The Great War Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Gold Marine Medal awarded to Captain...

The Great War Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Gold Marine Medal awarded to Captain J. Penwill, Mercantile Marine, whose gallant deeds in an open boat saved the lives of eight of his crew following the loss of his command S.S. Costello to submarine attack Liverpool Shipwreck & Human Society, Gold Marine Medal (To Captain James Penwill, S.S. “Costello” for Gallant Service 3rd August 1915) complete with gold buckle in its R. C. Oldfield case of issue, extremely fine £1,800-£2,200 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- The S.S. Costello was torpedoed and sunk by the U-28 95 miles off Bishop Rock on 3 August 1915, while bound for Genoa from Liverpool. Of James Penwill’s subsequent deeds, Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society records state: ‘For bravery, foresight and skill in saving the lives of eight members of his crew, immersed in the sea owing to the capsizing of the ship’s boat in boisterous weather after leaving their vessel sunk by a submarine on 3 August 1915. The crew left the Costello in two boats, which became parted. In Captain Penwill’s boat there were nine men and himself, none of whom belonged to the Deck Department and were totally ignorant of how to manage the boat, the result being that the Captain had to remain at the tiller the whole time. When they had been in the boat for 20 hours, the wind suddenly dropped, but only to shortly after strike the boat with a sharp gust, which capsized her, throwing the occupants into the sea. Captain Penwill’s coolness and presence of mind was such that he directed the men to right the craft, and eight hands succeeded in climbing into her, but were up to their wastes in water and had no means of bailing the boat out. The mast had been carried away and only one oar was left, so that the men’s case was almost hopeless. After enduring 13 hours in this peril, a Patrol Boat came on the scene, and all, with the exception of one man, were saved. When the boat capsized, Captain Penwill was caught under her, but being a good swimmer, struck out under water to clear the boat before coming to the surface, and owing to his presence of mind he not only owes his own life but was the means of saving those of his men.’