Miniature Medals

Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Blackpool Branch, silver cross for Gallant Service (J. T. Fish, Bessie Jones, Feby. 26th 1880, 4 Lives Saved) fitted with silver ribbon brooch, very fine and rare £80-120

See Colour Plate V

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution Silver Medal was awarded to the Coxswain of the Blackpool Lifeboat, Robert Bickerstaffe, for this incident: “26 February 1880: In a gale and very heavy seas, the Fleetwood schooner Bessie Jones, Glasgow to Liverpool with a cargo of steel railway metals, was seen on Salthouse Bank, off Blackpool, Lancashire. Even with landsmen included, the Blackpool lifeboat Robert William had to launch short-handed but, under sail and shipping seas the whole time, the boat reached a point where the oars could be got out and, after two hours hard rowing, Coxswain Bickerstaffe took her alongside the casualty and removed four men. On her way back the lifeboat broached to on a sandbank, finishing on her beam ends, but was able to right herself and make St Anne’s safely.” Coxswain Bickerstaffe was awarded a Silver Clasp in 1887 for subsequent services with the Blackpool Lifeboat.