Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

U.S.A., New York Life Saving Benevolent Association, obverse: a sailing ship in heavy seas nearing the shore, on which is a hut bearing the word, ‘Relief’ and several men engaged in a rescue attempt, rev. engraved, ‘Presented to Matthew Henry Coffee, Boatswain, in recognition of his courage and humanity as one of the crew of the life boat from Steamship “Umbria” to the water logged Barque “Jean Baptiste” during a storm at midnight in mid-ocean, February 5th 1895’, 51mm., silver, fitted with a scroll suspension and ornate silver bar, suspension refitted, solder marks to obverse,, some edge bruising, very fine £250-300

Seven officers and men of the Cunard passenger ship Umbria were rewarded for rescuing 14 men from the water logged barque Jean Baptiste, during a storm in the mid-Atlantic, on 5 February 1895. Captain Thomas Dutton and Second Officer James Hamilton each received the New York Life Saving Benevolent Association Medal in gold; Boatswain Matthew Henry Coffee received the medal in silver plus $30; Seamen John Crowe; John Hare and Griffith Lloyd, each received the medal in silver plus $20.

With an extract from the New York Times, 14 March 1895.