Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 2nd type oval medal with ‘Liver Bird’ suspension, reverse inscribed, ‘John Park A.B., S.S. Batavia, 16 Dec. 1872’, additionally inscribed on the edge, ‘For great courage & humanity in going in the boat in a heavy gale & rescuing 9 of the crew of the Charles Ward abandoned 20. Nov. 1872’, very fine £400-£500

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society records state:

‘For a most gallant and seaman-like rescue of nine survivors of the crew of the “Charles Ward” which was dismasted and about to be torn to pieces by the fearful violence of the winds and waves in the Atlantic on the 20th November 1872. The weather was so bad that they could not hoist up the lifeboat after the rescue and it had to be abandoned.’

The captain of the Batavia received a gold medal, eight others (including Park) receiving a silver medal for their bravery.

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