The John Goddard Collection of Important Naval Medals and Nelson Letters

Corporal William Morgan, R.M., who served in the Phoebe at Schomberg’s action off the coast of Madagascar in May 1811, and at the capture, in company with the Cherub, of the United States 32-gun frigate Essex, off Valparaiso harbour, Chile, in March 1814, the only N.G.S. clasps issued for an action in the Pacific Ocean proper

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, Off Tamatave 20 May 1811 [78], Phoebe 28 March 1814 [31] (William Morgan.) nearly extremely fine £4000-5000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The John Goddard Collection of Important Naval Medals and Nelson Letters.

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Collection

Provenance: Cheylesmore Collection 1930 (No. 125 in the catalogue of his collection, 1880); J. B. Hayward & Son 1973; Dix Noonan Webb, March 2014.

Off Tamatave 20 May 1811 [78 issued] - including 5 officers and 18 men of the Phoebe.

Phoebe 28 March 1814 [31 issued] - 12 known, including examples in The National Maritime Museum, and the Royal Naval Museum (2).

William Morgan is confirmed on the rolls as a Private Royal Marines aboard the Phoebe at the first action, and as a Corporal Royal Marines aboard the same ship at the second action. Moreover, Morgan is also shown on the roll for the M.G.S. medal with the clasp for Java, being one of the party of marines from Phoebe who were actually landed on the island. Three other men of this name are shown on the rolls of the N.G.S. medal, one for Java, and two for Algiers.

William Morgan was born at Mortley, Worcestershire, and enlisted into the 38th Company Royal Marines (Portsmouth Division) at Kidderminster, on 20 February 1806, aged 24 and a Weaver by trade. His entire service was aboard the frigate Phoebe, from March 1806 until he was discharged on 27 December 1814, being ‘unserviceable’ due to ‘wounded thighs’. Sold with research including London Gazette entries and copied muster lists and medal rolls.

Phoebe and Cherub capture the United States frigate Essex

From early February 1814, the United States 32-gun frigate Essex and her tender Essex Junior were blockaded in Valparaiso harbour by the 30-gun Phoebe, Captain James Hillyar, and the 18-gun Cherub, Captain Thomas Tudor Tucker. On 28 March, the Essex was driven out to sea in a heavy squall which carried away her maintop-mast. The Essex was compelled to engage the British ships and after a twenty-minute action, the American tried to run ashore. At 6.20 p.m. the Essex, seeing the Phoebe about to come alongside, struck her colours. Essex Junior, although she was not party to the action, was also captured. Lieutenant Pearson of the Phoebe sailed the Essex to England and was promoted to Commander.