Composition : 99.95% platinum
Mintage : 250

Victory on the High Seas: HMS Shannon

The Leda-class frigate, HMS Shannon, was launched from Frindsbury, England, in 1806. Captain Philip Broke led his vessel to many victories against the French during the Napoleonic Wars. When tensions between England and America rose in the autumn of 1811, HMS Shannon sailed to North America.

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Just before 6:00 p.m. on June 1, 1813, the battle betweenHMS Shannon and USS Chesapeake began about 40 kilometres (20 nautical miles) east of Boston. The ships opened fire almost simultaneously, but the unassuming Royal Navy frigate Shannon struck first, taking out Chesapeake's gun-ports: a tactical manoeuvre that had proven successful for Captain Broke in the past.

By 6:15 p.m., Captain Lawrence had been fatally wounded while Captain Broke had suffered a near-fatal head wound. However, the men of HMS Shannon had successfully boarded and captured USS Chesapeake. It proved to be one of the bloodiest single ship battles in any war in the age of sail and had the highest loss of life in frigateengagement during the War of 1812. Altogether, 228 men lost their lives in the intense fifteen-minute fight.

HMS Shannon escorted USS Chesapeake and her defeated crew into Halifax Harbour five days later. Captain Broke had defeated a powerful American frigate, taken it out of commission, and boosted flagging morale in the Royal Navy. Although the stalwart Captain survived his horrific wound, he never fully recovered, and never returned toactive duty. He was, however, promoted to the rank of baronet inSeptember 1813.
 

THE SHANNON AND THE CHESAPEAKE - 2013 CANADIAN COINS is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / 09- PLATINE and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.