Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea awarded to Seaman Charles Stephens of the steamship Norwegian, for rescuing the crew of the steamship Devonshire, 9 October 1891

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (Charles Stephens, Wreck of the “Devonshire” on the 9th October 1891), pierced with ring suspension, slight edge bruising, good very fine
£200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Old Collection of Medals Relating to The Great War.

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The Devonshire, of London, was a barquentine-rigged screw steamship. Sailing in ballast from Barrow to New York, she became wrecked in gales and high seas. The steamship Norwegian, of Glasgow, went to her assistance some 550 miles west of Tory Island. Manoeuvring to the lee of the wreck, men of the Norwegian were able to get the 37 strong crew of the Devonshire to safety.

For their bravery, Captain William Christie, of the Norwegian, was awarded the Silver Medal for Humanity; Chief Officer William White, the Silver Medal for Gallantry, and 15 men of the crew, including Stephens, were awarded the Bronze Medal for Gallantry with a gratuity of £2.