Orders, Decorations and Medals

Mercantile Marine Service Association Medal, silver, reverse inscribed, ‘Presented to Capt. S. Roch, for gallantry in saving the crew of barque Amalthae, April 14 1880’, good very fine £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Life Saving Awards formed by The Late W.H. Fevyer.

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Ref. Spink Exhibition 1985, No. 98.

‘The Medal of the Mercantile Marine Service Association has been awarded to Captain S. Roche, Master s.s. Chilian for rescuing the crew of the Norwegian barque Amalthae, under the following circumstances: On the 13th April, 1881, at 1.45 a,m,, I fell in with a barque showing signals of distress, and stood by her until daylight, when I found her to be the Norwegian barque Amalthae (Warstlau Master, iron loaded, and bound from Gloucester for New York), in a sinking condition. He signalled for me to stand by him, which I consented to do. At 4 p.m. he asked to be taken off, as he intended to abandon her. I then attempted to launch my port lifeboat, but, owing to the high sea and the excessive labouring and rolling of my ship, the boat was stove and rendered useless. Night coming on I did not consider advisable to launch my other life-boat, so signalled him I would stand by him until daylight, when I would make a fresh attempt. At 6 a.m. of the 14th instant (April) I launched with great difficulty, my starboard life-boat, and sent her away in charge of my third officer, W. V. Carmichael, and five men, who succeeded in rescuing the Master, his wife, child, and crew, sixteen in all. I then proceeded on my course, and landed them at St. Michaels. The detention alongside the barque amounted to thirty hours. (Ref. The Mercantile Marine Service Reporter, Vol. VI, 1881). Note difference in year date.

For this rescue, Captain Roch was also awarded the Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society Marine Medal in silver. Sold with copied extract from the Reporter.