Items 90-99 represent a rare collection
of
lifesaving awards and related material
*90. GIVEN BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO CHIEF MATE OF AN AMERICAN SHIP. Handsome,
beautiful quality, single draw spyglass in its original
storage box. All nickel silver fittings with leather cover-
ing on the tapered barrel. Length closed 26 1/2" extend-
ing to 33". Sliding cover for eyepiece and cap for objec-
tive lens.
Draw tube beautifully engraved "Presented by the British
Government/to/Mr. Joseph Qualey, Chief Mate of the/American
Ship "William Frothingham"/in acknowledgment of his services
on the occasion/of the rescue of the survivors of the Crew of
the/Steamer "Spartan" in February 1862". Also signed by famous makers "Troughton & Simms/ London".
Have copy of New Zealand newspaper article from May 1862 that describes
the event in full detail. The Captain, his wife, child and servant girl as well as
the chief officer and two seamen were drowned. The rest of the crew took to
the boats until picked up by the William Frothinham. Stored in original
mahogany, dovetailed box with large inset, nickel silver, plaque that is engraved in fancy script "Mr. Joseph
Qualey". Condition of everything very nice noting a very shallow dent to barrel and leather stitching thread
deteriorated causing seam to open up in center 2/3 area of barrel. This exact scope illustrated and discussed
pages 124 & 125 in Klamkin's "Marine Antiques".
8900.00
*91. GOLD LIFESAVING MEDAL FROM AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT. Front with classic female bust in
relief and raised letters "PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIT-
ED STATES". Reverse beautifully inscribed within a leafy border
"To/JAMES HALDEN/Boatswain/of the British S.S./"ORTHIA"/in recognition
of his heroic/services in effecting/the rescue of the/Captain and Crew of
the/American Bark/St. Lucie/wrecked at sea/November 29, 1898". Nice
thick, 1 3/8" diameter medal with pin bar marked with an American shield
and "E. PLURIBUS UNUM". Condition about mint. Was awarded by
President William McKinley for the rescue of Captain Appleby and 11 men
of the St. Lucie as she lay dismasted from a recent storm. One of the crew
members was lost. The St. Lucie was built 1874 at Bowdoinham, ME and hailed out of New York.
sold
*92. PRESENTATION TELESCOPE GIVEN TO CAPTAIN OF BATH, MAINE SHIP. Cased two-draw draw
scope with lengthy inscription on draw tube "Presented
by the British Government/to/Captain T.G. Mitchell,
Master of the/American Ship "G.F. Patten in testimony/of
his humane
conduct to
the Master/and Crew/of the "Mary Bannatyne"/of Shields whom
he rescued from their Waterlogged Vessel on the 11th March
1860". Also signed by maker "Troughton & Simms/London".
Length closed 26 1/2" extending to 36 1/2". All german silver fittings with leather cover on tapered barrel.
Sliding cover for eyepiece and cap for objective lens. Original dovetailed
mahogany storage box with large, inset GS plaque engraved "Captn T. G.
Mitchell". Condition of everything very good noting the stitching in leather
covering failing leaving seam somewhat open in center area of barrel. The
incident and the award of this exact scope is mentioned on page 44 in book "The Pattens of Bath, A
Seagoing Dynasty". This was the second time Mitchell was involved in a rescue...in 1855 he received a gold
medal for saving the crew of the Neapolitan schooner "La Lucie".
8900.00
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