Life Saving Awards from the Collection of John Wilson

A Transport Medal group of four awarded to Second Officer Owen Thomas, R.M.S. Catalonia - the recipient of three life-saving medals for the rescue of a French schooner off Newfoundland, 19/20 October 1898

Transport 1899-1902, 1 clasp, S. Africa 1899-1902 (O. Thomas); Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 3rd type, silver (Owen Thomas, 2nd Officer, S.S. “Catalonia” for having with a boats crew rescued crew of “La Vague” 19 Oct 1897); Mercantile Marine Service Association Medal, silver, reverse inscribed, ‘To Mr Owen Thomas, Second Officer, R.M.S. “Catalonia” For Gallant Services in Rescuing Crew of French Vessel “Vague”, Oct. 20 1897. Lat. 440º 56’N. Long. 500º 05’’; France, Third Republic, Life-Saving Medal, 43mm., silver, reverse embossed, ‘A Thomas Owen Officier du Vapeur Anglais Catalonia Courage et Dévoument 1897’, mounted court style for display, good very fine and better (4)
£1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Life Saving Awards from the Collection of John Wilson.

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Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society – 59th Annual Report, year ending 1st July 1898: ‘On the 2nd of November, 1897, the R.M.S. “Catalonia,” Captain Stephens, on a voyage from Boston to Liverpool, with passengers and mails, in Lat.44º 5’ N., 50º 5’ W., sighted some unusual signal lights to the northward. The course was immediately altered, and in a short time it became evident that they were approaching a ship in distress. The night was so dark that it was most difficult to pick up the vessel, but presently it was found that the lights were torches on a wreck, dismasted and low in the water, which afterwards proved to be a fishing schooner “La Vague.” As soon as Captain Stephens realised the situation he got as near as possible to the wreck and ordered lifeboats 3 and 4 to be ready for lowering. The weather had been bad for several days, and the sae at the time was very rough, which rendered it a difficult manœuvre to bring the steamer into position to make a lee for the boats. Two of the “La Vague’s” boats took immediate advantage of the opportunity to get under the “Catalonia’s” lee, and by aid of the electric search light and running bow lines they were hauled on board. The boats afterwards filled and were lost. Just at this time the torches on the wreck went out and no sign of her was to be seen. In a short time she showed another light, when the “Catalonia” was again got into position and No.3 lifeboat, with a volunteer crew, was sent to the rescue, and returned in safety with the remainder of the “La Vague’s” crew. Silver Medals and Votes of Thanks were awarded to Captain Thomas Stephens, Mr Owen Thomas, second officer, and Mr Luke Ward, fourth officer; and £1 to each of the five seamen who manned the boat.’

Mercantile Marine Service Association Reporter, Vol XXII (1897): ‘The Cunard RMS Catalonia was passing the Banks of Newfoundland on the 20th October 1897, when at Lat. 44.56N and long. 50.40W., Captain Stephens saw some lights. Upon investigation they were found to be the distress signals of the French schooner Vague, which was in a completely dismasted condition, half full of water and sinking fast. Some of the 21 crew members, in two small boats, immediately left the Vague and after a hard struggle of about an hour they reached the Catalonia in safety. Upon being told that the Vague was not expected to last another hour he called for volunteers to man one of the lifeboats.

The first to volunteer was Fourth Officer Ward and the lifeboat was commanded by Second Officer Thomas. The gale was at its height but it safely reached the Vague. The remainder of the crew and a dog were taken off but the heavy seas and strong winds made it almost impossible for the lifeboat to make any headway. Despite the difficult and hazardous conditions the crew struggled manfully and cheered on by the Catalonia's passengers they, at last, much exhausted, reached the Cunarder where they were hauled aboard by many willing hands.’

Second Officer Owen Thomas of the Cunard Line R.M.S. Catalonia won three life-saving medals as officer in command of a boat’s crew bringing in survivors from the French schooner La Vague, off Newfoundland on the night of 19/20 October 1898. He remained as Second Officer of the Catalonia when she was engaged in transporting troops to South Africa during Boer War.