 Naval General Service. One bar: PELICAN 14 AUGt 1813. Edge: Francis Fox. Very Fine. Once nail board mounted. Old ribbon. Fox was Pelican's cook. There are only four names on the NGS roll for this action. HMS Pelican had been searching for USS Argus for three days before finding her off St. David's Head on August 14, 1813. American Captain Allen shortened sail so his pursuer could catch up (his was the faster of the two brig-sloops) and battle commenced at 6:00 that morning when Argus' port battery opend fire at close range. Four minutes later, a shot cut away one of Allen's legs but he refused to leave his deck. Soon afterwards the Argus' first lieutenant was shot in the head. The ship's second lieutenant, U.H. Allen, fought the vessel handily but 45 minutes after firing began Argus was unmanageable and the colors were hauled down as the British prepared to board. Pelican lost seven men killed or wounded, Argus 24.
Ex J.D. Ferguson on October 11, 1963.
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