Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Silver Sea Gallantry Medal awarded to Seaman T. Calligan, for his gallantry in helping rescue the crew of the Millfield in the North Atlantic Ocean on 11 December 1897

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, silver (Thomas Calligan wreck of the “Millfield” on the 11th December 1897.) fitted with a top silver stirrup loop for wearing, and housed in the original damaged embossed case of issue, edge bruising, good very fine £600-£800

Thomas Calligan (also recorded as Callaghan) was awarded the Board of Trade Silver Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, and a gratuity of £3, in recognition of his services, together with eight other men of the S.S. Esturia, in rescuing the shipwrecked crew of the S.S. Millfield, of Whitby, which was abandoned in the North Atlantic Ocean.

On 11 December 1897, the steamship Millfield had become waterlogged after a gale had carried away the hatches and funnel. Water was pouring into her in great volumes and it was only a question of how long she would survive. Fortunately, she was sighted by the Etruria but so bad were the conditions that Captain Ferguson decided not to risk the lives of its crew. She stood by for 12 hours before conditions improved sufficiently for a rescue attempt to be made. A lifeboat was lowered at 3.05 a.m. containing the extra Second Mate Mr. Broadbent on the bow oar, seven seamen, and the First Mate Mr. Dodd steering. When the lifeboat reached the Millfield care had to be taken to prevent the lifeboat being stove in against the ship's side before the boat could be filled and return to the Etruria where the rescued mariners were hauled up to the deck of the ship. The second trip by the lifeboat was much more arduous as the ships had drifted apart and the lifeboat was not initially sheltered in the Etruria’s lee. The second rescue was again a success as the remainder of the Millfield’s crew were brought back to the Etruria, and again hauled up the ship’s side to safety. The lifeboat had to be abandoned.

In addition to the Board of Trade Medals, for this gallant action Lloyd's awarded its Silver Medal for Saving Life (at Sea) to First Mate George Henry Dodd, and its Bronze Medals to Extra Second Mate Harvey William Broadbent, Boatswain’s Mate Daniel Garster, Master-at-arms John Henderson, Quartermaster John Hayes, and Seamen Richard Collins, James Murphy, Thomas Calligan and Frederick William Young.
Dodd also received the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society's Silver Marine Medal. The Mercantile Marine Service Association awarded its Gold Medal to Dodd and its Silver Medal to Broadbent.

For his services in leading the rescue, the Captain of the Esturia, Mr. John Ferguson, was awarded a piece of Silver Plate by the Board of Trade and a Gold Marine Medal from the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society.