Obverse: A man carrying a rescued man from a wreck (centre) two men bending over a prostrate figure (right) another in a rowing boat, a distant wreck (left). Reverse: Inscription within an oak garland tied with a bow 'JOHN LAMBETH'. Incuse: '22 Januari 1881'. Legend: 'ZUID HOLLANDSCHE MAATSCHAPPIJ TOT REDDING VAN SCHIPBREUKELINGEN TE ROTTERDAM'. Fitted with a ring and watered silk orange ribbon.
On the 20 January, the Harwich lifeboat 'Springwell' rescued seven crew members of the Dutch steamer 'Ingerid' who had been clinging to the rigging of their vessel (aground and under water), for four days and three nights. Eight other men were drowned. The 'Ingerid' was bound from Bergen for Naples, laden with dried fish, when she was wrecked on Sunk Sand, fifteen miles from Harwich.

John Lambeth (1856-1898) mariner, was born and died in Harwich and was a crew member of the Harwich lifeboat.