Obverse: Within a raised circular border a dismasted vessel on her beam ends in a heavy sea (centre) the crew lining her deck; a boat, below, manned, coming to her relief; a three-masted vessel, sails furled, standing by, (left) another in distance; wreckage below. Reverse: Against a background of a coast and lighthouse (left) and a three-masted ship under sail with a boat manned below; an oak scroll above, and spray below, a scroll inscription. 'Presented by the Merchants and Citizens of New York to Edward Keays Commander of the ship Caroline, for his humane and gallant conduct in saving the lives of a number of his fellow beings, exposed to destruction on the ocean. 1854'. Suspended from a foul anchor.

Edward Keays, was born in Limerick, Ireland in 1824 and commanded a number of Irish merchant vessels. His Master's Certificate was issued in Limerick on 31 June 1851.