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Auction: 1025 - The Turl Collection of Naval General Service Medals 1793 - 1840
Lot: 66

Naval General Service 1793-1840, two clasps, 29 Aug Boat Service 1800, Trafalgar (Mathew Fagg.), lacquered, very fine, and a unique combination of clasps Estimate £ 7,000-9,000 Mathew Fagg served as Able Seaman in the boats of H.M.S. Renown as part of 20 boats from Sir John Borlase Warren´s squadron under the orders of Lieutenant Burke of H.M.S. Renown for the cutting out of the Spanish 18-gun privateer Guepe from under the batteries in Redondella Narrows, Vigo, 30.8.1800; Fagg served as the same rate in H.M.S. Achilles 74-guns (Captain R. King) during the major fleet action off Cape Trafalgar between the British fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson and the Franco-Spanish fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral P.C. de Villeneuve, 21.10.1805. At Trafalgar the Achilles ´was in the lee column and closely followed the Colossus into action; and, passing astern of the Spanish Montanez, luffed up and engaged that ship from the leeward. When, in about twelve minutes, the Montanez sheered off, the Achilles headed for the Belleisle, which lay dismantled to leeward, seeming to be sorely pressed; but on her way she fell in with the Spanish Argonauta. Captain King brought to on the Spaniard´s port beam, and fought her at close quarters for an hour. The Argonauta then endeavoured to make sail, but not being able to escape, shut her lower-deck ports, ceased firing, and, as was supposed, surrendered. Ere the Achilles could attempt to take possession of her, the French Achille passed her namesake and distracted her attention by firing into her; and the French Berwick, which had already been distantly engaged with our Defence, interposed herself between the Achilles and her beaten opponent, the latter dropping to leeward and eventually surrendering. A hot action then began between the Achilles and the Berwick; the French ship, after more than an hour´s fighting, hauled down her flag and was taken possession of by Captain King. The loss in the Achilles amounted to seventy-two killed and wounded, including nine officers. Her masts, though standing, were badly injured, and also her bowsprit and hull.´ (The Trafalgar Roll, The Officers, The Men, The Ships, Colonel R.H. Mackenzie refers) Approximately 25 ´29 Aug Boat Service 1800´ clasps issued. Mathew Fagg born Dover, Kent; served as Quartermaster, March 1814-August 1815; discharged from the service on the latter date. Provenance: Phillips 1925

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