Summary

Australia New South Wales Newcastle
Rescue award for the Eleanor Lancaster 1856 (AD)
Mint: not recorded
Awarded to: Stephens, Joseph
Other Details: Award presented to Josh (Joseph) Stephens in commemoration of his efforts to save the crew of the barque Eleanor Lancaster off Newcastle, NSW, which was wrecked on during a gale on 7 November 1856. The Eleanor Lancaster was a wooden barque, 480/430 tons,109 ft long, built in Great Britain in 1839. The violent gale drove the barque into Oyster Bank, where it was soon wrecked. The crew clung to the rigging throughout the night and were finally rescued due mainly to the efforts of a seaman, William Skilton, who made three trips to the wreck in a small boat in raging seas. The Eleanor Lancaster was one of eight vessels lost in the gale.

Physical Description

A hand engraved silver medal set within a silver 'rope' border with a maroon ribbon (original?)

Obverse Description

Engraved silver disc; PRESENTED / TO / JOSH STEPHENS

Reverse Description

IN COMMEMORATION / OF HIS EXERTIONS TO SAVE THE / CREW OF THE BARQUE / ELEANOR LANCASTER / DURING THE STORM OF THE 7TH NOVR / NEWCASTLE N.S.W. / 1856

Edge Description

Rope encircles the engraved silver disc

Significance

The Eleanor Lancaster was a wooden barque, 480/430 tons,109 ft long, built in Great Britain in 1839. The violent gale drove the barque into Oyster Bank, where it was soon wrecked. The crew clung to the rigging throughout the night and were finally rescued due mainly to the efforts of a seaman, William Skilton, who made three trips to the wreck in a small boat in raging seas. The Eleanor Lancaster was one of eight vessels lost in the gale. -Shipwrecks of the Newcastle region Including Oyster Bank and the Hunter River web site http://oceans1.customer.netspace.net.au/newcastle-wrecks.html. -D. Tout-Smith 11/2/2004.

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