Royal Humane Society & Life Saving Awards

Lot 1131    Day 1    Royal Humane Society & Life Saving Awards

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

TIMARU ROADSTEAD BRAVERY MEDAL, 1882, struck in silver (38mm), by S.Reading, ring top suspension with attached ribbon bar, Presented By Freemasons Of St Johns Lodge 1137.E.C., Timaru, To/(inscribed) J.McIntosh/For/Bravery/In/Saving Life/Timaru Roadstead/14 May/1882 (M.1882/1). Toned, good very fine and very rare.

Ex The American Numismatic Society Collection, Morton & Eden Sale 25-26 October 2006 Part 2 (lot 1043).^^A huge swell at Timaru on Sunday 14 May 1882 caused the double wrecking of both the 1,000 ton Ben Venue and the slightly larger City of Perth with the loss of nine lives. Among the dead were the port's harbourmaster and five local watermen that went to the rescue of the ships' crews. Jack McIntosh is thought to have been in the first lifeboat launched. The Ben Venue was a total wreck but the City of Perth was refloated and renamed the Turakina.^^The following courtesy of National Library of New Zealand - Papers Past - from the Nelson Evening Mail, Issue 186, 22 August 1882, page 1:-^^THE LATE SHIPWRECKS AT TIMARU.^PRESENTATION OF MEDALS. (New Zealand Freemason.)^^One of the greatest attractions that has been presented to the good people of Timaru for some time past eventuated last evening (no date given), in the St. John's Masonic Hall, in the presence of about 250 persons, many of whom were ladies. Some weeks since, our brethren of St. John's Lodge resolved to present to each man of the boats' crews who were instrumental in saving life on the occasion of the disaster in the Timaru Roadstead on the 14th of May last a silver medal, with appropriate inscription thereon, and every care was taken to make the ceremony an impressive one. After all the ladies had been conducted by the stewards to the seats reserved for them, the W.M., Bro. A.J. Parsons, addressed the assemblage, stating that the Masons of St. John's Lodge, feeling that the heroic men who had gone forth to rescue their fellows from the very jaws of death had in their own persons set forth the high witness which Masonry aimed at promoting, had determined to mark their sense of this grand feature by decorating the members of the crew themselves.^^He then informed his audience that Masonry was based upon the purest morality, that the Word of God was the Mason's guide and regulator, and that Faith, Hope and Charity were reverenced and cultivated by them. Charity was the greatest, the immortal virtue, for faith was lost in sight. Hope ended in fruition, but Charity was divine and extended beyond the grave. Bro. Parsons then described the medals. On the obverse a boat was tossing in a sea, and the All-seeing Eye (Divine Providence) watching over it. On the reverse was a double wreath of laurel and oak, with an inscription setting forth the name of the recipient, and that the medal was bestowed upon him for bravery in saving life in the roadstead. The speech, concluding with a most appropriate benediction, was most impressively delivered and listened to in profound silence.^^A quartette, "The Lifeboat," was sung by Bros. Ziesler, Rowles, Walcot, and Wethey, in excellent style.^^Mrs Parsons, who presented the medals on behalf of the Lodge, on reaching the dais, briefly stated that she had been authorised to make these presentations, and referred to the noble services of the recipients and the Providence that had watched over them on that occasion.^^Bro. H. W. Hammond then read out the names of those entitled to medals, each one stepping forward as his name was called to the dais, where Mrs Parsons affixed the decoration to his breast. Three names were not responded to, the men having gone Home; but their medals will be sent for presentation in Scotland. Three of the recipients, J. Passmore, and two others, were still suffering from injuries received on the l4th, and had to use crutches. Each recipient, when the medal was placed on his breast, faced the audience and expressed his thanks for the honor done him, stating his conviction that, should a similiar calamity occur again, the same devotion would be manifested. George Sunaway's bore two clasps, and the inscription on one of them "For additional bravery."^^When the medals had all been presented, Bro. Parsons called for three cheers for the brave fellows, which were heartily given. The names of the men decorated with the medals are : - W. Collis, J. Mcintosh, A. H. Turnbull, J. Cracknell, J. Thompson, G. Sunnaway, R. Collins, John Reid, J. Houlihan, M. Lekoy, J. A. Petterson, G. Findlay, C. Gruhm, J. Henneker, W. Halford, G. Shirtcliffe, W. Walls, R. H. Balsom, T. Hart, G. Davis, W. S. Smith, F. McKenzie, T. Morgan, C. Vogeler, P. Bradley, D. Bradley, S. J. Passmore, J. Crocombe, C. Moore, A. Schabb, T. Martin, M. Thompson, W. Oxby, I. J. Bradley, H. Trouselot, W. H. Walls, J. Isherwood, A. L. Haylock, John Ivey, and W. Budd.'^^The men who had returned to Scotland and were unable to attend the medal presentation ceremony were G. Mentac, C. McDonald and W.R. McAteer. Their medals were sent to the Grand Lodge of Scotland to arrange the presentation which was expected to be made by the Grand Master, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.