Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, St. Vincent (Wm. Vaughan) nearly extremely fine £2500-3000

Ex Buckingham Collection 1904, Needes Collection 1940, and Spink, May 2003.

William Vaughan served as Able Seaman in HMS Captain, 74 at the defeat of the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent, 14 February 1797. Six Large Naval Gold Medals and 14 Small Naval Gold Medals were awarded for this action. Commodore Nelson made his name in the battle by bringing the Captain out of the line, boarding and capturing the Spanish ship San Nicholas and passing over her to capture the San Josef which had become entangled in former ship's rigging. The stern of the San Josef with its name was later incorporated in Nelson’s coat of arms. Two other men of this name appear on the Admiralty roll.