Nile Medal
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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 [[Horatio Nelson|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. | 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 [[Horatio Nelson|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. | ||
- | + | Specimens in gold were presented to Nelson and his [[Captain]]s, silver to [[Lieutenants]] and [[Warrant officers]], gilt bronze to [[Petty officers]], and copper to [[Royal Marines]] and seamen.[http://www.aboutnelson.co.uk/medals.htm] | |
A description of a copper specimen given to Private John Lewes, Royal Marines, aboard [[HMS Defence]], from the [http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/nelson/viewObject.cfm?ID=MED0184 National Maritime Museum]. | A description of a copper specimen given to Private John Lewes, Royal Marines, aboard [[HMS Defence]], from the [http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/nelson/viewObject.cfm?ID=MED0184 National Maritime Museum]. |
Revision as of 16:40, 2 June 2007
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 [[Horatio Nelson|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.
Specimens in gold were presented to Nelson and his Captains, silver to Lieutenants and Warrant officers, gilt bronze to Petty officers, and copper to Royal Marines and seamen.[1]
A description of a copper specimen given to Private John Lewes, Royal Marines, aboard HMS Defence, from the 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 HMS Leander during the battle.[2] In the Canon, he typically wears the medal in a buttonhole of his dress uniform coat.