Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 37 25 Sep 2019
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Napoleonic Wars: The Wooldridge Medal, gilt metal facsimile of the gold medal awarded to Captain James Wooldridge, 1809, a British fireship in flames explosively breaks the boom, rev. legend within wreath, CAPTAIN JAMES WOOLDRIDGE LED THE BRITISH FIRE SHIPS WHEN FOUR FRENCH SAIL OF THE LINE WERE BURNT UNDER THEIR OWN BATTERIES IN AIX ROADS, 39.5mm. (MH.562; Tancred 74; BBM [1998 ed. p. 31), good very fine and scarce
On the night prior to the Battle of Basque Roads, 11 April, 1809, Captain James Wooldridge, of the fireship Mediator, broke through the boom protecting the French ships. The Medaitor exploded and Wooldridge, having remained with his ship, was severely burnt. Several French ships were burnt in the attack and others ran aground. Following the action, Wooldridge was granted a gold medal and a presentation sword. His memorial in St. Mary's church, Penzance reads: 'This monument is consecrated to the memory of James Wooldridge, Esqr., Captain in the Royal Navy; who died the 31st of August 1814, aged 42 years. The honours of rank, of a pension, and of a golden chain with a medal struck expressly for the occasion, and conferred by his king individually upon him for his conduct in an attack upon the French fleet in Basque Roads, are memorials of his public character. In private life he was an affectionate husband and a tender parent, and in every station he was mindful of his duty to his God and his neighbour'.
(80-120 GBP)
On the night prior to the Battle of Basque Roads, 11 April, 1809, Captain James Wooldridge, of the fireship Mediator, broke through the boom protecting the French ships. The Medaitor exploded and Wooldridge, having remained with his ship, was severely burnt. Several French ships were burnt in the attack and others ran aground. Following the action, Wooldridge was granted a gold medal and a presentation sword. His memorial in St. Mary's church, Penzance reads: 'This monument is consecrated to the memory of James Wooldridge, Esqr., Captain in the Royal Navy; who died the 31st of August 1814, aged 42 years. The honours of rank, of a pension, and of a golden chain with a medal struck expressly for the occasion, and conferred by his king individually upon him for his conduct in an attack upon the French fleet in Basque Roads, are memorials of his public character. In private life he was an affectionate husband and a tender parent, and in every station he was mindful of his duty to his God and his neighbour'.
(80-120 GBP)