- Type of Memorial
- Sculptured / Cast group
- WMR Reference Number
- 11727
- Description
- In the Crypt, north aisle, a neo-classical sarcophagus rests on convex plinth.
Lions' heads on sarcophagus. Two giant winged figures, one male one female lean against the plinth whilst holding portrait medallions of MOSSE (on left) and RIOU (on right) between which is the inscription.
- Inscription
- 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 EXPENCE./ JAMES ROBERT ROSSE 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 SUCEEDED IN BRINGING HIS DISABLED SHIP INTO PORT/ RECEIVIHIS HIGH REWARD/ OF FORTITUDE AND PERSEVERANCE/ FROM THE DEVINE PROVIDENCE/ ON WHOSE PROTECTION HE RELIED.
round portraits: Capt JAMES ROBERT MOSSE
Capt EDWARD RIOU