Albert Medal of the Second Class, awarded to Henry Wesley.

The ‘Harriet’ was a brigantine of 152 tons. She left London on 17 April 1879 bound for the west coast of Africa with a crew of eight including the captain, William Pape. On 3 August 1879 the ‘Harriet’ sank at the mouth of the River Volta, the crew having been taken off by a surf boat commanded by Henry Wesley and landed at Addah.

The medal is made of bronze and consists of a badge in the form of a garter, crowned. In the centre of the badge is the monogram ‘V A’ on an anchor on a blue enamel background. Round the edge of the badge on the obverse is inscribed, ‘FOR.GALLANTRY.IN.SAVING.LIFE.AT.SEA’. The reverse of the badge is inscribed, ‘PRESENTED IN THE NAME OF HER MAJESTY TO MR HENRY WESLEY FOR GALLANTRY IN SAVING THE LIVES OF THE CREW OF THE SHIP “HARRIET” OF LONDON ON THE 3RD AUGUST 1879’. The badge is fitted with a ring for suspension and a blue ribbon with two broad white stripes.