Captain Alexander Hood (1758 - 1798), Royal Navy, Gold & Carnelian Armorial Fob Seal, circa 1792 - 1798. He died on HMS Mars, Engaging and Defeating the French 74 Gun Ship Hercule. He Survived Long Enough to be Handed the French Captain's Sword.
The arms on this seal are the marital arms of Hood and Periam, commemorating the 1792 marriage of Captain Alexander Hood and Elizabeth Periam. Captain Hood came from a naval family with his younger brother Vice Admiral Samuel Hood, 1st Baronet of Tidlake and his cousins Admiral Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood and Admiral Sir Alexander Hood, 1st Viscount Bridport. A professional heraldry report accompanies this item.
Joining the navy in 1767 Captain Hood served with Captain James Cook during his Second Voyage of Exploration from 1772 - 1775 aboard HMS Resolution.
During the American War of Independence (1775 - 1783) Captain Hood served under Admirals Howe and Rodney. He was promoted to Captain in 1781 after distinguished service in the west Indies on the cutter, HMS Ranger. He commanded HMS Barfleur at the 1781 Battle of Chesapeake. In 1782 he commanded HMS Champion during the Battle of the Saintes.
Captain Hood was appointed to HMS Mars in 1797 and on 21 April 1798, during the French Revolutionary Wars at the Battle of Raz de Sein, he engaged and defeated the French ship Hercule. Wounded during the engagement, Hood was carried below and died shortly after receiving the sword of the defeated French captain, who was also killed in the action. The French ship Hercule lost some 300 men, while HMS Mars lost 31 men.
Approximate weight is 11 grams.
Approximate dimensions are 3.7 cm length, 2.7 cm height and 2.2 cm width.
In good condition without losses. The gold is unmarked.