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Auction: 16001 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 119

Lloyd's Medal for Meritorious Service, circular Silver Medal, shield at centre (Captain S.H. Marsh. of S.S. "Royal Sceptre", 19.10.1916.), nearly extremely fine, in Pinches, London, case of issue

'The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have had under their consideration the Report of the encounter between the Royal Sceptre and an Enemy Submarine on the 19th October, 1916. Their Lordships consider that credit is due to the Master, Mr. Sydney H. Marsh, for the way in which he fought his ship, and beat off the submarine, notwithstanding the comparatively low speed of the Royal Sceptre, and request that an expression of the appreciation may be conveyed to him accordingly.
By the protest of the Master of the Royal Sceptre, his vessel shipped at Port Said one three pounder semi-automatic Vicker's gun and two Gunners. The Royal Sceptre sighted a hostile submarine at 7:10am on the 19th October, when off the Algerian Coast. It opened fire without any warning and the ship's gun replied. The ship was manoeuvred to keep the submarine astern and firing continued for half an hour. One shell struck the vessel on the mainmast head. Four holes were made in the after main deck, several plates were indented, and other damage was caused. The submarine appeared to be overhauling the vessel, when a shell from the Royal Sceptre's gun appeared to hit her, as she then swung broadside on and smoke was seen aft. A few more shots were exchanged, and the submarine disappeared suddenly at 7:40am, the opinion being that she sank by reason of the hit, and did not submerge voluntarily. The Royal Sceptre then proceeded, under the escort of the French patrol to Bougie (Algiers), where she arrived the same day at 7:25pm.
She received permission to proceed on the 21st October, and on the 22nd October, at 4:30pm, a hostile submarine appeared on the starboard bow, flying the signal M.N. (Stop Instantly). The Royal Sceptre did not stop, and steered a zigzag course towards the shore, getting quite close to the Algerian coast. About 7:00pm, the submarine appeared to have been lost in the darkness, and at 11:15pm, the vessel resumed her proper course, there being then a strong wind and high sea with squally weather. On the 25th October, the Royal Sceptre arrived at Gibraltar without further incident, and after landing her Gun, and coaling, she left Gibraltar on the 28th October.' (Letter from the Admiralty to the Managers of the London-American Maritime Trading Company, Owners of the Royal Sceptre, refers).

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