Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (William Stiggins. Wreck of the “Genoa” on the 12th April, 1863.) edge bruise, otherwise very fine £240-£280

William Stiggins, Boatman, H.M. Coast Guard.

For rescue of ten crew from the wreck of the 650 ton Barque Genoa which was stranded on the Briggs of Rattray Head in dense fog on 12th April 1863, laden with coal on a voyage from South Shields to Rio de Janeiro. Three of her crew drowned in attempting to reach shore, the Coast Guard boat rescued ten men in the most difficult circumstances, the Genoa was a total loss.

William Stiggins was born at Rowner, Gosport, Hampshire, on 5 March 1832. He joined the Royal Navy as a Landsman aboard H.M.S. Victory on 8 April 1853, and signed a 10-year Continuous Service agreement aboard H.M.S. Brisk on 27 July 1853. In 1861 he is shown as a Captain’s Coxswain aboard H.M.S. Edgar.