CHINA MEDAL

THE EXTREMELY FINE ROYAL NAVY CHINA 1842 AWARDED TO A COMMANDER, WHO AS A YOUNG OFFICER SERVED IN PHAETON, EMPLOYED IN THE SUPPRESSION OF PIRACY BEFORE BEING PROMOTED COMMANDER FOR HIS SERVICES IN CHINA AS FIRST OF MELVILLE AT CHUSAN AND AT THE CAPTURE OF THE BOGUE FORTS. IN JUNE 1850, AS COMMANDER OF CORMORANT ON ANTI SLAVER DUTIES OFF BRAZIL, HAVING CAPTURED AND DESTROYED THE NOTED SLAVER RIVAL IN THE RIO FRIO, HE WAS PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN FOR HIS SERVICE AT THE ATTACK ON PARANAGUA FORT, AN ACTION CELEBRATED IN NEWSPAPERS OF THE DAY AND DEBATED IN PARLIAMENT. HERE AFTER DESTROYING ONE SLAVER AND WITH THREE CAPTURED SLAVERS IN TOW AN ACTION BECAME GENERAL BETWEEN FORT AND SHIP AS CORMORANT ATTEMPTED TO GET HER PRIZES AWAY.

CHINA 1842 ‘HERBERT SCHOMBERG, COMMANDER, R.N.’ ORIGINAL STRAIGHT BAR SUSPENSION

“The Admiralty have promoted the commander of the Cormorant, 6, steam sloop, Commander Herbert Schomberg, to the rank of Captain , he having , in the opinion of Rear-Admiral Reynolds (commanding the squadron), earned his advancement , for his successful cruising against slavers on his station, but more especially for his destruction of a fort that had fired upon the Cormorant and killed and wounded some of the crew, when in the performance of his duty in capturing some notorious slavers.”

As noted above, Rear-Admiral Schomberg was promoted to the rank of Captain for his services against slavers whilst commanding Cormorant and also for the attack on the fort of Paranagua. He had previously been promoted to the rank of Commander for his services at the capture of the Bogue forts during the China war. Details of his service and actions he served in can be viewed on the following fine website:

http://www.thebluejackets.co.uk/research/actor/HerbertSchomberg

The following is Schomberg’s entry in the Naval Biographical Dictionary. This only extends to service up until 1849 and does not include his important service in command of Cormorant. The service latter important service follows………..

SEE PDF FOR FULL WRITE UP

Condition, VF, couple of minor EK’s.

An extremely fine Royal Navy Officers medal, worthy of more detailed research.