Obverse: Port quarter view of the Republic badly holed amidships sending wireless messages. Legend: 'C.Q.D.' below: 'THE S.S. REPUBLIC'. Incuse: 'A.B'. Reverse inscription: 'TO THE OFFICERS AND CREWS OF THE S.S.REPUBLIC, BALTIC AND FLORIDA COMMEMORATING THE RESCUE OF OVER 1700 SOULS, JAN.24th 1909'. Legend: 'FROM THE SALOON PASSENGERS OF THE R.M.S. BALTIC AND R.M.S. REPUBLIC'. On badge: 'FOR GALLANTRY'. fitted with a loop and a purple ribbon.

The White Star liner RMS 'Republic' collided with the SS 'Florida' in fog off the island of Nantucket. The 'Republic' had a Marconi telegraph system and became the first ship to issue a 'CQD' distress signal. This enabled
her passengers to be evacuated to the 'Florida', the US Revenue Service cutter 'Gresham' and the White Star liner 'Baltic' before 'Republic' sank. Only six people died in the collision.