Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 3rd type, silver (Mr. E. Patterson. Chief Officer, Ship “Lathom” for Rescue of 26 of the Crew of the “Gowanbank” of Cape Horn 23/4/96) minor edge bruising, very fine £160-£200

The Gowanbank, a four-masted barque of 2,288 tons, was built in 1891 for the Bank Line, owned by Andrew Weir & Co. Loaded with coal, she was sailing from the U.K. destined for Iquique, Chile, when she sighted dismasted, unmanageable, and in a sinking state, flying the signal “send a lifeboat” off Cape Horn in a heavy gale with terrific hail squalls, on 23 April 1896. Her captain and crew were all rescued by the British barque Lathom, and were landed at Valparaiso, with the Gowanbank being abandoned.

Captain Campbell, of the Lathom, was awarded the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society’s Gold Medal for this rescue.