A good Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840, 1 Clasp: Hebrus with L’Etoile awarded to Private Joseph Williamson, Royal Marines who was present aboard H.M.S. Hebrus during the Gold Medal action which led to the capture of the French Frigate L’Etiole in March 1814 when she was chased for 120 miles before being engaged off Cape La Hogue. Captain Palmer of the Hebrus would receive the Small Naval Gold Medal for this action. 1 of 40 clasps.
Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840, 1 Clasp: Hebrus with L’Etoile; (JOSEPH WILLIAMSON)
Condition: Edge-bruising and some contact marks, Nearly Very Fine
Provenance: Ex Jason Pilalas Collection
Joseph Williamson was confirmed as a Private in the Royal Marines aboard H.M.S. Hebrus when on 27th March 1814, Captain Edmund Palmer in Hebrus brough the French frigate L’Etoile to actin near Cape Le Hogue after a chase of 120 miles. The engagement lasted over two hours, when L’Etoile her mizzen mast shot away and her hull much shattered under four feet of water stuck her colours.
Of the crew of 320 of the L’Etoile, 40 were killed and over 70 wounded, many of whom later died. The Hebrus lost her fore topmast and foreyard and all her masts were shot through, but her killed and wounded were less than 40. The whole action was fought in range of a shore battery which seeing the L’Etoile surrender then opened a heavy fire on the conqueror.
Captain Palmer would bring his prize into Plymouth Sound on 29th March and declined the honour of a knighthood which was offered to him as a reward for his services. He did however, receive the Small Naval Gold Medal for this action.
Hebrus would subsequently be transferred to serve in North America, where she participated in the expedition up the Patuxent River in August 1814, which resulted in the destruction of the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla.
A unique name on the Naval General Service Medal roll and 1 of 40 clasps issued for this Gold Medal action.
