The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

Four: Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, The Nile 1884-85 (Lieut. A. W. Carter, R.N.); Order of the Medjidie, 5th class breast badge, silver, gold and enamels; Khedive’s Star 1884-6; together with: white metal medallion commemorating the hurricane in Samoa, March 1899, 30mm, obv. Coat of Arms of the Marquis de Leuville; rev. ‘British Seamanship and Captain H. C. Kane of H.M.S. Calliope, from an admirer, the Marquis de Leuville’, pierced for suspension, good very fine and better (4)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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Arthur Carter was born in Warwick on 9 November 1856. He first entered the service as a Naval Cadet aboard BRITANNIA on 15 January 1870, remaining on her books until 31 July 1874, having been promoted to Midshipman on 21 December 1871. Subsequently served aboard NARCISSUS (1874-75) where he received promotion to Sub Lieutenant on 20 June 1875, SHELDRAKE (1877-80) where he was made a Lieutenant on 30 December 1879, TEMERAIRE (1883-84), ALEXANDRA (8 January 1884 to 27 January 1886) being loaned to MONARCH (20 January to 31 May 1885) for duties with the Nile Flotilla. He continued his sea-going service aboard INFLEXIBLE (1890-93) and was immediately promoted to Commander on 1 January 1894, and ORLANDO (1894-97). He next served aboard H.M.S. CALLIOPE (25 January 1897 until 1 May 1899), and was thus aboard her at the time of the terrible hurricane at Apia, Samoa 16 and 17 March 1899, which caused “disaster unprecedented since the introduction of steam”. He was mentioned in Captain Kane's report (ADM 196/19/366).

The CALLIOPE was a metal hulled corvette and was fully rigged for sail in addition to steam. She was in Samoa as part of a Naval presence because of the unrest in that area. The weather had deteriorated in February and Apia was considered a safe anchorage and it was assumed that the hurricane season was over. When the hurricane struck, floods from the river affected the anchorage and ships began dragging their anchors and causing problems. Captain Kane showed magnificent seamanship when, despite the harbour being crowded, managed to make a run for the open sea, a decision which undoubtedly saved the ship. The weather took them so far from the harbour that it was three days before the ship finally re-entered Apia, to a harbour filled only with wrecks.

He was promoted to Captain on 30 June 1899 prior to his command of GLORY (1901-04) and his retirement on 28 January 1905. He was promoted to Retired Rear Admiral on 5 November 1908, and died on 3 February 1931.