Aust. Historical Medals

Lot 904    SESSION 4 (4.30PM MONDAY 30TH AUGUST)    Aust. Historical Medals

Estimate $500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $950

CENTENNIAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION MELBOURNE, 1888, in silver (51mm) (C.1888/8), Melbourne Mint, edge inscribed, 'Cardigan Dann, Chief Torpedo Gunner. V.N'. Nicely toned, some light hairlines, otherwise virtually uncirculated.

Augustus Cardigan Frederick Dann, born in England in 1839, came to Australia in 1884. It was reported in The West Australian on 7 August 1937 as follows.

'The torpedo section of the Victorian Navy was always very efficient. At an early date there transferred from the Royal Navy a remarkable torpedo officer, Mr. Cardigan Dann. Originally an engine room artificer, he specialised in torpedo and eventually became chief torpedo gunner. He was an inventive genius and Victoria was indeed fortunate in securing the services of this outstanding officer. He was the inventor of the torpedo-dropping gear which bears his name. The torpedo depot at Williamstown had the heater torpedo before any vessel of the Australian squadron of the Royal Navy had it as part of its armament.'
(Note: Letters Patent for the above Universal Torpedo Dropping Gear were granted on 14 February 1888.)