The medal was presented to Alfred N Beavan, captain of the steamship ‘Brika’ for the rescue of three seamen from their sinking ship ‘Theresa’ by the Life Saving Benevolent Association of New York (LSBA). The ship had been found in heavy sea 120 miles off St Michael’s in the Azores.

The seamen were from Huelva, Spain and had set sail from Providence to fish off the North West coast of Africa – a storm had almost sunk the vessel. Captain Jauquia Réné, José Fonseca and Manuel Andredo arrived as shipwrecked mariners in New York on the Brika on 2 August 1911.  The Brika herself was torpedoed and sunk on 13 March 1917 by a German U-47 boat commanded by Günther Prien.

The medal had been spotted in a consignment of gold which was due to be scrapped by Liverpool jewellers, W J Edwards.

Margot Walker and Peter Edwards, Partners of W J Edwards said: “This medal simply stood out as it was in impeccable condition when we found it. We realised that it must have been something special when we read the inscription on the back of the medal and simply had to find out more about it.”

Stephen Whittaker, Managing Partner, Fellows & Sons said: “This Life Saving Medal is unique and carries an interesting history. Currently there is a tendency for jewellers to scrap gold but I am delighted that W J Edwards spotted the potential interest of this medal for collectors both here in the UK and the United States”

The medal has an estimate of £2,000 – £3,000 and will be sold with copies of the account from the New York Times in the Silver, Plated Ware, Coins & Medals auction on Monday 30 November.

The online catalogue is available at: www.fellows.co.uk

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