The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 1)

China 1842 (Horace M. Baker, Mate, H.M.S. Alligator) pierced and fitted with contemporary replacement straight bar suspension, silver ribbon buckle and pin brooch, light scratch to obverse field, otherwise nearly extremely fine

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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Horace Mann Baker was appointed Mate on ALLIGATOR in early 1840. Soon after he participated in the operations on the coast of China and landed at the storming, on 26 February 1841, of the enemy’s works close to the Whampoa Reach, where 54 pieces of cannon were taken. Later he assisted at the first capture of Canton and was officially mentioned for the activity with which, when in partial command of the ALLIGATOR’S boats, he aided in towing clear of that vessel a body of fire-rafts sent by the Chinese to effect her destruction; and, on 26 May, was again employed in the boats at the demolition of the line of defences extending about two miles from the British factory at Canton (London Gazette 1841, pp. 1501, 1505, 2504-5). For his services in China he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant by commission dated 8 October 1841.