Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Edward VII Sea Gallantry Medal pair to Aberdeen Fisherman C. Cay, for the rescue of the crew of the Danish steamship “Xenia” in 1903

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, E.VII.R., large, bronze (Charles Cay, Wreck of the “Xenia” on the 1st February 1903), in its gold embossed case of issue; Denmark, Medal for Saving Life from Drowning, Christian IX, 2nd type, silver, 47mm, (Charles Cay), with fixed oval suspension, in original fitted case, second with edge bruise, good very fine and better (2) £1500-1800

Ex D.N.W. 18.9.1998, lot 328.

23 large bronze 'Sea Gallantry Medals' of Edward VII were issued.

For service in saving life from the Xenia on 1st February 1903, 10 Board of Trade Medals for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea were awarded in bronze to Aberdeen fishermen: W. Cay, A. Cay, C. Cay, A. Hay, J. Hay Jr., G. Hay, J. R. Hay, T. Gray, A. Morgan and A. J. Heeland.

The cargo steamship Xenia, 1646 tons, was built by Lobnitz & Co. at Renfrew for the United Danish Steamship Company in 1895. During the period 1897-1903 the ship was in service between Copenhagen and North America. On 1st February 1903, on a voyage between Newcastle and Boston with a cargo of coal, the ship ran aground during a gale with snow on the Scaurs of Cruden, one of the most dangerous parts of the Aberdeenshire coastline. In the heavy seas the decision to abandon ship was soon made. Two men were drowned in lowering the ship's life boats but 20 men made it to shore with the aid of local fishermen, landing at Broadhaven Creek. However, Captain John Kruse and four men remained on board the stricken vessel. The lifeboat from Port Erroll was unable to get to the ship because of the state of the tide but the fishermen from Whinnyfold again sallied forth, this time in one of the steamers own lifeboats and after much difficulty succeeded in rescuing the five men. The captain and crew were then cared for by the families of the fishermen.

Sold with a folder of copied research documentation including newspaper cuttings and a copied picture of the Xenia on the reef and another of the crew of the Xenia.