Nile Medal

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Revision as of 16:22, 2 June 2007

Rough notes - perhaps I should do this in the sandbox first?

The Nile Medal was a privately-issued commemoration of the British victory at the [Battle of the Nile], [1798]. The medal was commissioned by [Alexander Davison], whom [Admiral Nelson] had appointed the sole [prize agent] for the ships captured at the [Battle of the Nile]. He paid for the medal from his profits; the total cost was £2000.

Speciments in gold were presented to [Nelson] and his [Captains], silver to [Lieutenants] and [Warrant Officers], gilt bronze to [Petty Officers], and copper to [Marines] and [seamen]. http://www.aboutnelson.co.uk/medals.htm

A description of a copper specimen given to Private John Lewes, Royal Marines, aboard the [HMS Defence], from the [[http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/nelson/viewObject.cfm?ID=MED0184 National Maritime Museum]]:

Obverse: On a rock near the sea Peace is standing holding in her right hand an olive branch and supporting with her left hand a medallion of Nelson, an anchor behind her. Legend: 'REAR-ADMIRAL LORD NELSON OF THE NILE'. Inscription around the portrait: 'EUROPE'S HOPE AND BRITAIN'S GLORY'. Below: 'C.H.K'. (C.H. Kuchler). Reverse: View of Aboukir Bay at sunset, the British Fleet going into action, the French at anchor. Incuse: 'John Lewes H.M.S. DEFENCE'. Legend: 'ALMIGHTY GOD HAS BLESSED HIS MAJESTY'S ARMS'. Exergue: 'VICTORY OF THE NILE AUGUST 1. 1798'. Above (left) 'M.B. SOHO' (right) 'C.H. KUCHLER. FEC.' Both sides of the medal are glazed, with a suspension loop and white ribbon with blue edges attached.

In the Canon

[Jack Aubrey] received a silver Nile Medal, having served as a [Lieutenant] aboard the [HMS Leander] during the battle. [DonSetzer:http://www.hmssurprise.org/Resources/timeline.html]

In the Canon, he typically wears the medal in a buttonhole of his dress uniform coat.