Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, G.IV.R., silver (Henry Hutchinson) ring suspension, some contact marks, very fine £400-460

Henry Hutchinson was Chief Officer, H.M. Coastguard at Orford Ness Lighthouse. On 8 November 1825, the coastguard put out to the Traveller, of Newcastle, which had been driven ashore near Aldeburgh, Suffolk, in heavy weather on a very dark night. Mr Hutchinson saved the Master and three seamen, but eight others were lost. The survivors were floating on parts of the wreck; the first was saved by a grapnel thrown on to it, while the others were pulled from the breakers into which they had thrown themselves.

An early R.N.I.P.L.S. medal, issued unmounted and later fitted with a ring suspension.