Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
186
186 A Scarce and Particularly Fine ‘Triple’ Service Award R.N.I.P.L.S. Medal Group of Three to Coxswain, Later Chief Officer, R.O. Johns, H.M. Coastguard, Tramore, Ireland Naval Long Service & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (R.O. Johns. Chf. Boatn. In Chge. H.M. Coast Guard.); Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life From Shipwreck Medal, silver, type 1 1824-62, obverse: head of King George IV facing left, with clasp for ‘Second Service’, reverse dated ‘Voted 6th February 1868.’, clasp for ‘Third Service’, reverse dated ‘Voted 7th Octr. 1869.’ (Richard O. Johns. Voted 7 March 1861.), engraved in upright serif capitals, with uniface ‘dolphin’ suspension, in fitted case of issue; France, Ministére de la Marine, Silver medal for lifesaving, reverse named to recipient and dated 1867 in relief, generally very fine (3) £2,000-2,500 Richard O. Johns, Coxswain, Tramore Lifeboat, in joint citation, with three others all of whom received silver awards, reads, ‘17 February 1861: At daybreak the Greek brig San Spiridione from Galaxidhi on the Gulf of the Corinth, laden with coal, was seen ashore in Tramore Bay, Co. Waterford, Ireland, where she had been driven during the night in a southerly gale. The Tramore lifeboat was launched through very high surf, but she had to return to shore with her crew exhausted. Replaced on her carriage, she was drawn to a better position and, manned by another volunteer crew, succeeded in almost closing with the wreck, but the brig’s crew refused to leave her. The lifeboat was upset by a heavy wave, her crew was thrown in to the water - three of them regained the boat and the other five reached the shore. After a while, the brig started to break up and her crew was thrown in to the surf by the falling masts; the lifeboat was launched for a third time and saved two of them. Two others were
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saved by Mr. Budd and Mr. Stephens going into the surf, the former on his horse from which he was washed off twice. Mr. Reade was in the lifeboat when she upset and Mr. Johns went out in charge on all three occasions.’ Second Service, in joint citation with Martin Norris, Crew Member, Tramore Lifeboat (also received a silver award), reads, ‘12-13 1868: Late in the evening of the 12th with a strong south-easterly gale blowing, the large iron ship Oasis of Liverpool was seen driving into Brown’s Bay where she struck west of the Metal Man, Newtown Head, near Tramore, Co. Waterford, Ireland. The Tramore self-righting lifeboat Tom Egan launched within half an hour but had great difficulty with the breakers. After prolonged exertions, she managed to reach the wreck at midnight. The Captain and two men had already been washed overboard from the casualty and drowned. Using an anchor, the lifeboat veered down and was able to take 20 survivors off the jib boom. The following day, they put out again after another man had been seen in the rigging. Mr. Norris boarded the wreck with difficulty and recovered the exhausted man; seven others had made the shore in the ship’s longboat.’ Third Service, citation reads, ‘For long and gallant services in acting as Coxswain to save the lives of a number of shipwrecked men.’ The medal was given when he left the station on promotion. Services in this period included those to the brig San Spiridione (1863), the schooner Sarah (1864), the brig Steffania (1865), the schooner Anemone and the barque Wild Horse (1867) and the ship Oasis (1868). The only vessel for which details are available is the Oasis. A full rigged iron ship built by Jones, Quiggin & Co. in Liverpool, 1861, she was registered at 1,117 tons and measured 213 feet in length with a 34 and half foot beam. Costing £16,533 and owned by Fletcher’s, she traded out of Liverpool to India and was under the command of Captain H. Parsall at the time of her loss. 1 of only 10 ‘Triple’ Service Silver, G.IV.R., R.N.L.I.P.S. Medals awarded. PROVENANCE: J.B. Hayward Collection, November 1995