Navy Good Conduct Medal, dated 1871

An early Navy Good Conduct Medal, named “CSC/No.550/James Blake/USS Richmond/Nov 11th, 1871”.

Blake is not on the fragmentary Navy Civil War Campaign Medal roll, so further research is necessary to fill out his history.

USS Richmond was launched in January 1860 and served in the Gulf Blockading Squadrons. In 1863, the ship was in action at Mobile Bay (1863). Richmond was decommissioned in 1866 and fitted with new engines.  Recommissioned in 1869, she served in Mediterranean, protecting American citizens and interests during the Franco-Prussian War. In November 1871, she returned to Philadelphia and was again decommissioned.

The 1871 qualification date should have merited the “Nickel Cross”, so it is probable that Blake asked for a Good Conduct Medal at some later date (post-1885) and the Navy gave him this one reflecting his original qualification date and ship. Further research may clarify this.