Auction Catalogue

4 December 2001

Starting at 12:00 PM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

Grand Connaught Rooms  61 - 65 Great Queen St  London  WC2B 5DA

Lot

№ 656

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4 December 2001

Hammer Price:
£180

Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Services, circular silver medal (Chief Engineer John Noel Arnold, S.S. “Esturia” 5th October 1925) extremely fine £200-250

‘At 11.50 p.m. on October 5th, 1925, the S.S. Esturia was lying at anchor in St Louis-du-Rhone roads, whilst the vessel’s tanks were being prepared prior to dry docking at Marseilles. A cargo of Benzine had been discharged a few hours earlier. The Third Officer, the Fourth Engineer and four sailors were washing out one of the starboard tanks when there was an explosion caused by an electrical fault. One of the seamen was burned on the face and hands.

The Chief Engineer was in a position of comparative safety, but he rushed to the scene of the fire and, single-handed, managed to extinguish the flames. He made use of the hose which was still in position from the tank washing operation. The Master reported to his Owners, The British Burmah Pertoleum Co. Ltd., that but for the prompt action of the Chief Engineer the amidship accommodation would have been burnt out, and this could have resulted in a severe explosion. Silver Medal awarded to Chief Engineer John Noel Arnold.’