Auction Catalogue

5 July 2011

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 236 x

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5 July 2011

Hammer Price:
£230

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (Mr James Wood, Wreck of the Barque "Frierich Franz", of Wismar, 3rd Decr. 1863) some edge bruising, good very fine £250-300

'A heavy sea struck the barque Friedrich Franz, of Wismar, causing her to become leaky, and sweeping away the boats. On the following day, when in a disabled state and having nine feet of water in the hold, she was fallen in with the Uncle Tom, which attempted the rescue of the crew by means of a line, but the first man who attempted to get on board the smack by that means was drowned. Captain Wood and the seaman Perry (the Mate refusing to go) then launched the smack's boat, and at great risk, owing to the heavy gale and sea, succeeded in rescuing the remainder of the crew of the barque (12 persons).' (Ref. The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett).

James Wood, Master, and Samuel Perry, Seaman, of the fishing smack
Uncle Tom, of Dartmouth, were each awarded the Board of Trade Gallantry Medal in Bronze with a gratuity of £2.