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Auction archive: Lot number 23

NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL, 1793-1840, single clasp, Capture of the Désirée 8th …

Auction 05.06.2013
5 Jun 2013
Estimate
£3,500 - £4,000
ca. US$5,418 - US$6,192
Price realised:
£3,500
ca. US$5,418
Auction archive: Lot number 23

NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL, 1793-1840, single clasp, Capture of the Désirée 8th …

Auction 05.06.2013
5 Jun 2013
Estimate
£3,500 - £4,000
ca. US$5,418 - US$6,192
Price realised:
£3,500
ca. US$5,418
Beschreibung:

NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL, 1793-1840, single clasp, Capture of the Désirée 8th July 1800, with attractive contemporary silver replacement suspension, bar and clasp (Richard Bluett, Lieut. R.N.); officially impressed, with reverse pin for wear. Toned, scratch to cheek of portrait and in obverse field behind nape of neck, otherwise very fine, and rare. Commander Richard Bluett was born in Barr, near Falmouth, Cornwall, on the 18th of January, 1781. His father (and his father before) were shipbuilders, of close relation to the old and influential Bluett family, based at Halcombe Court, to whom they regularly visited. Richard Bluett joined the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman in April 1793, at the age of 12, going aboard HMS Druid (32) under Captain Joseph Ellison. He joined Captain Ellison, now as Midshipman, into HMS Standard (64), with whom he took part in the ill-fated expedition to Quiberon Bay in 1795. He was also unlucky enough to have been afterwards employed aboard HMS Artois (38) which was wrecked off La Rochelle on the 31st of July 1799, however after this his luck improved. He served aboard HMS Unicorn (32) and Ethalion (38) both commanded by Captain James Young under whom on the 17th of October 1799 he served during the capture of the Spanish Frigate El Thetis, carrying a huge amount of bullion from the New World. From this capture, then Midshipman Richard Bluett gained a share of nearly £800. He was also present as Lieutenant aboard HMS Babet; a converted French 20-gun corvette under the command of Captain James Mainwaring, during the cutting out action at Dunkirk Roads on the 7th of July 1800. As part of a British Squadron under Captain Henry Inman British blockading forces attempted to ‘cut out’ and capture numerous vessels of a French frigate squadron confined within this well-defended port. On that evening, HMS Dart, and the gunboats Biter and Boxer (as well as several fire ships) succeeded in passing within range of some of the innermost vessels, and Dart discharged its double-shotted 32 pounders into Désirée and soon after came alongside and sent a boarding party to capture the vessel. Despite initial success, a second party was required to subdue the rallying French sailors, and the vessel was successfully steered away from the action, taken as a prize and entered in naval service. The remaining ships of the British squadron attacked the van, however they avoided the fire-ships, and despite some exchange of fire the 3 French frigates cut anchor and escaped the harbour, navigating the sandbars in a broadly successful manner (one was temporarily grounded), with the British unable to follow in dark and unfamiliar waters. His varied career continued, and as First Lieutenant, Richard Bluett served aboard HMS Raisonnable (64) under Captain Josias Rowley, was subsequently present at the Battle of Cape Finisterre in July 1805, and also at the reduction of the Cape of Good Hope in January 1806 and the capture of the French frigate Volontaire (46). He was also noted for his ‘steadiness and good conduct’ at the taking of St Paul’s, Ile de Bourbon in September 1809, where he was placed in charge of the captured La Caroline frigate. Richard Bluett was promoted to Commander on the 6th of December 1816, and retired to half-pay in 1837. He married Maria Fisher in County Cork, Ireland, on the 24th of June, 1812, and had 7 children. He died on the 15th of April in Dublin, at the age of 73, and was buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery in Dublin. His headstone reads: Sacred to the Memory of RICHARD BLUETT, Commander Royal Navy, who departed this life, April 15th in the year of our Lord 1854, aged 73. Also MARIA his wife who slept in Jesus, 28th Feby. 1862, aged 69 years. Also WILLIAM ROWLY his son, Vicar of Clonlea, Co. Clare, who slept in Jesus 20th Dec. 1884, aged 68 years. Also ANNA MARIA his daughter, died 4th June 1885, aged 67 years. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord" Rev. XIV 13 Only 24 medals were issued for this act

Auction archive: Lot number 23
Auction:
Datum:
5 Jun 2013
Auction house:
Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions
16-17 Pall Mall
St James’s
London, SW1Y 5LU
United Kingdom
info@dreweatts.com
+44 (0)20 78398880
Beschreibung:

NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL, 1793-1840, single clasp, Capture of the Désirée 8th July 1800, with attractive contemporary silver replacement suspension, bar and clasp (Richard Bluett, Lieut. R.N.); officially impressed, with reverse pin for wear. Toned, scratch to cheek of portrait and in obverse field behind nape of neck, otherwise very fine, and rare. Commander Richard Bluett was born in Barr, near Falmouth, Cornwall, on the 18th of January, 1781. His father (and his father before) were shipbuilders, of close relation to the old and influential Bluett family, based at Halcombe Court, to whom they regularly visited. Richard Bluett joined the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman in April 1793, at the age of 12, going aboard HMS Druid (32) under Captain Joseph Ellison. He joined Captain Ellison, now as Midshipman, into HMS Standard (64), with whom he took part in the ill-fated expedition to Quiberon Bay in 1795. He was also unlucky enough to have been afterwards employed aboard HMS Artois (38) which was wrecked off La Rochelle on the 31st of July 1799, however after this his luck improved. He served aboard HMS Unicorn (32) and Ethalion (38) both commanded by Captain James Young under whom on the 17th of October 1799 he served during the capture of the Spanish Frigate El Thetis, carrying a huge amount of bullion from the New World. From this capture, then Midshipman Richard Bluett gained a share of nearly £800. He was also present as Lieutenant aboard HMS Babet; a converted French 20-gun corvette under the command of Captain James Mainwaring, during the cutting out action at Dunkirk Roads on the 7th of July 1800. As part of a British Squadron under Captain Henry Inman British blockading forces attempted to ‘cut out’ and capture numerous vessels of a French frigate squadron confined within this well-defended port. On that evening, HMS Dart, and the gunboats Biter and Boxer (as well as several fire ships) succeeded in passing within range of some of the innermost vessels, and Dart discharged its double-shotted 32 pounders into Désirée and soon after came alongside and sent a boarding party to capture the vessel. Despite initial success, a second party was required to subdue the rallying French sailors, and the vessel was successfully steered away from the action, taken as a prize and entered in naval service. The remaining ships of the British squadron attacked the van, however they avoided the fire-ships, and despite some exchange of fire the 3 French frigates cut anchor and escaped the harbour, navigating the sandbars in a broadly successful manner (one was temporarily grounded), with the British unable to follow in dark and unfamiliar waters. His varied career continued, and as First Lieutenant, Richard Bluett served aboard HMS Raisonnable (64) under Captain Josias Rowley, was subsequently present at the Battle of Cape Finisterre in July 1805, and also at the reduction of the Cape of Good Hope in January 1806 and the capture of the French frigate Volontaire (46). He was also noted for his ‘steadiness and good conduct’ at the taking of St Paul’s, Ile de Bourbon in September 1809, where he was placed in charge of the captured La Caroline frigate. Richard Bluett was promoted to Commander on the 6th of December 1816, and retired to half-pay in 1837. He married Maria Fisher in County Cork, Ireland, on the 24th of June, 1812, and had 7 children. He died on the 15th of April in Dublin, at the age of 73, and was buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery in Dublin. His headstone reads: Sacred to the Memory of RICHARD BLUETT, Commander Royal Navy, who departed this life, April 15th in the year of our Lord 1854, aged 73. Also MARIA his wife who slept in Jesus, 28th Feby. 1862, aged 69 years. Also WILLIAM ROWLY his son, Vicar of Clonlea, Co. Clare, who slept in Jesus 20th Dec. 1884, aged 68 years. Also ANNA MARIA his daughter, died 4th June 1885, aged 67 years. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord" Rev. XIV 13 Only 24 medals were issued for this act

Auction archive: Lot number 23
Auction:
Datum:
5 Jun 2013
Auction house:
Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions
16-17 Pall Mall
St James’s
London, SW1Y 5LU
United Kingdom
info@dreweatts.com
+44 (0)20 78398880
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