Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, St. Domingo (Charles Cotesworth, Volr.) toned, edge bruising, otherwise good very fine £3,600-£4,000

Provenance: Glendining’s, April 1938.

Charles Cotesworth served as Volunteer in H.M.S. Acasta for the capture of three, and destruction of two, French ships of the line by Vice-admiral Sir John Duckworth’s squadron off St. Domingo, Dominica, 6 February 1806.

Charles Cotesworth was born in August 1792, and was the brother of Commander William Cotesworth, R.N (who served with his brother in a number of ships, and went on to serve with H.M.S. Endymion during her famous capture of the American frigate President, 15 January 1815). He entered the Royal Navy as a First Class Volunteer in July 1805, and was appointed to the frigate H.M.S. Acasta (Captain R. D. Dunn). Cotesworth served with her in the action off St. Domingo, and advanced to Midshipman in July 1807. He accompanied Captain Dunn into the Royal George (flag-ship of Sir John Duckworth), and took part in the expedition to Constantinople, in February 1807. During the latter he served in forcing the passage of the Dardanelles (19 February); in the boats during the attack on the Turks at Prota (27 February); and during the return through the Dardanelles (3 March). Cotesworth was wounded during the return through the Dardanelles (London Gazette 5 May 1807).

Cotesworth removed with Dunn and Duckworth, as Master’s Mate, to H.M.S. San Josef in May 1809. He was briefly appointed to the command of a gun-boat during the Walcheren Expedition of the same year. Cotesworth accompanied Dunn for service with the Hibernia and Armide before passing his examination at the end of 1811. He sailed for Jamaica in H.M.S. Polyphemus, and was promoted to an Acting Lieutenancy in H.M.S. Circe (Captain E. Woolcombe) in March 1813. Subsequent service included with H.M. Ships Barrosa, Akbar and Tonnant (Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane) until December 1814. At ‘the close of the hostilities against New Orleans, where, as Acting Lieutenant, he had commanded a gun-vessel, and also one of the boats that crossed the Mississippi, Mr Cotesworth found that he had been at length officially promoted by commission dated 10 Oct. 1814. He afterwards served, latterly as First Lieutenant, in the Asia 74, Capt. Alex. Skene, with whom he visited Trieste, and, a second time, Jamaica. He paid the Asia off in Feb. 1816.’ (O’Byrne refers).

Lieutenant Cotesworth was put on half-pay in 1831.