Beschreibung:

The John Goddard Collection of Important Naval Medals and Nelson Letters Admiral Joseph Bullen, a veteran of the American War of Independence, and a close friend and confidant of Nelson, under whom he served in the 28-gun Hinchinbrook; his subsequent services at the occupation and evacuation of Toulon, and at the siege of Bastia, were mentioned by Nelson in the highest possible terms; he was a Volunteer, whilst holding the rank of Commander, on board the Santa Margaritta at the capture of La Tamise in June 1796 and was promoted to Post rank for this action; and, during a long service distinguished with many instances of gallantry, he was engaged with the enemies of his country 69 times in ships, boats and batteries Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Santa Margaritta 8 June 1796 [3] (Joseph Bullen, Volr.) with original ribbon, extremely fine £24000-28000 Footnote Provenance: The Armoury catalogue 1985. Santa Margaritta 8 June 1796 [3 issued] - Joseph Bullen, Volunteer (the only one available to collectors); Thomas Byam Martin, Captain R.N., later Chairman of the Naval General Service Medal Committee (Royal Naval Museum); Thomas Price, Quarter-Master’s Mate (Patiala Collection, Sheesh Mahal Museum, India). Sold with a fine framed aquatint by Robert Pollard after Nicholas Pocock published by Pocock, London 1798: ‘Taking of La Thamise French frigate by His Majesty’s frigate Santa Margaritta’, with dedication to Captain Thomas Byam Martin, image approximately 60x42 cm. Joseph Bullen was born on 14 April 1761, the second son of Rev. John Bullen, Rector of Kennett, Cambridgeshire, and of Rushmore-cum-Newburn, Suffolk. He entered the Royal Navy in November 1774 as Midshipman on board the Pallas 36, Captain Hon. William Cornwallis, with whom he continued to serve, in the 50-gun ships Isis, Bristol, and Chatham, and 64-gun ship Lion, on the coasts of Africa and North America, and in the West Indies, until 1779. American War of Independence During that period he was present in the Isis at the attacks on Fort Mercer, at Red Bank, and on Fort Mifflin, on Mud Island in the Delaware river, during October and November, 1777. The Delaware was an important supply route to Philadelphia, to where General Howe had moved his army and set up his winter quarters after the battle of German Town on 3 October. On 23 October six British ships were engaged by smaller American gunboats and several were severely damaged, including the Augusta 64, and the Merlin 20, which both suffered direct hits before being run aground and destroyed. More than 60 soldiers aboard the Augusta were killed, while the crew of the Merlin abandoned ship and escaped with their lives. Despite this setback, the battle continued throughout the month of October and into November until, on 16 November, the American forces abandoned the fort. The capture of Fort Mufflin gave the British Navy almost complete control of the Delaware river up to Red Bank, New Jersey. The West Indies and service under Horatio Nelson As Master’s Mate of the Lion 64, he took part in the action of 6 July, 1779, between Vice-Admiral Hon. John Byron and the Comte d’Estaing off Grenada, on which occasion the Lion was fearfully cut up and suffered a loss of 21 killed and 30 wounded. Bullen, who had been promoted to Lieutenant on 6 March 1778, shortly afterwards joined the Hinchinbrook 28, Captain Horatio Nelson, with Collingwood as his first lieutenant. In the Hinchinbrook he took part in the attack on Fort San Juan during the San Juan Expedition of 1780. Whilst stationed on the Mosquito Shore, the Hinchinbrook suffered fearfully from the effects of the pestilential climate, reportedly losing 208 men out of a crew of 235 in six weeks. Bullen then returned to the Lion, commanded, at first, by Captain Cornwallis, and later by Captains William Fooks and Pigot; and, on being lent to the Prince George 90, Captain John Williams he took part, as officer in charge of half the middle gundeck, in Rodney’s decisive