Part 25

On February 28th, 1653, Generals Blake, Deane, and Monk defeated the Dutch fleet under Admirals Van Tromp and De Rutzer, and after a three-days' fight defeated them off Portland. In this engagement soldiers served for the first time on board ship, and the Marines came into existence. At the beginning of June the Dutch admirals were again defeated by the English Generals Deane, Penn, and Monk; but although the English did not lose a ship, General Deane was killed in the action. The English then followed the Dutch to their own coasts, and on July 31st the enemy was badly beaten after a terrific fight in which they lost 26 ships, their Admiral, Van Tromp, and about 6,000 men. The English losses were 2 ships and 1,300 men killed and wounded. The English Parliament was not slow to reward the victors, for on August 8th it was resolved to award Generals Blake and Monk gold chains valued at £300 apiece; to Vice-Admiral Penn and Rear-Admiral Lawson chains of the value of £100, and to the four staff officers chains worth £40 each for their brilliant services. The money was ordered to be deducted from the £2,000 voted, and the balance spent in the issue of medals among the officers of the fleet.

=Types of Medal.=--Four types of medal were issued. One with a broad border of naval trophies having on the obverse to left and right cartouches bearing the Arms of Holland and Zealand, and on the reverse in place thereof side drums. The obverse bears an anchor from the stock of which are suspended three elaborate shields bearing St. George's Cross, St. Andrew's Cross, the Irish Harp, and "the Armes of the Com̃on wealth." A cable attached to the anchor encircles the whole in a decorative manner. On the reverse is depicted a naval battle; a ship sinking in the foreground has on the stern the medallist's surname, and on the prow of another is T.S., while on the lower wing of the anchor on the obverse is the monogram T.S., so that Thomas Simon made quite sure that we should know who was responsible for the medal, which, with the elaborate border, is 2·2 in. by 2 in. with a ring for suspension. Three of the larger medals are known to be in existence. The medal given to the four staff officers was 2 in. by 1·8 in., and the obverse and reverse are the same; but the border on both sides is of laurel as the one illustrated. One of these medals, presented to Captain William Haddock, who commanded the "America," was purchased by Messrs. Spink at auction for £430 in May 1908; it had realised £105 in 1879.

=Gold Medals for Officers.=--Gold medals with a plain border, but with the same obverse and reverse as those described, were given to officers of the fleet; and I might here remark that if a copy of this rare medal comes under the notice of collectors, they should look for the surname and initials, which forgers have generally overlooked.

=Seamen's Medals.=--To the seamen was awarded a small oval medal 0·95 in. by 0·85 in. also by Simon. Like the other medals it has a ring for suspension, and bears on the obverse an anchor from the stock of which depends two shields bearing respectively the Cross of St. George and the Irish Harp, encircled by a cable which runs round the whole. Above the stock is MERUISTI (Thou hast merited), and on the reverse the House of Commons as on the Dunbar medal.

=The Triumph Medal.=--During the fight on July 31st Admiral Robert Blake's old flagship (he was ashore owing to a wound) caught fire, and many of the men jumped overboard; but those who remained extinguished the fire and saved the ship. For this service the officers and those who had stuck to the ship were awarded a special medal with the obverse and reverse as on the other medals, but with the inscription engraved above the battle scene: FOR EMINENT SERVICE IN SAVING Y TRIUMPH FIRED IN FIGHT Wʰ Y DVCH IN IVLY 1653. This medal is 1·6 in. by 1·4 in.

=Blake's Jewel.=--On May 28th, 1657, the House of Commons voted £5,000 for a jewel to be "bestowed on General Blake" for his service in destroying the Spanish fleet off Teneriffe on April 20th. The jewel, supposed to have been a ring, was dispatched to Blake, but whether he received it or not is uncertain, although, as he died within sight of Plymouth on August 7th, 1657, it is quite probable that he did.

=Charles II Medals.=--In October 1665 Charles II had proclaimed that a definite percentage of the value of prizes should be paid to those who captured them from the Dutch, and that a portion of the proceeds should be set aside to help the widows of those who died in battle, to assist the sick and wounded, and to provide medals for those who performed special service.

War was again declared against the Dutch on February 22nd, 1665, and on June 3rd the Dutch fleet under Admirals Evertzen and Opdam was engaged and defeated off Lowestoft by the English fleet under Prince Rupert, the Duke of York, and Admirals Lawson and Penn. Opdam was killed when his ship was blown up, and two other Dutch admirals were killed. Twenty ships were sunk or taken by the British ere the Dutch made off, and through carelessness were permitted to escape. In the engagement the capable Vice-Admiral Lawson was killed, also Vice-Admiral Sansome, likewise the Earls of Marlborough, Portland, and Falmouth, and Lord Muskerry. To commemorate the victory, medals were issued in gold and silver. One bore on the obverse the bust of the King with his titles, and on the reverse the Island of Great Britain and the legend QUATUOR MARIA VINDICO. A smaller medal has on the obverse a triumphal chariot drawn by sea-horses, with the King seated therein, and the legend ET PONTUS SERVIET. These medals were not apparently issued as decorations; but the fine oval medal by Thomas Rawlins was probably destined for that purpose; it was struck in copper and 1·6 in. by 1·5 in. in size. It was also struck in gold and in silver. It bears on the obverse the truncated bust of Charles II in armour, looking to the left, and around the effigy is the inscription CAROLVS · II · D : G : M : BR : FR : ET · H : REX., and on the reverse a warship with a flag on the mainmast bearing the King's initials C R. This side bears the legend NOS · PENSES · IMPERIVM.

In 1665 Charles II caused to be struck a large circular silver medal 2 in. in diameter with the motto PRO TALIBVS AVSIS (For such enterprises) in the exergue of the reverse, whereon is depicted a battle at sea with a wreck in the foreground and Charles II habited as a Roman general looking on at the engagement. The medal by Rœttier is a fine example of his workmanship, and a few very fine specimens are still extant. This medal, illustrated facing page 272, was probably intended to be commemorative of the victories of either the first or second Dutch wars; but as it is undated it may have been issued to commemorate either or both. It is 2 in. in diameter. Another medal by Rœttier was struck during the reign of Charles II to commemorate the service of James Duke of York; but this, again, is commemorative rather than decorative.

Several battles were fought ere in 1667 peace was declared with the Dutch. It was not, however, of long duration, for in March 1672 war again broke out, and several battles were fought before peace was finally signed on February 9th, 1674.

=La Hogue, 1692.=--For this brilliant victory over the French by the combined English and Dutch fleets, under Admiral Russell, following a battle which waged for five days, several medals designed by Rœttier were ordered to be struck by Queen Mary, who expressed her satisfaction in the result of the conflict--which secured the throne of England to her and William, and shattered the hopes of James II--by distributing £30,000 among the soldiers and sailors who had been engaged in the battle, and ordering medals for officers. The most important medal, 1·95 in. in diameter, was struck in gold and silver; it bears on the obverse the busts of William III and Mary II, the king habited in Roman armour and wearing long hair, the Queen simply draped. Around the conjoined busts is the inscription GVL : ET. MAR : D : G : B : F : ET · H : REX · REGINA; and on the reverse the representation of the French Admiral's flagship, "Le Soliel Royal," in flames. This ship was, with three others, driven ashore and set on fire by English fire-ships. Above the scene is the legend NOX · NVLLA · SECVTA · EST (No night followed), and in the exergue PVGN: NAV: INT: ANG: ET · FR: 21 · MAY · 1692. One of the medals in gold, together with a chain of the value of £50, was presented to Captain John Tupper "for the good services performed by him" when in a dense fog he sailed through the French fleet and brought the news of their presence to Admiral Russell at Spithead.

After this glorious victory Mary founded Greenwich Hospital as a home for seamen who had been disabled in the service of their country.

=Special Gold Medals.=--A number of gold medals and chains were awarded during this reign for service at sea, and, although there is no data to go upon, it may be assumed that the obverse of the medals was struck from the die used for the La Hogue medal described; the reverse being left plain for an inscription, as is the case with the gold medal awarded to Captain Peter Jolliffe, Master of the "Sea Adventure" hoy, which bears on the reverse "His Maties' Gift as a Reward to Peter Jollif, of Poole, for his good service agᵗ the enemy in retaking a Ketch of Weymouth from a French Privateer, and chaceing the said Privateer on Shoar near Lulworth in ye Isle of Purbeck, where shee was broken in pieces, 1694."

=War Medals for Fishermen.=--During the reign of William and Mary medals were not only given to those actually engaged in the profession of soldier or seaman, but to fishermen and merchant sailors who performed gallant deeds. Among the recipients was William Thompson, the master of a fishing-smack, who, with one man and a boy armed with a couple of small guns and a few muskets, attacked, on May 30th, 1695, a French privateer armed with two guns and manned by sixteen seamen, which he defeated and captured after two hours' fighting. For this service he was awarded a gold chain and medal of the value of £50, and allowed to retain the vessel he had conquered.

As far as can be ascertained, no medals for land service were issued during the reigns of William and Mary, 1689-94, and William III 1694-1702.

=Queen Anne.=--For the brilliant attack on Vigo, October 12th, 1702, Queen Anne caused medals to be struck for distribution among the officers of the fleet who had taken part in the victory. Vice-Admiral Hopson was made a knight, and granted a pension for his particular service. The medal bears on the obverse the bust of the Queen, as on the medal described hereafter, and on the reverse a representation of the engagement, with the date.

=Lampriere Gold Medal.=--Captain James Lampriere was, in 1703, awarded a gold medal, and probably a chain also, as there is a ring for suspension, as

"Her Majᵗⁱᵉˢ reward to Capᵗ. James Lampriere for his Zeal to her Service, and his Successful Conducting yᵉ Squadron commanded by Rear Admiral Dilkes, who destroyed a considerable number of yᵉ Enemy's Merchant Ships under convey of 3 Men of War on their own coast."

This inscription is engraved in writing characters upon the reverse of the gold medal, with the Arms of Lampriere below, with the motto TRUE · TO · MY · TRUST · on a ribbon. On the obverse is the bust of Queen Anne, facing left, wearing the Royal Crown with a row of pearls in her hair, and round her neck the Collar and Star of the order of the Garter, surrounded by the legend ANNA · DEI · GRATIA · MAG : BRITAN : FRA : ET · HIB : REGINA.

=Granville, 1703.=--It is said that gold medals were presented to Rear-Admiral Dilkes and his officers for their success near Granville in Normandy in July 1703; but there is no official record of their being granted. But to Captain Thomas Legge, who distinguished himself under Rear-Admiral Dilkes in the same year a gold medal was specially struck to commemorate his gallantry, and Campbell states in his "Naval History" that "The Queen ... ordered gold medals to be struck on this occasion and delivered to the Rear-Admiral and all his officers," and Lampriere was one of the officers.

=Capture of Gibraltar.=--Medals were struck in this reign to celebrate the capture of Gibraltar by Sir G. Rooke in 1704; but they were not, as far as I can ascertain, issued as decorations.

A few medals were struck and given to pilots and fishermen; five to the crew of the "Leonora" in consideration of their courage and resolution in driving the Frenchmen (13 who had been placed as a prize crew on the captured ship to pilot her to France) then aboard her "off the Quarter-deck, and bringing the said shipp into England."

=Boy's Medal for Gallantry.=--In Dr. Payne's collection is a unique specimen of a Queen Anne medal awarded to a boy for conspicuous gallantry. On the obverse is the laureated bust of Queen Anne, facing left, draped, with a row of pearls about the shoulders, with the legend ANNA D : G : MAG : BRI : FR : ET HIB : REG :. The medal, which is 2·75 in. in diameter, has a raised border of laurel leaves and roses, and a ring for suspension. On the reverse is the inscription engraved in writing characters:

"Her Majᵗⁱᵉˢ reward to Robert Taylor Boy of yᵉ Mary Galley, for his Zeal and Courage at yᵉ taking of yᵉ French Privateer Jacques La Blonde of Dunkirk."

This medal, illustrated facing page 276, is one of the few struck during the reign of Queen Anne "to give all due Encouragement to the Valour and Fidelity of Her Subjects serving aboard any of Her Majesties Ships of War or Privateers." The cost of providing the medals, it was further ordered, was to be paid out of Her Majesty's share of prizes. This declaration, made on June 1st, 1702, in the first year of her reign, differs from the Act of 1692, which directed that they were to be provided out of a tenth part set aside for that special purpose.

=George I.=--During the reign of George I there is on record the award in 1715 of a gold enamelled jewel and £1,000 sterling to Captain Matthew Martin, Commander of the "Marlborough," for his gallant defence of his ship against three French ships-of-war in the Bay of Bengal, and getting her safely to Fort St. George in 1712. The medal, it will be observed, was awarded for an action in the reign of George's predecessor. It bore on the obverse the Arms of the East India Company, and was enamelled and set with diamonds; on the reverse was an inscription recording the services for which it was awarded. No official decoration was awarded for the victory of Sir George Byng over the Spanish fleet off Cape Passaro in the Mediterranean on July 31st, 1718, although a silver medal was struck to commemorate the event.

=George II.=--Commemorative medals were also struck in connection with the taking of Puerto Bello, in the Caribbean Sea, by Admiral Vernon with six ships in 1739. The city had about 10,000 inhabitants, and Vernon got possession of the place within forty-eight hours and destroyed the fortifications. There are several "Vernon" medals in existence, varying in size and shape, in white metal, bronze, and silver; but most have on the reverse "He took Porto Bello with Six Ships only." It is by no means certain that any of these medals were issued as official decorations.

=Callis Gold Medal.=--In 1742 a gold medal and chain of the value of £100 was awarded to Captain Smith Callis, R.N., for his gallant service in taking the "Duke" fireship into the Port of St. Tropez in Provence, on June 14th, and burning five Royal Spanish galleys which had fired upon the blockading fleet. On the obverse of the medal, which is 2·1 in. in diameter, George II, laureated and attired as a Roman Emperor, is represented in the act of presenting a medal to an officer. Under the group, at the top of the plain exergue, is the medallist's name T. PINGO F:. Above all on a ribbon is PRO TALIBVS AVSIS (For such enterprise), and on the reverse five galleys in shore with a squadron of ships-of-war preparing to attack, and in the exergue OB. V. TRIREM. HISPAN. A. S. CALLIS. COMBVST. V. IVLII. MDCCXLII. The date on the medal is the day on which the information was given of the successful venture; but the actual driving into port of the galleys, and the successful attack by the "Duke," was on June 14th. It is believed that the medal in silver was awarded to the other officers who took part in the general affair.

=Hornby Medal and Chain.=--By a decision of the King given at the Court held at Kensington on September 18th, 1744, a gold medal and chain of the value of £100 was granted to Captain Richard Hornby, of the "Wrightson and Isabella" of Sunderland, and a bounty of £5 to each of his five men, and 40_s._ to each of his three boys, for having engaged a French privateer armed with ten carriage and eight swivel guns, and manned by 75 seamen, and, after a contest renewed again and again over a period of five hours, sinking the French vessel. A gold medal of the value of one hundred guineas was also awarded to Captain Phillips of the "Alexander" privateer for the capture of a large French vessel in St. Martin's Road off the Isle of Rhe. There were 230 men on board the ship of 22 guns, and Phillips's crew numbered 150, but he successfully boarded the vessel and brought her into port, when it was discovered that she was H.M.S. "Solebay," which the enemy had captured a couple of years previously.

=Louisbourg, 1758.=--For the taking of Louisbourg on July 26th, 1753, a medal was awarded to those who distinguished themselves upon land under Generals Amherst and Wolfe, and at sea under Admiral Boscawen. The Navy's participation in the affair was to attack and cut out the two ships, the "Bienfaisant" of 64 guns, and "La Prudente" of 74 guns, which had been left for fighting purposes after some others had been sunk to obstruct the entrance to the harbour. The boats from the British fleet set out on their task at midnight on July 25th, cut the cable under a heavy fire, and having boarded the ships proceeded to tow them out. "La Prudente" grounded and had to be burned; but the smaller vessel was successfully got out and added to the British fleet. The medals, by T. Pingo, with rings for suspension, were struck in gold, silver, and bronze. Four specimens of the gold medal are known to exist--one which was in the Montague collection, another which was sold at Sotheby's in 1895, and those awarded to Sir Alexander Schomberg, great-grandfather of Lieutenant-Colonel Schomberg, R.M.L.I., and to Senior Midshipman (afterwards Sir George) Young.

="The Glorious" 1st of June.=--The reign of George III produced a long record of brilliant achievements by the British Navy. When he ascended the throne, in October 1760, Britain was still at war with France and continued to be so almost the whole time he reigned; but it was not until "The Glorious" 1st of June 1794, when Admiral Lord Howe gained his great victory off Ushant, that medals were awarded, and a regulation medal instituted for naval services. Hearing that the French fleet had sailed for Brest, Howe put to sea to meet it, and having sighted the enemy on the morning of May 28th, gave chase. A smart action ensued which was renewed next day; but heavy fog put an end to fighting until the 31st. On June 1st both fleets prepared for battle: the engagement commenced, and the French line was soon broken in several places; but the French seamen fought with great courage. The furious nature of the British attack, however, was too determined, and the enemy sailed away, such of the ships as could, having 10 dismasted and 7 taken by the English fleet, the "Vengeur" going down with 200 of her crew as she was being towed away. The British Admiral's flagship, the "Queen Charlotte," was badly injured, also the "Brunswick," "Defence," and "Marlborough." It is understood that the 2nd and detachments of the 25th and 69th Foot served as Marines on board the ships which fought on that glorious 1st of June.

The vessels engaged were H.M. ships "Queen Charlotte," "Royal Sovereign," "Royal George," "Barfleur," "Bellerophon," "Impregnable," "Queen," "Cæsar," "Culloden," "Defence," "Glory," "Gibraltar," "Invincible," "Majestic," "Leviathan," "Marlborough," "Montague," "Ramillies," "Russell," "Orion," "Thunderer," "Tremendous," "Audacious," "Alfred," "Brunswick," and "Valiant," the frigates "Aquilon," "Latona," "Phæton," "Niger," "Southampton," "Venus," "Charon," and "Pegasus," the sloops "Comet" and "Incendiary," and the cutters "Ranger" and "Rattler."

=Naval Gold Medal instituted.=--On June 13th Lord Howe reached Spithead, and the King and Queen at a levee held on the Admiral's flagship presented him with a sword set with diamonds in the hilt and a gold chain with a gold medal attached thereto. At the same time gold chains were presented by His Majesty to the two vice-admirals, three rear-admirals, and the captain of the fleet with the intimation that gold medals for suspension would be distributed to the principal officers when they had been struck. These were distributed on November 9th, 1796. The obverses of both medals are the same as illustrated facing this page; but whereas on the larger medal the name of the recipient and the event for which the medal was awarded are encircled by a struck wreath of laurel and oak, the reverse of the smaller one is plain except for the inscription. The larger medal was worn by the admirals suspended from the neck by the gold chain referred to, and the other flag officers hung theirs by means of a white ribbon with dark-blue edges, which became the ribbon for the N.G.S. medal when issued in 1847. The captains' medals, the smaller size, were dependent from a ring and bar made from wire and suspended by the white, blue-edged ribbon through the third or fourth button-hole on the left side of their coats. Although Lord Howe's fleet consisted of twenty-five ships of the line, as well as frigates, only fourteen medals were awarded to his captains, _i.e._ to those whom he had particularly mentioned in dispatches.