Naval Gold Medal


The Naval Gold Medal was awarded between 1793 and 1815 to senior officers of the Royal Navy for specified actions.
Two different sizes were struck. 22 large medals were awarded to flag officers, commodores and captains of the fleet. 117 smaller medals were awarded to captains. As a separate medal was awarded for each action, it was possible for a recipient to receive and wear more than one.
Awards of the gold medal were discontinued after 1815, as would-be recipients became eligible for the Order of the Bath on its enlargement to three classes.

Appearance

  • Size: The large medal has a diameter of, and the small medal. Medals were mounted in a gold frame, glazed on both sides.
  • Obverse: Britannia holding a spear and standing on the prow of an ancient galley, being crowned with a laurel wreath by a figure of Victory. Behind is an oval shield charged with the Union Flag.
  • Reverse: Engraved with the rank and name of the recipient, and the event and date for which the medal was awarded. The large medal has a surround of a wreath of oak and laurel.
  • Ribbon: White with dark blue edges, wide for the large medal and for the small. In 1847, this ribbon was used for the Naval General Service Medal.
  • Suspension: Large medals had a ring suspension for wear around the neck. Small medals were worn on the left chest by way of a straight bar suspender, normally from a buttonhole. Six of the large medals awarded for the Glorious First of June were presented suspended from a gold chain.

Awards

Following the Battle of the Glorious First of June 1794, the Naval Gold Medal was instituted to reward those admirals and captains who had been conspicuous for courage in that action, as well as those who might distinguish themselves on future occasions.
In spite of representations made by Lord Nelson, no medal was authorised for the Battle of Copenhagen, due to concerns that it may offend the Danes.
Recipients surviving until 1847 were entitled to apply for the Naval General Service Medal with the appropriate clasps.
Gold Medals were issued by the Admiralty for the following actions. Only selected captains received a medal for the Glorious First of June, otherwise all captains or acting captains were recipients.
ActionDateLarge
Medals		Small
Medals
French Revolutionary Wars1793–1802––
Battle of the Glorious First of June1 June 1794817
Battle of Cape St Vincent14 February 1797615
Battle of Camperdown11 October 1797215
Battle of the Nile1 August 1798114
Recapture of by 25 October 179901
Napoleonic Wars1803–1815––
Battle of Trafalgar21 October 1805327
Battle of Cape Ortegal4 November 180504
Battle of San Domingo6 February 180628
Capture of the island of Curaçao by 1 January 180704
Capture of Turkish frigate Badere Zaffere by 5-6 July 180801
Capture of French frigate Thétis by 10 November 180801
Capture of French frigate Furieuse by 6 July 180901
Capture of Banda Neira9 August 181001
Battle of Lissa13 March 181104
Capture of the French ship of the line Rivoli by 22 February 181201
Capture of the French frigate Étoile by HMS Hebrus27 March 181401
War of 18121812–1815––
Capture of USS Chesapeake by 1 June 181301
Capture of USS President by 15 January 181501
Total22117

Some notable recipients

Only three Naval officers earned three gold medals:
Other selected awards are listed below:
Large Gold Medal
Small Gold Medal