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THE SUPERB NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL 1793 CLASP: SPARTAN 3rd MAY 1810, TO AN OFFICER MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES FOR HIS GALLANTRY WHILST IN CHARGE OF GUNS ON THE MAIN DECK DURING THE CELEBRATED GOLD MEDAL ACTION IN THE BAY OF NAPLES, LEAVING AN ACCOUNT OF THE ACTION WRITTEN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LATER. PREVIOUS TO THIS HE WAS WOUNDED IN A BOAT ACTION AND TOOK PART IN SEVERAL OTHER GALLANT AFFAIRS IN THE ADRIATIC AND OFF THE AMERICAN COAST 1812-13

PART EXCHANGES AND GOOD OFFERS WELCOME

Condition GVF: NOTE THIS MEDAL WAS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED AS HAVING BEEN FITTED WITH A COPY CLASP HOWEVER THIS IS TOTALLY INCORRECT AND THE CLASP IS CORRECT IN EVERY WAY.

WHEN I PURCHASED THE MEDAL I PROCURED AN ORIGINAL SPARTAN CLASP FROM CHRIS DIXON STILL WRAPPED IN ITS PERIOD TISSUE PAPER. ON EXAMINATION THE ADDITION CLASP I PURCHASED IS IDENTICAL IN EACH AND EVERY WAY . I SHOWED THE MEDAL AND 2 CLASPS TO DNW ON A VISIT THERE AND THEY CONCURRED THAT THIS WAS ORIGINAL . THE ADDITIONAL SPARTAN CLASP IS INCLUDED IN THIS SALE BEING PART OF ITS HISTORY.

Provenance: Glendinning’s Auction June 1904, and again July 1962, and in both sales the

description of his clasp states at as ‘unofficial clasp’.

appointed to the newly launched 38 gun frigate H.M.S Spartan on 12th August 1806, under

Captain George Astle at Spithead. The famed Captain Jahleel Brenton, took over Spartan’s

Command in February 1807. Initially serving in the Mediterranean, for a time Spartan cruised

with Lord Cochrane’s Imperieuse, the two ships with their like minded Captain’s, causing a

great deal of mischief upon the enemy. Dunn remaining on Spartan right up until July 1814,

therefore taking part in a great many actions. However it was for the action in which Spartan

alone, took on a Franco-Neapolitan squadron in the Bay of Naples, capturing one prize and

severely damaging two others;

‘In October 1809 the Spartan was part of the force engaged in the reduction of the Ionian

Isles, and in May 1810, whilst cruising in company with the Success, of 32 guns, and the

Espoir brig, chased a small French squadron into Naples. This consisted of the Ceres frigate

of the same force as the Spartan, though with about one-fourth more men, the Fama frigate of

28 guns, a brig, a cutter, and seven gunboats. Captain Jahleel Brenton, of the Spartan, feeling

certain that the French ships would not come out in the face of two frigates, despatched the

Success to the southward, and on the morning of 3 May stood back towards Naples, hoping to

tempt the enemy to come out. They had anticipated his wish, and having taken on board some

400 soldiers, in addition to their already large complements, met the Spartan in the very

entrance of the bay, about midway between Ischia and Capri. The action that ensued was

extremely bloody, for the Spartan’s broadsides told with terrible effect on the crowded decks

of the Ceres and her consorts, while on the other hand the heavy fire of the gunboats inflicted

severe loss on the Spartan. Brenton himself was badly wounded in the hip by a grapeshot, and

during the latter part of the fight the Spartan was commanded by her first-lieutenant, Willes.

The brig was captured, but, the Spartan’s rigging being much cut, the Fama was towed away

by gunboats, preventing its capture and Ceres succeeded in getting under some batteries in

Baia Bay. For his gallant and skilful conduct of the action Willes was deservedly promoted;

and Captain Brenton’s bravery, his tactical skill, and the severity of his wound won for him

sympathy and admiration which forgot to remark on his mistaken judgement in sending the

Success away mistaken, for the resolve of the enemy to come out was formed quite

independently of the Success’s absence. The Patriotic Fund at Lloyd’s voted him a sword,

value one hundred guineas; the king of the Two Sicilies presented him with the Grand Cross

of St. Ferdinand; he was made a baronet in November 1812, and a K.C.B. in January 1815.’

Dunn was mentioned in Despatches (LG 1810) for his gallant and distinguished service

during this action; the following from Captain Brenton’s original dispatch:

‘..Nor most I forget Mr. Dunn, the purser, who took charge of a division of guns on the main

deck in the place of the officer, absent in a prize with eighteen men, (which reduced our

number to two hundred and fifty eight at the commencement of the action) he displayed the

greatest gallantry.’Dunn is not that unusual, in period accounts and despatches, pursers, Surgeon’s, Carpenters

etc are often to be found playing their part in any ship or boat action, frequently being found

on casualty lists or mentioned for their gallant service. On board ships of the time every man

of every rank or rating would take their turn.

During 1812 – 13, Spartan, now under Command of Captain Edward Pelham Brenton, the

former Captain’s brother was very active on the North American station, capturing a great

many American privateers.

Spartan’s service whilst Dunn was aboard is extensive. However excellent accounts of the

many actions can be found through this link, which includes an extensive report on the battle

in the Bay of Naples:

http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/18-1900/S/04328.html

Another excellent and even more detailed account of Spartan’s service can be found in

‘Memoir of the life and services of Vice-admiral Sir Jahleel Brenton’, a copy of which (on

CD), comes with the medal

A search of Navy lists, Gazettes etc gives the following later partial service;

1815, 1816 doesn’t appear to be attached to a ship

1821 – serving as Secretary to Vice Admiral Benjamin Hallowell KCB, CIC of HM ships at

Chatham

1826 was serving as Secretary to Sir Robert Moorsom at the Nore

1832 – Married Lucy, only daughter of the late Richard Dore, Esq. formerly his Majesty’s

Deputy Judge Advocate of the Colony of New South Wales

1850 – Died 11th October

Dunn’s Navy List entry gives the following:

‘J. Dunn was the Purser of the Spartan, at the taking of the Islands of Ischia and Procida of

four ships under the batteries of Terracino, and several gallant affairs in the Adriatic; in

command of a boat (with a Greek crew), captured a French privateer of four guns, when he

was slightly wounded, and his gallantry was officially mentioned in the Spartan’s hard fought

action with the enemy’s squadron in the Bay of Naples’. His obituary added; ‘and after being

secretary to Commodore Spranger at the taking of the Ionian Islands, he served in the same

capacity to Sir Benjamin H. Carew and Sir Robert Moorson.’

James Dunn, was one of 30 officers and men to subsequently live to claim the Naval General

Service Medal 1793-1840 with clasp for Spartan 3 May 1810. James Dunn is the only Purser

to receive this medal, and with his rank it is uniquely named.

CSold with copy medal rolls gazette, letter, Memoir of the life and services of Vice-admiral Sir

Jahleel Brenton and, some copy despatches 1807-10 and other research on CDDUNN’S PUBLISHED LETTER FROM SPARTAN, DESCRIBING THE FAMED

ACTION

From an Officer to a Fiend in London. – “His Majesty’s ship Spartan, Malta, 16th -May,

1810.

“MY DEAR FRIEND,

Aware that an old Messmate (particularly a once Spartan) will derive some gratification from

the particulars of our recent glorious contest, I willingly avail myself of the first conveyance

to enable you to participate in the feelings of your old shipmates. On the 1st instant, we, in

company with the Success, chased into Naples a frigate, corvette, brig, and cutter. On the 2d,

from a supposition on the part of the truly gallant Captain (Jahleel Brenton) that these fair-

weather birds would never put to sea, whilst menaced by two British frigates, he ordered the

Success (being a junior ship) to part company: the manoeuvre succeeded, and on the

following morning, at day-light, the enemy’s squadron was with pleasure descried standing

towards us, in a regular line of battle. It was not in our nature to run but, agreeably to our

usual system, as well as their astonishment, we made sail for them; and, being aided by a

light breeze, were enabled, about 40 minutes after seven, to commence against “fearful

odds,” what our gallant brother tars on this station, as well as the conquered foe,

acknowledge to have been one of the most brilliant actions ever fought by an English frigate.

The battle took place off Naples, and was commenced within pistol-shot by the French frigate

Ceres, of 42 guns, she being the leading ship of the enemy’s line, and after a truly trying, yet,

thank God, glorious contest of two hours and ten minutes (during which time the awful scene

was witnessed by his Mock-majesty, Murat, and the whole population of the proud city of

Naples, we succeeded in capturing the national brig L’Espervoir, by our brave fellows

gallantly boarding her, in the face of the enemy’s whole force, who were, like unto ourselves,

almost torn to pieces. When we had approached this “host of foes” sufficiently near to be

distinctly heard, we welcomed them with “three cheers,” which was proposed by our gallant

captain, and given by our brave tars with heartfelt sincerity for the honour of our beloved

country and glorious profession. From the officers whom we have taken prisoners, we have

been assured that our cheering tended forcibly to unnerve their seamen, as it taught them to

believe we had, in the first instance, decided on death or victory ! Our loss has been severe—

10 brave fellows killed, and 22 wounded; yet, when I refer you to the annexed unprecedented

superiority to which we were opposed, you must think with me, that those heroic Britons

could never have fallen on a more glorious occasion. Among the killed I have to deplore the

death of that gallant youth, Mr. Robinson, master’s mate, whom you, as an old Spartan, must

recollect; and in the list of wounded, the name of our truly heroic and distinguished captain

unfortunately stands conspicuous. He was dangerously wounded by a grapeshot, about the

middle of the action, whilst fearlessly standing on the capstan, and by his judicious

manoeuvring and gallant example, imbibing a confidence of success in every officer and man

around him. He was wounded in the left side, and has since suffered almost incessant pain

with becoming fortitude; but I am happy to add, he is now pronounced out of danger; and the

ardent prayers of his officers and brave crew continue to be offered up with seaman-like

sincerity for his speedy restoration to the service of his country; with whom his zeal, ability,

and heroism must ever stand unrivalled! and by whom, if genuine merit wants not admirers,

he will, no doubt, be amply rewarded. He has already received the Order of Knighthood and

of Merit, from his Majesty the King of the Two Sicilies, which, no doubt, will be followed on

the part of our good Sovereign (God bless him) by the Order of the Bath, and an adequate

pension to support it. We Have just learned by a flag of truce the enemy’s loss to have been

severe beyond precedent, 154 killed, and 316 wounded.

Yours truly, JAMES DUNN, Purser.ENGLISH force.

Spartan …———–88 Guns 258 Men

FRENCH Force.

Ceres ————– 42 Guns 300 Men

Fame ————– 28 Guns 280 Men

Espervóir ———— 8 Guns 98 Men

Aclailla————-12 Guns 120 Men

7 Gun-boats —7 Guns, with 40 Men each – - – - – -7 Guns 280 Men

Total ————–97 Guns 1078 Men

“The first escaped, the second was dismasted, and the third taken.” The French captain

lost his arm, which may save his life. The action was fought within four miles of Naples, and

three of the batteries of Baia and Procida. When the enemy were within range of grape from

the Spartan, she saluted them with three cheers, which were distinctly heard by the whole

line. On the 25th of May Captain Brenton was considered out of danger. The gallant conduct

in Captain Brenton, and the subsequent chagrin of King Murat, reminds us of the following

anecdote — When Bonaparte and his new Empress were at Boulogne, after viewing the

fortifications, and every thing interesting in the town, they went to the heights to take a peep

at the sea. The Empress had a telescope in her hand, and observing a vessel cruising, at some

distance, she inquired what it was, and was informed that it was an English vessel. Perceiving

five others in the harbour, she asked what they were, and was told that they belonged to the

Emperor. She then asked why the five vessels did not go and take that belonging to the enemy.

At this moment Bonaparte, who had ‘shewn a restless impatience, could restrain his feelings

no longer, but snatching the glass out of her hand, exclaimed, in the French language, with

great impetuosity, “Because the wind is not fair” ..’