Commemorative & Historical Medals 1865-1905

Lot 33    SESSION 1 (9.30AM MONDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER)    Commemorative & Historical Medals 1865-1905

Estimate $4,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $2,700

WRECK OF BEN VENUE & CITY OF PERTH, Timaru, 1882, struck in silver (43x38mm), by S.Reading (Dunedin), ring top with bar (probably originally with ribbon), inscribed on obverse 'J.Cracknell' (M.1882/1). Lightly toned, extremely fine and extremely rare.

Timaru, on 14 May 1882. The Ben Venue was an iron full-rigged ship of 1,000 tons, She lay in the Timaru roadstead with coal from Newcastle, and early on the morning of May 14 the conditions became exceedingly rough, and the ship was swept by several rollers breaking over the poop. About 9am the starboard cable parted, and with great difficulty a third anchor, attached to a steel cable, was dropped. At 1pm the last cable parted, and as the vessel neared broken water she was abandoned by her crew who sought refuge aboard the ship City of Perth. With her head pointed towards the shore all the time, the backwash evidently keeping her from veering about, the Ben Venue slowly drifted ashore, striking under the high cliffs. The City of Perth was now also in distress, and the crews landed in small boats, one bearing the chief officer of the City of Perth, who was badly injured, and later died in hospital. The City of Perth drifted ashore beside the Ben Venue, maintaining an even keel. Tragedy intervened when several boats, overwhelmed by the heavy seas, capsized. It was found that Captain Mills, Timaru harbourmaster, the second mate and carpenter of the City of Perth, and five Timaru watermen, had been drowned. The Ben Venue became a total wreck, but the City of Perth, was refloated and renamed the Turakina.

James Campbell was one of forty-two people who survived the ordeal to save lives on that fateful day. The following perished in their endeavour to save lives:

Alexander Mills, Harbour Master, Timaru
John Blacklock, First Mate "City of Perth"
Robert Gardner, Second Mate "City of Perth"
Donald McLean, Carpenter "City of Perth"
William McLaren, Waterman, Timaru
Emanuel Neilson, Boatman, Timaru
Martin Beach, Boatman, Timaru
Harry McDonald, Boatman, Timaru
George Falgar, Boatman, Timaru