Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, Copenhagen 1801, Endymion Wh President (Geo. V. Oughton Purser.) good very fine £12,000-£15,000

Provenance: Downies & Sherwood, Melbourne, Australia, October 2002.

Note: Another medal, fraudulently named to ‘G. V. Oughton, Purser’, with the single clasp for ‘Endymion Wh President’, was sold at Glendining’s in November 1922 (identified as a ‘Fraud’ by E. E. Needes in his comprehensive records). It was sold again by Sotheby in January 1977, and was offered finally by Spink in July 2009 as part of the late Lee Bishop Collection (scratch marks to edge overall), on which occasion it was withdrawn from sale as a fraud.

George Voller Oughton was born on 29 March 1782, the youngest of three boys, and christened 22 September 1789, at South Hayling, Hampshire. His surname was originally spelled Outon, though he increasingly preferred to use Oughton as he rose in the Navy, and in 1818 he definitively adopted the spelling Oughton. His unusual middle name was probably a compliment to the Voller family, who also lived in South Hayling around that time. George learned reading, writing and arithmetic, probably at a local school, an investment which proved to be pivotal to his future life.

His mother died on 14 March 1794. On 25 July 1796 his father remarried, likely to a relative of his first wife, as they both shared the same maiden name. In October 1797 George’s half-brother was baptised at Rumboldswhyke, on the outskirts of Chichester, Sussex. In 1800 Oughton entered the Navy and was drafted to the 74-gun H.M.S. Achille. Her Captain, George Murray, was a prominent Chichester citizen, who later became Lord Mayor of Chichester. Having no experience of the sea, Oughton was rated as Landsman, the lowest class of adult on board. On 28 February 1801 Achille’s Captain and some of her people, including Oughton, were transferred to the 74-gun H.M.S. Edgar, which had a reputation as a crack line-of-battle ship. Oughton’s rating was raised to Ordinary Seaman, acknowledging that he had begun to learn the skills of a sailor.

Wounded at the Battle of Copenhagen

Captain Murray’s transfer was intended to strengthen the capabilities of the imminent Baltic Expedition, which targeted Denmark, Sweden and Russia. In 1791 Murray had carried out a survey and mapping of the treacherously shallow approaches to Copenhagen harbour, and later on served under Nelson in the Mediterranean. In 1801, the Danish warships defending Copenhagen were moored in a line close to shore, as floating gun batteries. Captain Murray was given the task of leading Vice-Admiral Nelson’s line-of-battle ships into Copenhagen harbour, using the deeper channels whose position he had helped to fix ten years earlier. After hasty checks had been made to verify that these channels had not dramatically shifted over time, on 1 April 1801 Murray took Edgar down the Outer Channel and anchored during the night. At dawn on 2 April he got Nelson’s battle line underway again, then turned north to skirt the Middle Ground shoal. As Edgar sailed up the Inner (King’s) Channel, she was fired on by a Danish warship, a powerful two deck ‘defence-ship’. Agamemnon, the ship immediately behind Edgar, became stranded as she approached the turning point, and all the successive ships further down the battle line each had to manoeuvre carefully around her. Two more of Nelson’s battle ships ran aground on the Middle shoal. Edgar passed four Danish vessels before anchoring close to Jyyland, another powerful 50-gun two-decker. Captain Murray had to fight unsupported for some time. 31 of his crew were killed and well over 100 wounded. Edgar’s Muster roll shows that Oughton was aboard for this close-quarter duel. In his own record of services, which he wrote in 1851, he notes that “I was slightly wounded at the Battle of Copenhagen.”

In the aftermath of the attack on Denmark, Murray was appointed Commodore in charge of a detached squadron of seven ships-of-the-line and ordered to patrol off Karlskrona to discourage the Swedish navy, while Nelson took the rest of the Baltic Fleet to Revel (now Tallinn) to intimidate the Russians. Commodore Murray hoisted his broad pennant in the 98-gun H.M.S. London. By the summer of 1801, the Baltic Expedition had achieved its objectives and its ships and senior officers began to be re-deployed. Nelson and Murray were recalled to England to take up shore-based responsibilities. As Captain Murray was preparing to leave the Baltic, Oughton was transferred into H.M.S. London, and, after a month, was appointed Midshipman at the end of August 1801. This was a significant step, as it transformed an ordinary seaman into a person of officer status and privilege (but not yet officer rank). A midshipman did not become a real officer until he had passed an arduous examination and received a Lieutenant’s commission from the Admiralty, a process which normally took at least five years. Consequently, persons wishing to become officers usually went to sea at the age of 13-14. While there were midshipmen who were in their twenties, these were generally persons who for one reason or another had failed to pass as Lieutenants but still clung to the hope that it might be possible for them to become one, and who accepted the precarious life and status of an under-officer who was appointed (and could be removed) at a Post-Captain’s pleasure.

Captain Murray must have had much to do with Oughton’s appointment as Midshipman, probably due to the Chichester connection and to the fact that Oughton was far better educated than most sailors. Peace with France was imminent, which meant that large numbers of ships and sailors would no longer be required. Luckily for Oughton, he remained employed during the peace (unemployed commissioned officers received half-pay from the Admiralty, unemployed midshipmen received nothing). In December 1802 he accepted a transfer as Captain’s Clerk into H.M.S. Amazon, a smart 38-gun frigate which had distinguished itself at Copenhagen. Amazon’s Captain, William Parker, had himself only just joined the ship. On 5 July 1803, Amazon being briefly in port, Oughton married Sophia Searley at Portsea, Hampshire. One of his shipmates also married in the same church, three days later.

Mr George Voller Oughton, Acting Purser of H.M.S. Bittern and ‘Boat Service’ warrior

After the resumption of hostilities, as Captain’s Clerk, Oughton would have stayed discreetly close to Parker on the quarterdeck when Amazon captured the 16-gun privateer Felix on 26 July 1803, and during an encounter with the French fleet off Cape Capet on 2 May 1804. His duties in action included noting times, orders issued and events that would be included in the captain’s official letters. Amazon belonged to Nelson’s Mediterranean Fleet. In August 1804, Oughton was bought into the flagship, H.M.S. Victory, as a Midshipman. His son George Edward Oughton had been born in April, and the return to the precarious status of midshipman was temporary. George Murray had returned to sea, and was aboard Victory, serving as Nelson’s trusted, highly appreciated Captain of the Fleet. One of his responsibilities was to know about all vacancies for commissioned and warrant officers throughout the fleet and to suggest ways to fill them. In Spring 1805, Nelson signed a Warrant appointing “Mr George Voller Oughton” acting Purser of the 18-gun sloop H.M.S. Bittern.

The Purser was, in modern terms, the Chief Logistics Officer of the ship, and an important factor in determining the welfare and morale of the crew. He was responsible for ensuring that the ship had its full victuals entitlement on board, so that the galley could be kept well supplied with food, that the rum in the secure spirit-room never ran out, and that his stock of dry goods such as clothing, tobacco, sugar, cocoa, candles and other comforts was sufficient to cater for all possible eventualities. He also issued the crew with their pay.

The Purser was a member of the officer’s wardroom, and was appointed by Warrant. An admiral could only issue a Warrant for a temporary appointment. The Warrant had to be confirmed by the Admiralty for the rank to become permanent. The most curious aspect of being Purser was that he received only a token rate of pay. Standard allowed rates of issue per head were laid down for victuals, and an eighth extra was added, as the Purser’s share. If some stores were ruined by water, eaten by pests or otherwise lost, if for some reason the Purser had to issue items at levels above the standard allowed rate, the extra cost came out of his share, but if he managed to economise, all of his eighth share and most of the savings went into his pocket. This system was intended to save money and make government budgeting easier, by preventing overspending on supplies. As the Purser was responsible for the ship’s supplies until actual usage was established by auditors at the end of each commission, a condition of becoming a Purser was that the man had to post a capital bond as security. The amount depended on the size of the ship’s crew. It would not have been easy for Oughton to find the necessary capital, which may be a reason why the Admiralty did not confirm his Warrant until December 1807.

A Purser who had entrepreneurial skills and drive could become well off, but a Purser was constantly at risk of becoming intensely unpopular. He could upset the crew by getting a reputation for earning extra money at their expense by issuing provisions at slightly below the standard rate. By bad arithmetic, poor management of paperwork and downright fraud he could grievously upset the Captain, who had to countersign and produce the numerous books, returns and vouchers needed to satisfy the auditors, guaranteeing their accuracy on pain of court-martial. The Purser could irritate the sea officers by not contributing to the fighting efficiency of the ship, and by being a despised bureaucrat.

Oughton seems to have avoided the worst of these pitfalls. His time spent ‘before the mast’ would have eliminated any temptation to “top it the Nob” with the seamen because of his education or cheat them out of their full rations, and his period as Clerk/Secretary would have given him insights as to how to deal with his Captain. Importantly, he set about actively proving his courage, zeal and desire to contribute to the reputation of Bittern by frequently volunteering as a combatant officer for ‘boat service’ and cutting-out expeditions along the coast of Calabria (Allen’s Navy List, Services of Paymasters p 86 refers). Sadly, he was “severely hurt when Acting Purser 1806 and invalided from that ship [Bittern] for compound fracture of the right leg” (recipient’s service notes refer). He returned to England, and more of his children were born in spring 1808 and May 1809.

H.M.S. Endymion, the Corunna Evacuation and the Capture of U.S.S. President

In September 1808, Oughton was awarded a ‘plum’ post as Purser of the 40-gun frigate Endymion. She was the fastest post-ship in the Navy, and her speed enabled her to capture a number of French privateers while he was on board. Services of Paymasters states that Oughton “served on shore on the north coast of Spain in 1809”. H.M.S. Endymion was moored at Corunna harbour 15-18 January 1809, to assist with the evacuation of Sir John Moore’s stricken army. Oughton’s presence on shore would have been related to the warehouses full of food, clothing, shoes, dry goods and munitions of all kinds sent by the British government to supply their soldiers and those of their Spanish allies. While the French army of Marshal Soult attempted to smash through the British defenders and seize the port, Oughton joined the hasty official efforts made to destroy these stockpiles. For example, 2,000 horses and draft cattle were killed and thrown into the sea (Oman’s A History of the Peninsular War p 852 refers). In these circumstances, it would have been strange indeed if Oughton had not “unofficially” sent as much fresh and preserved food and other supplies as possible back to Endymion, as a better alternative to their destruction or abandonment. Given that the allowance system of emoluments for pursers applied regardless of circumstances, this would have enabled him, completely legitimately, both to ensure a very appreciative Captain and ship’s company, and to make money for himself.

Endymion paid off in Plymouth in May 1812. Oughton’s accounts and records evidently satisfied the Admiralty auditors. The frigate underwent a major refit to prepare for her next commission, which was to be on the North American station, acting against American commerce, privateers and the United States Navy. Captain Henry Hope took command on 13 May 1813, shortly before she departed for Halifax. Meanwhile, Oughton’s wife Sophia had died, 16 months after the birth of her fourth child. She was buried on 13 April 1813. Their four young children (the eldest, a boy, was 9) had to be cared for by others once Endymion sailed.

The famous pursuit, near-crippling and ultimate capture of the 44-gun frigate U.S.S. President on 14 January 1815 was the highlight of this commission. By 1814 the larger ships of the U.S. Navy were entirely contained in port by a British close naval blockade. Commodore Stephen Decatur decided to take advantage of a gale which had blown the blockading squadron off its station to slip out of New York harbour in the President. As she left sheltered waters, the ship grounded for two hours and sustained damage to her masts and hull. At dawn, the British squadron sighted President. Decatur fled, with five ships in pursuit. Endymion, due to her fine sailing qualities, outpaced her consorts and came within range of President. Captain Hope had carefully studied the action in which H.M.S. Shannon had captured U.S.S. Chesapeake in 1813, and had trained his gun crews to shoot accurately.

At about 5.30 p.m. he closed up with President’s starboard quarter and yawed three times, firing his full broadside from a position where President’s guns could not reach him unless she also yawed, which Decatur did not do. He had been wounded by splinters and had planned to either cripple Endymion and/or board and take her, as he had an advantage of at least 150-200 more crewmen over the smaller ship, but Captain Hope always slipped out of his grasp. At 7 p.m. Decatur wore, turned away and ran south. Hope chose a parallel course off President’s starboard side, and another phase of the gunnery duel began. Decatur ordered his gunners to fire bar-shot and chain-shot to destroy Endymion’s sails and rigging, while Hope ordered his portside guns to shoot at President’s gun-ports. Endymion was armed with 24-pounders, which could pierce even the thick, live-oak sides of President.

At 7.58 p.m. President stopped firing and hoisted a light, indicating that she had surrendered. Six cannons from her 16-gun starboard main battery were disabled and she had almost two metres of water in her hull. Endymion’s boats had all been disabled, so she was unable to send an officer over to take possession of President. Despite having signalled his surrender, Decatur got underway at 8.30 p.m. to attempt an escape in the darkness. Endymion, whose sails had been badly damaged, resumed the chase at 8.52 p.m. Soon afterwards, two of the slower British ships intercepted President and opened fire on her. Decatur hailed to say that he had surrendered, ordering his sword to be sent “to the captain of the black ship” (Endymion’s hull was painted black). President had 24 killed and 55 wounded, Endymion lost 11 dead, 14 wounded. British Naval Medals for this action were only awarded to the surviving crew members of Endymion. None were given to the other British ships involved.

Knight of the Tower and Sword

Oughton remarried at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, in February 1818, to Magdalen Dunbar. Over the next decade, they had two children. He went back to sea as Purser of the frigate Tribune before serving in the frigate H.M.S. Lively from 1 November 1823 until January 1826. In April 1824, Lively was lying off Lisbon in company with H.M.S. Windsor Castle, an old 98-gun ship-of-the-line reduced to 74 guns for cost-saving reasons. On 30 April 1824, Prince Miguel, Commander-in-Chief of the Portuguese Army, staged a coup d’état against his father, the King, and his liberal government. The King was held prisoner in his own palace until British and foreign diplomats managed to rescue him. On 9 May the King, his Court and many leading liberal politicians were spirited away to safety aboard H.M.S. Windsor Castle. Her Muster Book shows that 478 Portuguese subjects sought sanctuary and protection, guaranteed by the Royal Navy. Windsor Castle had space for them, due to its reduced crew and armament, but her Purser must have been sorely stretched to feed them all, and no doubt Oughton helped out with this huge task. Prince Miguel was lured onto the British warship, where the King dismissed him as Commander-in-Chief and ordered him into exile. The Prince was transferred to a Portuguese frigate, and Lively was given the task of providing a secure escort as far as the French port of Brest. King John VI bestowed many tokens of his gratitude on the officers of the Royal Navy. Oughton was granted British royal permission to accept and wear the insignia of a Knight of the Order of the Tower and Sword, but forbidden to use the status of a foreign Knight as an excuse to call himself Sir George Voller Oughton (London Gazette April 21 1825 p 731 refers). He received in addition one of the rare gold and diamond-set ‘portrait Badges’ known as King John VI of Portugal’s Jewel (Naval Medals 1793-1856 by Captain K. J. Douglas-Morris, R.N. refers).

Oughton’s next ship was the ancient 74-gun Ramillies, commanded by the Superintendent of the Coast Blockade, whose mission was to prevent smuggling of dutiable goods from France. As well as being Purser of the ship, Oughton was Purser serving the men and vessels of the Right Division of the Kent Coast Blockade. His later appointments included the 84-gun teak battle-ship Ganges, the 50-gun heavy frigate Vernon, the heavy frigate President (built as a copy of the American ship that Endymion captured in 1815), the India-built 74-gun Hastings, the 110-gun first-rate Queen from October 1841 (Queen Victoria came aboard for a visit in 1842, which must have caused Oughton both anxiety and pride) and finally the 80-gun Superb from November 1848, serving with the Mediterranean Fleet.

Seventy years old: “I am still desirous to serve”

Purser Oughton was still keen to go to sea, and began to falsify his age accordingly. In 1851 he claimed to be 63 instead of his real age of 69. Alas, “G. V. Oughton received a severe contusion of the left knee and leg with considerable abrasions of skin whilst employed at Chia, Sardinia, whilst procuring fresh provisions for part of the Squadron which was detached by Admiral Parker for the purpose of watering. The effects of the injury were aggravated from it having happened in the neighbourhood of old cicatrized wounds.” (Wounds Certificate signed by Assistant Surgeon, H.M.S. Superb, refers). Oughton wrote on the Certificate “I am still desirous to serve”. This wish was ignored and he was placed on the Retired List effective 5 April 1852, immediately after his 70th birthday. The New Navy List for 1852 shows Oughton as Collector of Customs at Antigua, as a veteran who had ‘served in the fleet under Lord Nelson at Copenhagen, 2d April, 1801’, and as the recipient of an N.G.S. with 2 clasps. He died on 27 September 1854 and was buried at the Royal Garrison Church, Southsea.