Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas (Part I)

The 4-clasp Naval General Service medal awarded to James Maynard, Gunner in the Star (renamed Meteor in 1812) at all four actions
Naval General Service 1793-1840, 4 clasps, Martinique, Guadaloupe, The Potomac 17 Aug 1814, 14 Dec Boat Service 1814 (James Maynard, Gunner.) very fine £8,000-£10,000

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

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Colin Message Collection, August 1999.

A unique combination of clasps.

James Maynard is confirmed on the rolls as Gunner aboard Star at the first two actions, and aboard Meteor at the two American actions. This is actually the same ship for all four actions as Star was renamed Meteor in 1812 on conversion from a 16-gun sloop to a bomb vessel. The Boat Service clasp is not recorded on the official claims lists but Maynard is confirmed as serving aboard Meteor at that time.

On 17 August 1814, two frigates and six smaller vessels, including the bomb Meteor, sailed into Chesapeake Bay and thence for some 50 miles up the Potomac towards Alexandria and Fort Washington. The American ships harbouring there were destroyed, the fort bombarded and the town of Alexandria forced to surrender. The British force returned safely although under fire from shore batteries and militia bands along the length of the Potomac.

Plans for an attack on New Orleans, via Lake Borgne, were put into effect in December 1814, but five oared gunboats under Lt. ap Catesby Jones had to be neutralised before the main expedition could be landed. A large force of ships' boats (including those of the Meteor) was sent in against the Americans and after a fierce fight the gunboats were all captured. The Meteor's log for 12 December 1814 notes, ‘sent the yawl and two gigs armed and with provisions up the lakes to attack the enemy flotilla on Lake Borne’, and on the 15th, ‘returned with... intelligence of the whole of the flotilla being captured’ (ADM 51/2534 refers).

James Maynard served as Gunner aboard the sloop Star from 15 July 1808 to 11 February 1812, and in Meteor from 12 February 1812 to 19 February 1815. He served subsequently aboard Trave, February 1815 to July 1821; Plymouth Barracks, July to December 1821; Tartar, January 1822 to March 1826; and finally Proserpine, April 1826 to 10 June 1831.

Sold with copied extracts from the ship’s books for the American actions and record of service, together with notes compiled by Colin Message.