This medal was executed by order of the Prince of Orange to commemorate the action off Dogger Bank, 5 Aug. 1781, between the English fleet under Admiral Sir Hyde Parker and the Dutch under Admiral Zoutman. Both sides fought with the determination of former days, but neither obtained any actual advantage.
528. War with Spain: Siege of Gibraltar, 1782. Obv. View of Gibraltar besieged. PER TOT DISCRIMINA RERUM. (Virg. Aen. i. 208); XIII. SEPT. MDCCLXXXII. Rev. Within laurel-wreath, REDEN, LAMOTTE, SYDOW, ELIOTT; around, BRUDERSCHAFT. L. PINGO F. Gold. Size 1·9. By L. Pingo.
Gibraltar had suffered a siege of three years, when the Spaniards determined to make a supreme effort to capture the place by means of floating batteries constructed by the French engineer D'Arcon. The great attack was made 13 Sep. 1782, but failed, the batteries being totally destroyed by red-hot cannon balls. The fortress was defended by General Elliot, who ordered this medal to be struck for presentation to the Hanoverian Brigade, which took part in the defence.
529. General Elliot. Defender of Gibraltar, 1782. Obv. Bust l., in military uniform, wearing order of Garter. GEORGE AUGUSTUS ELIOTT GOVERNOR OF GIBRALTAR. J. P. DROZ F. Rev. Hercules, with apples of the Hesperides and club, facing; beside him, pillar, another beyond, the sea between; in the distance, Gibraltar. FORTITER ET RECTE; in ex., XIII. SEPT. MDCCLXXXII. DROZ F. Copper. Size 2·35. By J. P. Droz.[38]
General George Augustus Elliot, Lord Heathfield, born 1718, entered the army 1735; was present at Dettingen 1743; appointed Commander-in-chief in Ireland 1775, and soon afterwards Governor of Gibraltar, which he defended in the long siege from 1779 to 1783; created 1787 Lord Heathfield, Baron Gibraltar; died 1790. The rock of Calpe (Gibraltar) on the Spanish coast, with the opposite one of Abyla on the African coast, formed the renowned "Pillars of Hercules," so called from the myth that he tore asunder the mountain which closed the Straits.
530. Recovery of the King, 1789. Obv. Head of King r., laur. GEORGIVS III. MAGN. BR. FR. &c. Rev. West front of St. Paul's Cathedral. LÆTITIA CVM PIETATE.—DEO OPT. MAX. REX. PIENTISS. PRO SALVTE REST. V.S.L. M. AP. 23. 1789; edge inscribed. Gold. Size 2·1.
In 1788 the King was attacked with a violent illness, which terminated in symptoms of lunacy. He recovered in the following year, and a public thanksgiving was held at St. Paul's, 23 April, 1789. This medal was "struck by order of the Patrons of the anniversary meeting, who assembled with 5000 children on the happy event."
531. War with France: "Victory of the 1st June," 1794. Obv. Bust of Admiral Howe l., in naval uniform and cloak. RIC. COMES HOWE VICE-ADMIRALLUS ANGLIÆ &c. BARNETT. Rev. Neptune in sea-chariot l., presenting trident to Britannia, seated l. on rock; in background, Victory r. inscribing obelisk with names of Howe and the other commanders; ships in action. NON NOBIS SED PATRIÆ; in ex., MDCCXCIIII. 1ST. JUNE. Barnett. Silver. Size 2·2. By Barnett.
On the 1st June, 1794, Admiral Lord Howe, who commanded the Channel Fleet, fell in with the French fleet off Brest, under Jean Bon St. André. After an hour's hard fighting Howe broke the enemy's line, capturing seven ships and sinking another. For this victory the Admiral received the thanks of Parliament, &c.
532. Marriage of George Prince of Wales with Caroline of Brunswick, 1795. Obv. Bust of Prince, three quarters r., in civilian's dress, wearing star of Garter; around, border of oak-leaves and ribbon inscribed, GEORGE PRINCE OF WALES, &c. Rev. Inscription with dates of birth of Prince, 12 Aug. 1762, and his marriage, 8 Apr. 1795. Silver. Size 1·8. By Whitley of Old Bond Street.