Jason Clarke Antiques has dated this piece to the 1800s.
The engraving to the base of the salver reads:
The naval action in which La Medee was taken, took place on the 4th of August 1800. On that morning, the Royal Navy escort, The Belliqueux sighted a squadron of French Frigates and immediately gave chase and captured the largest ship, La Concorde whilst the East Indiamen, Exeter and Bombay Castle pursued and received surrender from La Medee. The Coutts and The Neptune were unsuccessful in capturing the last frigate La Franchaise owing to her speed but the action stands out as the only occasion during the Napoleonic Wars where a merchant vessel captured a French ship of war.
A contemporary account which was widely published during the period, explains the action in more detail:
“Extract of a letter from Captain Rowley Bulteel, Commander of his Majesty’s Ship Belliqueux, to Evan Nepean Esq.
On Monday the 4th day of August, soon after daylight, four sail were discovered from the mast-head in the north west quarter, and apparently steering about N by E. At seven AM they hauled their wind, tacked and stood towards us; upon which I bore down with the whole of my convoy. At noon the enemy perceiving our force (which was greatly exaggerated in their opinion by the warlike appearance of the China ships), they bore up under a press of sail, and by signal separated.
I stood for the largest ship, and notwithstanding the light and baffling winds, we came up with her, and after a few chase guns, and a partial firing for about ten minutes, at half past five in the afternoon (Tuesday) she struck her colours, and proved to be the French frigate La Concorde, of forty four guns, eighteen pounders, 444 men, commanded by Citizen Jean-Francois Landolphe, Capitaine de Vaissau, and Chef de Division.
At seven the same evening, the French frigate, La Medee, of 36 guns, twelve pounders, and 315 men, commanded by Citizen Daniel Coudein, struck her colours to the Bombay Castle, Captain John Hamilton, and the Exeter, Captain Henry Meriton.
The above frigates were of the squadron which sailed from Rochefort on the 6th day of March 1799, and having committed great depredations on the coast of Africa, had refitted in the Rio de la Plata, and were now cruising on the coast of Brazil.
La Franchaise, of 42 guns, and 380 men, commanded by Citizen Pierre Jurieu, escaped by throwing part of her guns overboard, and also her anchors, boats and booms, and by night coming on; as did also an American schooner, their prize fitted as a cruiser.
On this occasion I hope their Lordships will permit me to bear testimony of the spirit of the Officers and ship’s company of the Belliqueux, and I have particular pleasure in the mentioning the zeal and activity I have ever found in Mr Ebden, my First Lieutenant, to whom I only do justice in recommending him to their Lordship’s notice and favour.
Too much praise cannot be given to the Captains, Officers and crews of the different ships under my convoy, for their ready obedience to my signals, and for the whole of their conduct on that day, particularly to Captains Hamilton and Meriton, who very gallantly pursued and captured the aforesaid frigate La Medee; and also to Captain Torin, of the Coutts, and Captain Spens, of the Neptune, who with great alacrity pursued La Franchaise, although they had not the good fortune to come up with her, for the reasons above assigned; and my best thanks are due to the whole of the Commanders of the ships under my convoy, for their assistance
Jason Clarke Antiques has dated this piece to the 1800s.
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Napoleonic Prize East India Company Silver Salver for the Capture of French Warship La Medee
