Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Sea Gallantry Medal and Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Medal pair awarded to Second Officer James Whyte of the S.S. Macedonia for the rescue of the crew of the S.S. Hellespont, 9 January 1879

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, silver (Mr James Whyte, Wreck of the Steamer “Hellespont” on the 9th January 1879) with pin fitting to obverse, edge bruising; Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Marine Medal, 2nd type oval medal, silver (James Whyte, 2nd Officer, S.S. Macedonia, for Having with Boat’s Crew Rescued 20 of the Crew of S.S. Hellespont, Abandoned in a Gale in the Bay of Biscay, Jan. 9th 1879) with ‘Liver Bird’ suspension - this damaged detached, with silver top bar, edge bruising; together with an associated damaged gilt locket containing two photographs, good fine (3) £500-600

The steamship Hellespont, of Cardiff, en route to Port Said with a cargo of coal, was wrecked in the Bay of Biscay on 9 January 1879. The crew of 20 were taken off at great risk by the lifeboat from the steamship Macedonia, manned by Second Officer James Whyte and six seamen, the only volunteers in a crew of 72. The crew of the Hellespont were, except for two, more or less disabled and hauled off by lines into the Macedonia’s boat, which made two trips for the purpose. Mr Whyte displayed much coolness and ability in managing the boat. The rescued men were landed at Gibraltar on 13 January. (ref. The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett)

Second Officer Whyte also received the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society’s Marine Medal for this rescue. The six other seamen of the Macedonia’s lifeboat were each awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in Bronze.