For the victories over the Dutch some fine medals were struck. Probably the most interesting is the gold medal awarded to the Admirals who participated in the war and in the decisive battle fought on July 31st, 1653.

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 Com~on 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 W^h 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 Roettier 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 Roettier 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 Roettier 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 ag^t 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

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:

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 40s. 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.

This medal bears on the obverse an antique galley on the prow of which Victory is represented in the act of alighting and placing a wreath upon the head of Britannia, who stands with her right foot on a Greek helmet; she holds in her left hand a spear; beside her is an oval shield whereon is depicted the Union Jack. The larger medal is 2 in. in diameter and the smaller one 1·3 in. Both sizes were struck in gold, and the medal became a general award to naval officers who had distinguished themselves in great naval victories until 1815, and it is noteworthy that the only officers below the rank of post captain who earned the captains' medal were Lieutenant Pinfold of the "Ajax" and Lieutenant Stockham of the "Thunderer," who in the absence of their captains commanded their ships at Trafalgar; but they were not given the medal until they had reached the rank of post captain. It was ultimately awarded to Captain Mounsey of the "Bonne Citoyenne" for the capture of "La Furieuse" on July 16th, 1809. The total number of gold medals issued was 140, of which eight were admirals' medals awarded with chains; flag officers' were issued with broad ribbons for suspension from the neck, and 117 of the captains' size, as illustrated, for suspension between the third and fourth buttonholes of their coats. Gold chains were only given with the admirals' medals for June 1st.

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

St. Vincent, 1797.—On St. Valentine's Day, 1797, the battle of St. Vincent was fought between the Spanish fleet of 27 ships of the line and 8 frigates under Admiral Don Josef de Cordova, and 20 British ships of the line, 2 sloops, and a cutter which had been cruising off the coasts of Spain and Portugal to prevent the fleets of France, Spain, and Holland—which countries had entered into an alliance against Great Britain—from combining. Sir John Jervis commanded; his flagship was the "Victory." Passing through the two divisions of the Spanish fleet, he cut off nine of the enemies' vessels: the Spaniards then attempted to break the British line; but the effort was frustrated, two of the enemy's ships striking their colours. This action, which only lasted four hours, resulted in the loss of four ships to the enemy, Commodore Horatio Nelson of the "Captain," 74 guns, having taken the "San Josef" of 112 guns, and the "San Nicolas" of 80 guns.

In this battle Nelson by his intrepid action placed himself in the front rank of commanders, and his bravery and dash were rewarded by the Order of the Bath, and his advancement to the rank of Rear-Admiral. In the fight off Cape St. Vincent he not only attacked at close quarters the "Santissima Trinidad," a great galleon of 112 guns, but with the aid of the "Culloden" (Captain Trowbridge), which gallantly began the fight, he fought for nearly an hour this great ship and four other galleons which had come to her assistance, until the "Blenheim" (Captain Frederick) and the "Excellent" (Captain Collingwood) came to assist the English, when Nelson ran the "Captain" alongside the "San Nicolas," quickly sprang through one of the stern cabin windows, and leading his men across the Spaniard's deck, boldly boarded the "San Josef," on the quarter-deck of which he soon received the swords of the conquered officers. By 5 o'clock the Spaniards were in retreat, having lost to their enemy four of their finest vessels, and, besides receiving a blow to their naval power, had considerably minimised their value to the French in their effort to command the Channel, and upset the calculations of the Dutch. For the victory Sir John Jervis was created Earl of St. Vincent, and awarded a pension of £3,000 per annum, while the unfortunate Spanish Admiral was dismissed in disgrace.

The vessels engaged were: H.M. ships "Victory," "Britannia," "Barfleur," "Blenheim," "Prince George," "Captain," "Goliath," "Excellent," "Egmont," "Culloden," "Colossus," "Diadem," "Namur," "Orion," "Irresistible," and the frigates "Dido," "Lively," "Minerva," "Niger," and "Southampton," sloops "Bon Citoyenne" and "Raven," and the cutter "Fox."

Camperdown.—When the battle of Camperdown was fought on October 11th, 1797, Great Britain was in the unfortunate position of standing isolated among the nations of Europe, and still concerned with the series of mutinies which had broken out in her fleet owing to the poor pay and bad food meted out to the seamen who had served their country so well. As a consequence Britain was, had her enemies but realised it, in a very precarious position. Fortunately Admiral Duncan had "a way with him," which enabled him, by a combination of firmness and reasoning power, to get his men into such a frame of mind as to state in writing that there was not a man on board the "Venerable" "but would lose the last drop of blood in his body before they (the enemy) should obtain any victory over us, therefore, honoured sir, we once more implore your gracious pardon." Fortunately Duncan's ability to deal with the mutineers enabled him, at least, to have a fleet of some pretensions wherewith to meet the enemy. Meanwhile the mutiny at the Nore had been suppressed, "Admiral" Richard Parker, the leader, hanged, and some effort made to remedy the grievances of the seamen while Duncan had been hoodwinking the Dutch.

On October 9th, 1817, Duncan set sail from Yarmouth Roads with 20 ships, 4 cutters, and a lugger, to meet the Dutch fleet which had at last left the Texel. Just before noon on the 11th, Duncan signalled to his ships "clear for action and close," and by half-past 12 Vice-Admiral Onslow, in the "Monarch," had got through the enemy's line and engaged Vice-Admiral Reyntier. Admiral Duncan engaged the "Vyrheid," the Dutch Admiral's flagship, and after a hard fight lasting until 2 o'clock, De Winter only struck his ship to the "Venerable" when he was the only unwounded man on the quarter-deck of his mastless ship. It is significant of Duncan's character and manliness that when his opponent offered his sword he refused to take it, saying "rather a brave man's hand than his sword." On October 16th the victorious Admiral anchored off the Nore with the eleven ships he had taken, and next day King George raised him to the Peerage with the titles of Baron Duncan of Lundie and Viscount Duncan of Camperdown.

The vessels engaged were: H.M. ships "Venerable," "Ardent," "Adamant," "Agincourt," "Bedford," "Belliqueux," "Brackel," "Lancaster," "Monarch," "Montague," "Monmouth," "Powerful," "Russell," "Director," "Isis," "Veteran," "Triumph," the frigates "Beaulieu," "Circe," and "Martin," the cutters "Active," "Diligent," "King George," "Rose," and the lugger "Speculator."

The Nile.—For over a year hardly a British man-of-war had passed into the Mediterranean until Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, with Captain Trowbridge, entered with his fleet to frustrate the pretensions of Napoleon. There were 13 74-gun ships and 1 of 50 guns; but before the action commenced on August 1st, 1798, the former had been reduced to 12 by the grounding of the "Culloden." The French fleet was of equal proportions; but included several heavier ships: "L'Orient," the flagship, a magnificent three-decker carrying 120 guns, and three others with 80 guns apiece. The French fleet was moored on the edge of a shoal in a compact line running north-west by south-east. Captain Foley, with the "Goliath," led the way between the front ships and Aboukir Island, thus executing a manoeuvre which the French Admiral had thought impracticable. Five ships thus engaged the enemy on the port or land side, while the "Vanguard," followed up by other ships, made for the centre of the line. At half-past 6 in the evening the battle commenced, and by 8 o'clock 8 British ships and an equal number of French were engaged in one of the most deadly struggles in naval history.

Early in the contest the French Admiral, de Brueys, had been badly wounded, but, gallant sailor that he was, refused to go below, and met his death about this time by a shot that almost cut him in two: even then his resolute spirit refused to yield, and death only gave his comrades the power to remove his maimed body. At 9 o'clock his ship, "L'Orient," was seen to blaze out; but her determined crew stuck to their guns and fired them until they were literally scorched out of their places—and then the great ship blew up. So awful was the scene that the gunners of both fleets were apparently too dazed to fire again for about a quarter of an hour. Meantime a French lad won undying fame by his devotion to his father, the Commodore of "L'Orient," and his name has been immortalised by a British poetess, Mrs. Hemans, who has so well portrayed the story of the little ten-year-old lad who refused to leave his mortally wounded father, and despite the fact that, as a French writer states, "the English seamen made the most strenuous efforts to save the young Casabianca," he went down to his death with the father he loved so well.

Just before "L'Orient" blew up, Nelson received a severe wound on the forehead which was for a time thought likely to prove mortal; but on hearing that the great vessel had blown up, he gave orders for the launching of the only boat so that the unfortunate survivors of the explosion might be rescued. The night with its horrors had exhausted the fleets, and firing gradually ceased until the day broke at 4 o'clock: by then 6 French ships had hauled down their colours and two were aground, while the "Tonnant," commanded by the bravest of brave seamen, Captain Dupetit-Thouars, showed fight to the last, for her seamen were filled with the spirit of their dead captain, who had his colours nailed to the mast, and when wounded unto death refused to yield. Such courage as his must be infectious. With both arms and a leg shot away, seated in a tub of bran, this defiant and gallant Frenchman commanded his ship until the conqueror of all—Death—claimed the victory.

Only 2 French ships-of-war and 2 frigates escaped. The flagship and the "Arteruise" had blown up, 2 were aground, a frigate had been sunk when Rear-Admiral Villeneuve endeavoured to get away with the badly damaged "Tonnant" and 3 others. Of these the "Timeleon" grounded, and after her crew had got ashore, her captain burnt her; the "Tonnant" was captured; and only the "Guillaume Tell" and the "Genereux," which had hardly taken any part in the conflict, escaped with the frigates "Justice" and "Diane." Not a British vessel went down, but all showed severe evidence of the fight that had been waged on that August day in 1798. The victory was due not only to the excellent seamanship of Nelson, who was raised to the peerage as Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of Burnham Thorpe, for what Lord St. Vincent described as "the greatest achievement the history of the world can produce," but to the superb gunnery of his men, who served their guns with such rapidity and precision that their opponents were absolutely outclassed.

The ships engaged in the battle were the "Vanguard," "Bellerophon," "Orion," "Audacious," "Culloden," "Defiance," "Zealous," "Minotaur," "Goliath," "Alexander," "Majestic," "Leander," "Theseus," "Swiftsure," and the sloop "Mutine."

Davison's Medal for the Nile.—As a souvenir of this historic sea-fight Mr. Alexander Davison, Lord Nelson's prize agent, presented to every officer and seaman of Nelson's fleet a medal; gold to captains and lieutenants, silver to warrant officers, bronze gilt to petty officers, bronze to seamen and marines. The medal, which is 1¹⁷/₂₀ in. in diameter, is illustrated facing page 288. Upon the edge is impressed FROM ALEXANDER DAVISON ESQ., ST. JAMES SQUARE, A TRIBUTE OF REGARD. The medals were issued unnamed, but many had their names and the name of their ship also engraved above the sky-line on the reverse. The medals, modelled by C. H. Kuchler, were highly prized by all who received them, from Nelson—who wrote very gratefully to Davison—to the seamen, many of whom had the medals mounted in gold or silver frames and wore them suspended from a broad blue ribbon. This is the first instance of a medal given by a private individual being accepted and worn in the Service.

Copenhagen.—This battle, fought on April 2nd, 1801, will long be remembered for the gallant conduct of Nelson, who, when Admiral Sir Hyde Parker signalled "leave off action," placed his glass to his blind eye and saying, "I really do not see the signal!" ordered his own signal for close action to be kept flying. Had it not have been for this daring disregard of orders, Copenhagen would have been among the failures of our navy, instead of one of its most glorious victories, for it was one of the most stubborn fights on record. For five hours Britons and Danes fought with equal courage and determination. For five hours they fought with equal success, and it was only through the pertinacity of Nelson that the fortune of war fell to Britain. This battle has a double significance, for not only did Nelson prove his great capacity as a seaman, but also gave further evidence of his humane character; for when the stubborn spirit of the Danes was likely to lead to useless bloodshed he appealed "to the brothers of Englishmen—the Danes," to recognise the fact that they were beaten, and so prevent unnecessary carnage.

It was an action which he knew would be misunderstood and misrepresented, but he did not falter. Fortunately his message was received by the Crown Prince in the spirit in which it was sent, and the battle of Copenhagen, "the most terrible of all" his engagements, was added to the laurels of the immortal and gentle Nelson, although because Nelson requested the cessation of hostilities, the Danes regarded it as a drawn battle.

The following ships were engaged: "Elephant," (Vice-Admiral Nelson's flagship), "Defiance," "Edgar," "Monarch," "Bellona," "Ganges," "Russell," "Agamemnon," "Ardent," "Polyphemus," "Glatton," "Isis," "Amazon," "AlcmÉne," "Blanche," "DÉsirÉe," "Jamaica," sloops "Arrow," "Dart," "Cruiser," and "Harpy," bomb vessels "Discovery," "Explosion," "Hecla," "Sulphur," "Terror," "Volcano," and "Zebra," and the brigs "Otter" and "Zephyr."

Trafalgar.—Napoleon having placed the crown of Italy upon his head (May 6th, 1805), within a fortnight declared Genoa and the Ligurian Republic part of the French Empire. He then had hopes that Admiral De Villeneuve would successfully escort the "Army of England," then encamped at Boulogne, across the Channel. His plans were, however, frustrated by the engagement forced upon Villeneuve by Admiral Sir Robert Calder off Ferrol, while Napoleon, charging his Admiral with cowardice, caused him to leave the harbour of Cadiz on October 19th, 1805, and the epoch-making battle off Cape Trafalgar was the result. Owing to light winds, Villeneuve did not make the Atlantic until the next day, and then his combined fleet of 33 French and Spanish ships of the line, 5 French frigates, and 2 brigs, were sighted off Cape Trafalgar by Nelson's look-out ships. It was not until next day, however, that the fleets formed in battle array. At 6.30 a.m. the British ships cleared for action. The English fleet comprised 27 sail of the line, 4 frigates, a cutter and a schooner. Lord Nelson led the Weather or Northern Division in his flagship the "Victory," while Vice-Admiral Collingwood led the Lee or Southern Division. Just before noon the famous signal "England expects every man to do his duty" was run up, and the battle began. "Engage the enemy more closely" was the only other signal given by the British Admiral, and that was when the enemy's ship "Fougueux" had opened fire upon the "Royal Sovereign"; then followed a series of contests between the French and British ships, which reflect the greatest credit upon the seamen of both nations.

Nelson, being desirous of engaging the French Admiral's flagship, came upon the "Bucentaure" at 12.30 p.m., when she fired upon the British flagship, but, unheedful of the shot from this and seven other ships, the "Victory" ploughed her way ahead in order to break the enemy's line. For three-quarters of an hour her guns refused to bark, though her men were falling fast from the shots which broke through her sides, and tore her sails to shreds; but at 1 o'clock the "Victory" closely engaged the "Bucentaure," and so well were the British shots placed that 20 of the enemy's guns were soon dismounted and, according to a French estimate, 400 seamen were killed. Leaving the "Bucentaure" the "Victory" engaged the "Redoubtable" at ten minutes past 1, and the rigging of the two ships fouling, they were locked in a deadly embrace. Then the crews of the two vessels fought with exceeding gallantry, for both were led by brave men, and the "Redoubtable's" captain cheered his men on to board the "Victory"; indeed, he lowered his main-yard on to the "Victory's" deck, and his men made a brave effort to capture her, but those daring Frenchmen who gained her decks paid for their effort with their lives; not, however, before they had placed 30 of the "Victory's" crew hors de combat.

Death of Nelson.—Meanwhile, one of the sharpshooters in the mizzen-top of the "Redoubtable" had given Viscount Nelson his death wound. At half-past one the fatal bullet passed through his shoulder and spine, but Britain's greatest admiral lived long enough to learn that the victory was his, and he died at 4.30 p.m. satisfied that he had done his duty. By 5.30 p.m. 18 of the enemy's ships had struck their colours, and the survivors of the fight were making the best of their way to Cadiz, but a gale coming on, the British fleet with its prizes stood out to sea, where some of the prizes foundered with their crews; others were driven ashore and wrecked, while four were retaken by the enemy, so that by the time the triumphant fleet sailed into Gibraltar Bay it only retained 4 prizes. The victory of Trafalgar had, however, made Britain indisputable mistress of the seas, destroyed the sea power of France and Spain, and, while it added to the laurels of British seamen, gave to Nelson a glorious death and secured for him a resting-place in Westminster Abbey.

The following ships were engaged in the battle: "Victory," "Royal Sovereign," "Temeraire," "Britannia," "Conqueror," "Neptune," "Agamemnon," "Leviathan," "Ajax," "Africa," "Minotaur," "Orion," "Belleisle," "Mars," "Thunderer," "Spartiate," "Bellerophon," "Achille," "Colossus," "Polyphemus," "Revenge," "Dreadnought," "Swiftsure," "Defence," "Defiance," "Prince" and "Tonnant." "Naiad," "Sirius," "Euryalus" and "Phoebe" frigates. The cutter "Entreprenaute" and the schooner "Pickle."

Gold Medal for Trafalgar.—As already stated, the gold medal instituted by George III to reward the officers of Lord Howe's fleet who took part in the action on "The Glorious" June 1st, 1794, was afterwards awarded for all great naval victories, and among those who received them were Nelson's officers—from post-captains upwards—who took part in the battle of Trafalgar. The gold medal was awarded for 18 different actions, the last award being for the fight between the "Endymion" frigate of 48 guns and the American 50-gun frigate "President" on January 15th, 1815. See facing page 280 for smaller type of medal as awarded to James (afterwards Right Hon. Admiral Lord James) Gambier of the "Defence" for June 1st, 1794.

HORATIUS COUNT NELSON, K.B. DUKE OF BRONTE