Obverse: Shield of the Society divided into three fields; above two rowing boats, two clasped hands (centre) below, a three-masted ship in a gale; for crest, a cottage with ribbon. Inscription: 'REFUGE'. Below, a ribbon with date '1791'. Legend: 'THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETT'. Reverse: Within a border rope: 'To Charles Harvey Boatswain of the British Barque Thomas Brocklebank of Liverpool, Eng. for aid in rescuing the Crew of the American Schooner Louie A.Swett of Boston at sea August 10, 1877'. Legend: 'REWARD OF MERIT COURAGE AND PERSEVERANCE'.

The schooner 'Louis A Swett' was homeward bound from Accra to Boston laiden with palm oil. The Liverpool ship 'Thomas Brocklebank' was headed back to Liverpool from Jamaica when she encountered the US ship flying distress signals and taking on water which was gaining on the pumps. A boat from the 'Thomas Brocklebank' was sent to take off the exhausted crew. They had to be hauled through the sea as it was too rough to approach the schooner.