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Auction: 11010 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 110

The Fine N.G.S. to William Leveque For The Well Known American 14 December 1814 Boat Action, Which Was Launched to Clear Lake Borgne of Five Enemy Gun Boats, a Sloop and a Schooner to Prepare the Way for a Direct Assault Upon New Orleans. After an Incredible 36-Mile Row Against a Strong Tide, A Large Body of British Officers, Seamen and Marines Reached Their Objective With a Longshot of the Enemy - Then Stopped For Breakfast. After an Hour, the Refreshed Force Took to Their Oars Again and Rowed into Naval History. This Was the Last, the Most Daring and Indeed the Largest Boat Action for Which The Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840 Was Granted Naval General Service 1793-1840, one clasp, 14 Dec Boat Service 1814 (O. William Leveque.), edge bruise, therefore nearly extremely fine Estimate £ 3,500-4,500 William Leveque served as Acting Master in H.M.S. Sophie and was present in the boats commanded by Commanders Lockyer, Montrenor and Roberts who were tasked with an attack on an American force of 5 gunboats, a sloop and a schooner, 14.12.1814. This attack was to take place on Lake Borgne in preparation for clearing the way for a direct assault on New Orleans. On the 12th at 9.30am, arriving within longshot of the enemy, Commander Lockyer and his men, after a 36-mile pull against a strong current all the way, stopped for breakfast. At 10.30am they took to their oars again, with the tide running against them at three miles an hour, and moved forward into a hail of round and grape shot. Almost at noon, Commander Lockyer´s boat, being foremost, got alongside the gunboat with the Commodore´s pennant and a desperate fight ensued in which nearly all the assailants were either killed or wounded. Commander Lockyer was among the latter, but the remnant gained the American´s deck and, being well supported by other boats, the vessel was soon taken. The guns of the captured gunboat were turned on the remaining four and, with the boats of the second and third divisions arriving in quick succession, the whole American force was taken in five minutes. One of the most daring naval feats on record was not without loss, mostly sustained from the galling fire on the boats when advancing to the attack against a heavy current - 17 killed and 67 wounded, three mortally. This was the last, the most daring and indeed the largest Boat Action for which the Naval General Service 1793-1840 medal was granted. Provenance: Glendining April 1938

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£9,000