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

The Naval General Service medal awarded to Joseph Williamson, a Private Royal Marines aboard H.M.S. Hebrus at the capture of the French frigate L’Etoile in March 1814

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Hebrus with L’Etoile (Joseph Williamson.) edge bruising and contact marks overall, otherwise nearly 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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Joseph Williamson is a unique name on the rolls and is confirmed as a Private Royal Marines aboard H.M.S. Hebrus at the capture of the French frigate Etoile on 27 March 1814. 40 clasps were issued for this single-ship Gold Medal action.

Joseph Williamson served as a Private, Royal Marines, aboard H.M.S. Hebrus when, on 27 March 1814, Captain Edmund Palmer in Hebrus brought the French frigate L’Etoile to action near Cape La 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, struck her colours. Of her crew of 320, 40 were killed and over 70 wounded, many of whom later died. The Hebrus lost her fore topmast and fore yard, and all her masts were shot through, but her killed and wounded were altogether less than 40. The action was fought within range of a shore battery, which, on the surrender of L’Etoile opened a heavy fire on her conqueror. Captain Palmer brought his prize into Plymouth Sound on 29 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 the action. Hebrus was subsequently 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.