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

The 2-clasp Naval General Service medal awarded to John Gillman, Carpenter’s Crew aboard the frigate Emerald at the destruction of the French schooner L’Apropos in March 1808, and in the same vessel at Basque Roads in April 1809

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, Emerald 13 March 1808, Basque Roads 1809 (John Gillman.) extremely fine £12,000-£16,000

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

Payne Collection 1911; Sotheby, December 1975; Dix Noonan Webb, June 2000.

John Gillman is confirmed on the rolls as Carpenter’s Crew aboard the thirty-six gun frigate Emerald for both actions. Only ten clasps were issued for Emerald’s action on 13 March 1808.

Captain T. L. Maitland in the Emerald, cruising off Vivero, on the coast of Spain, saw a large French schooner lying in the harbour, and stood in to capture or destroy her. At half past five p.m., a fort on the right opened fire, and as soon as the ship was within range, another fort a mile further in, on the left, commenced firing. Captain Maitland despatched a party of men in his boats, under Lieutenant Bertram, to storm the outer fort, while the Emerald stood in as close as she was able in the depth of water, and engaged the inner one.

Lieutenant Bertram having captured the fort on the right hand, and spiked the guns, then proceeded to take the schooner. Meanwhile, another party under Lieutenant Smith, advanced against the inner fort, defeating a body of Spaniards who opposed him on landing, but failing to find the fort, had to return without success. Bertram’s party now attempted to get the schooner Atropos afloat, she having run on shore during high water. Failing in this, and under a galling fire of musketry from the enemy amongst the rocks, Bertram fired the vessel and destroyed it. The loss of the Emerald was rather heavy, with nine seamen and marines killed, and Lieutenant Bertram, two lieutenants of marines, and twelve men wounded. For his gallant conduct, Lieutenant Bertram was promoted to the rank of Commander.