DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70302#0024
10
UNDAUNTED CONDUCT OF JOHN CRAWFORD.
design : where he had nothing but a slender stick to sup-
port himself upon with one hand, while with the other
he performed the object he was bent upon executing.
Let it likewise be considered, that it was not in the tran-
quil calm of a fine day, but amidst the heat of a furious
engagement, when balls, dealing death and destruc-
tion, were flying about him in every direction:—and
surely, there is none who can refrain from admiring that
adventurous spirit, and that cool and steady determina-
tion, which encouraged and prompted him to the daring
atchievement.
This intrepid youth was a native of Sunderland, which
town prepared a medal at its own expence to be present-
ed to him for his heroic conduct on this occasion. On
one side is a view of two ships in action, and above is a
scroll bearing the inscription “ Duncan and Glory.” The
reverse is a coat of arms, a quadrant on a shield, with
the motto “ Orbis est Dei underneath which is this in-
scription—“ The town of Sunderland to John Crawford, for
gallant services on the 1HA of October, 1797.’’
The heroism of the youthful Crawford, recals to our
memory the history of Admiral Hopson, who, at the com-
mencement of the last century held that distinguished
rank in the British navy. He was born at Bonchurch,in
the Isle of Wight, left an orphan at an early age, and ap-
prenticed by the parish to a tailor. While sitting one
day alone on the shop-board, he was struck by the sight
of a squadron coming round Dunnose, when instantly
quitting his work, he ran to the sea-side, jumped info a
boat and rowed for the Admiral’s ship, in which he en-
tered as a volunteer. The next morning the English
fleet fell in with a Trench squadron, and a warm action
ensued. Young Hopson obeyed every order with the
utmost alacrity ; but after fighting two hours he became
impatient, and enquired “ what they were fighting for ?”
The sailors replied, “that the conflict must continue till
the
UNDAUNTED CONDUCT OF JOHN CRAWFORD.
design : where he had nothing but a slender stick to sup-
port himself upon with one hand, while with the other
he performed the object he was bent upon executing.
Let it likewise be considered, that it was not in the tran-
quil calm of a fine day, but amidst the heat of a furious
engagement, when balls, dealing death and destruc-
tion, were flying about him in every direction:—and
surely, there is none who can refrain from admiring that
adventurous spirit, and that cool and steady determina-
tion, which encouraged and prompted him to the daring
atchievement.
This intrepid youth was a native of Sunderland, which
town prepared a medal at its own expence to be present-
ed to him for his heroic conduct on this occasion. On
one side is a view of two ships in action, and above is a
scroll bearing the inscription “ Duncan and Glory.” The
reverse is a coat of arms, a quadrant on a shield, with
the motto “ Orbis est Dei underneath which is this in-
scription—“ The town of Sunderland to John Crawford, for
gallant services on the 1HA of October, 1797.’’
The heroism of the youthful Crawford, recals to our
memory the history of Admiral Hopson, who, at the com-
mencement of the last century held that distinguished
rank in the British navy. He was born at Bonchurch,in
the Isle of Wight, left an orphan at an early age, and ap-
prenticed by the parish to a tailor. While sitting one
day alone on the shop-board, he was struck by the sight
of a squadron coming round Dunnose, when instantly
quitting his work, he ran to the sea-side, jumped info a
boat and rowed for the Admiral’s ship, in which he en-
tered as a volunteer. The next morning the English
fleet fell in with a Trench squadron, and a warm action
ensued. Young Hopson obeyed every order with the
utmost alacrity ; but after fighting two hours he became
impatient, and enquired “ what they were fighting for ?”
The sailors replied, “that the conflict must continue till
the