Medals from the Collection of the late Eric Smith

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 3rd type, silver (To Mr. W. G. Amburger, 1st Officer, S.S. “Philae” in Charge of Life Boat at Rescue of Crew of Barque “Lima” 9/10/05), with engraved silver brooch bar, in Elkington case of issue, good very fine £180-220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the late Eric Smith.

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‘Silver Medals and Votes of Thanks each to Captain R. G. Muir, First Officer W. G. Amburger, and Third Officer H. O. Griffiths, also 20s. to each of the crew of the lifeboat of the Moss Line steamer Philae, for the rescue of the crew of the Norwegian barque Lima in mid-Atlantic on the night of the 9 October 1905. On the voyage from Quebec to Liverpool the Philae, observing signals of distress, bore down, and on communicating found the Norwegian barque Lima, of Fredrikstadt, laden with timber, waterlogged and in a helpless condition, masts settling down and in danger of going by the board at every roll of the ship. The captain and crew wishing to abandon, the lifeboat of the Philae was lowered in charge of the First and Third Officers and succeeded in rescuing seven of the crew, the Captain and two men being left to set fire to the barque, she being a danger to navigation. Becoming anxious, however, they did not wait for the lifeboat’s return, but risked themselves in their own long boat, and got safely on board the liner. At the time of the rescue the wind was strong and squally and the sea running high, the effect of a recent heavy southerly gale’ (L.S. & H.S. report refers).