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Norfolk Association for Saving Life from Shipwreck silver Medal (1st Class) awarded to Francis Pa...

Currency:GBP Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:800.00 - 1,000.00 GBP
Norfolk Association for Saving Life from Shipwreck silver Medal (1st Class) awarded to Francis Pa...
Norfolk Association for Saving Life from Shipwreck silver Medal (1st Class) awarded to Francis Pank for his part in the rescue of the 'Achilles' a brig which foundered off Cromer on Oct 28th, 1839, the incident was reported in the EDP at the time as follows: 'On Monday October 28th 1839, at daybreak, a vessel was observed about seven miles from Cromer with signals of distress. The [Cromer] Lifeboat was immediately launched and an able crew accompanied by Captain Pank of Cromer and Mr Simons the Proprietor of the Bath-House proceeded through a very heavy surf to her assistance. After nearly 2 hours severe labour they succeeded in boarding the vessel which proved to be the brig 'Achilles' of South Shields with coal bound for London. She was in a very unstable state having carried away her mainmast and fore topmast and was fast driving towards the shore. The Lifeboatmen succeeded in bringing her to anchor off Cromer and took off the crew of 8 men. Next morning on going to the vessel they found her sinking and having been unable to slip the cables were obliged to abandon her and she soon sank. Henry Nockels, one of the Cromer men, was washed overboard but luckily seized a rope and was hauled up again. Captain Pank sustained a severe injury to a leg'. The medal contained within contemporary circular glazed case fitted with integral loop and bar suspender £ 800-1,000
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