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Memorial: M986

Monument in St Paul’s Cathedral, London commemorating captains James Robert Mosse and Edward Riou who were killed during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801

Location

St Paul's Cathedral, London, England

Transcript

'The Services and Death / of two valiant and distinguished Officers. JAMES ROBERT MOSSE, Captain of the Monarch / and EDWARD RIOU of the Amazon / fell in the attack upon Copenhagen / conducted by Lord Nelson 2nd April 1801 / are commemorated by this Monument/erected at the national expense. / JAMES ROBERT MOSSE was born in 1746 / served as a Lieutenant / several years under Lord Howe / and was promoted to the rank of Post Captain in 1790. / To EDWARD RIOU who was born in 1762 / an extraordinary occasion was presented / in the early part of his service, / of signalizing his intrepidity / and presence of mind / which were combined with the most anxious / solicitude for the lives of those under his command / with a magnanimous disregard for his own. / When his Ship, the Guardian struck upon / an island of Ice, in Dec. 1789 and afforded no prospect. / but that of immediate destruction to those on board, / Lieut Riou encouraged all those who desired to take the chance / of preserving themselves in the boats to consult their safety / but judging it contrary to his own duty / to desert the Vessel / he neither gave up to despair / nor relaxed his exertions; / whereby after ten weeks of the most perilous navigation / he succeeded in bringing his disabled Ship into Port / receiving this high reward / of fortitude and perseverance / from the divine Providence / on whose protection he relied.' [Round portraits] 'Capt JAMES ROBERT MOSSE' 'Capt EDWARD RIOU'

Details

Description: Male and female angels holding oval relief portraits of Riou and Mosse. A sarcophagus decorated with lions heads and paw feet placed above.
Type: Monument
Position: Crypt
Materials: Marble
Date Erected: 1802
Artists: John Charles Felix Rossi

Event

Battle of Copenhagen

Event Date

1801

Event Category

1793-1802 French Revolutionary War

People

Mosse, James Robert
Age:
Date of Death: 2/4/1801
Cause of Death: War casualty
Rank / Occupation: Captain RN
Organisation: Royal Navy
Riou, Edward
Age:
Date of Death: 2/4/1801
Cause of Death: War casualty
Rank / Occupation: Captain RN
Organisation:

Extra

Notes: A model for a monument to these two gentlemen of a different design is at the Sir John Soane museum. Date of contract 26/4/1803, value £4, 200.
Recorder: B. Tomlinson
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