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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 85

Four: Captain of the Maintop S. Fuge, Royal Navy

Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Samuel. Fuge. H.M.S. Agamemnon.) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed as issued; China 1842 (Samuel Fuge. H.M.S. Clio.), the original straight bar suspension re-affixed; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension, (S Fuge, Capt. M. Top. H.M.S. Megarea. 21 Yrs.), minor contact marks and edge wear, overall very fine (4)

Samuel Fuge was born at Portsmouth around 1823 and was serving with the sloop Clio during the first Opium War. This vessel was present for the bombardment of Woosung and the expedition up the Yangtze River, by the end of the war she was commanded by Captain James Fitzjames, who was himself to perish during the Franklin Expedition.

Fuge served with her until October 1844 when he was posted away to Vindictive and later Leander in 1849. Joining Agamemnon on 14 October 1852 he was still with her on the outbreak of the Crimean War. This Battleship took part in the Bombardment of Sebastopol and afterwards contributed men towards a Naval Brigade to serve ashore.

Some 600 of these men were manning the Batteries above the city when the Russian counter-attack fell at Inkermann. As the Russians advanced these men stood by their guns and fought to prevent them falling into enemy hands. Notably during the battle James Goreman of Albion, serving with the Naval Brigade was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.

Fuge was discharged from Agamemnon on 27 July 1855 with the rank of Captain of the Maintop. His usual place of residence was listed as Portsmouth and his conduct described as excellent; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£2,800

Starting price
£600