Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas (Part I)

A most attractive campaign and life saving group of five awarded to Captain William Howorth, R.N., Inspecting Commander, H.M. Coastguard Penzance

Baltic 1854-55 (W. Howorth, Mte. Comr. 2 Divn. M.V.); China 1857-60, no clasp (Lt. & Comr. W. Howorth, H.M.G.B. Weazel) fitted with replacement wire suspension rod; Royal Humane Society, large silver medal (successful) (William Howorth, Actg. Mate H.M.S. Blazer 24 Aug 1855); Royal National Lifeboat Institution, V.R., silver medal (Captain William Howorth, R.N. Voted 6th Feby. 1873); Norway, Medal for Brave Deeds, silver, the first three medals mounted on a triple brooch bar, as worn, all five medals have a frosted silvered finish and have been glazed in a fashion similar to the Army and Navy gold medals, glass lunettes cracked on the reverse of the Baltic medal and obverse of the Norwegian award, otherwise generally extremely fine (5) £3,000-£4,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

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William Howorth was appointed a Naval Cadet in August 1847 and promoted Sub-Lieutenant on 22 October 1853; Lieutenant, 31 January 1856; Commander, 19 January 1867; Retired Captain, 3 February 1879.

He served in the Baltic during the Russian war; several times engaged with pirates, in 1861-62, in China (China medal); has received “The Norwegian Medal for Civic Deeds.”
His record of service notes:
20 August 1855, gazetted as having had charge of the Second Division of Mortar Vessels at the bombardment of Sweaborg.
3 October 1855, Vice Admiral Dundas especially reporting his gallant and noble conduct in jumping overboard and saving the life of a seaman.
31 October 1855. promoted to be an acting Lieutenant, his subsequent conduct having been favourably reported upon.
3 July 1861, Foreign Office enclosing thanks of the American Government for services rendered to the Leonidas ship.
9 December 1861 reporting that the Weazel had grounded through neglect, but that Lieut. Howarth being a very good and attentive officer he had only reproved him.
7 October 1871, Achilles additional for Coast Guard at Penzance.

Royal Humane Society, silver medal: ‘24th August 1855 - Seized a life-buoy, jumped overboard, swam to Patrick Ryan, seaman, who had fallen into the sea off Gattland, and supported him until a boat arrived.’

Royal National Lifeboat Institution, silver medal, Voted 6 February 1873: William Howorth, Captain, R.N., Inspecting Commander H.M. Coastguard, Penzance.
26 January 1873: During a heavy southerly gale and high seas in Mount’s Bay, the Norwegian brig Otto was driven ashore at Eastern Green, Penzance Bay, Cornwall. The lifeboat Richard Lewis was launched through heavy seas, reached the wreck and took off the eight crewmen.
2 February 1873: When the seas were running very high, the French vessel La Marie Emilie of L’Orient ran ashore with waves rolling over her, and the lifeboat, in trying to get to her, was driven back twice and had seven oars broken. Two more attempts resulted in the lifeboat being dashed against the wreck each time, but on the third attempt all four crewmen were saved.

Howorth received the Norwegian medal in recognition of his services to the Norwegian brig Otto on the above occasion.

Captain Howorth died on 22 February 1881, his widow being granted a pension of £80 per annum.