Description
Norway, The Medal for Heroic Deeds, For Aedeldad, in embossed fitted case of issue on original silk ribbon, Mervyn Smith, for rescuing the Norwegian sailors of the barque “Chala” on 15th January 1914 in the North Atlantic, Mervyn Smith was one of a small volunteer rescue party of 7 who saved 15 lives from the ship.
Issue of King Haakon VII of Norway.
Officially engraved on the back “Mervyn Smith 15/16/1-1914”
East London Observer 12th September 1914, notes the issue of the awards from Norway:
“ROYAL GIFTS FOR LONDON SEAMEN
The Board of Trade have received through the Norwegian Consul-General, a silver cup for Mr J.R. Williams, Master, and silver medals for Mr E.G. Enright, mate, and J. McKean, M. Smith, P. Kavanagh, S.A. Bryans, A.E. Burt, and S.B. Avery, seamen, of the steamship Petroleum, of London, which have been awarded to them by the King of Norway in recognition of their services in rescuing the shipwrecked crew of the Norwegian Barque ‘Chala’, of Christiansund, which was abandoned in the North Atlantic Ocean on the night of January, 15th. “
Evening Mail 4th February 1914:
RESCUE IN A HURRICANE
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Petroleum which arrived in Portsmouth Harbour on Monday with oil from Port Arthur, Texas, experiences terrific weather during the passage.
Two days after leaving Norfolk, Virginia, where they had called to coal, a hurricane from the north west sprang up and blew with such violence as to compel the vessel to run before it.
On the evening of January 15, distress flares were seen some miles off, and when the Petroleum came up to them she found the Norwegian barque Chala in a sinking condition with all masts gone.
The night was very dark, but when the moon rose about 11:30 pm, the cutter of the Petroleum, with a volunteer crew under Mr E.G. Enright, the Chief Officer, proceeded to the wreck. After 1.5 hours hazardous work the crew of the Chala, numbering 15, were got on board the boat by hauling them through the water with a line, and they were transferred to the Petroleum.
While the boat was being rehoisted four of the men of the Petroleum were thrown into the water and rescued with great difficulty. The shipwrecked sailors were taken by the Petroleum to the Azores and landed. The barque belonged to Christiansand, Norway, and was bound to Havre 22 days out from Jamaica.
