Life Saving Awards 758
A scarce Board of Trade Medal for Humanity in Saving Life at Sea awarded to Richard Firman, Master of the S.S. Whitehall
Board of Trade Medal for Humanity in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, silver (Richard Firman Wreck of the “Moel Rhiwan” on the 13th February 1884) in (scuffed) maroon leather case of issue, edge bruising, very fine
£600-£800 Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2011.
‘The Board of Trade have awarded their Silver Medal to Mr R. Firman, Master of the steamship Whitehall, of London, in recognition of his humanity in standing by the barque Moel Rhiwan of Carnarvon, which was in a sinking state and sending a small boat in a heavy sea to the rescue of the shipwrecked crew. The Board have also awarded their Bronze Medal to the two men who manned the boat in acknowledgement of their gallant conduct.’ (The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett refers).
In addition to the above, Mr James Leys Henderson, 2nd Mate of steamship Rydall Hall, was awarded the Silver Medal for Gallantry for rescuing a man from the Moel Rhiwan on 12 February, when the vessel was in difficulties off The Smalls - 20 miles west of St. David’s Peninsula, Pembrokeshire.
A total of 37 ‘Humanity’ Medals in Silver were awarded.
759
Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (Edward Cooper. Abandonment of the “Lerry” and “Elizabeth Ann” on the 8th November - 1878.) edge bruising, very fine
£280-£320
Edward Cooper was born in Littleport, Cambridgeshire in February 1850. He joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class in February 1868. Cooper was employed as a Boatman in the Coast Guard from December 1877, and was one of five men of H.M. Coast Guard, Goodwick, Milford Haven, who assisted in rescue of the crews of the smack Lerry, of Aberdovey and the Elizabeth Ann of Cardigan, both of which were in distress near Goodwick, 8 November 1878. The Chief Officer was awarded a silver Board of Trade Medal, whilst the remainder were awarded bronze medals. Cooper was Shore Pensioned in July 1884.
Sold with copied research.
760
Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (Peter Gibbons Wreck of the “Woodman” on the 12th December 1883) with eyelet suspension, nearly very fine
£280-£320
Peter Gibbons was born in Innislyre, County Mayo, Ireland in January 1847. He joined the Royal Navy as Ordinary Seaman in September 1865. Gibbons was employed as a Boatman in the Coast Guard from November 1875, and was one of two men (the other being named Morris) of H.M. Coast Guard, St. Dogmells Station, who assisted in the rescue of the four crew of the Schooner Woodman, of Waterford, that was wrecked near Aberporth, Cardigan Bay, 12 December 1883:
‘On the recommendation of the Admiral Superintendent of Naval Reserves, the medal was also awarded to Peter Gibbons, boatman at the coastguard station, St. Dogmells, Liverpool district, for saving J. Roach, of the schooner Woodman, and being also instrumental in saving the lives of the remainder of the crew of the same vessel. In this case it appears that at about half-past 12 on the night of the 12th of December, during a strong gale from the north-west, the schooner stranded on a reef of rocks at Aberporth, over which the sea was breaking with terrific force. Roach was lowered over the vessel’s side with the evident intention of swimming if possible to the shore with a line. Unfortunately, however, owing to the strong current and the force of the wind, he immediately disappeared. Gibbons’ determination to effect a rescue was attended with numerous dangers, not the least of which was the probability of his being dashed to pieces against the rocks, but he persisted and, plunging into the sea, struck out boldly, and at last clutched the drowning man, rose with him to the surface, and landed him safely on the shore, both being very much exhausted. The remainder of the crew were subsequently rescued by means of the rocket apparatus.’ (Western Daily Press, 22 January 1884 refers)
Gibbons advanced to Commissioned Boatman, and was Shore Pensioned in August 1886. Sold with copied research.
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