Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 2nd type oval medal with ‘Liver Bird’ suspension, reverse inscribed, ‘Capt. P. McCredie -Ship Greta- for Having Rescued Nine Survivors from Wreck of Great Britain. March. 11. 1876’ edge bruise, otherwise good very fine £500-£700

‘The Great Britain, from Doboy bound for Liverpool, capsized in mid-Atlantic, drowning 11 of the crew. Righting again, survivors took refuge in rigging; whence, after a space of eight days, during which five died from exposure &c., the remainder, nine in number, were rescued at considerable risk by the Greta and conveyed on board that vessel to Liverpool. The services of the Greta were brought to the notice of the Board of Trade by the Court of Inquiry held into the circumstances attending the loss of the Great Britain. The rescue was effected on 11 March 1876, Long. N.48.5 degrees, Lat. W.24 degrees.’ (The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett refers).

For his gallantry, McCredie, the Captain of the Greta, of Liverpool, was also awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in silver and the Mercantile Marine Services Association Silver Medal for Saving Life. He was presented with his Sea Gallantry Medal at a ceremony at Liverpool Marine Board on 30 December 1879.