Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: Battle of Camperdown

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Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: Battle of Camperdown

AssociatedAssociated with Lord Mountbatten of Burma (Frogmore House, Windsor, England, 1900 - 1979)

Medallist John Pinches, Medallists

DateMay 2004

Object NameMedal

MediumSterling Silver

ClassificationsMedals

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS072500.34

Keywords

Commemorative

About MeThe year 1797 was an eventful one in naval history. It opened with an-unsuccessful attempt on the part of General Hoche to invade Ireland. On 14th February the Spanish fleet was defeated off Cape St Vincent in the battle which made Nelson famous. Throughout the early summer the English fleets mutinied; but by the time the French invasion plan was revived they had returned to duty, so that on 12th October the North Sea fleet under Adam Duncan (1731-1804) was able to defeat the Dutch in the hardest fought battle of the Revolutionary wars.

Duncan's fleet of 16 ships was based on Yarmouth. During the mutiny he conducted the blockade of the Texel (now that the Dutch flew the flag of the Batavian Republic controlled by the French) with only two ships, signalling to an imaginary fleet over the horizon to prevent the enemy knowing what was happening. Duncan himself, a grey- haired giant of a man, quelled a mutiny on board his flagship, Venerable, by holding a rebel over the side of the ship with one hand, threatening to drop him into the sea. His opponent, Jan Willem de Winter, was equally tall, so that it was remarkable that two such large men should have escaped unscathed when they met in battle.

It was originally intended that the Dutch fleet should take part in another invasion scheme, but Hoche died and Wolfe Tone, the Irish rebel who was on board the Vrijheid (Liberty) was abandoned. However, for reasons of prestige De Wintler was persuaded to put to sea in October.

When the British fleet approached, De Winter decided to return to the Texel by keeping close to the land in order to trap his enemy on a lee shore near the village of Camperdown. He overlooked three things: the high standard of seamanship a blockading fleet was bound to attain, the excellence of British gunnery and the determination to wipe out the stain of mutiny.

Duncan's fleet approached in two divisions, the admiral leading the port squadron and vice-admiral Richard Onslow that to starboard, but neither were in regular order because it was intended to break the enemy line at all points. The consequence was a pellmell actioa, the two flagships being engaged in the centre, while Onslow's ships worked up to them, Captain Bligh (of Bounty fame) playing a leading part in the Director. After a close fought, bloody battle lasting several hours, De Winter surrendered when his ship was dismasted. When he proferred his sword to Duncan, it was refused with the words 'I would much rather take a brave man's hand than his sword'.

The Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea, John Pinches Medallists Ltd.