Lot Essay
INDENTCommander Matthew Liddon entered the Navy as a Boy 1st Class, 3 May 1804; served on H.M.S. Lily in the West Indies, captured by French Privateers and escaped; served in H.M.S. Pheasant 1806, and accompanied the expedition under Sir Samuel Auchmuty to the Rio de la Planta where in February 1807 he served on shore at the storming of Monte Video; served in H.M.S. Thames 1808-1811 (N.G.S. with clasp Aramthea 25 July 1810); served as Lieutenant in H.M. Ships Herald, Cumberland, and Maidstone, and in 1813 received the thanks of Rear Admiral Cockburn for his part as Commander of the Maidstone's barge, in the capture on the river Chesapeake of the American vessel Lottery; distinguished himself in similar actions on the Rappahannock and Connecticut Rivers (N.G.S. clasps Boat Service April and May 1813 and Boat Service 8 April 1814); saw service in H.M. Ships La Hogue, Albion, Queen and Northumberland and was paid off September 1818
With Parry to the Arctic
In January 1819, Lieutenant William Parry was intrusted with the command of an expedition to discover a North-West Passage. He took command of the bomb H.M.S. Hecla, and chose as commander of the gun-brig H.M.S. Griper his friend Lieutenant Liddon. He wrote to him on January 20th "to come immediately to town and show himself"
The Hecla and Griper, were adapted for arctic conditions, their planking doubled, keels reinforced, the bows made heavier and sharper and the rigging altered to square-ring, like a whaler. The two vessels departed from the Nore 11th May 1819. The expedition was not successful in finding the elusive passage, but the two ships did succeed in penetrating to longditude 113°54'43" West within the Arctic Circle, thereby winning a Parliamentary Reward of #5,000. The expedition wintered on Melville Island, and returned in October 1820. Parry warned Liddon "Promotion must not be expected as it seems Lord M. has set his face against it. But when I look at the Hecla and the Chart of Lancaster's Sound, ah! What is promotion to these!" but, as expected after his success, he was advanced to the rank of Commander, and Liddon achieved the same rank the next year.
Liddon retired on half-pay, 1821, and took no further part in Parry's subsequent expeditions. He married Anne Bilke in 1827. Apart from the gold presentation box offered here it is not known if he received any other rewards for his services. The seas round Melville Island however still bear the names Hecla and Griper Bay, and Liddon Gulf
With Parry to the Arctic
In January 1819, Lieutenant William Parry was intrusted with the command of an expedition to discover a North-West Passage. He took command of the bomb H.M.S. Hecla, and chose as commander of the gun-brig H.M.S. Griper his friend Lieutenant Liddon. He wrote to him on January 20th "to come immediately to town and show himself"
The Hecla and Griper, were adapted for arctic conditions, their planking doubled, keels reinforced, the bows made heavier and sharper and the rigging altered to square-ring, like a whaler. The two vessels departed from the Nore 11th May 1819. The expedition was not successful in finding the elusive passage, but the two ships did succeed in penetrating to longditude 113°54'43" West within the Arctic Circle, thereby winning a Parliamentary Reward of #5,000. The expedition wintered on Melville Island, and returned in October 1820. Parry warned Liddon "Promotion must not be expected as it seems Lord M. has set his face against it. But when I look at the Hecla and the Chart of Lancaster's Sound, ah! What is promotion to these!" but, as expected after his success, he was advanced to the rank of Commander, and Liddon achieved the same rank the next year.
Liddon retired on half-pay, 1821, and took no further part in Parry's subsequent expeditions. He married Anne Bilke in 1827. Apart from the gold presentation box offered here it is not known if he received any other rewards for his services. The seas round Melville Island however still bear the names Hecla and Griper Bay, and Liddon Gulf