The John Goddard Collection of Important Naval Medals and Nelson Letters

Able Seaman David Evans, who was present in Blanche at the capture of the Guerriere in July 1806, was wrecked in the same vessel and made a prisoner of war in March 1807, and subsequently served in America where he was again taken prisoner at the battle of Craney Island in June 1813

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Blanche 19 July 1806 [22] (David Evans.) a few marks in obverse field and minor edge bruise, otherwise nearly extremely fine £2600-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The John Goddard Collection of Important Naval Medals and Nelson Letters.

View
Collection

Provenance: Sotheby, February 1886; Whitaker Collection 1890; Hayward’s Gazette, June 1975; Spink, July 2009 (Lee Bishop Collection).

Blanche 19 July 1806 [22 issued] - 10 medals known, including 3 officers, with examples in the National Maritime Museum; Royal Naval Museum; and the Patiala Collection (Sheesh Mahal Museum, India).

David Evans is confirmed on the rolls as an Ordinary Seaman in Blanche at the capture of the French 40-gun frigate Guerriere off the Faroe Islands in July 1806. One other man of this name appears on the Admiralty Claimants’ list for Algiers.

David Evans was born at Aberystwyth in 1783, and joined the Navy in May 1803 as a Landsman on board the Helder. His next ship was the Blanche which he joined on 17 April 1806 as an Able Seaman, and in which vessel he took part in the capture of the Guerriere in July 1806. On 4 March 1807 Blanche was wrecked off Ushant and the entire crew made prisoners of war. Evans was imprisoned at San Sebastian but he was released about three weeks later and, in company with 22 others from Blanche, was taken on board the gun brig Conflict. Evans afterwards served in H.M. Ships Salvador, Del Mundo and Alfred, being advanced to Able Seaman on 24 December 1808. In May 1809 he was transferred to the San Domingo, in which ship he was serving in American waters in mid 1813, when an expedition was mounted to attack Norfolk and carry the Portsmouth Navy Yard. The 15 boats and 700 men were under the command Captain Pechell of the San Domingo, whose boats were also used in the attack, David Evans being aboard one of them. The subsequent attack, which became known as the battle of Craney Island, miscarried and failed, and amongst the prisoners taken by the Americans were 12 seamen from the San Domingo, including David Evans. (Research by Captain K. J. Douglas-Morris for Hayward’s Gazette)