Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Sea Gallantry Medal pair awarded to Seaman August Hellman, S.S. Dalton, for saving life in the North Sea

Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., bronze issue (August Hellman, ‘Tidal’ 12th Jan 1922); Mercantile Marine War Medal (August Hellman) good very fine(2) £300-350

On 12 January 1922 the S.S. Tidal of Cardiff, laden with coal, was in distress about 8 miles off the Corton Lightship, near Lowestoft, the vessel having shipped tremendous seas, which caused her to take a heavy and increasing list. In response to signals of distress the S.S. Dalton of Newcastle-upon-Tyne came to her assistance, and although the weather conditions were very bad the Master of the Dalton decided to try to launch a boat.

Volunteers were called for, and after the Dalton had been manoeuvred about 50 yards to the windward of the Tidal a life-boat, in the charge of Mr Robert Spencer and manned by Boatswain Martin Wenner-Burg, Seaman August Hellman, Seaman Arthur Clerk and Donkeyman Henry Fudge was launched and succeeded in rescuing the crew and passengers, consisting of ten men, two women and three children, and safely transferred them to the Dalton. The rescuing boat had only gone some 30 yards on the return journey when the Tidal foundered.