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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 407

Royal National Lifeboat Institution Medal, G.IV.R., Silver (David Griffith Voted 5th May 1830), severely polished, naming much worn but legible, nearly very fine

The original citation states:

'16th April 1830: The emigrant ship Newry was wrecked at Bardsey Island, off the Llyn Peninsula, Gwynedd, whilst on passage from Newry, Co. Down, Northern Island to Quebec with 400 emigrants on board. At the time of the disaster, the passengers were in their berths, most of them sea sick. Confusion and terror resulted. The master ordered the main mast cut down to form a bridge between the ship and the shore but, as soon as this had been done, his entire crew, except for the mate and one seaman, fled without thought for their passengers. As they vanished, David Griffith crossed the makeshift bridge and commenced rescuing the freezing men, women and children, taking them ashore using ropes. Three hundred and seventy five survivors were saved, 40 to 50 of them by Griffith with the help of three labourers.'

David Griffiths served as a Seaman aboard the Newry.

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Sold for
£320

Starting price
£320