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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 82

(x) Matthew Boulton's Medal for Trafalgar 1805, white metal (Thos. Nettle, H.M.S. Revenge), corrosion and pitting throughout but name still legible, worn poor

At the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805, the 74-gun newly-built H.M.S. Revenge was placed in the rear of Admiral Collingwood's division - however, due to her recent construction she was a very fast and agile vessel and subsequently overtook the two ships in front of her in the column. Commanded by Captain Robert Moorsom, he took Revenge straight at the Spanish flagship (the 112-gun Principe de Asturias) - but due to being such a swift sailer Revenge missed the Spanish flagship and instead engaged the 74-gun San Ildefonso, disabling her. Moorsom then moved on to engage the French 74-gun Achille, dismasting her entirely and leaving her at the mercy of following British ships; another French '74', the Aigle, was next in Captain Moorsom's sights and (somewhat bizarrely), Revenge rammed her and caused such damage that the enemy ship drifted off out of action.
Finally, the British ship caught up with the Principe de Asturias, but by now Revenge had suffered casualties and structural damage and the larger Spanish ship with heavier guns put up a spirited defence: Moorsom was badly wounded by a splinter and things looked bleak for Thomas Nettle and his comrades, until they were saved by the timely arrival of Dreadnought and Thunderer. By this time Revenge was in danger of sinking and by the end of the battle her casualties amounted to 79 men killed and wounded. Thankfully Moorsom recovered from his wounds and Revenge made it home to Gibraltar, where she was repaired and returned to service.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£200 to £300

Starting price
£160