Collections Explorer

Maker(s):

London; mint
Victoria (1837-1901); ruler; struck in the rule of; Queen of Great Britain 1837-1901
Wyon, William; artist

Name(s):

Naval Engineers Medal; denomination
medals; Series
Military; subseries
Britain; subsubseries
Royal Navy; subsubsubseries

Date:

1842

Description:

This short-lived medal was created in 1842 to reward naval engineers for distinguished service. It was discontinued with the regrading of Engineers as Warrant Officers in 1847, which made them eligible for other decorations. During this brief period only four awards were made.
Engineer 1st Class William Shaw was the first recipient of the medal, for his service aboard HMS Tartarus in West Indian and American waters. Lester Watson purchased his medal in the auction of the Hamilton-Smith collection, of which it may have previously formed part, in 1927 (Glendining, 21-22 Nov 1927, lot 1293).

Production
Place (legacy):

London, mint, place

Technique:

struck

Material:

silver

Dimension(s):

weight, 17.07, g
diameter, 35.1, mm

Acquisition:

loan; 2005; Cambridge in America

Inscription(s):

design; obverse; FOR ABILITY AND GOOD CONDUCT; Two-masted paddle-steamer facing right; stylised crown in exergue
design; reverse; WILLIAM SHAW / 1st CLASS ENGINEER; Anchor with crown above

Alternative
Number(s):

Watson Catalogue; 123
ordering; M-0112

Exhibition(s):

Imagery of War.
Catalogue number: 69

Documentation:

Gordon, Lawrence L., Major. 1947. British Battles and Medals 1st edn.Aldershot: Wellington Pressp. 113

British and other Campaign and Gallantry Medals From the Collection of Lester Watson (d. 1959).
Engineers' Medal for Ability and Good Conduct (awarded 1842) (4 issued): 1st Class Engineer, William Shaw. William Shaw was the first man to be awarded this medal. He served under Comm. George W. Smith, the Lieut. of the Tartarus steam vessel on the West India and North American Stations. (Naval and Military Gazette, 1842.)

Accession:

Object Number: LW.0112
(Coins and Medals)
(record id: 141323; input: 2007-03-27; modified: 2009-11-23)

Permanent
Identifier:

http://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/141323