Description
Transport Medal, EDVII, bar S. Africa 1899-1902, Benjamin Jones, In Command, Captain of the S.S. Ulstermore during the Boer War.
A Remarkable “In Command” Transport Medal for South Africa of Captain Benjamin Jones, C.O. of the Ulstermore, awarded the USA Presidential Gold Medal for his lifesaving bravery in leading the rescue of a doomed American Ship in 1884.
Officially Impressed: “B. Jones, In Command.”
Confirmed on the medal roll, as Commanding Officer and Captain of the Ulstermore during the Boer War.
His career was nicely summarised in his Obituary in the Liverpool Journal of Commerce, on 19th December 1910 reading:
“THE LATE CAPTAIN BENJAMIN JONES
The interment took place on Thursday last at City of London Cemetery, Little Ilford, Essex, of the Late Captain Benjamin Jones, who passed away at Southport in his 63rd year.
Captain Jones was associated with the shipping firm of Messrs W.N. Johnston and Company Ltd, for about 30 years, during which time he commanded many of their principal vessels, and was for a period of about 15 years Marine Superintendent of London.
He retired from active service about 2 years ago.
Amongst the various decorations that Captain Jones received was the South African War Medal with five clasps (Sic, they mean one) for transportation of troops during the Boer War.
He was also the recipient of a Testimonial from the late Admiral Tryon for Transport Services during the Naval manoeuvres, and in addition a Gold Medal and a Pair of Binoculars from the President of the United States of America for saving a shipwrecked crew in mid-Atlantic, also the Royal Human Society’s Medal and Certificate for Lifesaving…”
The Rescue referred to of the American Barque, was recalled when he was presented with his Gold Medal in the Liverpool Mercury, 15th August 1884:
“PRESENTATION TO A SHIP’S OFFICER
At a meeting of the Local Marine Board held yesterday – Mr Thomas E. Lemon in the chair, the other present being Messrs R.L. Greenshields and J.H. Worthington –
A Handsome Gold Medal, the gift of the President of the United States, was presented to Mr Benjamin Jones, Commander of the steamship Cranmore, in recognition of his services, whilst Chief Officer of that vessel, in rescuing the crew of the American Schooner Almira Wooley, which foundered at sea on the 6th March last.
The Oranmore, during a voyage across the Atlantic, discovered the Almira Wooley in a sinking condition, and notwithstanding the state of the weather and the heavy sea that was running, a boat manned by Mr Jones and 6 Seamen proceeded to the Schooner, and safely transferred her crew to the Oranmore.”
At the time of the rescue, the situation was looking bleak back in America, many newspapers were reporting that the ship was doomed, “Alrmia Wooley presumed lost with all hands” it was reported, before the miraculous appearance of the crew in Liverpool, the Brooklyn Eagle, on 22nd March 1884 reports:
“THE ALMIRA WOOLEY’S CREW SAFE
Picked up by an English Vessel and landed in Liverpool.
Ever since March 3rd, yesterday afternoon, a dread fear of the loss of Captain Hazard Rackett and the crew of the Schooner Almira Wooley, was felt by the people of Greenport and Orient, where the families of most of the persons on board the Schooner reside.
On March 3rd, the Almira Wooley was seen in a terrific gale, sounding under bare poles and with men at the pumps, by an English Steamer which arrived in Baltimore on March 12th.
The Steamer lost sight of the Schooner, and the general impression was that she had foundered.
It appears that the Schooner was kept afloat for 3 days longer, and on the 6th the Crew were taken off by the English Steamer Oranmore and carried to Liverpool.
Telegrams from Captain Rackett were received yesterday announcing the safety of himself and his son Lester and all of the crew. The Schooner was short of her full cargo and was kept afloat longer than she otherwise would have been.”
Another newspaper had reported on the presumed loss on 17th March 1884, “SEVEN MEN LOST AT SEA” which details the ships crew and how a steamer had witnessed her foundering but then after a Squall the ship was nowhere to be seen and it was fought they were gone.
Captain Benjamin Jones was born during 1848 in Liverpool, Lancashire.
On 11th September 1872, he got his first proficiency Certificate becoming Second Mate.
Not long afterwards on 15th July 1875, he became First Mate.
It was on 14th August 1879, that he became “Master” in the Merchant Service and could command his own ship, he was only 31 years old at the time, and had only been Second Mate barely 7 years earlier.
Becoming a Master, he would go on to as mentioned in his obituary during his long career with Messrs W.N. Johnston & Co, “Command many of their Principal Vessels”.
His Merchant Navy Master’s Certificate contains 2 interesting stamps, the first reading:
“MARINE DEPARTMENT BOARD OF TRADE, Certified That A GOLD MEDAL presented by The American Government to Benjamin Jones in recognition of his services in rescuing the crew of The American Schooner ‘Alvira Wooley’ on the 6th March 1884.”
And another that reads:
“MARINE DEPARTMENT BOARD OF TRADE, CERTIFIED THAT A Sea Transport Medal presented by His Majesty’s Government to Benjamin Jones, for services rendered in South Africa 1899 – 1902.”
