Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services), V.R., small, bronze, the reverse individually struck, ‘The British Government to Captain Correo of the Brazilian Ship Sophia’ within wreath, crown above, ‘For Saving six of the crew of the British Barque Chusan 1853’ around, edge plain, planchet only, extremely fine and a unique variation £300-£400

On 15 May the British Barque Chusan, on a voyage from Sunderland to California via Cape Horn, sprang a leak and was abandoned 200 nautical miles north of Cape Frio, Brazil. Ten of her 16 crew reached land in the ship’s lifeboat; the remaining six were rescued by the Brazilian ship Sophia on 15 May 1853.

Note: The Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services) was instituted as a large medallion, without suspension, in 1841, and early awards were made with the reverse struck from a specially commissioned die, bearing details of the rescue and the name of the recipient. The medal was awarded in gold, silver, or bronze, according to the circumstances of each case. In 1850, owing to the expense of creating a new reverse die for each award, a standard reverse was instituted, with the recipient’s name henceforth engraved on the rim, although from time to time special reverse dies were also used. In 1854, owing to the expense of the medals (especially when awarded in gold), the size was reduced, and henceforth they were made wearable by the fitting of a suspension bar. In the same year, the decision was taken to cease awards in bronze; henceforth gold medals would be issued to Officers, and silver medals to ratings, irrespective of the level of gallantry shown (a practice that was discontinued in 1895).

The striking of a small bronze medal, using a specially commissioned reverse die, is therefore of the highest rarity, and is most likely unique.