Lot 2166

Description

Naval General Service Medal 1793. Two bars â€â€Å‣ Egypt; Trafalgar. Charles Phillips. Impressed, with the last letter of the surname being added by engraving. Repaired at suspender claw and with slight edge knocks and some traces of brooch mounting on reverse, thus fine.

Both bars confirmed on roll. Three men of this name on the roll, but this the only one with this combination. Together with copies of both ships’ Muster Lists and the Medal Claim Returns for both bars. Recipient served as Landsman in HMS Delft in Egypt and as Able Seaman in HMS Colossus at Trafalgar Ex Glendinning and Spink Australia Sale 27. The 74-gun Colossus, under Captain James Nicoll Morris, was in the lee column at Trafalgar, her losses being greater than those of any other ship in the fleet. She engaged the French 74, Swiftsure, and the Spanish 74, Bahama, which had been captured from the British on a previous occasion, both of which she captured. Her losses in the battle amounted to 40 killed and 160 wounded, while she herself was badly damaged. The mainmast was so damaged that, during the ensuing night, it had to be cut away. The foremast was shot through in several places, two anchors and three of her boats were destroyed, and a number of guns disabled. Four of the starboard lower-deck ports were also knocked away by ramming the Spanish 80-gun ship Argonauta, and the hull in every part of was much shattered. Her Master was killed and fourteen other officers, including her captain, were wounded. Colossus had a chicken-coop onboard, and during the battle the rooster escaped and perched on Captain Morris’s shoulder, crowing loudly, much to the amusement of the sailors, who cheered while they kept up the fighting. Captain Morris was severely wounded in the thigh, but after a tourniquet was applied he remained on deck until the close of the action, when he fainted from loss of blood and was carried below for treatment.