Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

New Brunswick Medal 1883, obverse: a wreath of barley within which is inscribed, ‘Presented by G. A. Wallis, Esq. C.E., First [Mayor of Eastbourne on] behalf of the Subscribers’; reverse inscribed, ‘In Recognition of the gallant rescue of the crew [of the] Norwegian barque “New [Bruns]wick” [off Beachy Head Nov. 25th 1883] by the Eastbourne Life Boat’ (John Costick) 38mm., silver, ring suspension, name and all engraved details badly worn £80-120

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Life Saving Awards from the Collection of John Wilson.

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RNLI - The Life Boat - 1st February 1884 p.235/6: ‘On Sunday 25th November, intelligence was received that a large foreign barque was riding at her anchors off Beachy Head Lighthouse, in a dangerous position, with a signal of distress flying. With as little delay as possible, the crew of the William and Mary Life-boat were mustered, and the Boat, mounted on its transporting carriage, started for Birling Gap, drawn by seven horses. The route taken was through Meads, where three additional horses were procured, and with this extra power, she speedily mounted the hill, and crossed the downs to Birling Gap, a distance altogether of five miles. There the boat was obliged to be taken off her carriage, as the gap had to be widened to admit even of the passage of the boat, and the incline was very sharp. The lower part of the Gap had been washed away by the sea, but this difficulty was overcome by using some long pieces of timber which were fortunately on the spot. Under the superintendence of the coxswain, the boat was by great exertions got safely down to the beach, and was launched at 1.15. The wind was blowing a gale from the S.S.W., and a tremendous sea was rolling in. At about 2 o'clock, after a very hard struggle against the head sea, the midship oars being double-banked, the vessel was reached; she was then opposite the Gap, about a mile from shore, labouring heavily in the seas with two anchors down, sails torn, and spars carried away. A storm of rain then came on, and the vessel and Life-boat were hidden from the view of the spectators who lined the cliffs. After a period of suspense, the Life-boat was seen making for the shore, and in gallant style she took the beach almost close to the spot from whence she had started, and landed the rescued crew of eleven men. The Life-boat had anchored as close as possible to the vessel, and the crew were then hauled into her. The poor fellows, who were in a very exhausted state, one of them having sustained a fracture of the ribs, were taken to the Coastguard Station, where they received every attention from the Chief Officer and the Coastguardmen. The Life-boat was got up the Gap with considerable difficulty, and arrived back at her station about 7.30. The distressed vessel was the barque New Brunswick, of Brevig, 480 tons, bound from Quebec to West Hartlepool, with a cargo of deals. Subsequently, on the weather moderating, the ship and cargo were taken safely to Newhaven by the tug and Life-boat from there.’

As a result of their exertions in hauling their boat cross country, the improvised launch, the daring rescue of the crew of New Brunswick and the subsequent return journey of men and boat, the rescue justifiably excited the imagination of the public and a subscription was started for the life boat crew by the Mayor of Eastbourne. Part of the money went towards the production of medals. These medals together with a monetary award were duly presented to the crew in late 1883-early 1884.

There was however a growing animosity between the crews of the Eastbourne and Newhaven life boats. The Eastbourne life boat had bravely and successfully rescued the crew of the New Brunswick under difficult conditions. However, later, with conditions moderating, the Newhaven life boat was launched and was towed by a tug to the striken vessel and both ship and cargo were taken safely into Newhaven. The crew of the Newhaven life boat, in collusion with the tug boat owners were then paid a substantial salvage fee. Much annoyed that they should have all the risk while the Newhaven crew should receive the larger reward, the coxswain of the Eastbourne boat made a monetary claim from the New Brunswick’s owners for saving the lives of its crew. Whilst this was perfectly legal it was against the rules and regulations of the Royal National Life Boat Institution - it was a charity whose calling it was to save life at sea (for free!). In persisting with his demands, the coxswain and crew of the Eastbourne life boat were all dismissed from the R.N.L.I.

With a quantity of copied research. A very worn medal but a very interesting story!