Orders, Decorations and Medals

NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Boat Service 10th July, 1808 (H. Smartly, Master) nearly very fine and rare

Only 8 clasps issued for the cutting out of the Spanish polacra N.S. del Rosario, off Port d'Anzio, south of Rome. Henry Smartly joined H.M.S. Porcupine in April, 1807, as her Master, his duties being to navigate the ship, but not to command the men or fight the vessel. Whilst with this ship he earned the clasp to his N.G.S. medal when away in her boats. The records in ADM 11/12 (No. 161) state that Henry Smartly was: In PORCUPINE, served at the siege of Flushing and in Adriatic waters, during which time his ship took part and destroyed nearly 80 or 90 sail of enemies vessels with 2 transports. Smartly was appointed to the staff of the Greenwich Hospital in November, 1846 and died there on 10th September, 1857.