Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea, small, bronze (J. Segar, “Glendower”, 12 Jan. 1899) slight edge bruising, good very fine £200-250

Ex Robert W. Tilling Collection, ref. L.S.A.R.S. Journal No.18, p.26-33.

Extract from The Times, 20 January 1899 - principally concerning the distressed state of the Alesia which eventually managed to reach Queenstown, but in passing mentioning the more parlous state of the Glendower - both damaged by heavy seas.

‘... The same afternoon (11 January) they (the Alesia) sighted a steamer labouring in the sea and flying signals of distress. She proved to be the British steamer Glendower, from Philadelphia for Sligo, and from her signals it was ascertained that she was sinking and that the captain and crew wished to be taken off. “We were prepared to send a boat” continued Captain Meyerdierick, “bad as the weather was, but, owing to the disabled state of the Alesia, we could not get her in position to lower a boat. We stood by her all night, and although the seas mercilessly swept along her decks and her crew could be seen crouched together in sheltered parts of the sinking vessel awaiting rescue, we were powerless to do any good. Next morning we sighted the steamer Barrymore in lat. 49 26 N, lon. 31 8 W, and told her captain the condition of the Glendower. ...”’

Reuter telegram, dated New York, 19 January 1899.

‘The steamer Menominee, from London, has arrived here with the captain and 22 of the crew of the steamer Glendower, which was abandoned on the 12th inst. in lon. 31 on her voyage from Philadelphia to Sligo. The captain of the Glendower reports that on January 2 he encountered a storm which increased to a most furious gale. Enormous seas washed over the vessel, and a seaman named Peter West, was washed overboard and drowned. It was decided on the 6th to face the wind and sea. The following day, the vessel’s stem dipped, an enormous wave broke over her, washing off everything and filling her with water. The pumps became choked, and the Glendower was in a sinking condition on the 12th when the Menominee appeared in sight, and launching her boats, rescued the crew. The captain of the Glendower describes the seas encountered as the worst he had ever seen. When the cabin filled the furniture got afloat and broke the sidelights, through which the water poured. The lifeboats were smashed, and the crew gathered in the peak forward, huddling together for warmth, their clothes having been mostly washed off their backs. They were starving when rescued, their only food for days having been soaked corn. The work of the rescue lasted two hours.’ (The above extractd from the L.S.A.R.S. Journal No.35, p.55/56)

For their courageous actions, the rescue party from the Menominee received awards from several sources:

From the Board of Trade, Silver Medals were awarded to 2nd Mate F. J. Languedoc, 3rd Mate F. W. Lazell, Carpenter S. Warren, Carpenter’s Mate J. W. Hopkins, Bo’su’s Mate C. Holm, Q.M.s J. Segar, Saloon Steward C. H. Woodward, Mess Steward W. A. Dyke, Able Seamen W. E. Clay, P. E. Petersen, J. Gordon, O. Fuhrea and M. de Coria, and Ordinary Seaman G. Fox. From the Shipwrecked Fishermen & Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society, Captain H. Bocquet received an Aneroid Barometer, the 2nd and 3rd Mates received the Society’s Silver Medal and the 13 men who manned the lifeboat each received £2. Further awards were made by Lloyd’s of London - Segar receiving the Bronze Medal for Saving Life at Sea.