United States of America, Philadelphia Medal for the Rescue of the Danmark 1889, 48mm, silver, the obverse featuring an angel bearing a palm branch, a ship’s wheel and anchor at her feet, ‘From the Citizens of Philadelphia to the Officers & Crew of Atlantic Trans. Line S.S. Missouri’ around, the reverse featuring a ship’s boat, capstan and rope, with sprigs of laurel and oak above, ‘For Humanity and Heroism displayed in rescuing passengers and crew of Steamship Danmark in mid ocean, April 1889’ in centre, the edge engraved ‘William Rosser. Fireman’, with ornate ‘block and tackle’ suspension from representative rope-entwined wreckage, with cleat and S.S. Missouri life-belt, the reverse with pin for wearing, edge bruising, good very fine £300-£400

The Danmark, a barque-rigged steamer, 3,414 tons, of the Thingvalla Line, was en route from Oslo to New York with a crew of 69 and 669 passengers, with a mixed cargo. On 4 April 1889 the Danmark’s propeller shaft broke and heavy seas severely damaged the ship. The British steamer Missouri of 1,800 tons, discovered the Danmark in her distress, and taking some of the passengers on board offered to tow the striken ship to the nearest port which was in the Azores. However, due the heavy seas and the strong possibility that the Danmark might sink, the plan to tow was abandoned. The Missouri then took on board all the passengers and crew of the Danmark; the smaller ship jettisoning most of her cargo in order to make room. After a difficult journey and the skilful use of celestial navigation, the Azores were finally reached on 10 April. There the crew of the Danmark and 304 of its passengers were landed. The Missouri then continued on her journey to Philadelphia, taking with her the remainder of the Danmark’s passengers, arriving at the port on 22 April. The citizens of Philadelphia gave a large silver medal and the City of Baltimore a smaller gold medal to the crew members of the Missouri in recognition of their gallant rescue work under the command of Captain Hamilton Murrell.

See also Disaster at Sea: The Strange Case of the Danmark, by Ronald E. Fischer, and The Philadelphia Medal for the Rescue of the “Danmark”, by Gary C. Krug, Journal of the Orders and Medals Society of America.