Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A S.G.M. awarded to W. Gibson, Seaman of the Steamship Bostonian of Liverpool, for rescuing the shipwrecked crew of the Steamship British King of Liverpool, which foundered in the North Atlantic Ocean on 11 March 1906

Sea Gallantry Medal, E.VII.R., small 2nd issue, silver (William Gibson. Wreck of the “British King” on the 11th March 1906) good very fine £600-£800

‘The steamship British King (4,717 tons), built 1891, of Liverpool, sprang a leak during a hurricane in the North Atlantic Ocean and began to sink on 10 March 1906. In answer to signals of distress the Mannheim bore down, but as the weather was too bad for a boat to be launched she stood by all night, and in the morning with the assistance of the Bostonian tried to form a lee so that a rescue might be attempted. After much difficulty and in spite of terrific weather, a boat was launched by the Mannheim and was so skilfully handled that 11 of the crew of the British King were rescued, but the boat was destroyed. The Bostonian then launched a boat but it was smashed alongside and the crew of the boat were injured and only rescued with difficulty. A second boat was launched from the Bostonian and rescued 13 of the crew of the British King before it was destroyed. Subsequently the British King foundered and five men were picked up clinging to her wreckage. There was a heavy sea at the time of the rescue and those who rendered assistance incurred great risk to life.’ (The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett refers).

Thirteen men of the Bostonian were awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in Silver for the rescue. First Mate William Brown and Second Mate Sydney Arthur Cornwell were additionally awarded binoculars; other crew members (including Gibson) were each awarded £3. One gold and four silver Foreign Service medals were awarded to men of the German S.S. Mannheim.