Obverse: Within a cable border a view of the sea; in foreground a boats' crew hauling a whaleboat ashore, other boats pulling to land; two steamers in distance; wreckage in the water and ashore; above, an anchor and ribbon. Legend: 'THE ADMELLA STEAMER WRECKED ON HER PASSAGE FROM ADELAIDE TO MELBORNE OFF CAPE NORTHUMBERLAND 6TH AUGUST 1859'. Inscription on ribbon: 'HOPE TO THE LAST'. Reverse: Within a cable border and wreath of oak and laurel, the heavenly eye, rayed, above inscription: 'AWARDED TO JAMES FAWTHROP BY THE VICTORIAN COLONISTS FOR HEROIC EXERTIONS IN SAVING LIFE (UNDER THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE) FROM THE WRECK OF THE ADMELLA'. Fitted with a loop and bar suspended from a dark blue ribbon edged with white.

The 'Admella' was wrecked near the West Cape Banks on the 6 August. It was not until the 12 August that the steamer 'Ladybird' arrived with a whaleboat and the Portland lifeboat in tow, to find the survivors clinging to the poop and a heavy surf running. The lifeboat attempted to get a line onboard and to get alongside, but retired damaged and having lost oars. A second attempt by the whaleboat also failed. The rescuers had to leave the desperate passengers and crew on board the wreck for another night. The next morning conditions were calmer and the lifeboat was able to get alongside and transfer them to the steamer. About 87 lives were lost and 25 saved - 'Lloyd's List'. The Australian press lists 23 survivors.

James Fawthrop (1804-1878) Harbour Master of Portland commanded the lifeboat. Fawthrop was born in Plymouth, Devon. He left Great Britain for Australia as master of the convict ship 'William Glen Anderson' in 1831 and remained in Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) where he continued to work as a master of local merchant vessels. In 1850 he purchased land in Portland, Victoria and in 1853 was appointed the first Harbour Master. He also commanded the Portland lifeboat and was awarded a silver Board of Trade medal and a gold medal presented by local subscribers for his part in rescuing the survivors of the wreck of the 'Admella' in 1859. Fawthrop died in Portland in 1878.