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Great Britain: Qv Sea Gallantry Meda l bronze (58 mm x 5 mm),…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
17-Jun-2021
Lot No.
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Description:
Great Britain: Qv Sea Gallantry Meda l bronze (58 mm x 5 mm), MY67, Eimer 1503, obv. Queen Victoria facing left 'B. Wyon Sc.' below, 'VR/ Awarded By The Board of Trade For Gallantry in Saving Life' surrounding, rev. sailors and mother with infant stranded on storm-tossed rocks giving aid to a drowning sailor, sailor on broken mast waving shirt at approaching rescue boat, edge engraved 'Robert Weston Wreck of The 'SS Hurworth' of Newcastle On The 1ST December 1881', in original case with lid impressed 'Board of Trade Medal/For Gallantry/in Saving Life At Sea' in gilt, case a little worn but complete, includes photocopies of relevant newspaper articles, medal is in Uncirculated condition. Robert Weston was a crew member on the White Star liner SS Germanic, sister ship to the Britannic . In the Mid-Atlantic the steamship Hurworth, bound from Montreal to Rotterdam with grain, experienced several severe storms and lost her rudder. The ship had been adrift for 11 days and was a complete wreck when she was sighted by the Germanic . The rescue team, Chief Officer Robert E. Bence and a crew of five, all volunteers, went out in a lifeboat on three occasions in very heavy seas rescuing the Master, the crew of twenty-five men and a kitten. The rescue boat was caught in some violent waves, forcing her bow around and slamming her into the side of the big ship, opening up her stem. In endeavouring to hoist the boat back up to her davits, the sea was so heavy and the task so difficult and dangerous that it became impossible to effect safely. The last three men had to be drawn up the Gemanic's side at considerable risk to their lives and Quartermaster Adair was injured in his efforts to get off. On the 23rd March 1882 at the Sailors Home, Canning Place, Liverpool, Robert Weston was awarded his bronze medal along with four seaman, Joseph Dwerryhouse, Henry Shaffer, James Adair and Thomas Spellman. Silver medals were awarded to Captain Kennedy and Chief Officer Bence. The passengers of the Germanic collected £136 presenting Mr Bence with a gold watch and £10 each to the remainder of the crew.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified