Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services) awarded to First Mate Friedrich Heins of the Dutch steamship Rotterdam, for helping save the crew of the steamship Rossmore, 8 February 1899

Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services), V.R., small, silver, ‘From the British Government, For Gallantry and Humanity’ (Friedrich Heins, 8th February 1899) extremely fine £240-280

On 6 February 1899, the steamship Rossmore, of Liverpool, had to be abandoned in the North Atlantic. A boat from the steamship Trojan, of Liverpool managed with difficulty to rescue nine of her crew but during the night the Trojan lost sight of the Rossmore which still had crew aboard. The Dutch steamship Rotterdam, of Rotterdam, came across the ailing Rossmore, stood by her for three days and eventually, with much difficulty, was able to rescue the remainder of the crew.

For their gallantry the Second Mate and four men from the Trojan were awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in silver and First Mate Friedrich Heins and six seamen from the Rotterdam were awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services) in silver. Heins was additionally awarded a binocular glass and his men, the sum of £3 each.