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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 4

Capture of Cayenne 14 January 1809, silver-gilt, 50mm, presented by the Prince Regent of Portugal to the Officers and Men of H.M.S. Confiance in recognition of their services at the reduction of Cayenne in 1809, light edge bruising, otherwise very fine

H.M.S. Confiance, an 18-gun sloop commanded by Commander James Yeo, participated in an combined Anglo-Portuguese campaign to conquer French Guiana which met with much success: Yeo, alongside three Portuguese brigs, a cutter, and 400-500 Portuguese soldiers, captured Oyapoc on 8 December which was followed by the capture of Appruagoc a week later. Encouraged by these victories, Yeo and the Portuguese commander next attacked Cayenne and between them captured three forts and defeated the local French forces with the loss of only one British sailor killed and 23 wounded.

On 13 January 1809, whilst Yeo was ashore with almost all Confiance's crew, the French frigate Topaze approached Cayenne; despite only having a remaining crew of 25 men, two Midshipmen in temporary command of Confiance (Yeo's younger brother, George, and Edward Bryant) persuaded 25 locals to bolster their numbers and together they set sail towards Topaze: the enemy vessel, ordered to avoid combat and concerned by this bold approach, withdrew - a few days later she was captured by H.M.S. Cleopatra. In 1810, James Yeo was knighted by King George III for his services during this campaign, and the Prince Regent of Portugal decreed the manufacture of Medals in silver and bronze to Captain Yeo and his crew of approximately 80 Seamen and Marines for their heroic efforts.

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Estimate
£600 to £800

Starting price
£480