Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 147
An inter-War S.G.M. group of three awarded to Assistant Steward G. S. Bruce, S.S. Aztec, Mercantile Marine, for his gallantry in rescuing the crew of the Schooner Ria in the North Atlantic Ocean, 16 November 1931
Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., bronze (George Scott Bruce “Ria”. 16th. Novmber 1931.); Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 3rd type, bronze (To George S. Bruce. For Gallant Service. 16/11/31.) with integral top riband bar; Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Royal Benevolent Society, silver (G. Bruce S.S. “Aztec” - Schr. “Ria” November. 16. 1931.), with ‘double dolphin’ riband bar and top silver riband buckle, about extremely fine (3)
£500-£700
S.G.M. London Gazette 30 June 1933: George Scott Bruce, Assistant Steward, S.S. Aztec (in a joint citation with seven others): ‘In recognition of their services to the Newfoundland schooner Ria on the 16th November 1931. The men mentioned manned a lifeboat from the S.S. Aztec, and were successful in taking off the shipwrecked crew of six hands from the schooner, in adverse weather conditions.’
The Board of Trade records state: ‘On the night of 16 November 1931, the Newfoundland schooner Ria, of St. John’s, was in distress in the North Atlantic Ocean. For several days the vessel had encountered stormy weather, which had carried away the sails, and, by 16 November, the Ria was leaking badly. Her signals of distress were observed about 9.30 p.m. by the S.S. Aztec, of Bristol, which altered course towards her. A rough sea, with a high confused swell, was running and the wind was blowing at gale force; and in view of the unfavourable conditions, the Master of the schooner did not expect a rescue to be attempted before daylight. The Aztec, however, at once took up a position to windward in order to launch a lifeboat. Difficulty was experienced and several oars were lost or broken sending away a lifeboat. Further difficulty was encountered in getting the boat alongside the Ria, but the distressed crew of six hands was eventually taken off and transferred to the Aztec.’
The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Marines Royal Benevolent Society Records state: ‘The S. S. Aztec (Captain E. H. Brice) left Avonmouth on 9 November 1931. Heavy weather was experienced on 16 November. At 9:30 p.m. in latitude 35.58N and longitude 38.10W, a vessel burning distress signals was observed. Course was altered to investigate and at 10:00 p.m. the vessel was stopped alongside the three-masted schooner Ria, bound from Cadiz to Groundbank, Newfoundland, with a cargo of salt, that had been drifting derelict for seventeen days, having lost all sails and suffered considerable damage, and also leaking badly. Food and water was almost exhausted, and the crew had suffered considerable hardship. At 10:00 p.m. a boat manned by a volunteer group of eight was launched Some difficulty was encountered when the boat arrived alongside the schooner, owing to the vessel being unmanageable in a strong northerly wind, rough sea, and high confused swell. The crew, consisting of six, including the Master, were eventually taken off, having set fire to the derelict to prevent her becoming a danger to navigation. At 11:45 p.m. the boat returned to the ship and was hoisted. The Schooner was well afire before leaving.’
George Scott Bruce served as an Assistant Steward in the S.S. Aztec, but died in Bristol Royal Infirmary after suffering major injuries after falling 50 feet into the hold of the S.S. Patuce in Avonmouth Docks just days before he was due to travel to London to be presented with his Sea Gallantry Medal by H.M. King George V. He is buried in Arno’s Vale Cemetery, Bristol. His Sea Gallantry Medal was subsequently presented to his father at Dundee on 24 March 1934.
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