LIFE SAVING AWARDS 569
BOARD OF TRADE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY IN SAVING LIFE AT SEA, V.R., large, bronze (James Rigden, Wreck of the “Excel”, near Calais on 21st January 1858) very fine
£250-300
‘Awarded for the gallant and heroic conduct in rescuing one of the crew of the British schooner Excel, wrecked on the sands, a short distance from the West Pier-head at Calais, while attempting to make the port. There was a terrific sea on, and some of the crew were at once washed off. To rescue the survivors, a lifeboat was towed out, but was torn to pieces in the breakers; another boat partially fitted as a lifeboat, volunteered and on reaching the wreck was obliged to return for want of oars, nine having been broken. These being procured, the boat again put off, manned by a crew of eight, but although they reached the wreck, they failed in rendering assistance. On the morning following these humane efforts, one man only was visible in the rigging, when the lifeboat again went off, rescued, and brought him ashore, in a dreadful state of exhaustion, consequent upon 25 hours’ exposure, from which he subsequently recovered through the earnest and gratuitous services of Dr Garasse. The exertions of seamen of both nations (British and French) were of a most daring and meritorious character, and two of the French boats were entirely destroyed’. (Ref. The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett).
James Ridgen was an Apprentice serving on the brig Salem.
A total of ten Board of Trade Gallantry Medals in silver and seven in bronze; together with one gold (to Dr Garasse) and twenty-one silver Sea Gallantry Medals (Foreign Service) were issued for the rescue.
570
BOARD OF TRADEMEDAL FORGALLANTRY IN SAVING LIFE AT SEA, V.R., large, bronze (David Taylor, Wreck of the Maria of Leith in Sinclairs Bay, on 22nd Novr. 1860) edge bruising, very fine
£250-300
‘The Maria of Lynn (sic), was at anchor in Sinclair’s Bay, Wick, when a hurricane arose, and from its extreme violence she was placed in a very critical position. Captain Tudor seeing the great danger to which the two men on board were exposed ordered the Wick lifeboat to be got out, and exerted himself to get her equipped and conveyed to Ackergill, near to which the vessel lay. On arrival there he found that a steamer’s boat had been already conveyed along the beach opposite to where the Maria was at anchor, and he at once put on a cork jacket and induced nine men to volunteer as crew. The boat was launched and with great difficulty the two men were taken off the vessel and brought ashore. The crew incurred great risk in consequence of the very heavy sea.’ (Ref. The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett).
The nine members of the volunteer crew were each awarded the Board of Trade Gallantry Medal in Bronze together with a gratuity of £2. Captain Tudor, R.N. Agent, British Fishery Society and Coxswain of the Wick Lifeboat, having previously been awarded the Board of Trade Gallantry Medal in Silver and a R.N.L.I. Medal in Silver for a rescue in September 1857, was awarded a second Board of Trade Gallantry Medal in Silver and a clasp to his R.N.L.I. Medal for this rescue.
571
BOARD OF TRADEMEDAL FORGALLANTRY IN SAVING LIFE AT SEA, V.R., large, bronze (Erasmus Lewis, Wreck of the “Eleanor Grace”, on the 21st Novr. 1863) good very fine
£250-300
‘On 21 November 1863, the Eleanor Grace was wrecked in the Milford District and the Rocket Apparatus was taken to her by the Coastguard under the charge of Erasmus Lewis, a Commissioned Boatman. The people on the wreck did not know how to use it and Lewis, at great risk, swam off to the wreck to give directions to the men as to the use of the line and whip. He went out of his depth and was washed out by the waves to the great danger of his life. He was however washed in again and the crew were saved.’ (Ref. The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett).
Erasmus Lewis, Commissioned Boatman, H.M. Coastguard Castletank, was awarded the Board of Trade Gallantry Medal in Bronze together with a gratuity of £2.
572
BOARD OF TRADE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY IN SAVING LIFE AT SEA, V.R., large, bronze (Arthur Cuthbertson, Wreck of the “Eugene Desire” on the 4th March-1881) in red leather case, nearly extremely fine
£250-300
Arthur Cuthbertson and John Avid, were each awarded the Board of Trade Gallantry Medal in Bronze for their part in the rescue of five of the crew of six from the French brig Eugène Desiré of St. Malo, that was wrecked near Carskey Bay on the Mull of Kintyre.
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