Skip to main content

Naval Engineers Medal: CM.1229-2009

An image of Naval Engineers Medal
View image details

Terms of use

The low-resolution images published on this Website are made available under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (CC BY-NC-ND). For more details: Fitzwilliam Terms of Use

This licence does not include any images of works that are still in copyright. Artistic copyright extends from the life of the artist to 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the artist died.

Download this image

For further information on use of images or to license a high resolution version, please contact our image library who can discuss terms and fees.

Alternative views

An image of Naval Engineers Medal
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Ruler: Victoria (1837-1901) (Struck in the rule of)
Artist: Wyon, William

Entities

Categories

Description

This short-lived medal was created in 1842 to reward naval engineers for distinguished service. It was discontinued with the regrading of Engineers as Warrant Officers in 1847, which made them eligible for other decorations. During this brief period only four awards were made.
Engineer 1st Class William Shaw was the first recipient of the medal, for his service aboard HMS Tartarus in West Indian and American waters. Lester Watson purchased his medal in the auction of the Hamilton-Smith collection, of which it may have previously formed part, in 1927 (Glendining, 21-22 Nov 1927, lot 1293).

Notes

History note: Gift og L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, Hamilton Smith auction (Glendining, 21-22 Nov 1927, lot 1293)

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 35.1 mm
Weight: 17.07 g

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2009) by Watson, Lester

Dating

Production date: AD 1842

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Two-masted paddle-steamer facing right; stylised crown in exergue

  • Text: FOR ABILITY AND GOOD CONDUCT
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Anchor with crown above

  • Text: WILLIAM SHAW / 1st CLASS ENGINEER
  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1229-2009
Primary reference Number: 141323
Watson Catalogue: 123
Ordering: M-0112
Previous object number: LW.0112

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 25 March 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Naval Engineers Medal" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141323 Accessed: 2025-12-06 18:22:30

Citation for Wikipedia

To cite this record on Wikipedia you can use this code snippet:

{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141323 |title=Naval Engineers Medal |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-06 18:22:30|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

API call for this record

To call these data via our API (remember this needs to be authenticated) you can use this code snippet:

https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/api/v1/objects/object-141323

Bootstrap HTML code for reuse

To use this as a simple code embed, copy this string:

<div class="text-center">
    <figure class="figure">
        <img src="https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/imagestore/cm/cm15/LW_0112_281_29.jpg"
        alt="Naval Engineers Medal"
        class="img-fluid" />
        <figcaption class="figure-caption text-info">Naval Engineers Medal</figcaption>
    </figure>
</div>

Sign up for updates

Updates about future exhibitions and displays, family activities, virtual events & news. You'll be the first to know...

University of Cambridge Museums logo
Cambridge City Council logo
Arts Council England Logo
Research England logo