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Auction: 15002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 339

Naval General Service 1793-1840, one clasp, Trafalgar (H. Smith.), extremely fine, with contemporary silver riband buckle

Henry Smith served as Landsman in H.M.S. Spartiate during the major fleet action off Cape Trafalgar between the British fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson and the Franco-Spanish fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral P.C. de Villeneuve, 21.10.1805. At Trafalgar the Spartiate was 'in the weather column she fought under Sir Francis Laforey... her losses amounting to five killed and twenty wounded. The Minotaur and Spartiate... exchanged broadsides with several of the combined fleet. They managed to cut off the Spanish 84-gun ship Neptune, of which they contrived to get alongside, and which, after a fight of over an hour, surrendered. The Spartiate had her foretopsail yard shot away, and her masts, yards, and rigging in general were a good deal damaged.' (The Trafalgar Roll, The Officers, The Men, The Ships, Colonel R.H. Mackenzie refers).

Henry Smith, born circa 1784; advanced to Ordinary Seaman, July 1808; ten other 'H. Smith's' appear on the Admiralty Claimants List, including seven single clasp awards for Syria.

Provenance: Sotheby, February 1975

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Sold for
£3,800