Medal commemorating the wreck of Hudson Bay Company steamer 'Beaver', 1892

Medal commemorating the wreck of Hudson Bay Company steamer 'Beaver', 1892. Obverse: Port bow view of SS 'Beaver' heeling over on the rocks. Legend: 'THE HUDSON BAY COS S. S. "BEAVER" BUILT 1835'. Inscription: 'CROSSED THE ATLANTIC IN 1835 AND WAS THE FIRST STEAMER ON THE PACIFIC WRECKED AT VANCOUVER 1892'. Reverse: Port broadside view of 'Santa Maria' (1492) under sail. Legend: '"SANTA MARIA" 1492 COLUMBUS SHIP'. Inscription: 'THIS METAL WAS TAKEN FROM THE WRECK OF THE S.S. BEAVER'. Above: 'PATD IN U.S. MAR 1893 COPYRIGHTED 1893'. The number '632' is stamped on the side.

Charles McCain salvaged 1035 pounds of copper, bronze and brass. He minted three series of commemorative medals in 1892, - 42 mm, 35 mm, and 21 mm. (David Genn).

From 1962 to 1998 as a result of private sponsorship, these medals were presented to veterans of the Royal Canadian Navy and Merchant Marine for outstanding service and from 1998 to citizans in Peachland, British Columbia for services to the community (information, Michael Henderson).

Object Details

ID: MEC2133
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: Medal
Display location: Not on display
Creator: McCain, C. W.
Events: Wreck of the Beaver, 1888
Vessels: Beaver (1835); Santa Maria
Date made: 1892
People: Co, Hudson Bay; McCain, C. W.
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 35 mm