Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

United States of America, New York Life Saving Benevolent Association Medal, 50mm, silver, the obverse featuring a sailing ship in heavy seas nearing the shore, on which is a hut bearing the word, ‘Relief’ and several men engaged in a rescue attempt, the reverse engraved ‘Presented to Peter F. Morris, in recognition of his courage and humanity in the rescue of Susanna Schmidt from drowning at the foot of East Eighty Ninth Street, New York, August 15th, 1884’ within wreath, unmounted, fitted within a plastic case, good very fine £200-£240

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2004.

Susanna Schmidt, of 116 E. 80th Street, New York, was bathing at the foot of E. 89th Street and was drowning when Morris jumped in with his clothes on and rescued her, 15 August 1884. The previous year, in August 1883, Morris had rescued a man from drowning at the same place. For his gallantry Morris was awarded the Association’s silver medal and $25.