Ouzel Galley Society Medal

Ouzel Galley Society Medal, worn by members of the society during the early 19th century.

The obverse depicts a ship, with English flags, sailing before the wind. Below is the motto: 'STEADY' and above the leged: 'OUZEL GALLEY'.
On the reverse there is a figure of Justice, blindfolded facing three-quarter right, holding in her right hand a staff terminating in a crook. In her left hand she is holding a balance. Below the image are the initials 'I.P.' (Isaac Parkes). Above the image is the legend: 'CUIQUE . SUUM .' (To each his own). The medal has a suspension hole, which is part of the design.

The Ouzel Galley was an Irish ship which disappeared for five years, reappearing in 1700 with a valuable and possibly illegal cargo. She appears to have been involved in piracy. Her owners had already collected the insurance when she turned up again, but the financial claims were settled by arbitration by fellow Dublin merchants. In 1705 they founded a society to settle future disputes in a similar fashion. The Society was wound up in 1888 but was re-established as a charitable organisation 100 years later.

Object Details

ID: ZBA4585
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: medal
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Parkes, Isaac
Vessels: Ouzel Galley fl.1700
Date made: 1814-1865; 1814-65
People: Ouzel Galley Society
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 32 mm x 22.9 g