Lot Essay
INDENTThe medal is accompanied by a letter from Waldegrave to his eldest son, Granville George, dated 'At Sea April 19th. 1797" in which he comments on the long delay in returning home but contrasts his situation with that of the "poor prisoners" around him
Admiral William Waldegrave, First Baron Radstock, G.C.B. (1753-1825), entered the Royal Navy at the age of 13 years; served in a number of vessels before obtaining command of the sloop H.M.S. Zephyr, 1775; in the following year he acted as Flag Captain to Sir Edward Vernon, taking H.M.S. Ripon to the West Indies, and in 1778 while commanding H.M.S. Pamona he captured the American privateer Cumberland; this first personal victory was of considerable importance, since the enemy vessel had been particularly destructive to British shipping; for the next four years Waldegrave was continually in action; captured the new French frigate La Capirciesuse and the privateer L'Americain in 1780; served at the relief of Gibraltar and was present during the capture of a large number of French transports in 1781, captured the privateer Boulogne the same year; in 1782 once again served at the relief of Gibraltar; from 1783 until 1793 he was on half-pay, travelling in Europe; at the renewal of hostilites in 1793 Captain Waldegrave was appointed to H.M.S. Courageux and joined Vice Admiral Hotham before Toulon; nominated Colonel of Marines and advanced to Rear-Admiral, 1794; Vice-Admiral in H.M.S. Balfleur 1795; conducted negotiations with the Dey of Tunis, 1796;
"The Vigourous and Successful Attack"
Still with his flag in the Barfleur, of 98 guns, Waldegrave joined Sir John Jervis' squadron off Cape St. Vincent in January 1798, bringing the Admiral's strength up to 15 ships of the line. At the same time the Spanish fleet of 27 ships of the line under Admiral Don José de Cordova was preparing to quit Cartagena and attempt a rendevous with the French and Dutch fleets at Brest prior to an invasion of England. He sailed on February 1st., intending to put in at Cadiz for supplies. Easterly winds however drove the Spanish fleet into the neighbourhood of the British, and on the morning of the 14th. the two fleets faced each other.
The action which followed has become famous due to the remarkable initiative of Commodore Nelson, H.M.S. Captain, and his success in capturing two Spanish ships. By the end of the day the Spanish fleet had lost four vessels, with several others entirely crippled. The Barfleur played an active part, supporting Jervis in H.M.S. Victory in the attack on the Salvadore del Mundo, which promptly struck her colours when it was clear that she was about to be subjected to the broadsides of both British ships. After the battle Jervis wrote to Waldegrave "Sir -- No language I am possessed of can convey the high sense I entertain of the exemplary conduct of the Flag-Officers, Captains, Officers, Seamen, Marines, and Soldiers, embarked on board every ship of the squadron I have the honour to command, present at the vigorous and successful attack made upon the fleet of Spain on the 14th instant. The signal advantage obtained by his Majesty's arms on that day, is entirely to be attributed to their determined valour and discipline; and I desire you will accept my grateful thanks for your service on that occasion". Waldegrave also received a note of thanks from Nelson, together with the sword of the Second Captain of the captured San Nicolas, as proof of his esteem for the noble manner in which he conducted himself.
Governor of Newfoundland 1797-1800; created Baron Radstock in the Peerage of Ireland 1800; Admiral, 1802; at Nelson's funeral he attended Nelson's body by water from Greenwich and served as supporter to the Chief mourner Sir Peter Parker; G.C.B., 1815; Lord Radstock, Admiral of the Red, died 1825
Admiral William Waldegrave, First Baron Radstock, G.C.B. (1753-1825), entered the Royal Navy at the age of 13 years; served in a number of vessels before obtaining command of the sloop H.M.S. Zephyr, 1775; in the following year he acted as Flag Captain to Sir Edward Vernon, taking H.M.S. Ripon to the West Indies, and in 1778 while commanding H.M.S. Pamona he captured the American privateer Cumberland; this first personal victory was of considerable importance, since the enemy vessel had been particularly destructive to British shipping; for the next four years Waldegrave was continually in action; captured the new French frigate La Capirciesuse and the privateer L'Americain in 1780; served at the relief of Gibraltar and was present during the capture of a large number of French transports in 1781, captured the privateer Boulogne the same year; in 1782 once again served at the relief of Gibraltar; from 1783 until 1793 he was on half-pay, travelling in Europe; at the renewal of hostilites in 1793 Captain Waldegrave was appointed to H.M.S. Courageux and joined Vice Admiral Hotham before Toulon; nominated Colonel of Marines and advanced to Rear-Admiral, 1794; Vice-Admiral in H.M.S. Balfleur 1795; conducted negotiations with the Dey of Tunis, 1796;
"The Vigourous and Successful Attack"
Still with his flag in the Barfleur, of 98 guns, Waldegrave joined Sir John Jervis' squadron off Cape St. Vincent in January 1798, bringing the Admiral's strength up to 15 ships of the line. At the same time the Spanish fleet of 27 ships of the line under Admiral Don José de Cordova was preparing to quit Cartagena and attempt a rendevous with the French and Dutch fleets at Brest prior to an invasion of England. He sailed on February 1st., intending to put in at Cadiz for supplies. Easterly winds however drove the Spanish fleet into the neighbourhood of the British, and on the morning of the 14th. the two fleets faced each other.
The action which followed has become famous due to the remarkable initiative of Commodore Nelson, H.M.S. Captain, and his success in capturing two Spanish ships. By the end of the day the Spanish fleet had lost four vessels, with several others entirely crippled. The Barfleur played an active part, supporting Jervis in H.M.S. Victory in the attack on the Salvadore del Mundo, which promptly struck her colours when it was clear that she was about to be subjected to the broadsides of both British ships. After the battle Jervis wrote to Waldegrave "Sir -- No language I am possessed of can convey the high sense I entertain of the exemplary conduct of the Flag-Officers, Captains, Officers, Seamen, Marines, and Soldiers, embarked on board every ship of the squadron I have the honour to command, present at the vigorous and successful attack made upon the fleet of Spain on the 14th instant. The signal advantage obtained by his Majesty's arms on that day, is entirely to be attributed to their determined valour and discipline; and I desire you will accept my grateful thanks for your service on that occasion". Waldegrave also received a note of thanks from Nelson, together with the sword of the Second Captain of the captured San Nicolas, as proof of his esteem for the noble manner in which he conducted himself.
Governor of Newfoundland 1797-1800; created Baron Radstock in the Peerage of Ireland 1800; Admiral, 1802; at Nelson's funeral he attended Nelson's body by water from Greenwich and served as supporter to the Chief mourner Sir Peter Parker; G.C.B., 1815; Lord Radstock, Admiral of the Red, died 1825