 Naval General Service. One bar: 14 DEC BOAT SERVICE 1814. Edge: Wm. Choppin. Choice Very Fine. Once cleaned. Replacement ribbon. Choppin was a landsman aboard HMS Royal Oak. On December 12, 1814, Commander N. Lockyer with 42 launches and 980 seamen and marines began an advance against American picket boats covering the approaches to Lake Pontchatrain and New Orleans, preparatory to the British landings against the city. By the 14th, Lockyer's force had rowed some 36 miles against the current the entire way. His attack was more than successful, capturing the American commander's gunboat, whose guns were soon turned against the blocking force. By the end of the Battle of Lake Borgne all American gunboats had been captured and the way upriver opened. Over 200 survivors of the action were alive 30 years later to claim their NGS medals.@ Robert S. Quimby, in The U.S. Army in the War of 1812, An Operational and Command Study (Michigan State University Press, East Lansing, 1997) describes the capture of the American commander's gunboat in these stirring words:
''At 10:00 A.M. the British hove-to. The sailors had had long hours of rowing, and the marines were cramped in their places. Lockyer ordered breakfast for his men and at half past ten they got underway once more. They were formed in line abreast in open order and steered directly for the Americans. As soon as they came within range, the Americans opened a deliberate fire on the British, but without much effect since the individual targets were so small. At 10:50 A.M., by Jones's watch, the British opened with their guns.
As they came close, the British boats headed for specific American boats. Lockyer, in Lieutenant Pratt's boat, headed for No. 156, Jones's gunboat, which was nearest at hand. He was flanked by boats under Midshipmen White of Sea Horse (British) and Lieutenant Tatnall (or Tatnerell) of Tonnant, a daring and resourceful officer. The Americans worked their guns furiously and the British returned the compliment. Lockyer and Pratt were both wounded, but they kept their posts. The British boats presented smaller targets than the American, but No. 156 found its mark and two boats, hit by shot and grape, filled and sank. One was Tatnall's, but he swam to another barge and returned to action. Lockyer received a second wound but kept his station. Pratt was laid low by his second wound. On the American side, Jones was severely wounded in the shoulder and had to go below, leaving the command to Master's Mate George Parker. Parker continued the furious defense until he was also wounded. The British now hacked their way through the boarding nets with knives and cutlasses and, led by White, Tatnall, and the twice-wounded Lockyer, swarmed onto 156's deck. Their overwhelming numbers soon gained control and captured the vessel. It was now 12:10 P.M. Not bothering to lower the American flag, they turned the guns of the prize on Ulrick's No. 163, which soon was also captured.''
Ex Eric Vaule on February 27, 1963.
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