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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 7

A very fine China Medal awarded to Acting Master Edward Roberts of the Sesostris who distinguished himself in in the defence of Ningpo before being wound in action at the Battle of Woosung

China 1842 (E. Roberts, Actg. Master, H.E.I.C.S. Sesostris.), very fine

68 medals issued to European officers (22) and crew (33 ratings, 13 marines). One of only four surviving medals to this ship (Naval Medals 1793-1856, refers).

Edward Roberts served as Acting Master of the Honourable East India Company Ship Sesostris. This four-gun steam ship took part in a number of engagements during the later stages of the First Opium War. She shared in the action during the capture of Amoy and was later noted for her role in the attack on the fortified city of Chinghae. Roberts himself was picked out for praise by Captain Watson of the Modeste during the defence of Ningpo. During this action the British ships were targeted by Chinese fire rafts intended to break their blockade. The fleet was only saved by the deployment of boats from the Sesostris and Modeste to tow the rafts aside, Watson noted the "indefatigable exertions" of Roberts in this endeavour (History of the Indian Navy, refers).

Roberts commanded the Sesostris during the attack on Paonshaw at the opening stages of the battle of Woosung. This engagement was notably fierce with all ships "much cut up aloft in their rigging" (History of the Indian Navy, refers), the Sesostris herself took eleven shots to her hull and Roberts himself was wounded. Woosung was captured the next day, an action which proved pivotal, allowing the British to advance downriver as far as Shanghai and enabling a final decisive strike on Zhenjiang. This finally forced the Qing Empire to the negotiating table; sold together with copied research including a page from The Gazette and relevant copied extracts from History of the Indian Navy.

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Sold for
£2,200

Starting price
£800