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

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Eurotas 25 Feby. 1814 (John King.) a few hairlines, otherwise extremely fine £2,400-£2,800

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

Captain Hyde Greg Collection 1887, and ‘Jubilee’ Collection 1992. This medal was purchased in the 1887 sale by a Mr Whidder, along with many others, the great majority of which next reappear in the ‘Jubilee’ sale at Glendining’s on 27 May 1992; Dix Noonan Webb, June 2002.

John King is confirmed on the roll as Yeoman of Sheets aboard the Eurotas. Approximately 32 clasps issued for this frigate action. Six other men of this name are recorded on the rolls for various clasps.

On 25 February 1814, the 38-gun frigate Eurotas, Captain J. Phillimore, discovered the French 40-gun frigate Clorinde on her way to Brest after a cruise. The British frigate gave chase and, being faster, at five p.m. passed under the stern of the Clorinde and gave her her starboard broadside. Then getting alongside her antagonist, a furious contest of 20 minutes followed, in which the mizzen mast of the Eurotas was shot away, as well as the fore top-mast of the Clorinde. The French frigate then shot ahead, but with the Eurotas luffing up, the ships were again side by side and the action continued with re-doubled ardour. At 20 minutes past six the Eurotas lost her main mast, and about the same time the mizzen mast of the Clorinde came down. Ten minutes later, the foremast of the Eurotas went overboard, which was followed by the fall of the mainmast of her opponent. The British ship was now totally dismasted and unmanageable, and at 7.30 p.m. the Clorinde with her fore yard only standing, set the remains of her foresail, and her fore stay-sail, and stood away out of gunshot. Captain Phillimore having been severely wounded by a grape shot in the shoulder, Lieutenant R. Smith took the command of the Eurotas, the wreck was cut away, and every exertion made during the night to get up jury masts and keep after the enemy. As Yeoman of Sheets on board the Eurotas, John King would have been prominently employed on this night. Soon after six the next morning, the Eurotas with three effective masts, again made sail after the enemy, then about four miles distant, and in the same dismasted state as on the previous evening. At about noon, while evidently gaining on the chase, to the mortification of everyone on board the Eurotas, a British 36-gun frigate and a 16-gun sloop appeared on the horizon, the Dryad and the Achates. The crew of the Eurotas could only watch on as the Dryad and Achates completed the formalities of their hard-fought action. However, upon Captain Galway of the Dryad being offered the sword of the French Captain in surrender, he honourably refused it, observing that it was only due to Captain Philimore. The Eurotas had two Midshipmen and 19 men killed, and her Captain, two officers and 36 men wounded. The Clorinde had 30 killed, and 40 wounded.