Medal - 1929 Life Saving Benevolent Association of New York Medal. By George Hampden Lovett. Gold. Mint State.
SOLD
SKU
19291205MEDAL
Weight 2.3090 oz 20kt gold
Obv: Sailing ship foundering in storm, House of Refuge on shore dispatches rescuers in life boat while others fire a lifeline from a Lyle Gun on the beach. Rev: Oak wreath, VITA FELICIBUS AUSIS SERVATA above enclosing hand engraved inscription PRESENTED TO / ALFRED MANSON MOORE / CAPTAIN OF THE STEAMSHIP / REPUBLIC IN RECOGNITION OF HIS / HUMANITY AND SEAMANSHIP / IN RESCUING THE MASTER / AND FIVE MEN FROM THE / WATER-LOGGED JOHN GANDER DEAL / IN A GALE AND HIGH SEA / LAT. 47 N., LONG 40 W. / DECEMBER 5, 1929. Edge: Inscribed TIFFANY & CO MAKERS 20 KT GOLD.
This example shows the matte or sandblast finish of the 20th century, a dramatic contrast to the prooflike surfaces of earlier strikes from this issuer. Lovely smooth surfaces with no defects of note.
This example shows the matte or sandblast finish of the 20th century, a dramatic contrast to the prooflike surfaces of earlier strikes from this issuer. Lovely smooth surfaces with no defects of note.
From a historical standpoint, here was the news of the day:
The New York Times, 7 December 1929
Baltic Saves Five of Six on Sinking Schooner;
Seaman Lost as High Wind Whips Heavy Seas
---
In a wind of hurricane force yesterday the White Star liner Baltic stood
by the stricken schooner Northern Light, out of St. John's, N. F., and
saved five of a crew of six men who were forced to abandon the light
vessel in the Winter storm. The lost man was Rex Parsons, 20 years old,
a seaman.
Yesterday's sea rescue was the second in two days, and was near the
spot where, on Thursday, the United States liner Republic took off the
entire crew of eleven men from the schooner Gander Deal. Both ships
are due in New York the first of next week, bearing the castaways.
So severe was the weather in which the boat crew cast away from the
side of the Baltic yesterday that it was impossible to reclaim the
lifeboat which made the rough trip between-the two vessels. In his
report to the offices of the White Star Line here Captain J. Kearney
said he had had to leave the lifeboat adrift after the five men were
hauled aboard. Only the casual details of the rescue were sent. The
message follows:
"Baltic. 9:30 E. S. T. Lat. 45.54 degrees N., Long, 42.32 degrees W.
The rescued crew of the frail schooner Gander Deal returned aboar [sic]
the Republic. Two of the crew who had been in the ship's hospital
recovering from the effects of exhaustion and long exposure were
completely recovered and the ten men and their captain were in excellent
spirits.
The captain, Manual Barbour, told of abandoning his seventy-ton schooner
and the valuable cargo of Winter supplies and Christmas gifts which he
had loaded at St. John's after disposing of his cargo of fish. The
little town of Neutown, Newfoundland, will have a shortage of toys and
gifts this season and may even suffer for lack of necessary supplies,
Captain Barbour said, as the Gander Deal was one of eleven fishing ships
Baltic Saves Five of Six on Sinking Schooner;
Seaman Lost as High Wind Whips Heavy Seas
---
In a wind of hurricane force yesterday the White Star liner Baltic stood
by the stricken schooner Northern Light, out of St. John's, N. F., and
saved five of a crew of six men who were forced to abandon the light
vessel in the Winter storm. The lost man was Rex Parsons, 20 years old,
a seaman.
Yesterday's sea rescue was the second in two days, and was near the
spot where, on Thursday, the United States liner Republic took off the
entire crew of eleven men from the schooner Gander Deal. Both ships
are due in New York the first of next week, bearing the castaways.
So severe was the weather in which the boat crew cast away from the
side of the Baltic yesterday that it was impossible to reclaim the
lifeboat which made the rough trip between-the two vessels. In his
report to the offices of the White Star Line here Captain J. Kearney
said he had had to leave the lifeboat adrift after the five men were
hauled aboard. Only the casual details of the rescue were sent. The
message follows:
"Baltic. 9:30 E. S. T. Lat. 45.54 degrees N., Long, 42.32 degrees W.
The rescued crew of the frail schooner Gander Deal returned aboar [sic]
the Republic. Two of the crew who had been in the ship's hospital
recovering from the effects of exhaustion and long exposure were
completely recovered and the ten men and their captain were in excellent
spirits.
The captain, Manual Barbour, told of abandoning his seventy-ton schooner
and the valuable cargo of Winter supplies and Christmas gifts which he
had loaded at St. John's after disposing of his cargo of fish. The
little town of Neutown, Newfoundland, will have a shortage of toys and
gifts this season and may even suffer for lack of necessary supplies,
Captain Barbour said, as the Gander Deal was one of eleven fishing ships
loaded with supplies which were carried out to sea.
...The schooner was out of water and the supply of flares was running low
when the Republic came into sight. It was 4:30 last Thursday morning and
the eleven buffeted, sick men were on deck because they could not go
below. The sea filled even the crew quarters.
The schooner had fled 550 miles before the storm when First Officer
Sobol of the Republic reported to Captain A. M. Moore that he had
sighted the Gander Deal's distress signal. The liner hove to and made
alee. Two boats were ready and one was cast off with Chief Officer H. L.
Winslow in command of eight men. This was at 6:15, Captain Moore
related.
While the Republic manoeuvred to keep a lee over the tossing lifeboat,
the crew pulled hard for the Gander Deal and found the exhausted crew
hanging over the sinking rail. The men fell into the lifeboat, Winslow
said.
[hauled aboard with all hands saved]
All but two of the men were able to scramble up the Republic's sides.
The two were hauled up as they lay in the boat.
Herbert Berry, a seaman, nephew of the Gander Deal's mate, Louis Berry,
developed bronchitis but had fully recovered when the Republic docked
yesterday.
The others of the crew were William Saunsberg, James Perry, Eric
Tolk, James Tolk, James Gill, Garfield Boland, Samuel Born and Daniel
Norris.
when the Republic came into sight. It was 4:30 last Thursday morning and
the eleven buffeted, sick men were on deck because they could not go
below. The sea filled even the crew quarters.
The schooner had fled 550 miles before the storm when First Officer
Sobol of the Republic reported to Captain A. M. Moore that he had
sighted the Gander Deal's distress signal. The liner hove to and made
alee. Two boats were ready and one was cast off with Chief Officer H. L.
Winslow in command of eight men. This was at 6:15, Captain Moore
related.
While the Republic manoeuvred to keep a lee over the tossing lifeboat,
the crew pulled hard for the Gander Deal and found the exhausted crew
hanging over the sinking rail. The men fell into the lifeboat, Winslow
said.
[hauled aboard with all hands saved]
All but two of the men were able to scramble up the Republic's sides.
The two were hauled up as they lay in the boat.
Herbert Berry, a seaman, nephew of the Gander Deal's mate, Louis Berry,
developed bronchitis but had fully recovered when the Republic docked
yesterday.
The others of the crew were William Saunsberg, James Perry, Eric
Tolk, James Tolk, James Gill, Garfield Boland, Samuel Born and Daniel
Norris.
*********************************
The Life Saving Benevolent Association (LSBA) was founded in 1849 by a group committed to saving lives along the shores of New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey. The Association has three main objectives:
- To recognize and reward courage in the rescue of human life at sea or on navigable waters.
- To encourage training in seamanship, rescue methods, and resuscitation; and
- To perform other services of a charitable and educational nature.
Since its first awards ceremony in 1850, the LSBA has been privileged to honor the lifesaving efforts of more than 1,000 heroes. Inscribed on the medals that the LSBA awards is the Latin phrase Vita felicibus ausis servata, which translates as “human life saved by successful daring deeds”.
| Grading Service | NONE |
|---|---|
| Year of Issue | NONE |
| Grade | NONE |
| Denom Type | N/A |
| Numeric Denomination | Gold Medal |
| Mint Location | NONE |
| Designation | NONE |
| Circ/UnCirc | Not Specified |
| Strike Type | N/A |
| Grade Add On | NONE |
| Holder Type | N/A |
