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

(Saml. Woolret, Boatswains Mate, H.M.S. Gorgon 24 Years) fitted with ring for suspension, light hairlines, otherwise good very fine

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

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Awarded 28 November 1846.
Samuel Woolvet (note incorrect spelling of surname on his medal) joined the service as a Boy 2nd Class on 19 October 1821 aboard H.M.S. LIFFEY, aged 19 years, born at Chatham. Gained advancement to Captain of the After Guard (Quarter Deck) in September 1830 whilst aboard one of the earliest of H.M. Steam Vessels to be Commissioned - H.M.S. LIGHTNING. For a year he changed his 'Branch' and served as a Stoker, but reverted to supervisory seamanship duties. Many of the vicissitudes met during his four year Commission aboard the Steam Frigate GORGON are recorded in 'Memoirs of Sir Astley Cooper Key' by Vice Admiral P.H. Colomb (1898), pp 99-116. These include the stranding of GORGON in the Bay of Monte Video from 10 May until 15 July 1844, and the forcing of the chain boom on the River Parana under the guns of the Forts at Obligado in November 1845. He continued to serve for a further 15 years after receiving his long service award as an A.B., which included five years aboard H.M.S. ROYAL WILLIAM and the time she served in the 1854 Baltic Campaign, thus earning him the Baltic medal. His Army of India medal, earned as an Ordinary Seaman aboard H.M.S. LIFFEY was once sold with this L.S. & G.C. award, but has since been separated. He was discharged to shore after 39 years servitude in November 1861.