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Auction: 18001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 540

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, silver (Patrick Picot Wrecks of the “Flower of Olrig” and the “James” on the 31st. March 1887.), in embossed case of issue, minor edge bruise, nearly extremely fine

Patrick Picot, was a boatman at Scrabster, an important Scottish fishing port of its day and later a through port for Scapa Flow.

On 31 March 1887 a fearful storm raged at Thurso which drove two schooners ashore in Murkle Bay, both becoming total wrecks. The schooners were bound for Castlehill Harbour, the James laden with coal and the Flower of Olrig holding a cargo of manure. As soon as the perilous condition of the schooners was observed, the rocket apparatus, under the charge of Mr. Russell, chief-boatman, was speedily conveyed to Murkle Bay, where the crews of both vessels, ten in all, were safely brought ashore. The Birmingham Daily Post adds more detail:

'On the occasion in question, Picot repeatedly went into the surf, at the risk of his life, to keep the lines used in connection with the rocket apparatus clear of the rocks, and thus enabled the crews of both vessels to be brought safely by land by means of the apparatus.'


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Estimate
£380 to £420