Silver medal awarded to 'Charlie Cain the Cox' of the Peel lifeboat for saving all on board the 'St George'

Date made: 1889

Maker: Government of Sweden

Description: This silver medal for bravery (obverse and reverse shown) was awarded to 'Charlie Cain the Cox' of the Peel lifeboat, by King Oscar II of Sweden, for saving all on board the Norwegian vessel 'St George'. The vessel was wrecked under Contrary Head near Peel in 1889.

The medal bears on the obverse the bust of King Oscar II, and on the reverse a laurel spray and the words 'For Aedel Daad' meaning 'For a Noble Deed'. The ribbon is of red white and blue stripes.

The rescue of those on board the 'St George' was immortalised in verse by T.E. Brown in his poem 'The Peel Lifeboat.' In spite of the danger to himself Cain is reported to have asked the crew how many were on board the 'St George' and stood by her until all were accounted for. The coast of the Isle of Man has claimed many vessels, but there is a strong tradition of heroic rescue attemps when ships have encountered difficulties.

Materials: silver

Object name: medal

Collection: Social History Collection

ID Number: 1968-0005

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