Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Centaur 26 Augt 1808 (Robert Clayton.) minor edge...

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Centaur 26 Augt 1808 (Robert Clayton.) minor edge bruising, very fine £4,000-£5,000 --- Provenance: Whitaker Collection 1890; J. B. Hayward, June 1975 Approximately 41 ‘Centaur 26 Augt 1808’ and 42 ‘Implacable 26 Augt 1808’ clasps claimed for this action. Robert Clayton served as Able Seaman in H.M.S. Centaur for the pursuit of the Russian fleet of 24 ships and the capture of the 74 gun Sevolod by H.M. Ships Centaur (flag of Sir Samuel Hood) and Implacable off Hango Head, south coast of Finland. In late August, Sir Samuel Hood in Centaur, accompanied by Implacable, Captain Thomas Byam Martin, joined Rear Admiral Nauckhoff and the Swedish fleet in Oro Roads and they all sailed from there on 25 August, in pursuit of the Russian fleet which had appeared off Sweden two days earlier. Due to their superior sailing Centaur and Implacable were soon well in advance and closing on the Russians who appeared to be in disorder. By the morning of 26 August, Implacable was able to bring the leewardmost of the enemy's line-of-battle ships, the Sewolod 74, Captain Roodneff, to close action. After 20 minutes the enemy’s colours and pendant were lowered but the approach of the whole Russian force obliged Sir Samuel to recall Captain Martin. A Russian frigate took the crippled ship in tow but when the Russian Admiral hauled his wind, Centaur and Implacable gave chase and forced the frigate to slip her tow. The enemy ships again bore down in support but instead of engaging they entered the port of Rager Vik (also known as Port Baltic or Rogerswick). When boats were sent out to try and tow her in to harbour Centaur stood in and, after driving the boats off, ran across the bow of the Sewolod just as she was entering the harbour. The Centaur then lashed the Sewolod’s bowsprit to her mizen-mast and both ships soon drifted aground. The Russians refused to strike and the battle went on until the arrival of the Implacable finally induced the Russian ship to surrender. Implacable had to heave Centaur off. However, the prize was so firmly aground that after taking out the prisoners and wounded men, Sir Samuel ordered her to be burnt. Implacable lost six men killed and twenty-six wounded including two who did not recover and three who had limbs amputated. Centaur lost three killed and twenty-seven wounded, and the Sewolod over 300 killed or wounded.