The John Goddard Collection of Important Naval Medals and Nelson Letters

Midshipman Frederick Devon, a youth of just 14 years of age when he assisted in the boarding and capture of a Danish gun-boat by the gig of the Brevdrageren, commanded by his brother, Lieutenant Thomas Devon

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, 21 March Boat Service 1813 [3] (Fredk. Devon, Midshipman.) edge bruise, otherwise good very fine £10000-12000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The John Goddard Collection of Important Naval Medals and Nelson Letters.

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Provenance: Spink, July 2000.

21 March Boat Service 1813 [3 issued] - Thomas Davies, Assistant Surgeon (Known); Frederick Devon, Midshipman; James Whiteman, Pte. R.M. (Patiala Collection, Sheesh Mahal Museum, India).

Frederick Devon was born in Buckinghamshire and joined H.M.S. Brevdrageren on 1 May 1812, as a Midshipman, aged 14 years. The Brevdrageren was commanded by his elder brother, Lieutenant Thomas Barker Devon, who had been appointed to her on 12 October 1809. A gun-brig of 12 18-pounder carronades and 60 men, she had been captured at Copenhagen in 1807, and was actively employed on the North Sea station for nearly five years under Lieutenant, later Captain Devon.

On 20 March 1813, while the two gun-brigs Blazer, Lieutenant Francis Banks, and Brevdrageren were lying at anchor off Cuxhaven, Lieutenant Devon volunteered, with a boat from each brig, to go up river in quest of a privateer, of which information had just been received. Accordingly, in the night, taking with him Brevdrageren’s gig, containing Midshipman Frederick Devon and eight men, and the six-oared cutter of the Blazer, containing 11 men commanded by Mr. William Dunbar, her master, Lieutenant Devon proceeded to execute the service he had undertaken.

On the 21st, at daylight, the two boats found themselves off the Danish port of Brunsbuttel, about 30 miles up the river and close to two large galliots at anchor. Under the supposition that these were merchant vessels, Lieutenant Devon, followed by the cutter at some distance, advanced to examine them. On the near approach of the gig, the two vessels were found to be gun-boats, the nearest of which instantly hoisted Danish colours, hailed, and opened fire, which, luckily for the people in the gig, passed over their heads. In this critical situation, Lieutenant Devon considered that there was no safety but in resolutely boarding. He accordingly dashed alongside and, in the smoke of a second discharge, which passed as harmlessly as the first, and amidst a degree of confusion among the Danes caused by the explosion of some cartridges Lieutenant Devon, his brother, Midshipman Frederick Devon, a youth of only 12 years of age (sic), and eight men, captured, without the slightest casualty, the Danish gun-boat Jonge-Troutman, commanded by Lieutenant Lutkin of the Danish navy, and mounting two long 18-pounders and three 12-pounder carronades, with a crew of 26 men, two of whom were wounded. The Blazer’s cutter, meanwhile, captured the Danish gun-boat Liebe, without opposition, being of the same force as the Jonge-Troutman, and commanded by Lieutenant Writt, also of the Danish navy. Lieutenant Devon was subsequently promoted to Commander for this gallant action, and the Brevdrageren was rated a sloop of war, so that he could continue in command. Of the young midshipman, Frederick Devon, nothing more is known.