Lloyds Medal for Saving Life at Sea 1896

Awarded to John Henry Morris RN (1858-1945). Obverse: Leucothoe handing her scarf to Ulysses, who in clinging to a floating spar. Legend: 'LEUCOTHOE NAUFRAGO SUCCURRIT'. Exergue: 'W.WYON RA.1839'. Reverse: Within sprays of oak tied with ribbon. Inscription on edge: 'JOHN MORRIS OF SANDGATE COASTGUARD STATION 'NORTHERN BELLE' 13TH JANUARY 1895'.

On 13 January 1895, the barque 'Northern Belle', bound from St Valerie to Ipswich with a cargo of phosphates, rang aground off Sandgate, Kent, in bad weather. The local coastguard, using rocket apparatus, put an initial thin line onboard but the crew of 'Northern Belle' were not able to complete the proceedure by using this line to get a block with an endless rope or 'whip' attached to it, onboard and secured. John Morris volunteered to swim to the stranded vessel, partly using the line already in place. He sorted out the ropes communicating with the shore and landed three crew members and himself by breeches buoy.

Object Details

ID: MED1250
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: Lifesaving award
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Wyon, Allan
Vessels: Northern Belle fl.1895
Date made: 1896
People: Morris, John Henry
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 74 mm