Orders, Decorations and Medals

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, silver (William Brown, Wreck of the SS “Douro” on the 20th November 1887) nearly extremely fine £400-500

The Leyland Line steamship Douro (of 728 tons), of Liverpool, was disabled in heavy seas in which all the certificated officers were drowned. The steamship Brackley, of Liverpool came upon the wrecked vessel and on 16 November, with much difficulty and risk took the ship in tow, placing two of its men, the Mate, William Brown and Boatswain, Kenneth Finlayson on board. The Douro was towed by the Brackley until she sank on 20 November, drowning five more of her crew in the process. The rest of the crew were picked up by the Brackley’s boat, the Mate William Brown and Carpenter Robert Jones of the Brackley. Jones who could not swim gave up his lifebelt to the steward of the Douro and Finlayson died soon after from injuries sustained in the action. In the rescue operations, the Brackley took in water to its forehold and suffered damage to its deck, rails and boats.

For the action, The Master of the Brackley was awarded the Board of Trade Humanity Medal in Silver together with a piece of plate to the value of £15; the Mate, William Brown, received the Board of Trade Gallantry Medal in Silver together with a binocular glass; both Finlayson and Jones were awarded posthumous Board of Trade Gallantry Medals in Silver; the latter additionally awarded the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society’s Marine Medal in Silver (Ref. The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett).