Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Original Letter certifying First Lieutenant Charles Richardson’s service aboard H.M.S. Circe; present during the Great Mutiny of 1797

Hand-written letter, approx. 21.4 x 17.5cm., contained within a glazed frame, 28 x 23cm., ‘These are to Certify the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners for executing the Office of the Lord High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland that Mr Charles Richardson served as First Lieutenant under my Command on Board his majestys ship Circe from the 13 July to the 1st August 1797. During which time he complied with the General Printed Instructions, and that he was not absent Six weeks at any one time. Given under my hand, on board his majesty’s ship Circe at Sea, 1 August 1797 (signed) P. Halkett’, very good condition £140-180

Charles Richardson entered the Royal Navy on 23 November 1787, as Captain’s Servant on board the Vestal commanded by Captain Richard John Strachan. Later, serving on the East India Station he was for several months employed in boats co-operating up various rivers, with the army under Sir Robert Abercrombie in operations against Tippoo Sahib. Returning to England in 1793, having previously attained the ratings of Midshipman and Master’s Mate, he joined the Alexander in the Channel Fleet. He then joined the Royal George as Master’s Mate, in which capacity he served at the battle of the Glorious First of June (1 June 1794) off Ushant. Promoted Lieutenant, his next appointment was to the frigate Circe commanded by Captain Peter Halkett. He was Lieutenant aboard the ship when the great mutiny at the Nore took place. The ship, part of Admiral Duncan’s fleet observing the enemy Dutch fleet, was badly effected - the mutineers holding the gun-deck, the officers and a minority of the crew holding the quarterdeck and sailing the ship. Halkett and Richardson are reported as sitting back to back on the quarterdeck with loaded carbines and pistols, in unsleeping vigil, defending the helm. Richardson was instrumental in breaking the mutiny on board ship, by dashing into the mutineer’s meeting and dragging off the chief spokesman at the point of a pistol. It is recorded that Captain Halkett awarded a couple of dozen lashes to the ringleaders but otherwise took no further action. Halkett, Richardson and the other officers all gained the thanks from the Admiralty for their exertions. With order restored, Richardson and the ship served at the Battle of Camperdown on 11 October 1797. Towards the end of the action, the Dutch admiral’s ship was dismasted and silenced. Fearing that he should make his escape on another ship, Richardson volunteered to go in an open boat to remove him. This done, he had the honour of presenting Admiral de Winter to the British C. in C. His next ship was the Kent in which he served in the operations on and off Egypt 1801. Much active service in the Napoleonic Wars followed, including that at Basque Roads as Captain of the Caesar. In 1815 Richardson was nominated for the C.B. and on 29 June 1841 was awarded the K.C.B. He became a Rear-Admiral in 1837 and a Vice-Admiral in 1847. Awarded the N.G.S. with four clasps. Sold with some copied research.