Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Expeditions of H.M.S. Challenger 1872-76 and 1886-95, Neptune, left hand holding a triangle and the right arm encircling a trident and resting on a wreath, below which, the helmeted bust of Britannia left, surrounded by dolphins and mermaids, with inscription on ribbon below, ‘Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger, 1872-76’; reverse: armoured mediaeval knight left with gauntlet at his feet, a ribbon in part entwined around a trident bears the inscription, ‘Report on the scientific results of the Challenger Expedition 1886-95’ (T. Digby Pigott), 75mm., bronze, ref. B.H.M. 3487, Eimer 1797, good very fine, a rare and impressive medal £250-300

The Challenger Expedition of 1872-76 was the first oceanographic research cruise to be undertaken. H.M.S. Challenger was loaned for the expedition by the Royal Navy and was extensively modified for the task, with space being cleared for the storage of samples and gear; gaining two laboratories, one for chemistry and one for natural sciences; it is reported that several cannon had to go in order to make room. The Challenger left Plymouth on 7 December 1872, under the command of Captain G. S. Nares, with 20 naval officers, 200 crew and with a team of six scientists led by Dr Wyville Thomson. Travelling the worlds oceans on a three and a half yearlong cruise, the scientific team gathered data on the weather, and examined the physical, chemical, biological and geological nature the oceans and ocean floor. Discoveries included the driving force of the oceanic currents, 4714 new species of marine life and a new understanding of oceanic topography, ranging from the heights of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to the depths of the Marianas Trench. After a voyage of some 80,000 miles, the Challenger returned to Spithead on 24 May 1876. From the data and samples amassed, 100 scientists under Sir John Murray continued the research. The results were published in The Report of the Scientific Results of the Exploring Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-76. Taking eleven years to complete, the work ran to a mammoth 50 volumes! A further voyage was made by the Challenger during 1886-95.

Thomas Digby Pigott was born in 1840 and educated at Marlborough. Employed as a clerk in the War Office in 1859, he became Private Secretary to Lord Northbrook, 1871-72; the Marquis of Landowne, 1872-74 and Earl of Pembroke, 1874-75. Served as Secretary to the Royal Commission on Promotion and Retirement for the Army, 1874-76 and in 1877 was appointed Secretary of State for War and held the post of Controller of H.Ms. Stationary Office, 1877-1905. In 1890 he was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath and in 1906 he received a Knighthood. In his private life he was an eminent and published Ornithologist. He died on 26 January 1927.