Obverse: Head of Liberty (left) hair knotted and bound with a wreath of laurel. Legend: 'PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES'. Star below. Reverse: Within a laurel wreath tied with a bow, inscription: 'TO CHARLES SWEETSER, SEAMAN OF THE BRITISH STEAMER, OTHELLO, FOR BRAVERY IN RESCUING THE CREW OF THE AMERICAN SHIP TRIMOUNTAIN'. Fitted with a bronze pinned bar, inscription: 'E PLURIBUS UNUM'. (The 3 central letters covered by the U.S.shield). Suspended from a red ribbon with broad white central stripe. The 'Trimountain' was an American vessel which was dismasted and sprung a leak in bad weather en route from New York to Bremen, laden with petroleum oil. Captain Joseph Mitchell of the 'Othello' saw her distress signals and took off all eighteen crew on 12 February 1880.

Charles Sweetser was a seaman employed on British ships. 'The Western Mail' 17 July 1883 notes the presentation of a Presidential Silver Medal for his his part in rescuing the crew of the 'Trimountain' on 12 February 1880. He was one of the boat's crew from 'Othello' who took the men off the foundering vessel. He received a sum of £6-03-00 from the US Government in Hull. The medal was presented by the Mayor of Cardiff while Sweetser's ship, the 'Nelly Wise' was docked in that city.