Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (David Taylor, Wreck of the Maria of Leith in Sinclairs Bay, on 22nd Novr. 1860) edge bruising, very fine £250-300

‘The Maria of Lynn (sic), was at anchor in Sinclair’s Bay, Wick, when a hurricane arose, and from its extreme violence she was placed in a very critical position. Captain Tudor seeing the great danger to which the two men on board were exposed ordered the Wick lifeboat to be got out, and exerted himself to get her equipped and conveyed to Ackergill, near to which the vessel lay. On arrival there he found that a steamer’s boat had been already conveyed along the beach opposite to where the Maria was at anchor, and he at once put on a cork jacket and induced nine men to volunteer as crew. The boat was launched and with great difficulty the two men were taken off the vessel and brought ashore. The crew incurred great risk in consequence of the very heavy sea.’ (Ref. The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett).

The nine members of the volunteer crew were each awarded the Board of Trade Gallantry Medal in Bronze together with a gratuity of £2. Captain Tudor, R.N. Agent, British Fishery Society and Coxswain of the Wick Lifeboat, having previously been awarded the Board of Trade Gallantry Medal in Silver and a R.N.L.I. Medal in Silver for a rescue in September 1857, was awarded a second Board of Trade Gallantry Medal in Silver and a clasp to his R.N.L.I. Medal for this rescue.