Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Sea Gallantry Medal awarded to Seaman O. Bowden, Mercantile Marine, for his gallantry in rescuing the crew of the British King, which was sinking in the North Atlantic, on 11 March 1906

Sea Gallantry Medal, E.VII.R., small 2nd issue, silver (Owen Bowden, wreck of the “British King” on the 11th March 1906) nearly extremely fine £500-£700

Dix Noonan Webb, September 2017.

Owen Bowden, a seaman in the S.S. Bostonian, was one of thirteen men of the Bostonian awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal for the rescue of the crew of the S.S. British King. ‘The steamship British King (4,717 tons), built 1891, of Liverpool, sprang a leak during a hurricane in the North Atlantic Ocean and began to sink on 10 March 1906. In answer to signals of distress the Mannheim bore down, but as the weather was too bad for a boat to be launched she stood by all night, and in the morning with the assistance of the Bostonian tried to form a lee so that a rescue might be attempted. After much difficulty and in spite of terrific weather, a boat was launched by the Mannheim and was so skilfully handled that 11 of the crew of the British King were rescued, but the boat was destroyed. The Bostonian then launched a boat but it was smashed alongside and the crew of the boat were injured and only rescued with difficulty. A second boat was launched from the Bostonian and rescued 13 of the crew of the British King before it was destroyed. Subsequently the British King foundered and five men were picked up clinging to her wreckage. There was a heavy sea at the time of the rescue and those who rendered assistance incurred great risk to life.’ (The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett refers).

Thirteen men of the Bostonian were awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in Silver for the rescue. First Mate William Brown and Second Mate Sydney Arthur Cornwell were additionally awarded binoculars; other crew members were each awarded £3. One gold and four silver Foreign Service medals were awarded to men of the German S.S. Mannheim. Bowden was presented with his Medal by the Lord Mayor of Manchester in Manchester Town Hall on 4 October 1906. ‘The Lord Mayor complimented Bowden on the part he played in the heroic rescue. His Lordship said he had heard more about the gallant deed than appeared in the log, and he did not think anything more splendid had been recorded.’ (The Manchester Courier, 5 October 1906 refers).