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Lot Essay
Cf. Captain P. D. Gordon Pugh, Naval Ceramics (1971), pl. 24B, for a similar jasper ware medallion.
Viscount Agustus Keppel (1725-1786) entered the navy in 1735. Five years later he accompanied Anson on a voyage around the world until 1744. He was made commodore and commander of the ships on the North American station in 1754. In 1758 he captured the French island of Gorée. He was promoted rear-admiral in 1762 and became one of the Lord Commissioners in 1766, in 1770 he was promoted to vice-admiral and admiral of the blue in 1778. In this year Keppel also became commander-in-chief of the Channel fleet and on the 27th July he encountered the French fleet off Ushant. During the night the French escaped and Keppel returned to Portsmouth. Keppel's second in command, Sir Hugh Palliser, brought charges against his superior officer for misconduct and neglect of duty. Both admirals were tried by court-martial in 1779, but acquitted. The court's decision was that the charges against Keppel were 'malicious and ill-founded'. According to Robin Reilly, Wedgwood (1989), Vol. I, p.555, Admiral Keppel became a public hero after his acquittal. In 1782 he was raised to the peerage and made First Lord of the Admiralty.
Viscount Agustus Keppel (1725-1786) entered the navy in 1735. Five years later he accompanied Anson on a voyage around the world until 1744. He was made commodore and commander of the ships on the North American station in 1754. In 1758 he captured the French island of Gorée. He was promoted rear-admiral in 1762 and became one of the Lord Commissioners in 1766, in 1770 he was promoted to vice-admiral and admiral of the blue in 1778. In this year Keppel also became commander-in-chief of the Channel fleet and on the 27th July he encountered the French fleet off Ushant. During the night the French escaped and Keppel returned to Portsmouth. Keppel's second in command, Sir Hugh Palliser, brought charges against his superior officer for misconduct and neglect of duty. Both admirals were tried by court-martial in 1779, but acquitted. The court's decision was that the charges against Keppel were 'malicious and ill-founded'. According to Robin Reilly, Wedgwood (1989), Vol. I, p.555, Admiral Keppel became a public hero after his acquittal. In 1782 he was raised to the peerage and made First Lord of the Admiralty.