Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A S.G.M. and Lloyd’s Medal pair awarded to Ordinary Seaman J. Ross, Mercantile Marine, for his gallantry in saving seven of the crew of the S.S. Guillemot, which foundered in the Bay of Biscay, 21 December 1911

Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., silver (John Ross, “Guillemot”, 21st. December 1911.); Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea, 2nd small type, bronze (John Ross, of S.S. “Lincairn” 21st. December 1911) polished, good very fine (2) £400-£500

‘On 21 December 1911, during a gale in the Bay of Biscay, the steamship Guillemot (1,754 tons, built 1894), of London, shipped a heavy sea which damaged the steam steering gear. A spare propellor carried on deck broke adrift and carried away the tops of the ventilators, this letting the water enter the tunnel and engine-room, and later on the hand steering wheel was rendered useless by the heavy seas. As the vessel was settling down, orders were given for the boat to be launched. One boat was lowered but immediately swamped, and before the others could be got into the water the vessel foundered.

The steamship Lincairn had previously, in response to the Guillemot’s signals of distress altered her course in order to render assistance. On arriving at the spot she found two men clinging to an upturned boat, five in a partly-submerged lifeboat, and one on a piece of timber. The Lincairn steamed up to the lifeboat and succeeded in rescuing four of the men by means of lines, the other man being drowned. A lifeboat was then lowered from the Lincairn under the command of the First Mate Mr. Puckey, and manned by Seamen Ross, Simonsen, Erickson, and Blokland, succeeded with great difficulty in rescuing the remaining three men.

The crew of the rescuing boat incurred considerable risk owing to the heavy sea that was running at the time. On her arrival at the spot the chief officer was found clinging to a small hatch. Apprentice Pittendrigh jumped overboard with a line and endeavoured to pass another line under the arms of the drowning man, but, owing to the chief officer’s clothes being greasy, he slipped out of his grasp. An attempt was then made to catch hold of his clothing, but it gave way and he was drowned. Sixteen lives were lost.’ (The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett refers).

For their gallantry the six men mentioned above were all awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal, and John Ross was presented with his medal by H.M. King George V on 10 October 1912. Lloyd’s additionally awarded its Silver Medal for Saving Life at Sea to Thomas Puckey, and their Bronze Medal to the other five recipients.