S.S. Maine American Ladies’ Hospital Ship Fund Commemorative Medallion 1899, 44mm., white metal, unnamed, in an old fitted leather case, extremely fine £60-80

The Maine was originally the Atlantic Transport Line steamer Swansea, renamed in 1899 and lent to the British Government as a hospital ship for use in the Boer War and later off China during the Boxer Rebellion. Fitted out as a hospital ship in London by Messrs. Fletcher & Son and Fearnall Ltd., the costs were met by the American Ladies Hospital Ship Fund who struck the above medallion to help with their fund raising.