Obverse: A woman, crowned, seated on the bank. Her left arm resting on a shield showing the coat of arms of the City, her right arm outstretched over the river and distant view of the city of Hamburg (centre), surrounded by eight various city buildings, their names below each, divided by columns. Reverse: A view of the river Elbe with shipping. Exergue: The City arms, an anchor (left) a caduceus (right). Inscription on edge: 'Presented to Mr. Ramsden for gallantry in saving life, Dec. 27th, 1852'. Legend: 'ERINNERUNG AN HAMBURG'. Fitted with a cusped bar and black ribbon with two white stripes.

A German emigrant ship - the 'Louisa and Emelia' was wrecked west of Dungeness on that date with the loss of 45 lives out of 84 people on board.. She was a barque bound from Hamburg to the Rio Grande. The rescue was carried out by the coastguard, with notable assistance from Clarke Crosskey of Rye who, with a rope attached, swam out to casualties in the water so they could be dragged on shore. Survivors were taken to Lydd, where the local surgeon was John George Ramsden (1807-1869) the recpient of this medal.