Description
Lloyd’s Medal for saving Life at Sea, 2nd Type, Bronze, John Segar, for the rescue of the ship Glendower, 12th January 1899.
Engraved: J. Segar “Glendower” 12 Jan 1899
On old silk ribbon.
Quartermaster John Segar was one of the brave lifeboat men from the Steamer Menominee who went to rescue the survivors of the Steamer Glendower when she sank the seas being “The worst the Captain had ever encountered”.
The following report sent by Reuters from New York at the time reads:
“LOSS OF THE GLENDOWER
CAPTAIN AND CREW SAFE
The Steamer Menominee, from London, has arrived here with the Captain and 22 of her crew of the steamer Glendower which was abandoned on the 12th Jan in longitude 31 on her voyage from Philadelphia to Sligo.
According to the captain of the “Glendower” their perilous journey began when they encountered a storm on January 2nd, which quickly escalated into a serious gale. Enormous waves repeatedly crashed over the vessel, tragically claiming the life of a seaman named Peter West, who was washed overboard and lost at sea.
As the situation grew increasingly dire, the decision was made to head directly into the fierce wind and the churning sea. However, the following day, disaster struck as an enormous wave broke over the vessel, sweeping away everything in its path and inundating the ship with water. The ship’s pumps became clogged, and it was rapidly taking on water, pushing it to the brink of sinking. On the 12th, while they were teetering on the edge of disaster, the “Menominee” appeared on the horizon.
The crew of the “Menominee” wasted no time and quickly launched their boats to rescue the beleaguered crew of the “Glendower.” The conditions they faced during this operation were described by the survivors as the most treacherous they had ever encountered.
Amid the chaos, the cabin was inundated with water, causing the furniture to float and break the sidelights through which the water flowed into the ship. The lifeboats were also severely damaged during this ordeal. The crew of the “Glendower” was left with no option but to huddle together for warmth near the ship’s bow, with most of their clothing having been stripped away by the relentless waves.
The crew’s ordeal was further compounded by the scarcity of food. For days, they subsisted on soaked corn. The challenging work of rescue took approximately two hours to complete.”
The award of the medals, from the Shipping Gazette, 11th March 1899:
“REWARDS FOR BRAVERY
The Committee of Lloyd’s has made the decision to award the Silver Medal of the Society of Lloyd’s to Captain Bocquet, the second officer of the “Languedoc,” and the third officer Lazell. Additionally, they have decided to present the Bronze Medal to P. E. Peterson, G. Watson, J. Segar, W. E. Clay, J. Gordon, O. Fuhres, M. D. Corea, C. Holm, G. Fox, J. W. Hopkins, S. Warren, W.A. Dike, and C. H. Woodward, all of the steamship “Menominee.” This recognition is an honorary acknowledgement of their exceptional efforts in saving lives during the loss of the steamship “Glendower” in January of this year.
The “Glendower” was in a dire situation, with a significant list, severely damaged boats, and the vessel rapidly sinking. On January 12, in spite of challenging conditions with heavy seas, the aforementioned individuals from the “Menominee” courageously launched two boats and successfully approached the distressed “Glendower.” Their bravery and determination resulted in the rescue of the entire crew of the endangered vessel. “
