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Auction: 18002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 60

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (Thos. Couch. Captns. Stewd. "Salamander"), officially impressed naming, nearly extremely fine

Thomas Couch served as Captain's Steward aboard the 4-gun sloop H.M.S. Salamander, one of the earliest true paddle warships built for the Royal Navy. Based on a unique design by Joseph Seaton and launched from Sheerness in 1832, Salamander was commissioned on 27 November under Commander Thomas Austin. After four years' service in the Channel, she patrolled the north coast of Spain during the First Carlist War.

The Salamander was re-commissioned in 1850 under Commander John Ellman, participating in the Second Burma War. This conflict arose when Commodore George Lambert blockaded the port of Rangoon, seizing King Pagan's flagship. Lambert succeeded Rear-Admiral Charles Austen, brother of Jane Austen, as head of naval operations following the latter's death. Having captured Rangoon on 12 April 1852, East India Company forces proceeded up the Irrawaddy to annex the region of Pegu.

Salamander returned home in August 1854.

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Sold for
£270