Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (James Rigden, Wreck of the “Excel”, near Calais on 21st January 1858) good very fine

Dix Noonan Webb, March 2011.

James Ridgen was an Apprentice serving on the brig Salem, and was awarded the Board of Trade’s Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea ‘for the gallant and heroic conduct in rescuing one of the crew of the British schooner Excel, wrecked on the sands, a short distance from the West Pier-head at Calais, while attempting to make the port. There was a terrific sea on, and some of the crew were at once washed off. To rescue the survivors, a lifeboat was towed out, but was torn to pieces in the breakers; another boat partially fitted as a lifeboat, volunteered and on reaching the wreck was obliged to return for want of oars, nine having been broken. These being procured, the boat again put off, manned by a crew of eight, but although they reached the wreck, they failed in rendering assistance. On the morning following these humane efforts, one man only was visible in the rigging, when the lifeboat again went off, rescued, and brought him ashore, in a dreadful state of exhaustion, consequent upon 25 hours’ exposure, from which he subsequently recovered through the earnest and gratuitous services of Dr Garasse. The exertions of seamen of both nations (British and French) were of a most daring and meritorious character, and two of the French boats were entirely destroyed’. (The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett refers).

A total of ten Board of Trade Gallantry Medals in silver and seven in bronze; together with one gold (to Dr Garasse) and twenty-one silver Sea Gallantry Medals (Foreign Service) were awarded for this rescue.