LIFE SAVING AWARDS 1277
A Royal Humane Society Medal in Silver group of three awarded to Boatswain J. McKenzie, Merchant Navy, for gallantry in attempting to save the life of a passenger who had jumped off the burning S.S. Dorunda into shark-infested waters off the northern coast of Australia, 1 February 1894
BRITISH WAR AND MERCANTILE MARINE WAR MEDALS (John McKenzie) in card box of issue; ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY, small silver medal (successful) (John McKenzie, 1st February 1894) with integral silver riband buckle, in (damaged) Warrington, London, case of issue, extremely fine (3)
£300-400 R.H.S. Case 27309: ‘John MacKenzie [sic], Boatswain, S.S. Dorunda; 10:00 pm, 1st February 1894, At sea, Lat. 8.15 S, Long. 127.19 E.
The man was seen to jump overboard, he was promptly followed by Mr Webster the 4th Mate as stated in case 27291 - the night very dark. Mackenzie jumped overboard after Webster to effect the rescue or assist in it, but neither men were successful in finding the man who had gone overboard - sharks abound in that part of the ocean’
The citation of the 4th Mate John Webster, which gives additional information, reads, ‘Mr Webster whilst talking to a passenger saw a man climb the rail and jump overboard - he followed at once without hesitation notwithstanding the shouts - Don’t there are sharks about; the night very dark. He swam round the stern of the ship having gone in amidships on the starboard side; after remaining in the water 15 minutes he was taken on board without finding the man’.
An article from the Dundee Evening Telegraph, dated 31 March 1894, gives more insight into the circumstances: ‘A Terrible Story of the Sea. Ship on Fire- Suicide Devoured by Sharks. On February 1, at five minutes past midnight, a fire was discovered in No. 1 hold of the S.S. Dorunda. Dense volumes of smoke were seen issuing from the chain locker, and all hands were at once called up and the hose got to work. Upon examining the hold, it was found that the heat was so intense that it was deemed advisable to flood the place. All apertures for air were blocked up, and the steerage passengers with their baggage were removed to the saloon deck. The mast, being of iron, soon became unbearable to the touch. The steerage deck became so hot that the plans lifted. All the time water was poured into the forehold until at length it was flooded to the depth of 13 feet, pulling the ship down by 5 feet by the head. The fore-hatches were opened, and a few bales extracted, in order, if possible, that the seat of the fire might be discovered; but smoke came out in such volumes that it drove everybody away. At about 7:00 a.m. a steamer was sighted right ahead. The Dorunda was stopped and ran up an “urgent” signal for the captain of the distant vessel to stop. The vessel stopped, and coming alongside the burning ship proved to be the Duke of Argyll, commanded by Captain Prentice, of the same mail line, bound for Queensland. He was asked to lay by until the fire was got under control. The steerage deck was getting hotter and hotter, and at 11:30 a.m. the boats were swung out, and Captain Prentice had all his boats ready. At noon, however, it was thought the fire had been extinguished, and hoses were withdrawn, but a little while after it broke out with increased fury in the after part of the forehold. Flames were now seen for the first time; the heat and smoke were terrible. Water was played on until 4:00 p.m., when the fire appeared to have been mastered. At 7:30 p.m., however, a third outbreak was discovered far more serious than the previous ones. The greatest excitement prevailed upon the passengers. One man jumped overboard, and was devoured by sharks; the boatswain, who tried to rescue him, narrowly escaping a similar fate. Another passenger had an epileptic fit, and as he too was suicidally disposed he was given a strong narcotic and handcuffed. All the provisions on board were destroyed, and a considerable period elapsed before the fire could be got under control.’
Both McKenzie and Webster were awarded the Royal Humane Society Silver Medal. Despite the rescue being unsuccessful, McKenzie was awarded the medal with a ‘successful’ reverse.
Sold together with original Board of Trade slip authorising the wear of the British War and Mercantile Marine Medals, and with copied extracts from the R.H.S. Committee Meeting minutes.
www.dnw.co.uk
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