Australian Historical Medals

Lot 443    SESSION 2 (11.30AM TUESDAY 26TH JULY)    Australian Historical Medals

Estimate $550
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $950

A.U.S.N.S.S. Mareeba, (Australasian United Steam Navigation [Co] Steam Ship Mareeba), presentation fob in voided gold (9ct; 10.99g; 34.5x34.5mm), by JB, centre shield inscribed, 'GM', reverse inscribed, 'Presented/to/Mr G Moxey/By The Shipwrecked Crew/of the S.S.Mareeba for/Kindness/Received/31st July 1908.' Very fine.

The S.S.Mareeba was wrecked off Stockton Beach near Newcastle on 28 July 1908 while transporting a cargo of sugar from Rockhampton to Sydney. It was abandoned as a total loss on 31 July 1908.

The following was reported in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, Tuesday 11 August 1908, page 4.

'The crew of the wrecked steamer Mareeba have expressed their appreciation of the kindly services rendered them in their distressed condition at the time of the disaster by presenting Mr and Mrs G. Moxey, of Williamtown, with mementoes. To Mr. Moxey was forwarded yesterday a gold medal of suitable design, the form of the medal being a lifebuoy. It is inscribed, "Presented to Mr. G. Moxey by the shipwrecked crew of the S.S. Mareeba for kindness received, 31st July, 1908." Accompanying the gift was a printed address from the ship's company to Mr. and Mrs. Moxey, also expressive of the kindness bestowed upon the stranded seamen. The address is signed by Captain Murchie, A. Brown (chief officer), F. Mills (second officer), -?- Hayes (third officer), G. Power (chief engineer), T. Williamson (honorary secretary), and the members of the crew. The medal and address were forwarded to Mr. and Mrs. Moxey by Mr. C. A. Lovett, on behalf of the subscribers.'

Bro. G. Moxey was Chief Templar of the Evening Star Lodge, I.O.G.T. (Independent Order of Good Templars) at Williamtown and other Moxey family members were also deeply involved with the lodge.