Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, silver (Duncan Murphy Wreck of the “Annabella” on the 12th. November 1886.) in embossed case of issue, extremely fine £500-600

Duncan Murphy, the Mate of the S.S. Iberia of Ardrossan, was awarded the Board of Trade’s Silver Medal for Gallantry for manning the rescue boat that rescued the shipwrecked crew of the barque Annabella, of Banff, that sank in the Bay of Biscay on 12 November 1886. Notwithstanding the stormy weather, Mr. Joseph Corning, the Master of the Iberia, had a boat launched, which succeeded in rescuing the crew of ten. For his kindness, Corning was awarded the Board of Trade’s Silver Medal for Humanity for this action, and six Board of Trade’s Bronze Medals for Gallantry were awarded to the six seaman who assisted Murphy in effecting the rescue of the stricken crew of ten men. Murphy himself was severely injured in the rescue when he was washed overboard, but was afterwards rescued.

Murphy was presented with his medal by Provost Hogarth in Ardrossan Town Hall on 8 December 1887, and was also given £26 as compensation from the Board of Trade for the injuries he received in the rescue. ‘Provost Hogarth, in presenting the medal, said the deed done by Mr. Murphy was a truly brave and heroic one, because at the imminent risk of his own life he had been instrumental in saving the lives of others. He knew of no nobler work than that of saving life under such circumstances.’ (account in the Glasgow Herald, 9 December 1887, refers).