Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry and Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea pair awarded to Boatswain J. A. Henwood, Mercantile Marine, for the rescue of the crew of the S.S. Androsa in the North Atlantic Ocean on 8 March 1897

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (John A. Henwood Wreck of the “Androsa” on the 8th. March 1897.); Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea, 2nd small type, bronze (J. A. Henwood, “Androsa” 8th. March 1897.) both in water damaged case of issue, edge bruise to first, otherwise extremely fine (2) £600-800

Provenance: Captain J. Hartford Collection, Glendining’s, September 1992.

John A. Henwood was one of seven crew members from the S.S. Ontario awarded the Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry and the Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea for the rescue of the crew- 27 in number- of the S.S. Androsa, which was sinking in the North Atlantic Ocean: ‘On 2 March 1897, at 46 40N, 23 05W, the Androsa was struck by a hurricane, and sustained severe damage, the main topmast having subsequently to be cut away, and part of the cargo jettisoned to avoid capsizing. Both the Chief and Second Officers were injured. The weather continued very bad, and the pumps were kept going constantly for six days. On 6 March a steamer was sighted, but, apparently, did not observe the Androsa’s signals of distress. On 8 March, at about 8 a.m., the Ontario spotted the stricken vessel. Immediately she sent a lifeboat in charge of the Chief Officer, Mr. W. H. Sanders, with six of the crew (including Henwood), and managed, with great difficulty, to get alongside the Androsa, and took seventeen hands on board the boat. After transferring them to the Ontario, the lifeboat came back to the Androsa for the remaining ten men. In coming alongside, the lifeboat was smashed, and it was only with great difficulty that all the crew were rescued.’ (Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society report refers).

In addition to six Board of Trade Medals for Gallantry in bronze and four Lloyd’s Medals for Saving Life at Sea in bronze awarded to the crew of the Ontario, the Chief Officer, Mr. W. H. Sanders, was awarded the Board of Trade Medals for Gallantry in silver and the Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea in silver, and additionally received the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Royal Benevolent Society Medal in silver.

Henwood was presented with his Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry, together with a gratuity of £2, at Dock Street on 6 August 1897.