Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Royal Humane Society Medal in silver awarded to Lieutenant J. P. Palmes, Royal Navy, who, having been wrecked together with ten fellow Royal Navy officers in the pinnace H.M.S. Seringapatam, off English Bay, Antigua, on 26 August 1838, volunteered to accompany W. R. Smith, R.N. in a two mile swim through shark infested waters to shore, thereby effecting the launch of rescue boats and the ultimate rescue of the remaining members of the stricken party, the latter having endured some five in hours in the water clinging to the wreckage of their capsized vessel

Royal Humane Society, large silver medal (successful), (J. P. Palmes, Armo. R.N. 1838) unmounted, some edge bruising, very fine £400-£500

The following citation, which mistakenly refers to Palmes as Palmer, appears in Acts of Gallantry by Lambton Young:

‘On the 26th August 1838, as eleven officers started for a cruise in the pinnace of H.M.S. “Seringapatam”, from English harbour, Antigua, to Falmouth Bay, about two miles to leeward, the wind was fair, the afternoon very fine, and all seemed to promise them a pleasant excursion. Having made a short stay at Falmouth harbour, they hauled their wind, and made three or four tacks, coming back to the ship. The boat made little or nothing to windward, the wind being light, and standing in on the starboard tack, she was taken by a sudden squall. The helm was put “a lee,” but the boat not coming to the wind, so as to lift the sails, was capsized under every stitch. She, however, went over so gradually, that every one had time to creep to windward and seat himself on the gunwale.
All sail being on the boat, it protected them, in some measure from the breaking of the sea. No one, unfortunately, being in possession of a knife, righting the boat was quite an impossibility.
Their destruction at this moment would almost appear inevitable, being upwards of two miles from land, and the boat’s gunwale only six inches awash; accordingly, Mr Smith, a very bold swimmer, thought he might, in company with another, gain the shore, the only apparent chance of saving their lives. Being all of them but very indifferent swimmers, they remained by the boat, except Mr Palmer, who, although confident in himself of sinking in the attempt, determined, in so good a cause, to try his luck. These two noble adventurers then quitted the wreck, and before the poor fellows had got half way to terra firma, were visited by the monsters of the deep, whilst struggling for the lives not only of themselves, but nine fellow-creatures. Two sharks actually grazed Smith’s legs, to whom must be attributed the salvation of the whole. Still fearless, he gloriously persisted in the arduous task he so generously undertook; and concealing the fact of his narrow escape, cheered up the heart of his companion; nor did Smith ever once lose command of himself on this awful occasion. Being obliged several times to dive, as it were, to feel his way, still nearly a mile from land, and the sea-lawyer distinctly visible hovering for his prey, let the reader picture to himself any situation more critical, or a deed more gallant than the presence of mind exhibited by Smith. Palmer was so exhausted that Smith had to support him once or twice; but fearing that this stopping would attract the sharks, he saw the necessity of spurring him up for a last push. At last, after a tedious and frightful swim, they both, to their utmost astonishment and delight, landed on the beach. Smith not being very much fatigued, and yet alive to the fate of his fellow-sufferers, ran to spread the news. “Bad news flies on the wings of the wind,” and the report spread like wildfire; men, women, and children all ran frantic at the news of so melancholy an occurrence. They had been upwards of two hours reaching the shore, and the accident having taken place at 4.30pm, drew daylight nearly to a close. The boats were immediately manned, and despatched forthwith in search of the wreck, while Smith and Palmer (who from exhaustion had been unable to move from the beach for some time) procure other boats to aid in the rescue of their comrades. They pulled in search of the boat; the dark clouds of night were just shutting in, and although hope lived in the breast of every soul, fears still existed as to their safety; in short, the people on shore seemed to think their recovery impossible, for sharks, on once tasting blood, never relinquish their hold till no living soul survives to tell the tale. The boats all taking different directions, each shaped the course thought most certain of success. They pulled incessantly in a zigzag way, so as to cross their wake. Hour after hour passed on; the coal-black clouds and white-topped sea arose, to add to the gloominess of the scene; the rain fell in torrents, and the lightning burst forth in sharp and vivid flashes, as if to mask their efforts and renew their fears. Despondency here took root in every heart, and the hope of ever again seeing their friends had nearly failed.
At three in the morning the barge brought the pinnace and all hands on board. The gunner who commanded her certainly had taken the best course, by going to leeward instead of to windward, and tracking up, on his way down he was joined by Mr. Smith, and had not got far down after this, when they observed the wreck. It was then past nine o’clock, making it nearly five hours the poor fellows had held on to the boat. Driven to extremes, four had lashed themselves to oars (for only one of the nine could swim fifty yards), and luckily had not left the pinnace on their perilous adventure five minutes, when the barge came to their assistance, and all were saved. The pinnace was towed on shore, baled out, and the two boats returned, having picked up about five or six miles to leeward of where she capsized, and drawn some distance from the shore. Had it not been for Smith’s swimming on shore, everybody must have perished.
“To save a poor fellow from a watery grave, is worthy a Briton, who conquers to save.”’

John P. Palmes, was born at Naburn, Yorkshire in 1816, the third son of George and Margaret Isabella Palmes and younger brother of Bryan Palmes, Captain in the 57th Light Infantry, who died at Barbados in 1839. He entered the Royal Navy as a Volunteer 1st Class on 2 December 1830. Having passed his examination on 10 November 1838, he served for some time at Portsmouth, as Mate, in the Queen 110, flag-ship of Sir Edward Codrington and was promoted Lieutenant while in the Royal George yacht, Captain Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, 7 March 1842. His succeeding appointments were: March 1842 to the Thunderer 84, Capt. Dan Pring, employed in the Mediterranean and on particular service - December 1844 as Additional to the Hydra steam sloop, Capt. Horatio Beauman Young, on the coast of Africa - April 1845, to the Penelope steam-frigate, Commodore William Jones, on the same station - 1846 to the Belleisle 24, troop-ship, Capt. John Kingcome - and, 1847 to the Howe 120, Capt. Sir James Stirling, fitting at Portsmouth.