Shipwrecked Fishermen & Mariners Royal Benevolent Society Medal 1851

Awarded to Chief Officer W. H. Sanders. Obverse: Bust of Admiral Lord Nelson (left) supported by the royal crown above with laurel sprays and a flag on either side; a man with a telescope and gun apparatus (left) and a body on a beach, stormy sea and rocks behind. Legend: 'Shipwrecked Fishermen & Mariners Royal Benevolent Society ESTABD. A.D. 1839 INCOD BY ACT OF PARLT. 1850'. Reverse: Inscription: 'PRESENTED FOR HEROIC EXERTIONS IN SAVING LIFE FROM DROWNING. JOB XXIX.13'. Legend: 'ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY'. Edge: 'CHIEF OFFICER W.H. SANDERS, S.S. ONTARIO 8 MARCH 1897'. Fitted with a double dolphin suspension bar and pale blue ribbon.

'Androsa' 1881 took on water in bad weather. Her crew of 27 men were taken off by a boat from the British steamer 'Ontario' in two groups - the boat was stove in during the second trip. The 'Androsa' was abandoned 300 miles west of Falmouth, with 15 foot of water in the hold.

Object Details

ID: MED2241
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: Lifesaving award
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Stokes
Vessels: Androsa (1881)
Date made: 1839
People: Sanders, W.H.
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 36 mm