A Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Service group of three awarded to Captain R. A. Kelly, Mercantile Marine, who successfully brought his vessel the S.S. Tainui into Falmouth Harbour after she had been torpedoed and hit 75 miles west of St. Nazaire, 8 April 1918

British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Richard A. Kelly); Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Services, 3rd type, silver (Captain Richard Alfred Kelly, S.S. “Tainui”, 8th April 1918.) nearly extremely fine (3) £500-£700

M.I.D. London Gazette 17 January 1919:
‘The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the publication of the names of the following Officers and men of the Mercantile Marine in the London Gazette as having received an expression of commendation for their services ... Capt. Richard Alfred Kelly.’

Richard Alfred Kelly served as Master of the Shaw, Savill, & Albion Company’s S.S. Tainui (9,965 tons), and was awarded the Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Service, together with an Admiralty award of £100, for the following action:

‘While this vessel was about 75 miles west of St. Nazaire proceeding in convoy at 5:54 p.m. on 8 April 1918, the track of a torpedo was seen on the port bow. The engines were immediately put full astern and the torpedo passed ahead of the vessel. The engines had just been put full speed ahead again when a second torpedo was seen at close range approaching rapidly. This struck the vessel on the port side abreast of No. 1 hatch. The engines were at once stopped, and as the vessel was listing very heavily to port and settling by the head, the boats were manned and lowered at 5:57 p.m.

The whole of the passengers and the greater portion of the Stewards’ staff were transferred to a destroyer which was standing by. The crew remained in the boats near the vessel. At 8:15 p.m. as she was still floating the Master ordered the crew to return; by 8:45 p.m. they were all on board with the exception of the crews of two boats which, owing to the darkness and the state of the sea, had lost touch with the vessel. They were subsequently picked up by the destroyer. Steam was raised at 11:35 p.m., and the engines put slow ahead in an attempt to reach Plymouth. It was found, however, that being so much out of trim, the vessel would not steer, and at 3:12 a.m. on 9 April the engines were put astern, the Tainui proceeding stern first.

About 4:00 a.m. two patrol boats arrived and were given lines from aft, but they were found useless for towing purposes. One was then given a line from the bow to assist in steering, and the other was told to lead the way, as the compasses of the Tainui had been put out of action by the explosion. At 9:00 a.m. a tug arrived and took her in tow. At 11:45 a.m. it was decided to alter course for Falmouth, this being the nearest port. At 3:15 p.m. the Falmouth Pilot and port authorities boarded, and at 4:13 p.m. the vessel was beached inside the harbour. Nos. 1 and 2 holds were full, the water rose steadily in No. 3, and by the time she was beached there was 4 ft. 6 in. of water in the after end, although the pumps had been working the whole time. The Master state that the conduct of the Officers, Engineers, and Crew was excellent.’

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