Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (Archibald Ferguson, Wreck of the “Columbus” on the 4th April 1892) edge bruising, contact marks, nearly very fine £200-250

Awarded for the rescue of the crew and passenger of the barque Columbus of Norway that was stranded on East Rock, Heisker (or Monarch) Island, off North Uist on 4 April 1892. The barque, with a cargo of timber, was en route from Sapelo, Georgia to Grangemouth. Ten fishermen of Heisker Island manned two boats in a heavy sea to rescue the crew. Each was awarded the Board of Trade Gallantry Medal in Bronze with a gratuity of £1. (Ref. The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett).