Lot Essay
The published Naval General Service Medal rolls confirm James Gould as an Able Seaman, and afterwards Midshipman, aboard the Amethyst for the actions of 10.11.1808 and 5.4.1809, one of just 31 and 26 recipients of these clasps respectively recorded on the Admiralty roll. Two men, however, with the same names, were entitled to single 'Syria' clasps.
'Equally successful, but more sanguinary as regards our losses, was the action between the 36-gun Frigate Amethyst [on 10.11.1808], Captain Michael Seymour, and the French 40-gun Frigate Thetis, Captain Pinsun. After an engagement in which every attempt of the enemy to rake his ship failed, while Captain Seymour succeeded in sweeping the decks of the Thetis with terrible effect, the French Captain tried to board; but just as his men were on the point of jumping on to her decks, a heavy and well-directed broadside cleared the Thetis' fore-castle. Now muzzle to muzzle the two ships fought until after midnight, when the French fire was silenced, and the Frigate boarded and taken possession of. The Amethyst had been repeatedly set on fire, had lost her mizen-mast, and out of a crew of 261 men and boys, had 20 Officers and men killed, and 50 wounded. The Thetis had lost even more heavily. Out of 436 men, including 106 soldiers, with whom she commenced the action, she had her Captain and 133 men killed and 102 wounded. Her rigging and sails were cut to pieces, her mizzen-mast shot away, and her fore and mainmasts badly wounded. The First Lieutenant of the Amethyst was deservedly promoted to Commander' (Great Battles of the British Navy, by Lieutenant C.R. Low, R.N., refers).
'Captain Michael Seymour, of the Amethyst, the same gallant Officer who had gained high reputation in the preceding year by the capture of the Thetis, earned fresh laurels by a second equally creditable affair. Early on 5 April, the Amethyst sighted and chased the 40-gun Frigate Niemen, and a little before midnight, having come up with her, opened fire with her bow chasers. At 1.15 on the 6th, Amethyst having closed upon the Niemen, fired a broadside into her, upon which the latter wore. Half an hour later the two ships became closely engaged. The Amethyst first raked the Frenchman, which tried to escape, but having again ranged up to her larboard or weather beam, Captain Seymour renewed the action. The Niemen's mizen-mast and main top mast were shot away a little after 3 a.m. and the ship caught fire aloft. A little later the enemy ceased firing, and all her remaining masts went over the side. The Amethyst commenced the action with only 222 men and boys, out of which she had eight men killed, and three Officers and 34 men wounded. The slaughter on board the Niemen, which, though pierced for 40 guns, mounted 46, was very heavy; out of her crew of 319 men she had 47 killed and 73 wounded. The Prize was brought into the Service, and retained her name in the Navy List. Captain Michael Seymour, who had thus a second time displayed great gallantry, accompanied by no ordinary skill, was created a Baronet; and Mr. Hill, the First Lieutenant, was promoted' (Great Battles of the British Navy, by Lieutenant C.R. Low, R.N., refers).
'Equally successful, but more sanguinary as regards our losses, was the action between the 36-gun Frigate Amethyst [on 10.11.1808], Captain Michael Seymour, and the French 40-gun Frigate Thetis, Captain Pinsun. After an engagement in which every attempt of the enemy to rake his ship failed, while Captain Seymour succeeded in sweeping the decks of the Thetis with terrible effect, the French Captain tried to board; but just as his men were on the point of jumping on to her decks, a heavy and well-directed broadside cleared the Thetis' fore-castle. Now muzzle to muzzle the two ships fought until after midnight, when the French fire was silenced, and the Frigate boarded and taken possession of. The Amethyst had been repeatedly set on fire, had lost her mizen-mast, and out of a crew of 261 men and boys, had 20 Officers and men killed, and 50 wounded. The Thetis had lost even more heavily. Out of 436 men, including 106 soldiers, with whom she commenced the action, she had her Captain and 133 men killed and 102 wounded. Her rigging and sails were cut to pieces, her mizzen-mast shot away, and her fore and mainmasts badly wounded. The First Lieutenant of the Amethyst was deservedly promoted to Commander' (Great Battles of the British Navy, by Lieutenant C.R. Low, R.N., refers).
'Captain Michael Seymour, of the Amethyst, the same gallant Officer who had gained high reputation in the preceding year by the capture of the Thetis, earned fresh laurels by a second equally creditable affair. Early on 5 April, the Amethyst sighted and chased the 40-gun Frigate Niemen, and a little before midnight, having come up with her, opened fire with her bow chasers. At 1.15 on the 6th, Amethyst having closed upon the Niemen, fired a broadside into her, upon which the latter wore. Half an hour later the two ships became closely engaged. The Amethyst first raked the Frenchman, which tried to escape, but having again ranged up to her larboard or weather beam, Captain Seymour renewed the action. The Niemen's mizen-mast and main top mast were shot away a little after 3 a.m. and the ship caught fire aloft. A little later the enemy ceased firing, and all her remaining masts went over the side. The Amethyst commenced the action with only 222 men and boys, out of which she had eight men killed, and three Officers and 34 men wounded. The slaughter on board the Niemen, which, though pierced for 40 guns, mounted 46, was very heavy; out of her crew of 319 men she had 47 killed and 73 wounded. The Prize was brought into the Service, and retained her name in the Navy List. Captain Michael Seymour, who had thus a second time displayed great gallantry, accompanied by no ordinary skill, was created a Baronet; and Mr. Hill, the First Lieutenant, was promoted' (Great Battles of the British Navy, by Lieutenant C.R. Low, R.N., refers).