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HISTORY OF

[GEORGE III.

HONOKARY MEDALS

INSTITUTED BY KING GEORGE THE THIRD.

In treating of the Honorary Medals instituted by King George theThird, the most desirable method seems to be to divide the statement into threeclasses,

I. Naval Medals.

II. Military Medals.

III. Miscellaneous Medals ;

and to reserve such General Remarks as the subject may suggest, until theconclusion.

NAVAL MEDALS.

The great victory gained by Earl Howe, on the 1st of June 1794, over theFrench Fleet, rendered it expedient to institute a Naval Medal, to rewardthe Admirals and Captains, who were conspicuous for courage and conduct inthat Battle, as well as those who might signalize themselves on future occasions.Some time was, however, requisite to carry the design regularly into effect;but King George the Third, being desirous, on visiting the Fleet at Spitheadsoon after its return, to give an immediate testimony of his favour to the followingFlag Officers, He presented massive Gold Chains to each of them, namely,Admiral Earl Howe, 3 Vice-Admiral Thomas Graves, Vice-Admiral Sir Alex-ander Hood, K.B. Rear-Admiral George Bowyer, Rear-Admiral Alan Gardner,Rear-Admiral Thomas Pasley, and the Captain of the Fleet, Sir Roger Curtis;and His Majesty appears to have signified his intention to confer Medalson those Officers, and on many of the Captains, as soon as they could beprovided. 5 6

5 The King likewise presented Earl Howe, on that occasion, with a diamond hilted Sword of thevalue of £3000.

6 Sir Andrew Snape Douglas, the Captain of the Queen Charlotte, Lord Howe’s Flag Ship, in aletter, dated on the 1st of July 1794, says, “ His Majesty presented Earl Howe with a diamond hiltedsword, on board the Queen Charlotte; the Admirals of the Fleet, and the First Captain, have had gold