A rare Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Camp & Villaverde Medal awarded Second Officer John Herbert, S.S. Hilary

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Camp and Villaverde Medal for Saving Life at Sea, silver (Mr John Herbert, 2nd Officer, S.S. “Hilary” in charge of boat at rescue of crew of schooner “Mary E. Lermond” 17 Sept. 1900) complete with bar, ‘Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society’, and silver buckle on ribbon, in damaged Oldfield, Liverpool case of issue, edge bruise, otherwise nearly extremely fine £550-650

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Life Saving Awards formed by The Late W.H. Fevyer.

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Collection

Ref. Spink Exhibition 1985, No. 123.

A total of 37 silver and 8 bronze ‘Camp & Villaverde’ Medals have been awarded; the first awarded in 1873, the last in 1944.

‘Illuminated Vote of Thanks to Captain Wm. Bustin, of the Booth Line steamer Hilary, for the rescue of the crew of the American schooner Mary E. Lermond, abandoned in the North Atlantic on September 17th, 1900; Silver Camp & Villaverde Medal and Vote of Thanks to Mr John Herbert, second officer; Vote of Thanks to Mr Thomas J. Gregory, third officer; and £1 each to three seamen who volunteered for the service.

At 4.30 p.m., in latitude 29.12 north, longitude 66.18 west, the Hilary sighted the Mary E. Lermond dismasted and showing signals of distress. On being approached, it was found that the schooner had 7 feet of water in the hold, and was making 1 foot per hour. The pumps were smashed and all her boats stove in. As night was coming on there was no time to be lost, and though there was considerable risk, the sea being still high and confused, a boat was at once lowered, manned by the above officer and men, and succeeded in effecting the rescue of the captain and crew - eight all told’ (Ref. Extract from the 62nd Annual Report, year ended 1st July 1901).