CAPTAIN JAMES BIDDLE
(Capture of the Penguin)

FURST, Moritz: USA, 1815, Bronze, 65 mm
Obv: Bust of James Biddle    THE CONGRESS OF THE U.S. TO CAPT. JAMES BIDDLE. FOR HIS GALLANTRY GOOD CONDUCT AND SERVICES.
Rev: Naval battle showing the Hornet raking the Penguin. The British vessel has lost her main-top-gallant-mast. In the distance is the peak of Tristan d'Acunha     CAPTURE OF THE BRITISH SHIP PENGUIN BY THE U.S. SHIP HORNET.
Exergue:  OFF TRISTAN D'ACUNHA MARCH XXIII MDCCCXV
Signed:  FURST. F.
Original dies; Mintage=98
Ref: Julian 153/ NA-5; Failor 226/518; Loubat 249/48;  see Jaeger and Bowers 54/43

James Biddle (1783-1848) was taken prisoner by the Tripolitans in 1803 and was held captive during the balance of the war with the Barbary pirates. He was liberated, given command of a gun boat and later recaptured by the British in 1812. After being exchanged as a prisoner, he was promoted to Master Commandant, and given command of the sloop-of-war Hornet. On March 23, 1815 off Tristan d'Acunha in the South Atlantic, the Hornet met and captured the British sloop-of-war Penguin in the last warship action in the War of 1812. The cannonade was furious and Biddle was severely wounded in the battle. After the war he served the U.S. in various commercial missions and negotiated the first treaty with China.

LINK to  biography of Captain James Biddle (from Virtualology)

LINK to Capture of the Penguin (from Naval Historical Center)

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