The Naval General Service medal awarded to Francis Prior for his services as Master of the Aeolus at Strachan’s action on 4 November 1805, off Ferrol, when the four French ships that escaped from Trafalgar were captured

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, 4 Novr. 1805 (Francis Prior, Master.) better than very fine £4,000-£5,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

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Collection

Peter Dale Collection, July 2000.

15 clasps for 4 Novr 1805 issued to H.M.S. Aeolus.

Francis Prior qualified as Master of first rate ships in 1804. He was Master of the Aeolus, Captain Lord William Fitzroy, at Strachan’s action. In the matter of the charge of cowardice levelled against Lord Fitzroy, the log of the Aeolus kept by the Master, Francis Prior, was used as evidence (see James’s Naval History of Great Britain). Francis Prior was still on the active list of Masters in 1850.