniel Dance.

FEEEIS, William, Esq., Commander of H.M. sloop
"Drake," who volunteered his services in the attack and
capture of the French privateer schooner " L'Harmonie "
in the harbour of Marin in the Bay of St. Anne, Martin-
ique, and the storming of Fort Dunkirk, on the 17th of
November, 1803. . . . , . .100

FITTON, Lieutenant Michael, H.M. schooner " Pitt,"
for his gallantry and superior professional abilities in the
capture of the French schooner " La Superbe,"* off Cape
Maize, on the 26th of October, 1806. . . .50

* The " Pitt " was armed with ten eighteen-pounder carronades, and
two six-pounders, and the " Superbe," fourteen guns, was the most
formidable French privateer in the West Indies. After a lon^ chase,
with intervals of (Jlose and spirited action, lasting three days, every
officer and man labouring during a great part of the time at the
sweeps, the privateer was driven on shore, and abandoned by her crew.
With the aid of the boats of the sloop " Drake," she was got afloat, and
taken into Port Royal. The Captain of the " Superbe " was Dominique
Diron, a most daring and skilful freebooter, who detained and plun-
dered almost every vessel he met with. Among the papers found on
board his ship was a list of captures of English, American, and
Spanish ships, amounting to the value of £147,000. OuC of her comple-
ment of fifty-four men and boys, the " Pitt " had eight men wounded.
The crew of the " Superbe " was stated to be ninety-four men, four of
whom were found dead in the hold, and three mortally wounded, when
the vessel was captured. Her total loss was understood to be fourteen
men killed, but most of the wounded escaped with their commander
on shore. Pi.ear- Admiral Dacres strongly recommended the zeal,
ability, and gallant conduct of Lieutenant Fitton to the Lords of the
Admiralty, but he was shortly afterwards superseded in the command
of the " Pitt " by the eleve of an Admiral, and instead of being
promoted to the rank of commander he remained an uneniployed
Lieutenant. By his unwearied exertions in putting down French
privateering in the West Indies, Lieutenant Fitton injured his health
and fortune, but received neither promotion nor reward. He captured
between thirty and forty privateers, with but little benefit to himself,
as he shared with the officers of the flag ship, and much of the prize
money he did get, he lost by the failure of his agent. The Admiralty
a,llotted a sum of money to purchase a fast sailing cruiser for service
in the West Indies, to be commanded by Lieutenant Fitton, who was
authorised to choose the vessel. He selected the " Pitt," but the
price asked for her exceeded the sum allowed by the Admiralty, and
an inferior vessel would have been purchased, if the Lieutehant had
not made up the difference, over £400, from his own hardly earned
money. This sum was never repaid him, and he died a Lieutenant.

410 NAVAL MEDALS.

Value.
FLEMING, Lieutenant John, H.M.S. ''Franchise," £
for his distinguished merit and bravery, in the capture of
the Spanish brig " Raposa," in the Bay of Campeachy,
on the 7th of January, 1806. . . . .50

FORREST, Lieutenant John, First of H.M.S. "Emer-
ald," for his gallant conduct in cutting out the " Mozam-
bique " French schooner privateer, of ten eighteen
pounder carronades, from under the batteries, near the
Pearl Rock, on the 13th of March, 1804. , . 50

FOWLER, Lieutenant Robert, of the Royal Navy, for
his able services in the memorable Action which took place
in the China Seas, on the 15th of February, 1804,
between a Division of the East India Company's Ships
and a French Squadron. . . . . .50

FURBER, Lieutenant Thomas, H.M.S. "Blenheim,"
for his gallant conduct in the attack and capture of the
French privateer schooner " L'Harmonie " in the harbour
of Marin, in the bay of St. Anne, Martinique, on the 17th
November, 1803. . . . . . .50

GrABRIEL, Lieutenant James Wallace, H. M. S.
"Phoebe," in consideration of his gallant conduct, on
the 14th of July, 1803, in an engagement with a French
privateer. . . • . . . .50

GARDNER, Captain The Honble. Alan.

Lloyds,
Resolved — That swords of the value of £100 each, with
appropriate inscriptions, be presented to the surviving Caj)-
tains and Commanders of His Majesty's shij)s, who shared in
the engagement with a French squadron, off Ferrol, on the
4th of November, 1805, — viz.

GARDNER, Captain The Honble. Alan, of the "Hero."
LEE, Captain Richard, of the " Courageux."
HALSTED, Captain L. W., of the "Namur."
RATHBONE, Captain Wilson, of the ' Santa Margaritta.'
BAKER, Captain Thomas, of the "Phoenix."
HOTHAM, Captain Henry, of the " Revolutionaire."

NAVAL MEDALS. 411

Yalue.

GIBSON, Lieutenant, H. M. S. "Galatea," for his £
gallantry, in the capture of the French Imperial corvette
"LeLynx," off the coast of Caraccas, on the 21st of
January-, 1807. . . . . . .50

GEEEN, Mr. John, Master's Mate, of H. M. S.
** Galatea," who commanded a boat at the capture of
the French National corvette "Le Lynx," on January
21st, 1807. . . . . ... 30

GRIND ALL, Captain Eichard, v. Captain Charles
Bullen.

HAMILTON, Captain Archibald, v. Captain Nathaniel
Dance.

HANCHETT, Lieutenant J. M., H.M.S. "Antelope,"
for his gallant conduct, in the capture of the Dutch
galUot "The Schrik," on the 23rd of March, 1804. . 50

HAEDINGE, Captain George N., H.M.S. "Scorpion,"
for his intrepidity in the capture of the Dutch National
brig "Atalante," off "The Vlie," mounting 16 long
twelve-pounders, and 76 men, on the 31st of March, 1804. 100

HAEYEY, Captain Eliab, v. Captain Charles Bullen.

HASWELL, Lieutenant John, First of H. M. S.
"Pallas," for his bravery and meritorious conduct, in
the capture of the National corvette " La Tapageuse," in
the river of Bordeaux, on the 5th of April, 1806 . . 50

HAWKINS, Mr. George, Midshipman, of H.M.S.
" Magicienne," on whom the command of one of the
boats, which attacked the Dutch gun-boat " The Schrik,"
on the coast of Holland, on the 23rd of March, 1804,
had accidentally devolved, — and b}- whose sword the
Dutch commander fell, while attempting to cut down a
British seaman. . . . . . .30

HAWKINS, Lieutenant John, H.M.S. "Atalante,"
for his spirited conduct, on the 9th of October, 1803, in
Quiberon Bay. . . . . . .50

HAYES, Lieutenant Eobert, of the Eoyal Marines,

412 XAVAL MEDALS.

Value.
H.M.S. "Hydra," for his determined gallantry in the £
capture of three armed Polaccas in the harbour of Begu,
on the coast of Catalonia, and the storming of a fort
containing four twenty-six pounders, under a heavy
discharge of musketry — on the 7th of August, 1807 . 50

HEAD, Lieutenant Eichard, H.M.S. " Euryalus," who
in the command of the boats manned and armed, attacked
and carried in a most spirited manner, a Danish gun-
boat and three smaller vessels, lying under the protection
of a battery, near the entrance of the Naskon, on the
Coast of Denmark, on the night of the 11th of June,
1808. . . . . . . .50

HENDERSON, Lieutenant Robert, H.M.S. 'Osprey,'
oft' Martinique, who, in the cutter under his command,
without waiting for two other boats, in the most brave
and determined manner, and under a heavy fire from the
guns and musketry of the schooner, boarded and captured
the French schooner privateer " La Resource," mounting
four four-pounders, and having on board forty-three
men, October 26th, 1803. . . . . .50

HEWITT, Mr. James, Midshiijman, of H.M.S. "In-
constant," for gallant conduct in cutting out a vessel
from under the batteries of Groree, under a very heavy
fire from the enemy, on the 24th of April, 1 804. . 30

HILLYAR, Mr. William, Midshipman, of H.M.S.
" Niger," for his gallant conduct in boarding and carry-
ing the enemy's vessel after the death of the late Lieu-
tenant Jones, on the 17th of August, 1803. . . 30

HOPE, Captain George, v. Captain Charles Bullen.

HOTHAM, Captain Henry, v. Captain The Honour-
able Alan Gardner.

HUGHES, Lieutenant and Commander W. I., H.M.
fire-brig "Phosphorus,"* for his brave and determined

* The " Phosphorus " carried but four twelve-pounder carronades,
with a crew of twenty-four men and boys, officers included. The

NAVAL MEBALS. 413

Value,
resistance against a large lugger, pierced for sixteen guns, £
and having on board from seventy to eighty men, which,
after an action of one hour and ten minutes, made sail
and sheered off. OS the Isle of Wight, on the 14th of
August, 1806. . . . . . .100

KERR, Lieutenant Charles, H.M.S. "Jason," severely
wounded in action with the enemy at Aquadilla, in Porto
Rico, when he commanded the detachment that was
landed for the purpose of storming the Fort, on the 1 st
of June, 1 806. . . . . . .50

KINGr, Captain Richard, v. Captain Charles BuUen.

KING, Lieutenant Samuel, First of the "Centaur,"
then acting in H.M. sloop "Drake," for gallant conduct
in carr>-ing, with thirty men only, the fort at Trinite,
Martinique, when opposed to much superior force, on the
24thof February, 1804. . . . . .50

KIRKPATRICK, Captain John, v. Captain Nath-
aniel Dance.

LAFOREY, Captain Sir Francis, Bart. v. Captain
Charles Bullen.

LAKE, Lieutenant Honourable W., H.M.S. "Blanche"
for his masterly and gallant conduct, in cutting out a
large coppered cutter* lying close under the guns of
Monte Christi, on the 5th of November, 1803. . . 50

lugger laid the " Phosphorus " alongside, and made a determined
attempt to carry her by boarding, but was beaten off, with a loss on
the part of the British, of her commander, master, and six men
wounded, one mortally.

* The cutter was the " Albion " (French), armed with two four-
pounders and six swivels, lying at anchor in Mancenille Bay, St.
Domingo, close to a fort which mounted four twenty-four pounders,
and three field pieces. An attempt to cut the vessel out by day, by
three boats carrying sixty-three officers and men, was found to be
impracticable, and Lieutenant Nicolls, of the Marines, volunteered to
cut her out by night, with one boat only. His offer was accepted, and
on the evening of November 4th, he, with the cutter and twelve men,
set out from the frigate. After he had started, Captain Mudge
ordered the barge with twenty-two men, under Lieutenant the Hon.
W. Lake, to follow the cutter, and supersede Lieutenant Nicolls iu the
command. The boats joined, and Lieutenant Nicolls, pointed out

414 NAVAL MEDALS.

Value.

LAMB, Mr. Midshipman of H.M.S. " Franchise," for £
his brave and gallant conduct, in the capture of the
Spanish brig " Baposa," in the Bay of Campeachy, on
the 7th of January, 1806, . . . .30

LAMBEET, Captain Henry, H.M.S. "St. Fiorenzo,"
for his bravery and skill in the capture of the French
national frigate "La Psyche" off Vizagapatam, on the
14th of February, 1805. f See Page 126. J . .100

LAPENOTIEEE Captain, v. Captain Charles BuUen.

LAEKINS, Captain Thomas, v. Captain Nathaniel
Dance.

LAUEIE, Captain Sir Eobert, H.M.S. "Cleopatra,"
for his spirited and gallant conduct in attacking and so

the cutter to Lieutenant Lake, but the latter insisted that the vessel
lay on the opposite side of the bay, and, with the barge, proceeded in
that direction. It was about half-past two in the morning when the
cutter pulled towards the " Albion," which was expecting an attack
and prepared to receive it. On the boat arriving within pistol shot
she was hailed, and replying with three cheers, was received with a
heavy fire of musketry, which severely wounded the coxswain and two
men. Nicolls ran alongside, and with his remaining nine men,
boarded the enemy. As he sprang on board, the French captain dis-
charged his pistol at him, at a distance of about a yard. The bullet
struck the Lieutenant in the side, passed round his body, and lodged
m his right arm. At the same moment the French captain fell shot
dead, and after a trifling resistance the crew of the cutter were driven
below, leaving their captain and five men wounded, (one mortally) on
the deck. Not a shot was fired from the battery, as Lieutenant
Nicolls ordered his marines to keep firing, as if the contest was still
undecided, while the seamen cut the cable and got the " Albion "
under sail. Just at this time, the barge came up, and Lieutenant Lake
assumed the command. He ordered the marines to cease firing, and
they had scarcely done so when the battery opened on the vessel with
round shot and grape, and killed two of the "Blanche's " men. But
the breeze being fair, the " Albion " soon ran out of gun-shot, and
joined the frigate in the offing, without further loss. Captain Mudge,
in his letter to the Admiralty, gave all the credit of the affair to
Lieutenaut Lake, and did not even mention that Lieutenant Nicolls
was wounded in the service. Consequently, the Fund presented
Lieutenant Lake with a sword valued atfifty pounds, "/or /lis masterly
and gallant conduct" and rewarded Lieutenant Nicolls with one
valued at thirty pounds. It might be as well to mention that some
years afterwards, in 1810, Captain the Hon. Warwick Lake was tried
by Court Martial and dismissed the service, for his cruelty and
tyranny, in landing and leaving a sailor on the barren and desolate
island of Sombrero, in the West Indies, for alleged theft on board
H.M.S. " Eecruit."

NAVAL MEDALS. 415

Value,
disabling the " Ville de Milan,"* as to render her incap- £
able of either engaging or escaping H.M.S. "Leander,"
on the 16th of February', 1805. . . . .100

LEE, Captain Richard, v. Captain the Honourable
Alan Gardner.

LIND, Captain James, H.M.S. " Centurion," for the
gallant and spirited conduct displayed by him, in the
defence of H.M.S. "Centurion" against so great a sup-
eriority of force, in Vizagapatam road, on the 18th of
September, 1804, under every advantage on the part of
the assailants, with the complete defeat given the French
Admiral, Mons. Linois, and his squadron. fSee Page 12Jf..J 100

LOCKNER, Captain John Christopher, v. Captain
Nathaniel Dance.

LOCKYER, Lieutenant Nicholas, Third of H.M.S.
"Tartar," for his bravery and intrepid conduct, in the

* The " Cleopatra " was a twelve pounder, thirty-two gun frigate, with
a crew of two hundred men and boys, the " Ville de Milan " was an
eighteen-pounder, forty-gun frigate, with a crew of three hundred and
fifty men, from Martinique, bound for France. The " Cleopatra"
chased, and after a determined engagement of three hours, her rigging
being cut to pieces, and her wheel shot away, the " Ville de Milan "
ran her on board, and though at first repulsed, the overpowering numbers
of the enemy overcame all opposition, and the British colours were hauled
down. Soon afterwards, the fore and main masts of the " Cleopatra "
went over her side, the bowsprit soon followed, and she lay in an
utterly disabled state under the bows of the "Ville de Milan." In the
action, the " Cleopatra " had nineteen men and a boy killed, and eight
officers and thirty men wounded, (two mortally). The Captain of the
"Ville de Milan" was killed, and his second in command badly
wounded, but the exact loss of the enemy was not known. Their ship
suffered severely, as her main and mizen masts fell during the night
succeeding the engagement. Having shifted the prisoners, and
placed a prize crew en board the " Cleopatra," the French officer in
command continued his voyage, with the two ships jury rigged, towards
France. On February 23rd, he was discovered and chased by the
"Leander," fifty, Captain Hon. J. Talbot, which ship soon came up
with the " Cleopatra," which surrendered at the first shot, and the part
of her original crew that remained on board, rushed upon deck and
recovered possession of their ship. Captain Talbot ordering the
"Cleopatra" to follow him, made sail after the "Ville de Milan," and
getting alongside of her after an hour's chase, she struck her colours
without a gun being fired. She was added to the British Navy by the
name of the " Milan," and Sir B. Laurie was appointed to command her.

416 NAVAL MEDALS.

Value,
capture of the French privateer " Hirondelle," off St. £
Domingo, carrying ten four-pounders, and 50 men, on the
31st of July, 1804 . . . . . .50

LUMLEY, Lieutenant John Richard, H.M.S. " Sea-
horse," for his intrepid conduct, in the destruction of
several of the enemj^'s coasting vessels, in the Bay of
Hieres, on the 10th of July, 1804, when he was severely
wounded. . . . . . . .50

LYDIARD, Captain Charles, H.M.S. "Anson," for
his intrepidit}^ and zeal, in the capture of the Spanish
fi-igate " Pomona," the destruction of twelve gun-
boats, and the explosion of a Castle near the Moro Castle
in the Island of Cuba, on the 23rd of August, 1806. (See
Page 132. 'J . . . . . . . 100

MAITLAND, Captain Frederick Louis, H.M.S. ' Loire'
for his gallant conduct on the 4th of June, 1805, in
Muros Bay. . . . . . .100

MALLOCK, Lieutenant Samuel, Senior officer of the
Royal Marines, of H.M. " Loire," for his bravery in the
capture of a privateer of the enemy, on the 2nd of June,
and at the head of the Marines at the storming of Fort
Muros, on the 4th of June, 1805. (See Page 227. J . 50

MANSFIELD, Captain Charles John M., v. Captain
Charles BuUen.

MASTERMAN, Lieutenant William Henry, of the
Royal Marines, for his spirited conduct in the successful
attack of two ships and the Spanish privateer schooner
" Maria " in the river St. Mary, on the 7th of July, 1805. 50

MAURICE, Lieutenant Jas. W., First of H.M.S.
" Centaur," off Martinique, for his bravery in assisting
in the complete destruction of a battery in Petit Ance d'
Arlette, mounting six twenty-four pounders, on the 26th
of November, 1803, when he was wounded. . .50

MEECH, Lieutenant Giles, of the Royal Marines,
H.M.S. " Emerald," who commanded the Marines in the

NAVAL MEDALS. 417

Value,
attack made on the Forts in Vivero Harbour, on the £
coast of Spain, and in the destruction of the ri-ench
national corvette "L'Ajiropos," on the 1 3th of March, 1 808. 30

MENDS, Lieutenant, of the Eoyal Marines, H.M.S.
" Franchise," for his highly meritorious conduct in the
cutting out of the Sj)anish brig " Eajiosa," in the Bay of
Campeachy, on the 7th of January, 1806. . . 50

MENZIES, Lieutenant Charles, of the Eoyal Marines,
H.M.S. " Minerva,"* for his intrepidity and zeal when
commanding the Marines belonging to that shiji, at the
storming of Fort Finisterre, and in capturing five Sj^anish
luggers, on the 22nd of June, 1806. . . .50

MERITON, Captain Henry, v. Captain Nathaniel
Dance.

MOFFATT, Captain William, v. Captain Nathaniel
Dance.

MOORE, Lieutenant Colonel, of the 23rd Dragoons,
for his gallant conduct at the battle of Maida, on the 3rd
of July, 1806 . . . . . .100

MOORE, Lieutenant Ogle, H.M.S. " Maidstone," for
his gallant conduct and determined bravery, in the des-
truction of several of the enemy's coasting vessels, in the
Bay of Hieresf, on the 10th of July, 1804. . .50

• Two boats from the "Minerva," thirty-two, under the orders of
Lieutenant W. Mulcaster, were dispatched on the night of June 22nd,
to cut out some Spanish luggers, lying under the protection of a fort,
mounting eight guns, twenty-four and twelve pounders. The fort was
carried by pike and bayonet, before the garrison had time to raise their
drawbridge or fire a gun, four Spaniards were taken prisoners, and the
remainder escaped. The guns were spiked and thrown into the sea,
and five luggers laden with wine brought out, without the loss of a man.

t On the night of July 18th, ten boats from the frigates, " Seahorse,"
" Narcissus," and " Maidstone," under the command of Lieutenant J.
Thompson of the "Narcissus," Lieutenants J. R. Lumley, Ogle Moore,
and Hyde Parker, attacked twelve settees lying in Hieres Bay, moored
with chains to the shore, and defended by a three-gun battery. In
face of a very heavy fire of grape shot and musketry, most of the
vessels were boarded and set on fire, one only being brought off. In
this affair, a midshipman and three men were killed, and five officers
and eighteen men wounded.

418 NAVAL MEDALS .

Value.

MOOESOM, Captain Eobert, v. Captain Charles £
Bullen.

MULCASTER, Lieutenant W. H., First of H.M.S.
" Minerva," for his bravery and meritorious conduct in
the capture of five Spanish luggers and Chasse Marees
in Finisterre Bay, and the Fort, mounting eight brass
guns twenty-four aud twelve pounders, on the 22nd of
June, 1806. . . . . . .50

MULLAH, Lieutenant Henry, Second of H.M.S. " Tar-
tar " for his bravery and intrepid conduct, in the capture
of the French privateer " Hirondelle " off St. Domingo,
carrying ten four-pounders and fifty men, on the 3 1st of
July, 1804 . . . . . .50

MUNDY, Captain George, H.M.S. "Hydra" for his
glorious achievement in the capture of three armed Polac-
cas in the harbour of Begur, on the coast of Catalonia, and
the storming of a fort containing four twenty-six pound-
ers, strongly defended by nature as well as by art, and
occupied by thi'ee times his force, — on the 7th of August,
1807. /" See Faff e 133. J . . . . .100

MUE.TON, Lieutenant Henry John, of the Royal
Marines, H.M.S. "Renommee," who commanded the
Marines employed in the boats, at the capture of the
Spanish schooner " Giganta," on the 4th of May, 1806. . 30

NICHOLS, Lieutenant Edward, of the Royal Marines,
H.M.S. " Blanche," for his gallantry in cutting out the
"Albion," a large coppered cutter, laying close under
the guns of Monte Christi, on the 5th of November, 1 803 30
Also when,

NICHOLS, Captain Edward, of the Royal Marines,
H.M.S. " Standard," for his meritorious and gallant con-
duct on many important occasions, — particularly for his
services in burning a frigate, and destroying a large
battery, in the Dardanelles, as recorded in the London
Gazette, of the 5th of May, 1807, — and for his dis-

NAVAL MEDALS. 419

Value.

tingushed behaviour, when commanding the Royal £
Marines, in the boats belonging to H.M.S. " Standard,"
at the capture of two armed gun-boats, off the Island of
Corfu, as recorded in the London Gazette, of the 3rd of
January, 1809. f See also Page 1^13. J . . .50

NUGENT, Lieutenant John, H.M. gun brig " Strenu-
ous," for his bravery in the capture of the French frigate
" La Salamandre "* in Erqui Bay, on the 12th of October,
1806. . . . . . . .50

NUNN, Major Abraham Augustus, of the Ist West
India Regiment, wounded while faithfully executing the
orders of General Prevost " not to yield to the enemy one
inch of ground," in the defence of the Island Dominica,
on the 22nd of February, 1805. . . . .50

O'CONNELL, Captain Maurice Charles, of the 1st
West India Regiment, whose wound did not induce him
to forego the honour of. the command to which he suc-
ceeded, on Major Nunn being disabled — and in which he
resisted the repeated charges of the enemy, notwithstand-
ing their superiority in numbers, until he obliged them to
retire with great slaughter. — Dominica, the 22nd of Feb-
ruary, 1805. . . . . . .50

OLIVER, Lieutenant James, H.M.S. "Bacchante,"
for his noble conduct, in gallantly attacking and

* The " Constance " twenty two, Captain A. S. Burrowes, with the
" Strenuous " and " Sheldrake," brigs, chased the " Salamandre,"
twenty-six, into the Bay of Erqui on the coast of Brittany, where she
prepared for an obstinate defence, aided by a battery on the cliff, and
some troops with field pieces on the beach. The British ships got as
close to the enemy as possible, anchored, and opened fire on the
" Salamandre " and battery. After an hour and half's cannonading, the
" Salamandre " hauled down her colours and was taken possession of
by the British. Near the close of the action Captain Burrowes was
killed, the " Constance " having her cables cut by shot, took the
ground, the wind blowing strong on shore. Exposed to a heavy fire in
a helpless condition, the crew took to their boats, and abandoned the
" Constance," leaving their wounded to the care of the enemy. Besides
the Captain, eight men were killed, and two officers and fourteen men
wounded (four mortally). After her surrender, the " Salamandre " ran
ashore, and the assailants being unable to get her off, set her on fire
and destroyed her.

420 NAVAt MEDALS.

Value,
carrying a fort in the island of Cuba,* which, with the £

men it contained, ought to have maintained its position

against fifty times the number of opponents, on the 5th of

April, 1805. . . . . . .50

PAEKER, Lieutenant Hyde, H.M.S. "Narcissus," for
his determined bravery, in the destruction of several of
the enemy's coasting vessels, in the Bay of Hieres, on the
10th of July, 1804. . . . . .50

PAEKER, Lieutenant Sir William, H.M.S. " Eenom-
mee," for his gallantry, in boarding, carrying, and
bringing out imder the fire of the guns of the town and
fort of Vieja, and also under the fii-e of more than 100
musketeers, the Spanish schooner " Giganta," on the
4th of May, 1806. . . . . .50

PEEKYNS, Mr. Edward, Mate of H.M.S. "PaUas,"
for his bravery, in the capture of The National Corvette
La Tapageuse, in the river of Bourdeaux, on the 5th of
April, 1806. . . . . . .30

PEAESE, Captain Henry Whitmarsh, H.M. Sloop
" Halcyon," for his spirited and skilful conduct, in the
caj)ture of the Spanish Ship "Neptuno,"t of fourteen

* This gallant exploit was accomplished by two boats of the
" Bacchante " twenty-two, containg thirty six men, under the command
of Lieutenant Oliver. It was reported that three French privateers
were lying in the harbour of Mariel near Havannah, and the boats were
dispatched to capture or destroy them. The Harbour was defended by
a round tower nearly forty feet high, mounting three twenty-four
pounders, and loopholed for musketry, which it was necessary to capture
before attacking the ships. On the first boat nearing the shore, the
tower opened fire, severely wounding one man. Without waiting for the
other boat Lieutenant Oliver landed, and leaving three men in the
boat, with the remaining thirteen, by means of a ladder, scaled and
carried the tower, without further loss, though garrisoned by a captain
and thirty soldiers, two of whom were killed, and three wounded. Leav-
ing the tower in charge of a sergeant and six marines, and the second
boat having joined. Lieutenant Oliver entered the harbour in search
of the privateers, but to his mortification found they had sailed the day
before on a cruise. He however made prizes of two schooners laden
with sugar, and brought them out, in spite of opposition from troops
and militia.

t Besides the " Neptuno," the " Halcyon," a sixteen gun brig, was
engaged by a fourteen gun brig, and a xebec of twelve guns. After an
action lasting two hours, the brig and xebec aided by their boats and
sweeps, hauled off and escaped. The masts and rigging of the " Halcyon"
were much damaged, but she did not have a man hurt.

NAVAL MEBALS. 421

Yalue.
twelve-pounders, and seventy-two men, off Cape St. £
Martin, on the 13th of December, 1806 . . .100

PELL, Lieutenant Watkin Oweu, H.M.S. '* Mercury,"
for his determined bravery, in cutting out a Venetian
Gun-boat, from the Harbour of Eovigno, in the night of
the 1st of April, 1809 . . . . .50

PELLEW, Captain Israel, v. Captain Charles Bullen.

PELLY, Captain Charles, H.M. Sloop "Beaver," for
his zeal and gallantry, in the capture of the Dutch
National Brig " Atalante," mounting sixteen long twelve
pounders, and seventy-six men, off The "\^ie, on the 31st
of March, 1804. f See Page 123. J . . .100

PENDERG-RASS, Captain James, v. Captain Nathaniel
Dance.

Captain Pendergrass appears to have been animated
at an early period with the spirit of Enterprise.
In his younger years he passed with approbation
through the different stations of an Officer in the Service
of The East India Company, — and, during the vicissitudes
of the late eventful war, he had the misfortune to be
taken prisoner in the "Princess Royal," when she was
captured in the Straits of Sunda, in September, 1793,
but being soon set at liberty, and disdaining an indolent
life, whilst the ship "Hope" was building, he eatered
as a volunteer on board the "Queen Charlotte," then
commanded by Sir Andrew Snape Douglas, and had the
satisfaction to be present at the attack of the French
squadron by Admiral Lord Bridport, close in with Port
L'Orient, on the 23rd of September, 1795.

PHILLIPS, Lieutenant James Robert, H.M.S. " Cen-
turion," for his gallant and spirited conduct, in the
defence of H.M.S. "Centurion," against the Squadron
of Mons. Linois, in Vizagapatam Road, on the 18th of
September, 1804. f See Page 121^. J . . .50

PIGOT, Lieutenant George, H.M.S. " Cambrian " for
28

422 NAVAL MEDALS.

Value,
his gallant conduct, in boarding and carrying two ships £
and the Spanish privateer schooner " Maria," on the
7th of July, 1806, in the river St. Mary's — when he was
wounded. . . . . . . .50

PILPOLD, Captain John v. Captain Charles Bullen.

PEEVOST, Brigadier Greneral George, for his distin-
guished gallantry and military skill, by which the
sovereignty of the Island Dominica was preserved to His
Majesty's arms, on the 22nd of February, 1805. . .100

PRIEST, Mr. John, Midshipman, who commanded the
third boat of H.M.S. "La Loire," on the 27th of June,
1803, in an attack on Le Venteux. {See Page 225.) . 30

PEOWSE, Captain WiUiam v. Captain Charles Bullen.

EAINIEE, Captain Peter, H.M.S. " Caroline " for his
bravery and determined conduct in the capture of- the
Dutch Eepublican frigate " Maria Eeygersbergen," of
thirty-six guns, and two hundred and seventy men,
besides which he had to encounter three other sloops and
brigs and several gun-boats, off Batavia,'" on the 18th of
October, 1806. . . . . • .100

EATHBONE, Captain Wilson, v. Captain the Honour-
able Alan Gardner.

EEDMILL, Captain Eobert, v. Captain Charles
Bullen.

EEYNOLDS, Lieutenant Eobert Carthew, H.M.S.
"Centaur," for his gallant capture of the "Curieux"
French corvette, on the 4th of February, 1804, lying

• The " Maria Eeygersbergen," a thirty-six-gun frigate, with an
eighteen-gun sloop, a fourteen-gun corvette, and a brig, was lying at
anchor in Batavia Eoads. The " Caroline," thirty-six, stood in,
and anchored, with springs on her cables, within pistol-shot of the
frigate, and in half an hour compelled her to surrender. The other
three vessels took a partial share in the action, which was fought in
sight of thirty gunboats, lying in shore, but they made no attempt to
come out. The casualties of the British were three men killed, and a
lieutenant and seventeen men wounded. The prize, which had
fifty men killed and wounded, was added to the British Navy by the
name of the Java.

NAYAL MEDALS. 423

Value,
close under fort Edward at the entrance of the Carenage, £
Fort Royal Harbour, Martinique, — when he received five
severe wounds. (See Page 226. J . . .50

EICHARDS, Lieutenant, M.M.S. "Constance," for
his bravery, in the capture of the French frigate "La
Salamandre," in Erqui Bay, on the 12th of October, 1806,
when he was wounded . . . . .50

ROWED, Lieutenant Henry, of the armed cutter
** Sheerness,"* for attacking, and capturing, with much
inferior force, two French Chasse Marees, on the 9th of
September, 1803. . . . . . .50

RUNCIMAN, Mr. Alexander, Midshipman of H.M.S.
''Inconstant," for gallant conduct, in cutting out a vessel
irom under the battei'ies of Groree, imder a very heavy
fire from the enemy, on the 24th of April, 1804. . . 30

* The " Sbeerness " was an hired cutter, mounting eight four
pounders, with a crew of thirty men and boys, cruising off Brest.
Liieutenant Rowed dispatched a boat with eight men to intercept one
of the French vessels, whilst himself in the " Sheerness " chased the
other. The breeze failing, the Lieutenant called for volunteers, and
with the boatswain, J. IMarks, and three men, pushed off in a small
boat, which would carry no more, and pulled towards the chasse marie,
then about four miles off. After a chase of two hours, and when fast
nearing the vessel, she ran ashore under a battery, close to which
thirty French soldiers were drawn up on the beach. Lieutenant
Rowed got alongside, and as he boarded the chasse viarcc, her crew
deserted her for the shore, and the troops opened a sharp fire of
musketry on the assailants. After great exertions, all the time under
fire, with the assistance of the rising tide, the vessel was got off, and
taken in tow by the boat. The prize had not been towed out of
musket-shot, when a French boat, containing an officer and nine men,
ran alongside and endeavoured to board. The boatswain, Marks, sprang
on board the chasse marce, in his haste forgetting to take any weapon
with him, and unarmed as he was, by his threatening gestures kept the
enemy at bay, till his four companions could come to his assistance.
The French, probably admiring the gallantry of their unarmed
opponent, did not fire on him, and finding the British determined to
defend their prize, made off, and the vessel in spite of the fire from
the troops and the battery, was brought out in triumph. Not one of
the captors was wounded, though forty-nine musket balls were after-
wards counted in the sides and spars of the chasse maree. The boat
sent in pursuit of the other vessel, captured her without any resistance.
Lieutenant Rowed was not promoted for his intrepid conduct, but the
gallant boatswain was presented by the Committee with a silver call
and chain. (See Page 434.)

424 NAVAL MEDALS.

Value.

EUTHERFORD, Captain William G., v. Captain £
Charles BuUen.

SARSFIELD, Mr. Barry, Master's Mate, of H.M.S.
" Gralatea," who commanded the launch at the capture of
the French corvette "Lynx," January 21 at, 1807. f'See
Fage 231. J . . . . . . Sa

SHIELDS, Lieutenant William, H.M.S. " Scorpion,"
for his gallant conduct in command of a boat in the cap-
ture of the Dutch national brig " Atalante," on the 3rd
of April, 1804. . . . . . .50

SHIPLEY, Captain Conway, H.M. sloop " Hippo-
menes," for his gallant conduct in capturing the French
frigate " Egyptienne," mounting thirty-six guns, and
having on board two hundred and forty men, on the 27th
of March, 1804. Captain Shipley handsomely attributed
the slight resistance she made, to the fear of being as
severely beaten as she had been four days previously by
the " Osprey,""' Captain Younghusband. . lOO

SHIPPARD, Lieutenant Alexander, of the hired armed
cutter "Admiral Mitchell," for attacking seven vessels
belonging to the enemy, and driving on shore a French
gun -brig and an armed sloop, on the 31st of October,
1803. . . . . . . .50

SIBLEY, Lieutenant E. R., First of H.M.S. "Cen-
taur," for boarding and carrying by the Division of
Boats led on by him, " in a stjde highly honourable to
The National character," the French corvette " Le
Ceesar,', in the entrance of the river Graronne, — and to
whose gallantry, " no words of mine (Capt. Sir Samuel

* The " Osprey," an eighteen-gun sloop, Commander G. Young-
husband, cruising on the Windward Islands station, fell in with the
" Egyptienne," a French privateer, and engaged her for nearly an
hour and a half, when the privateer made off, and being by far the
best sailer, was soon out of sight. Four days afterwards, the privateer
was chased by the " Hippomenes " sloop, fourteen, for fifty-four hours,
and taking the " Hippomenes " to be the " Osprey," she struck her
colours, as soon as the sloop got fairly alongside.

NAVAL MEDALS. 425

Value.
Hood) are equal to do justice, every one speaks of him in £
terms of the highest commendation," — on the 16th of
July, 1806, — when he was badly wounded in several
places. {See Page 229.) . . . . .50

STOCKHAM, Captain John, v. Captain Charles Bullen.

SUTHEELAND, Mr. James, Master of H.M.S.
"Pallas," for his braver}' and sjnrited conduct, in the
capture of the national corvette "La Tapageuse," in the
river of Bordeaux, on the 5th April, 1806. . . 50

TEMPLE, Lieutenant Francis, H.M.S. "La Loire,"
who, with Lieutenant James Bowen, cut out "The
Yenteux," French gun-brig, from under the batteries of
the Isle de Bas, on the 27th of June, 1 803. {See Page 225.) 50

THICKNESSE, Captain John, of H.M. sloop "Shel-
drake," for his gallantry and bravery, in the capture of
" The Salamandre," a French frigate-built ship, mounted
with twenty-six long twelve and eighteen pounders, and
manned with one hundred and fifty men, in Erqui bay,
on the 12th of October, 1806. . . . .100

THOMPSON, Lieutenant John, first of H.M.S. "Nar-
cissus," for his intrepid conduct and determined bravery,
in the destruction of several of the enemy's coasting
vessels, in the Bay of Hieres, on the 10th of July, 1804 . 50

THOMPSON, Midshipman Mr. W. A., of H.M.S.
" Pallas," for his bravery in the capture of the national
corvette "La Tapageuse," in the river of Bordeaux, on
the 5th of April, 1806. . . . . .30

TIMINS, Captain John Fann, v. Captain Nathaniel
Dance. "Captain Timins carried the 'Royal George'
into action in the most gallant manner." The "Royal
George " being the leading ship, " bore the brunt of the
action, and got as near the enemy as he would permit himy

TOPIN, Captain Robert, v. Captain Nathaniel Dance.

TROUBRIDGE, Captain, H.M. sloop "Harrier," for
his spirited and detej'mined conduct, in company with

426 NATAL MEDALS.

Yalue.
n.M.S. "Greyhound," in the capture of the Dutch Ee- £
publican frigate "Pallas," of thirty-six guns, the
"Yictoria," a two-decked ship of about eight hundred
tons, and the "Batavia," a ship of about five hundred
tons, both of them armed for the purpose of war, and
richly laden with the produce of the Moluccas, in the
Java Seas,— on the 26th of July, 1806. . . .100

TYLER, Captain Charles, v. Captain Charles BuUen.

ITSSHEE, Lieutenant Thomas, H.M. armed Brig
" Colpoys," for his boarding, and carrying three Spanish
luggers, in the port of Avillas,"^' notwithstanding a heavy
discharge of grape from the enemy's battery of twenty-
four pounders, and the musketry of a party of soldiers,
on the 21st of March, 1806. . . . .50

YINCENT, Captain Eichard Budd, H.M. Sloop
"Arrow," acting as Commodore, for nobly supporting
the honour of the British Flag, against two French fri-
gates of very superior force in the Mediterranean, and
successfully protecting the convoy under his care, on the
3rd of February, 1805. fSce Page 125.) . . 100

"WALKEE, Lieutenant William, of the Eoyal Marines,
H.M.S. "Centaur," off Martinique, for his bravery in
assisting in the complete destruction of a battery in
Petit Ance d'Arlette mounting six twenty-four pounders,
on the 26th of November, 1803 — when he was wounded. 30

WATT, Lieutenant John Ellis, H.M.S. " YiUe de
Paris," who, on the 17th of August, 1803, in tho pinnace

* Lieutenant Ussher, in the " Colpoys," with a crew of twenty-one
men and boys, drove the three luggers to seek protection under a
battery of six guns. It falling calm, he manned two boats, and
taking the lead himself, pulled in to attack the vessels. Without
waiting for the support of his second boat, he boarded and captured
the luggers one after the other, most of their crews leaping overboard,
and escaping to the shore. Two of the luggers mounted two guns
each. This dashing piece of service was performed with but two tuen
wounded.

NAVAL MEDALS. 427

Value,
cut out the " Message!"," Frencli lugger, of much superior £
force, from within the rocks at Ushant . . .50

WATTS, Lieutenant George Edward, H.M.S. "Comus,"
for his gallant exploit, in the boarding and cutting out
the "St. Pedro" Spanish packet, in the port of Grand
Canaria,* under a severe fire of musketry, and an
exceedingly heavy fire from all the batteries, — when he
received several wounds, — on the 8th of May, 1807 . 50

WHITE, Lieutenant Edward, H.M.S. "Beaver," for
gallant conduct in command of boats, in boarding and
carrying the Dutch national brig "Atalante," on the
3l8t of March, 1804. {See Page 123.) . . .50

WILSON, Captain Henry, v. Captain Nathaniel Dance.

WISE, Captain WiUiam Furlong, H.M.S. "Mediator,"
for his determined bravery, in company with H.M.S.
"Bacchante," in the capture of the French national
schooner "Dauphin," and the carrying of the fort at
Samana by storm, by a detachment of seamen and
marines under his command, — on the 25th of February,
1807. (See Page 1^06. J . . . . .100

WOOLDEIDGE, Captain James, H.M.S. "Mediator,"
for his gallant and highly meritorious conduct, when
employed as the leading fire-ship in the attack and des-

* The " Comus," twenty-two, was cruising off the Canary Islands,
when a large armed vessel was discovered at anchor under the batteries
of Grand Canaria. The " Comus " stood in as close as she could, and
dispatched three boats to attempt to cut out the enemy, a large
felucca, moored close under the principal fort, fully prepared for the
attack, with a body of soldiers on board. Lieutenant Watts in the
cutter, was the first to board her, and had almost cleared her deck
before the other boats came up, and the enemy were driven overboard,
or below. The cables of the vessel were cut, but the Spaniards having
taken her rudder and sails ashore, the boats attempted to take her in
tow. At this moment, a hawser, concealed under water, and made
fast to the stern of the felucca, was manned in the fort, and she was
dragged almost under the muzzles of the guns, before the British
could cut the rope, under a heavy fire. The prize was then towed out,
fired on by all the batteries as long as she was within range. The loss
of the captors was one man killed, and Lieutenant Watts and four
men wounded.

428 NAVAL MEDALS.

Value,
truction of the French fleet, in Basque roads, on the £
12thof April, 1809. (See Page 15If.J . . .100

WOEDSWOETH, Captain John, Junr., v. Captain
Nathaniel Dance.

YEO, Lieutenant James Lucas, H.M.S. "Loire," for
his gallant conduct, on the 4th of June, 1 805, in Muros
Bay, when he was wounded. /"See Page 227. J . . 50

YOUNGrE, Lieutenant Eobert, v. Captain Charles
BuUen.

YOUNGHUSBAND, Captain George, H.M. sloop
" Osprey," for his spirited conduct in attacking and
silencing the French privateer " Egyptienne," mounting
36 guns and having on board 255 men, on the 23rd
of March, 1804. . . . . . .100

HONOEAEY PLATE.

Value.

AUCHMUTY, Brigadier-General Sir Samuel, for his £
able conduct, in the capture of the important Fortress
and City of Monte Video, on the 3rd of February, 1807,
a Vase, with an appropriate inscription, of the value of 200

AUSTEN, Captain Francis William, H.M.S. "Cano-
pus," for his brave and gallant conduct, in the brilliant
and decisive victory, on .the 6th of February, 1806, off
St. Domingo, a Vase of the value of £100. (See Page Ifd.J

BAIED, Major-General Sir David, for the gallantry
with which he effected a landing in the face of a sujjerior
force of the enemy, and achieved the important conquest
of the Cape of Good Hope, on the 18th of January, 1806,
a vase, of the value of £300, with an appropriate
inscription. ...... 300

BAKEE, Captain Thomas, H.M.S. "Phoenix," who
shared in the danger and glory of the engagement with
the French Squadron off Ferrol, November 4th, 1805 —
a Vase of the value of £100. fSee Page If5.J

NAVAL MEDALS. 429

Value.

BEEESFORD, Major-General, for his gallant and (lis- £
interested conduct in the successful and important cap-
ture of Buenos Ayres and its dependencies, in July, 1806.
— a Vase of the value of . . . . . 200

BERRY, Captain Sir Edward, H.M.S. " Agamemnon "
a Vase of the value of £100, for his distinguished valour
in the memorable victory of Trafalgar, October 21st, 1805, 100
and for his brave and gallant conduct in the brilliant and
decisive victory, on the 6th of February, 1806, off St. Do-
mingo— a Vase of the value of £100. (See Pages 1^3 and 1^6.)

BOURNE, Lieutenant Richard, of H.M. schooner
"Felix," for his gallant conduct in an action with an
enemy's privateer of superior force . . .100

BRISBANE, Captain Charles, H.M.S. "Arethusa,"
for his determined courage and judicious zeal in the cap-
ture of the Island of Curacoa, on the 1st of January,
1807,— a Vase of the value of £200. ( 8ee Page !f!.)

CAMPBELL Major, of the 40th Regiment, for his
bravery in the assault and capture of the important
fortress and City of Monte Video, on the 3rd of February
1807, when he was wounded — a Vase of the value of .100

CAPEL, Captain the Honourable T. B., H.M.S.
" Phoebe," who shared in the danger and glory of the
memorable victory of Trafalgar — a Vase of the value of 100

COCHRANE, Rear-Admiral the Honourable Sir Alex-
ander, K.B., H.M.S. ' Northumberland,' who contributed
by his noble support to the brilliant and decisive victory
on the 6th of February, 1806, off St. Domingo — a Vase
of the value of £300, with an appropriate inscription,

{^See Page 1^6.) . . . . . .300

COCHRANE, Captain N. D., H.M. frigate "King-
fisher, for his brave and gallant conduct, in the brilliant
and decisive victory, on the 6th of February, 1806, off
St. Domingue, — a Vase, of the value of . . . 100

COLLINGWOOD, Vice- Admiral Lord, H.M.S. "Royal

430 , NAVAL MEDALS.

Value.
Sovereign." Resolved — that a Vase, of the value of £500, £
be presented to His Lordship, who, after the death of
the Commander-in-Chief in the hour of victory, at
Trafalgar, so nobly completed the triumph of the day . 500

COOKE, Captain John, H.M.S. " Bellerophon," killed
in the action with the combined fleets off Cape Trafalgar,
his widow affectionately expressing, that any mark of
honour to her late husband's memory would be highly
gratifying to her feelings. Resolved — that a piece of plate
of the value of £200, with an appropriate inscription, be
presented to Mrs. Cooke ..... 200

DALY, Captain, H.M.S. " Comet'" for his intrepid con-
duct in the destruction of the forts St. Salvador de
Ano and Sedra, and the blowing up of the Magazine,
when he was much scorched — on the 22nd of June, 1808
— a Vase of the value of £100, with an appropriate
inscription . . . . . .100

DANCE, Commodore Nathaniel, for his able and suc-
cessful conduct in the memorable repulse of the French
squadron, in the China seas — a Vase of the value of - 100

DUCKWOETH, Viee-Admiral Sir John Thomas, K.B.
H.M.S. " Superb," for the brilliant and decisive victory
on the 6th of February, 1806, in the Bay of St. Domingo
— a Vase of the value of £400, ornamented with emblem-
atical devices, and an appropriate inscription. {See Page 1^6.) 400

DUFF, Captain George, H.M.S. "Mars," killed
in action with the combined Fleets off Cape Trafalgar,
on the 21st of October, 1805. Resolved — That a piece of
plate of the value of £100, with a suitable inscription, be
presented to Mrs. Duff, his widow, to descend to his son,
then a midshipman in the Royal Navy. . . .50

DUNN, Captain E. D., frigate " Acasta," for his brave
and gallant conduct, in the brilliant and decisive victory,
on the 6th of February, 1806, off St. Domingo — a Vase
of the value of . . . . • .100

NAVAL MEDALS. 431

Value.

DUEHAM, Captain P. C. H.— (afterwards Admiral £
Sir Philip Charles Henderson Durham, G.C.B.,) — for his
zeal and sj^irited exertions, when commanding H.M.
ship "Spitfire," in 1793, in capturing the enemy's
Privateers, for his re-captures of Bi'itish Merchantmen, —
and also, for having brought into port the first tri-coloured
flag, captured since the breaking out of hostilities— a
piece of plate of the value of . . . . 300

Subsequently this gallant officer was presented with a
sword {See Captain Charles Bullen), in token of the high
sense which the Patriotic Fund Institution entertained of
the distinguished part which he took in the ever
memorable battle of Trafalgar.*

DYNELY. Captain Birt, of H.M. Packet the "Duke
of Montrose," for his most gallant conduct and persever-
ance in capturing " L'Imperial," schooner, off Dominica,
on the 24th May, 1806— a Vase of the value of . . 50

FAIE, Mr. Eobert, Master of H.M.S. "Beaver," for
his gallant conduct in the capture of the Dutch National
Brig " Atalante." {See Pac/e 123.) . . .50

FEEMANTLE, Captain Thomas Francis, H.M.S.
"Neptune," a Vase of the value of £100, for his deter-
mined bravery in the glorious victory of Trafalgar. . 100

HALSTED, Captain L. W., H.M.S. " Namur," who
shared in the danger and glory of the engagement with
the French squadron off Ferrol — a Vase of the value of 100

HAMMILL, Major, of the Eoyal Eegiment of Malta,
for his intrepidity at the battle of Maida, 4th of July,
1806, when he was wounded — a Vase of the value of .100

• His Majesty Louis XVIII, King of France, conferred upon Sir
Philip Durham, the Cordon Rouge, in reward for his exertions in
saving the Island of Martinique from falling into the hands of the
Buonapartists, — for the recapture of the Island of Guadaloupe, — and,
finally, for having had the good fortune to cause the last Tri-coloured
flag captured, to be struck to the " Venerable," his flag-ship, in
August, 1815.

432 NAVAL MEDALS.

Value.

HA.EDINGE, George, Esq., Attorney General to the £
Queen, in commemoration of the zeal, gallantry, and
judgment displayed by his adopted son, Captain George
Nicholas Hardinge, of H.M.S. "St. Piorenzo," who was
killed in the brilliant action with "La Piedmontaise "
French national frigate, on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of March,
1808 — a Vase of the value of £100, with an appropriate
inscription, f See Page 137. J . . . .100

HARDY, Captain Thomas Masterman, H.M.S. "Vic-
tory," who shared in the danger and glory of the
memorable victory of Trafalgar, — a Vase of the value of 100

HARGOOD, Captain William, H.M.S. "Belleisle,"
who shared in the danger and glory of the memorable
victory of Trafalgar, — a Vase of the value of . .100

HEDDLE, Mr. John, Surgeon to the African Corps,
who volunteered his services, and was severely wounded
in the defence of Goree. . . . . .50

HENNAH, Captain, H.M.S. "Mars," who shared in
the danger and glory of the memorable victory of Ti-afal-
gar, — a Vase of the value of . . . .100

HILLIER, Mr. Robert, Gunner of H.M.S. "Pallas,"
for having particularly distinguished himself in command
of boats, by landing and destroying the signal posts
belonging to the enemy, in 1806, — a piece of Plate of
the value of . . . . . .30

HONEYMAN, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert, of the 93rd
regiment, for his zealous and spirited conduct, in the con-
quest of the Cape of Good Hope, on the 1 8th of January,
1806, — when he was wounded, — a vase, of the value of 100

HOOD, Commodore Sir Samuel, H.M.S. " Centaur,"
for his intrepidity and zeal, in the capture of four large
French frigates,* on the 25th of September, 1806, — when

* The French frigates were from Eochefort, bound to the West
Indies. After a chase and a spirited resistance, the four largest frigates
struck to the " Centaur," " Mars," and " Monarch," and were added to
the British Navy. A thirty-six gun frigate, and two brigs escaped.

NAVAL MEDALS. 433

Value,
he received a severe wound in his right arm, which was £
afterwards amputated, a Vase of the value of . . 300

KEATS, Captain E. G., H.M.S. " Superb," for his
noble and gallant efforts, in the brilliant and decisive
Victory, on the 6th of February', 1806, off St. Domingo,
— a Vase of the value of £100. (8ee Page IfG.J

LAMB, Captain George, for his gallant action, on the
21st of May, 1805, between the "Doris," armed trans-
port of 8 guns, under his command, and a Spanish
privateer, of 18 guns. . . . . .50

LAVIE, Captain Thomas, H.M.S. "Blanche," for his
intrepid conduct, in the capture of " La Guerriere,"
French frigate, mounting 50 guns, with a complement of
317 men, after a sharp contest of 45 minutes, off the
Feroe Islands, on the 19th of July, 1806, — a Vase of the
value of £ 1 00 . {See Page 131 . )

LOUIS, Eear Admiral Sir Thomas, H.M.S. " Canopus,"
for the bravery and judgment displayed b}- him in the
biilliant and decisive victory, on the 6th of February,
1806, off St. Domingo, — a Vase of the value of £300,
with an appropriate inscription. .... 300

LYDIARD, Captain Charles, H.M.S. "Anson," for
his able and zealous co-operation, in the capture of his
Catholick Majesty's frigate " Pomona," the destruction of
twelve gun-boats, and the explosion of a Castle, mounting
16 thirty-six pounders, in the island of Cuba, on the 23rd
of August, 1806 {See Page 132.)— a. Vase of the value of 100

McKENZIE, Captain, H.M. frigate " Magicienne,"
for his brave and gallant conduct, in the brilliant and
decisive victory, on the 6th of February, 1806, off St.
Domingo, — a Vase of the value of . . .100

McLEOD, Lieutenant-Colouel, of the 78th Regiment,
for his intrepid conduct, at the battle of Maida, 4th of
July, 1806, — when he was wounded, — a Vase of the
value of . . . . . . . 100

434 NAVAL MEDALS.

Value.

MALCOM, Captain Pulteney, H.M.S. "Donegal," for £
Ms brave and gallant conduct, in the brilliant and
decisive victory, on the 6th of February, 1806, off St.
Domingo, — a Vase of the value of {See Page 1^6.) . 100

MAEKS, Mr. John, Boatswain of H.M. hired armed
cutter " Sheerness," for exemplary bravery in protecting
a Chasse Maree, boarded and taken by a boat from the
said cutter, near the Bee du Raz, on the 9th of Septem-
ber, 1803, — a silver Call and chain.

MOERIS, Captain James Nicol, H.M.S. " Colossus,"
who shared in the danger and glory of the memorable
victory of Trafalgar — a Vase of the value of . .100

MOERISON, Captain, H.M.S. "Northumberland,"
for his noble and gallant conduct, in the brilliant and
decisive victory, on the 6th of February, 1806, off St.
Domingo — a Vase of the value of . . .100

MUNEO, Lieutenant-Colonel, of the 23rd Dragoons,
for his intrepid conduct, at the battle of Maida, 4th of
July, 1806, when he was wounded — a Vase of the value of 100

MOOEE, Lieutenant Ogle, H.M.S. "Minerva," for his
gallant support, in the capture of five Spanish luggers
and chasse marees, in Finesterre Bay, on the 23rd of
June, 1 806 — a Vase of the value of . . .50

NELSON, Lord Viscount, H.M.S. "Victory,"— 7?r.so/r^<^,
that a Vase of the value of £500, ornamented with em-
blematical devices, and appropriate inscriptions, illustra-
tive of the transcendant and heroic achievements of the
late Lord Viscount Nelson, be presented to his relict.
Lady Viscountess Nelson. .... 500

NELSON, Earl of Trafalgar,— i^^soZr^f?, that a Vase of
the value of £500 be presented to him, to descend as an
heir-loom with the title so gloriously acquired. . . 500

NESBITT, Mr. AVilliam, commanding the "Queen
Charlotte," Berwick smack, for his gallant defence
against a French privateer of much superior force, in

NAVAL MEDALS. 435

Value,
which he was severely wounded, in February, 1 804 — a £
Silver Tankard of the value of . . . .30

NOETHESK, the Eight Honourable Eear-Admiral
the Earl of, H.M.S. "Britannia," — Resolved, that a Vase
of the value of £300 be presented to his Lordship, for
his heroic achievements in the memorable victory of
Trafalgar, f See Page 1^3. J . . . .300

NUNN, Major Abraham Augustus, for his meritorious
conduct, being dangerously wounded, when faithfully
executing the orders of Greneral Prevost, in the defence
of Dominica. . . . . . .100

O'CONNEL, Captain Maurice Charles, for his distin-
guished gallantry, in the defence of Dominica. . .100

PAULETT, Major, of the 44th Eegiment, for his
bravery and zealous conduct, at the battle of Maida, 4th
of July, 1806, when he was severely wounded — a Vase
of the value of . . . . . .200

PICKFOED, Lieutenant Charles, H.M.S. "Inconstant,"
whose jiresence of mind, and address in negotiation, in-
duced the French garrison at Groree to capitulate with
himself, then their prisoner, as recorded in the London
Gazette, of the 28th of April, 1804 — a Vase with an
appropriate inscription.

PIGOT, Lieutenant George, H.M.S. "Cambrian," for
his gallant conduct, and in consideration of the wound
which he received in boarding and carrying two ships
and a schooner, in the river St. Mary, July 7th, 1805 . 100

POPHAM, Commodore Sir Home, for his zealous, able,
and spirited co-operation in the conquest of the
"Cape of Good Hope," on the 18th of January, 1806 — a
Vase of the value of £200, with an appropriate inscription, 200
and for his gallant and disinterested conduct in the suc-
cessful and important capture of Buenos Ayres and its
dependencies, in July, 1806 — a Vase of the value of . 200

PEEVOST, Brigadier General George, for his distin-

436 NAVAL MEDALS.

Value,
guished gallantry and military talents, by which the £
Sovereignty of the Island of Dominica was preserved to
His Majesty's arms. ..... 200

PROWSE, Captain William, H.M.S. " Sirius," for his
exertion and zeal, in an encounter with a very formidable
flotilla of the enemy, off the Tiber, on the 27th of April,
1806, in which the Commander of it was captured — a
Vase of the value of f See Page 130.) . . .100

PUCKINGHORN, Mr. James, Master's Mate of
H.M.S. "Beaver," for his steady conduct, in the capture
of the Dutch National brig " Atalante." . . 30

PYM, Captain Samuel, H.M.S. "Atlas," for his brave
and gallant conduct in the brilliant and decisive victory,
on the 6th of February, 1806, off St. Domingo — a Vase
of the value of . . . . . .100

EENNELLS, Mr. Francis, Mate of H.M. hired
schooner " Colpoys," for his spirited conduct on the 6th
of September, 1804, in the attack of a signal post at
Benthaume Castle, near Brest, when the whole of the
signals were captured. . . . . .30

ROBINSON, Mr. Richard, Master of the " Scipio,"
Collier, for his gallant conduct in beating off a French
privateer, on the 26th of April, 1804, in which action he
was severely wounded — a Silver Tankard. . . 30

ROGERS, Mr. William, Acting Captain of H.M.
packet "Windsor Castle," for his gallant conduct, in
action with " Le Grenie," a French privateer, of very
superior force, off Barbadoes, on the 1st of October, 1807
— a Vase, of the value of . . . . .100

ROTHERHAM, Captain Edward, H.M.S. " Royal
Sovereign," who shared in the danger and glory of the
memorable victory of Trafalgar — a Vase, of the value of 1 00

RUTHERFORD, Captain, of the "Helen," Merchant
ship, for the zeal and activity in the cause of his
country, as displayed in the following extract of a

NAVAL MEDALS. 437

Value,
letter addressed to him, by the Honourable Rear- Admiral £
Cochrane — "It is to you, that the British Squadron under
Sir John Thomas Duckworth, was indebted for the victory
they obtained over the enemy off St. Domingo, on the 6th of
February, 1806, — Had you not come up to Tortola in an
open boat, with the intelligence you had received of an
enemy's fleet being seen in the Mona Passage, and which
intelligence you delivered to Captain Cochrane of the
'Kingfisher,' Sir John must have remained in ignorance
of their being there " — a Vase, of the value of . .100

SALMON, Mr., Master of H.M. schooner "L'Eclair,"
for gallantly volunteering his services in cutting out the
"Rose," French privateer, from under the batteries of
the Hayes, Guadaloupe, on the 5th of March, 1804. . 50

SEARLE, Captain Thomas, H.M. sloop " Grasshopper"
for his gallantry, in capturing two Spanish vessels, richly
laden from South America, under the protection of four
gun-boats, and undei' a battery close in with Faro, on the
23rd of April, 1808— a Vase, of the value of . .100

SEYMOUR, Captain Michael, H.M.S. "Amethyst,"
for his determined bravery and skill, in the capture of
the French frigate "La Thetis," of forty-four guns, and
a crew of three hundred and thirty men, and one hundred
and six soldiers, after a long and severe action, off the
Point of Groa, on the 10th of November, 1808 — a Vase,
of the value of £100. fSeePage50.)

SIMONS, Lieutenant, H.M.S. "Defiance," for his
gallant conduct, in the action with the combined fleets,
off Cape Trafalgar, on the 21st of October, 1805, — who,
after boarding the French ship " L'Aigle," then lashed
to the "Defiance," wounding her captain, and hauling
down her colours, was killed on her poop in the act of
hoisting the British colours in their place, Resolved — That
a piece of Plate, of the value of £100, with an appropriate

438 NAVAL MEDALS.

Value,
inscription, be presented to Mr. Simons, father of the late £
Lieutenant Simons. . . . . .100

STEWAET, Captain John, H.M.S. "" Seahorse," for
his gallantry and skill, in the capture oC two large Turkish
ships of war, off the Island of Scopolo, on the 5th of July,
1808— a Vase, of the value of £100. (See Page IfS.J

STIRLING", Rear-Admiral, for his zealous conduct, in
the capture of the imi^ortant fortress and city of Monte
Video, on the 3rd of February, 1807 — a Vase, of the
value of £200, with an appropriate inscription . . 200

STOPFOED, Captain the Honourable Robert, H.M.S.
*' Speacer," for his brave and gallant conduct, in the
brilliant and decisive victory, on the 6th of February,
1806, off St. Domingo — a Vase, of the value of . .100

STRACHAN, Rear-Admiral Sir Richard John, Bart.,
H.M.S. " Csesar," Resolved — That a Vase of the value of
£300 be presented to him, for his heroic achievements,
off Ferrol. (See Page 1^5. J . . . .300

STUART, Major, of the 78th Regiment, for his intrep-
idity, at the battle of Maida, 4th of July, 1806, when he
■was wounded — a Vase, of the value of . . .100

STUART, Major-General Sir John, for his "gallant
conduct at the battle of Maida, 4th of July, 1806, in
■which the pride of the presumptuous enemy was severely
humbled, and the superiority of the British troops most
gloriously proved," — a Vase, of the value of £300, with
an appropriate inscription. .... 300

TIMINS, Captain John Fann, for the gallant manner
in which he lead the action, and j)laced the "Royal
George " alongside the French Admiral's ship, the
"Marengo," of eighty -four guns, in the memorable
repulse of the French squadron in the China seas — a
Vase of the value of . . . . .100

TRACEY, Mr., Secretary to Commodore Hood, for his
gallant conduct in cutting out the " Curieux " French

NAVAL MEDAliS. 439

Yalue.
corvette, close under Fort Edward, Port Eoyal Harbour, £
Martinique, on the 4th of February, 1804, when he was
wounded, f See Page 226.) . . . .30

TROTTER, Major, of the 83rd Regiment, for his gal-
lant conduct, in the assault and capture of the important
fortress and city of Monte Video, on the 3rd of February,
1807, when he was wounded — a Vase of the value of .100

TUCKER, Major, of the 72nd Regiment, for his gal-
lant conduct in the assault and capture of the important
fortress and cit}' of Monte Video, on the 3rd of February,
1807, when he was wounded — a Vase of the value of .100

WALKER, Lieutenant Henry, H.M.S. "Galatea,"
tilled in action with the enemy, having left no
relative who required pecuniary assistance, but that any
honorar}' testimonial to his memor}^ would be highly
gratifj'ing to the feelings of his mother, then Mrs.
Nation, of Exeter — Resolved, that a piece of plate of the
value of £50, with an appropriate inscription, be pre-
sented to Mrs. Nation. . . . . .50

WEIR, Brigade -Major, of the 59th Regiment, for his
zealous and spiiited conduct, in the conquest of the
"Cape of Good Hope," on the ISth of January, 1806,
when he was wounded — a Vase of the value of . . 1 00

WOOD, Captain James Athol, H.M.S "Latona," for
his intrepid and zealous co-operation, in the capture of
the Island of Curacoa, on the 1st of January, 1807 — a
Vase, of the value of £100. (See Page !fi .)

YEO, Lieutenant James Lucas, H.M.S. "Loire," for
gallant conduct, on the 4th of June, 1805, in Muros Bay.
(See Page 227. J . . . . . .50

YESCOMBE, Captain, for his gallant conduct, in the
defence of H.M. packet "King George," on the 31st of
July, 1803, on his passage from Lisbon — in which action
he was killed. It was resolved, that a piece of plate of
£50 value with a suitable inscription be presented to his
widow. . . . . . . .50

440 NAVAL MEDALS.

Here ends the list of tlie gallant men who were rewarded
for their intrejiid conduct by the jDatriotism of their country-
men ; in too many instances the gi'ant of a sword or vase
being the only public token of approbation they ever received.
The statement in the " Articles of War," that — " on the
British Navy, under the good providence of God, the wealth,
safety, and strength of the Kingdom chiefly depend," is na
more than the truth. England is what she is, mainly through
the skill and heroism of her seamen, and it is to be hoped that
the records of their matchless achievements in the past, may
animate their successors with a determination to maintain the
glorious renown of the British Navy.

FIJ^'IS .

INDEX

Aboukir Bay, Landing at
Abu Klea, Battle of . .

Beresford, Lord C, at

Abyssinia Medal

Abyssinian Expedition

Acre, Turkish Medal for

" Admiral Yawl," Capture of

" Adventure " Medal . .

*' Agamemnon " at Sebastopol

Albert Medal, The . .

'• Alcide," Capture of . .

Alexandria, Bombardment of

Amoaful, Naval Brigade at

Amoy, Capture of

Anholt, Defence of . .

" Anne " with Spanish gunboats

Anson's Bay, Attack on junks in

Arctic Medals

" Argus," Capture of . .

" Ark in Flood " Medal

*' Arrow " and " Wolverine " at Ulie

" Arrow " and " Acheron " with French Frigates

" Arrow " and Chasse Marees

" Artemise," Capture of

Ashantee Medal

War

" Atlante," Capture of

Azoff, Operations in the Sea of

" Badere ZaSer," Capture of

Begur and Palamos Medal

Baltic Medal, The . .

Banda, Capture of the Island of

Barlow, Captain R., with " Africaine "

Basque Eoads, French fleet attacked in

PAGE.

113
372
373
337
337

60
136

12
317
396
171
357
347
273
177
136
270
395
194
6
101
125
178
121
342
342
123
319

60
321

51
110
154

442

INDEX.

Bathurst, Captain W., killed

Battersby, Lieutenant H., at Carri

" Bella Aurora," Capture of

Beresford, Lord C, On the Nile. .

Berry, Captain Sir E., andj" Guillaume Tell "

" Birkenhead," Wreck of

Blackwood, Captain H., and " Guillaume Tell '

Bomarsund. Capture of

Boscawen, Admiral, at Louisbourg

Boulton's Trafalgar Medal, and Medal for the " Victory

Bourne, Major, Medal

Bowen, Captain R., and " Mahonesa "

Brenton, Commander J., and Spanish gunboats

Brenton, Captain J., and the " Spartan " at Naples

Bridport's, Lord, Action

Brisbane, Captain C, at Havanna

Brisbane, Captain J., at Parenza

Brohemie, Capture of

" Brunswick " and " Vengeur "

Burmese Medals

Burmah, First War with

Burmah, Second War with

Burmah, Third War with

Annexation of

Burmese Fire Rafts . .

•' Csesar," Capture of, .

" Csesar," Privateer, Capture of

" Caledonia " and " Valiant," in Basque roads

Callis Medal

Cameron, Ca^Dtain, Death of

Camperdown. Battle of

Canton, Capture of . .

"Castor," Capture of

Cawnpore, Naval Brigade at

Cayenne, Capture of..

" Centurion " with " Marengo " and Frigat

" Ceylon" the. Re-capture of

" Chesapeake," Capture of

" Chevrette," Capture of

China Medals

China, First War with

PAGE.

.. 213
.. 238
.. 217
.. 376
.. 106
.. 308
.. 105
.. 325
.. 31
.. 45
.. 12
.. 84
.. 101
.. 172
.. 78
.. 132
., 250
.. 352
.. 33
.. 286
.. 287
.. 292
... 295
.. 296
.. 289
.. 229
,. 248
.. 247
.. 28
.. 168
.. 39
.. 282
.. 70
.. 334
.. 149
.. 124
.. 176
.. 55
.. 221
.. 267
., 268

INDEX. 443

PAGE.

China, Second War with . . . . . . . . 277

" Christian Frederic," Capture of .. .. .. 140

" Circe " and " Stork " with a flotilla . . . . . . 148

•' Cleopatra," Capture'of .. .. .. ..67

Cochrane Lord, with " Gamo " . . . . . . . . 117

Cochrane Lord, at Basque Eoads . . . . 157-8-9 &c.

Oockburn, Bear Admiral A. at French Town . . . . 261

Coghlan, Lieutenant J., with the " Cerbere " . . . . 219

Cole, Captain, Presentations to . . . . . . . . 53

Collier, Captain F. A., off the Pearl rock . . . . . . 147

Coombe, Lieutenant W., with the " Lynx " . . . . 231

Captain W., Death of . . . . . . . . 236

" Confiance," at Cayenne .. .. .. .. 150

Connecticut River, Vessels destroyed in . . . . . . 263

Convoy destroyed at Rosas .. .. .. .. 241

Cooke, Captain, with " La Forte " . . . . . . 96

Coomassio, Capture of . . . . . . . . 348

Copenhagen, Battle of . . . . . . . . 141

Cornwallis, Vice-Admiral, Retreat of . . . . . . 77

" Cossack," Boat of, at Hango . . .. .. .. 328

Crawford, J., at Camperdown .. .. .. ..39

Crimea Medal . . . . . . . . . . 314

War in ., .. .. .. ..314

Curacoa, Capture of . . . . . . . . . . 47

" Curieux," Capture of . . . . . . . . 226

Captain, Anecdote of . . . . . . 226

Danish Gunboats, Capture of . . . . . . 254 and 260

Danish Privateers, Capture of . . . . . . . . 255

" Dart " with " Desiree " .. .. .. .. 108

Davies Lieutenant and French Officer . . . . . . 132

Davison's Medal for Battle of Nile . . . . . . 41

" Decius" and " Vaillante," Capture of . . . . . . 85

" Dictator " and " Podargus," off Mardoe . . . . . . 190

" Didon," Capture of . . . . . . . . 127

Dilkes, Rear Admiral, Medal of , . . . . . . . 26

Distinguished Service Order . . . . . . . . 394

Drury Lieutenant, at Begur . . . . . . . . 134

Durham, Rear Admiral P. C, with two French frigates . . 197

Anecdote of . . . . . . 199

Dutch defeated by Blake . . . . . . . . 12

Dutch War Medal, gold .. .. .. ..20

444

INDEX.

PAGE.

" Echo," Capture of . . .. .. .. .. 172

Egypt, Operations on the Coast of . . . . . . Ill

Egyptian and Soudan Medals . . . . . . . . 354

Elbe, Operations near the . . . . . . . . 239

Ellis, General S. B., on board the " Ajax," at Trafalgar . . 44

El-Teb, Battle of . , , . . . . . . . 364

" Essex," Capture of .. .. .. .. 201

" Eurotas " and " Clorinde " .. .. .. .. 200

Exmouth, Lord, at Algiers . . . . ... 204,208

Exinouth, Lord, Medal presented to . . . . . . 209

Fatshan Greek, Action of . . . . . . . . 279

Keppel's, Commodore Hon. H., Account nf .. .. 281

Eaulknor, Captain, at Martinique . . . . .69

Death of . . . . . . . . 72

" Fawn " and " Guadaloupe " .. .. .. .. 238

Ferrol, Action off .. .. .. .. ..46

Pitton, Lieutenant M., Services of . . . . . . 409

Fodi Cabba, Expedition against . . . . . . 349

Fodi Silah, Expedition against . . . . . . . . 350

Fort Dunkirk, Capture of . . . . . . . . 401

*' Prederickscoarn," Capture of . . . . . . . . 134

French Frigates captured by the " Unicorn " & " Santa Margaritta " 82

French Military Medal . . . . . . . . 897

" Furet," Capture of . . . . . . . . 102

" Furieuse," Capture of .. .. .. ..50

Gaeta, Blockade of . . . . . . . . . . 204

Galekas, Campaign against the . . . . . . . . 309

"Galliard," Capture of .. .. .. ..233

Gate Pah, Attack on. . .. .. .. .. 305

Gemaizah, Battle at. . .. .. .. .. 385

" Genoa," Anecdote of a seaman of .. .. .. 212

" Giganta," Capture of ,. .. .. .. 400

" Gloire," Capture of .. .. ..75

Glover's, Captain J., March on Coomassie. . .. .. 348

Gluckstadt, Capture of . . . . . . .197

Gold Medals for 1st of June . . . . . . . . 35

Gordon, Captain J. A. with Spanish gunboats . . . . 141

Gordon, Captain J. A., wounded . . . . . . 185

Grao, Vessels captured at . . . . . . . . 246

Guadaloupe, Capture of . . . . . , . . 169

" Guelderland," Capture of .. .. .. .. 143

INDEX.

445

"Guepe," Capture of

*' Guerrier," Capture of

" Guillaume Tell," Capture of . .

Gunboats captured near Trieste

Gunboats, Attack on, in Basque Roads

Gunboats captured at Maestro . .

Gunvessels captured on Lake Borgne

Hall, Captain, at Port St. Mary

" Happy Entrance " and " Antelope "

Hardinge, Commander and Dutch Captain

Hardinge, Captain G. N., with " Piemontaise "

Hardy, Lieutenant T. M., and the " Mutine "

Harman, Sir John, and Dutch Admiral

Harvey Rear Admiral, and Lord Gambler . .

Hasheen, Battle at . .

" Havik," Capture of

Hawkey, Lieutenant J., at Hango

" Hermione," Recapture of

" Heron," Capture of

Hewitt, Lieutenant W., Anecdote of

Honorary Rewards of the Patriotic Fund . .

Hood, Captain A., and " L'Hercule "

Hood, Rear Admiral Sir S. with " Sewolod "

Hood, Sir S., off Rochefort

Hopson, Vice Admiral, at Vigo, 24. Vigo Medals

Hornby, Captain R. and " Marquis de Brancas "

Hornby Medal

Hoste, Captain W., at Cortelazzo

Hotham's, Vice-Admiral, Action

Hotham, Captain Hon. H., with French Frigates

Howe, Lord, Victory of, June 1st,

Hoy, Lieutenant, with Privateer

" Hussar," Capture of

" Hydra " at Begur . .

Indiau Mutiny Medal

Inyezane, Naval Brigade at

Java, Capture of

Juba River Expedition

" Junon," Capture of

Kaffir War, the third

Keats, Captain R. G., off Gibraltar

PAGE.

220
102
105
240
244
257
265
249
9
123
137
217

19
155
379
170
237

42
180
321
399

90
145
432

30
240

73
187

33
135

75
133
332
311
181
350
152
303
120

446 INDEX.

PAGE.

" L'Actif," Capture of .. .. .. .. 135

" Lady Nelson," Re-capture of . . .. .. .. 218

"La Favourite," Capture of .. .. .. .. 133

La Hogue, Battle off Cape, 21. Medals for . . . . 22

" L'Aigle," Capture of .. .. .. .. 264

" L' Amiable Nelly," Capture of .. .. .. 168

Lake Nyassa, Operations on . . . . . . . . 353

" La Ligunenne," Capture of .. .. .. .. 104

" Languedocienne," Capture of.. .. .. .. 256

"La Ruse," Capture of .. .. .. .. 192

Laurie, Captain Sir R., with " Ville de Milan " . . . . 415

Lavie, Captain T. and " Guerriere " — His Address . . . . 131

" L'Elize," Destruction of .. .. .. .. 249

" L'Etoile," Capture of .. .. .. ..56

" L'Hu-ondelle," Capture of . . . . . . . . 98

" Liguria," Capture of .. .. .. ..93

" L'Immortalite," Capture of . , . . . . . . 96

" Lion " and Spanish Frigates . . . . . . . . 92

Lissa, Action off . . . . . , . . . . 53

Liwondi, Expedition against .. .. .. .. 350

Loch, Captain J., Death of . . . . . . . . 294

" Loire " and " Seine," Capture of . . . . . . 166

" L'Oreste," Capture of .. .. .. .. 169

" Lougen," Capture of .. .. .. .. 139

Louisbourg Medal . . . . . . . . . . 32

" Lowestoffe," Capture of .. ., .. ..79

Letter from an Officer of . . . . . . SO

Lyons, Lieutenant E., at Fort Marrack .. .. .. 252

Interview with the Hon. C. Yorke . . . , 254

Macnamara, Captain J., at Nyborg . . . . . . 235

Magdala, Capture of . . . . . . . . . . 341

Maitland, Captain T. L., at Vivero .. ., ..138

" Manly," Capture of .. .. .. .. 149

Marcouf , Defence of . . . . . . . . . . 92

" Marengo " and " Belle Poule," Capture of .. .. 128

Marine, Anecdote of, at Anholt . . . . . , . . 178

Marks, Boatswain J., intrepid conduct of .. .. .. 423

Martaban, Capture of . . . . ; . . , 288

Martinique, Capture of . . . . . . 150, 216, 256

Maxwell, Captain M., with Spanish gunboats . . . . 141

Maxwell, Captain G. in the " Royalist " .. .. .. 174

INDEX.

447

Maxwell, Lieutenant R., and " Chevrette".

McDermeit, Lieutenant, -with " Desiree "

Medal of James I., Warrant for . .

Medals for Dutch War

Medal for Conspicuous Gallantry

Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct

Meiloon, Capture of . .

" Miruisti " Medal . .

Mittau, Attack on

]\Iorgion, Vessels captured at

" Mosquito " and Privateer

Nanna, Expedition against

Napier, Captain C, and the " Hautpoult "

Napier, Commodore C, at Boharsef

Napoleon, on the attack in Basque Roads

Naval Engineers' Medal

Navarino, Battle of . .

Neale, Captain Sir H., and two French frigates

Nelson, Commodore, and two Spanish frigates

Nelson, Lord, at Copenhagen

"Neptune," Capture of

*' Nereide," Capture of

New Zealand Medal..

■ First War in

Second War in

NicoUs, Lieutenant E., Gallant conduct of

Nile, Battle of

Nile Expedition

" Nisus," Capture of . .

O'Brien, Lieutenant D. H., at Port Lema

Anecdote of..

with French gunboats . .

Odessa, Bombardment of

Okaihau, Attack on. .

Oliver, Lieutenant J., Gallant Conduct of

" Pallas," Capture of

Patriotic Fund, Rewards of . .

Peel, Captain W., Death of

Peiho Forts, Capture of

Pellew, Captain Sir E. with " Droits de I'Homme

Perak Expedition

PAGE.

234

109

3S6

386

291

258

262

. 351

. ]63

161

394

, . 209

116

196

298

. 298

. 303

. 413

. 40

. 370

243

257

.. 257

259

. 316

. 299

420

103

399

. 335

283

. 296

448

INDEX.

" Phaeton " and " Voltigeur," Capture of

" Pique," Capture of . .

" Pomona," Capture of

" Pomone " and " Persanne," Capture of

Poitobello Medals

Potomac, Operations in the

Prowse, Captain W., with French flotilla

"President," Capture of

Price, Lieutenant G., at Port D'Anzo

Privateer, Capture of

" Proserpine," Capture of

" Psyche," Capture of

Ramleh, Action at . .

Rangariri taken

Rangoon, Capture of..

" Rapid," with Spanish Vessels. .

Rawson, Lieutenant W., Death of

" Redwing " with Spanish Gunboats

" Redwing " at Tarifa

" Reunion," Capture of

" Rivoli," Capture of

Robb, Lieutenant J., at Navarino

" Rosario," Capture of

" Rosario " and " Griffon," with Flotilla

Rose, Lieutenant, Gratuity to, and medal

Rowed, Lieutenant H., Gallant Conduct of

" Royal Sovereign of the Seas ". .

Ruapekapeka, Capture of

Rupert, Prince, Defeats the Dutch

Russian Gunboats, Capture of . .

Samana, Capture of . .

Sandwich, Earl, Death of

•' San Josef," Capture of . .

" Sans-Souci " Capture of

Sardmian Medal

Saumarez's, Sir J., Action ofi Gibraltar

Schiermonikoog, Attack on

Schomberg, Captain C, with French frigates

Schooner, Capture of

" Sealark " and " Ville de Caen "

Sebastopol, Bombardment of

PAGE.

129

132

183

202

130

. 234

231

126

860

304

,. 293

142

362

142

144

214

122

185

423

302

288

406

,. 221

176

,. 398

,. 119

100

179

,. 225

192

, 316

INDEX.

449

Seymour, Captain M. and the " Niemen " . .

" Shannon " and " Pearl " Brigades in India

" Skylark " and " Locust " with a Flotilla, .

Smith, Sir S., at Port Spergui . .

Smith, Sir S., at Acre

" Solebay," Capture of, and Medal

South Africa Medal . .

Spanish Armada Defeated

" Spider " and Two Brigs

Staines, Captain, with the " Ceres " and Gunboats

Stayner, Captain E., Gratuity to, and Medal

St. Domingo, Battle of

St. Sebastian, Operations at

St. Vincent, Battle of

St. Vincent, Earl, Medal of

Suakin, Operations at

Sveaborg, Bombardment of . .

" Sybille," Capture of

*' Sylphe," Capture of

Taku Ports, Capture of

Tamaai, Battle of . .

Naval Brigade at

Tel-el-Kebir, Battle of

" Thames," " Pilot," and " Weazle," at Amanthea

" Thetis," Capture of

Thompson's Medal . .

Tofrek, Battle of . .

Toniataba, Capture of

" Tourterelle," Capture of

Trafalgar, Battle of, and Anecdote of Sailor

Turkish Medal for Egypt

Turkish Medal

Ussher, Captain T., and Spanish gunboats.

• at Tarifa • . .

at Malaga . .

Ussher, Lieutenant T., at Avillas
" Utile," Capture of . .
" Vengeance," Capture of
" Venteux," Capture of
" Venus," Capture of
Victoria Cross, The . .

PAGE.

153

332

. 183

307

16&

. 195

369

329

144

285

366

,. 367

360

174

.. 881

,. 349

. 397

. 398

148

144

,. 189

426

109

225

176

388

450

INDEX.

" Virginie," Capture of

Wallis, Admiral Sir P.

Wallis H., Quartermaster at Cameret Bay..

Warren's, Sir J. B., Action with French

Warren, Vice Admiral Sir J. B., with " Marengo " & '

Watts, Lieutenant E., distinguished conduct of

" Weazle " in Boscalina Bay

Wellington, Duke of, on Medals

Western, Lieutenant J., at Willemstadt

*' Whampoa," Capture of

Willoughby, Captain N. J., at Jacotel

Wilson, Captain A. K., at El-Teb

Witu, Expeditions against

Wooldridge Gold Medal

Worsley, Lieutsuant M., on Lake Huron

Wyard, Captain R., and Royalist Frigates

Yeo, Lieutenant J., and " Confiance "

Yonnie Tribes, Expedition against

Young, Captain, Medal

" Zephyr," Capture of

Zulu War

PAGE.

.. 82
.. 56
.. 223
.. 94
Belle Poule" 128
.. 427
.. 193
.. 65
.. 215
.. 261
.. 245
.. 366

349, 850
.. 59
.. 264
.. 11

227, 233
.. 349
.. 12
.. 166
.. 311

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Full text of "Medals of the British navy and how they were won : with a list of those officers, who for their gallant conduct were granted honorary swords and plate by the Committee of the Patriotic Fund"

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