Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 15001 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 660

United States of America, Northern Belle Medal, 64mm, silver, obverse featuring a stricken sailor, clinging to the wreckage of the main mast, the reverse engraved, 'The President of the United States to William Hiller Jr., for his humane, zealous, and successful efforts in rescuing the Master & Crew of the American Ship "Northern Belle" from the perils of the Sea, 1857', surrounded by a wreath, 31 Stars above, American Eagle below, edge bruising, otherwise nearly extremely fine, rare

Wreck of the Northern Belle
The Northern Belle, an American transatlantic ship, set out from New York in December 1856, bound for London, and ran aground off the Kent coast in a terrible storm in the early hours of the 5th January 1857. The ship had been cast ashore on a dangerous ledge of rocks below the Foreness Point, at Kingsgate, between Broadstairs and Margate. On seeing the plight of the Northern Belle's crew, the Coastguard sent warning to Broadstairs, and, despite the severe weather conditions, the Mary White and Culmer White lifeboats were hauled overland by horse-drawn trailer, against the blizzard, to a point where they could be safely launched. Whilst these preparations were underway, the lugger Ocean managed to rescue five of the Northern Belle's crew, leaving 23 men still on board the stricken vessel.
'On arrival at the beach the boats were launched, and with a total disregard for their own safety, the crews pulled boldly through the boiling surf and, after making several hazardous trips, saved most of the crew of the stricken vessel. The Mary White, having been dragged across fields of snow, was able to bring off seven of the American crew, and then the Culmer White, having arrived with a fresh crew, made two further journeys, on the first attempt rescuing 14 shipwrecked men, and only then returning to recover the Captain and Pilot.' (The Maritime Heritage of Thanet refers).
Cold, wet, and exhausted, but rescued, the American survivors were taken to an inn overlooking the bay, where they were able to 'thaw out before a blazing log fire, in the bar's cosy parlour, where food and hot rum was served and warming blankets given around.' (ibid).

The following day, the Mary White, with the crews of both lifeboats aboard, was drawn through the narrow streets of Broadstairs, proudly displaying the American ensign of the Northern Belle. Afterwards, Margate's oldest pub, the 'Waterman's Arms', was renamed the 'Northern Belle', and timber salvaged from the shipwreck was used to renovate the pub- it is still there to this day.

In response to the rescue of the crew of the Northern Belle, the President of the United States of America, Franklin Pierce, ordered 25 silver medals to be struck, to be awarded to each of the lifeboat crews, the only known occasion on which such a medal has been awarded to a British lifeboat crew.

Note: The number of Stars on the reverse represents the 31 States in the Union at the time of the award.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£2,700