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Auction: 15003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 238

Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life From Shipwreck Medal, silver, type 1 1824-62, obverse: head of King George IV facing left (John Storr. Voted 7 July, 1853.), with eyelet suspension and riband ring, minor edge bruising, good very fine, together with a photographic image of the recipient

R.N.L.I. Medal voted 7.7.1853: 'The Wreck and Reward Sub-Committee on 30th May 1853 recommended a grant of two sovereigns be voted in aid of the fund being collected for the relief of John Storr who had been made a cripple by being thrown out of his boat while going to a wreck in September 1851. On advising the authorities of this award, the reply came that "Storr had on several occasions distinguished himself in saving life from wreck, and that £23 had been collected for him". The Institution therefore decided to award the Silver Medal.'

Mr. John Storr, a fisherman from Whitby, North Yorkshire, lost his life, along with virtually all his colleagues in the Whitby Lifeboat Crew, in the great storm of the 9th February, 1861.

The Whitby Lifeboat Disaster
At Whitby, North Yorkshire, a fierce gale, which at times had reached hurricane level, had whipped up the seas to a violent pitch. About an hour after dawn on the 9th February, 1861, the Brig John and Ann, of Sunderland, was driven ashore at Sandsend to the north of Whitby. In the vicinity, but at some distance from where the Whitby Lifeboat was stationed, were seven members of the Whitby Lifeboat crew, including their coxswain, local fisherman John Storr. These men at once launched a fishing coble and despite the prevailing conditions, succeeded in rescuing the crew of five. Having accomplished this, they then set off to the Lifeboat Station correctly assuming that their services would be required again before the day was out. Having reached Whitby and the new West Pier Lifeboat, The Lucy, Storr and his crew of eleven were called upon at about 10:00am to go to the aid of the Schooner Gamma, carrying coal, which had been driven ashore some 400 yards from the pier. Launching from the slipway into heavy surf, they took off the crew of four. Shortly afterwards, The Lucy was called out again to the Barque Clara, en route from Newcastle to Madeira, which had been driven onto the beach just before noon. The crew took to the rigging as tumultuous seas swept clean over her. With great difficulty the last of her crew of twelve was taken off just before the ship broke up and disappeared. At about 1:00pm the Brig Utility and the Schooner Roe were driven ashore. The lifeboat was launched for a third time and both crews were rescued in one trip. Then at about 2:00pm two Schooners were sighted being driven ashore under bare poles. The first, The Flora, by luck or great management, passed through the harbour entrance. However, the Merchant came ashore no more than 40 yards from the pier. The crew took to the rigging with the sea making clean breaches over them. The sea was full of wreckage, with ships' timbers being tossed around like matchsticks as huge waves swept in and high water was expected at 3:57pm. It was a daunting prospect even for John Storr, whose initial reaction was that a launch would serve no useful purpose. However, he formulated a plan though fraught with peril, which offered sufficient chance of success to make the risk worthwhile to get to the Merchant. The men of the lifeboat were exhausted, and many were without sustenance since breakfast, but they launched for a fifth time. Vast waves driving shoreward met others rebounding off wrecks or the pier, making the sea a boiling cauldron. The lifeboat was some 50 yards from the slipway when, to the horror of many watching from the land, the lifeboat was struck by two heavy waves and capsized, flinging the crew into the violent maelstrom. Life-buoys were flung and rocket lines were fired to the men in the sea by those nearby on land. One by one they sank. John Storr alone managed to scramble face down onto the upturned hull. The sea clawed at him. Eventually he was spun onto his back and, after hanging on for a few moments, he too was swept to his death. Only one man, Henry Freeman, was saved. For his courageous services that day he was awarded the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life From Shipwreck silver Medal. Eventually the crew of the Merchant were successfully brought ashore by rocket line. Later the Brig Urania was driven ashore but the crew were able to maintain their precarious position aboard the vessel until the tide abated.

Described as 'the best Lifeboatman Whitby ever had', it was said of Storr that 'If he would take charge, the men did not consider any risk too great for his steady watchful gaze and powerful arm.' He is buried in Whitby Parish Church.

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Sold for
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