Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (Chas. Ellington, Sinking at Sea of the "River Belle" 11th March 1860) good very fine £250-300

Charles Ellington was a native of Jamaica serving on board the American steamship Forest King.

'The River Belle came into collision six miles North West of Cape San Antonio, Cuba, with the U.S. vessel Forest King, which caused her to fill and sink in five minutes. The Master, two children and a seaman were drowned. The Master's wife would also have been drowned, had not this man jumped into the sea with a rope and rescued her.' (Ref. The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett).