The Ultimate SS Central America Medal - Captain Herndon's Life Saving Medal
Zoins
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We hear a lot about the Ship of Gold but not much about her captain, Commander William Lewis Herndon, who went down with his ship. He ensured the rescue of 152 women and children, and chose to remain on board with his crew and several hundred other passengers who went down with the ship.
He served in the Mexican–American War and explored the Amazon Valley. Two ships were named USS Herndon after him as was the town of Herndon, Virginia. His daughter, Ellen, was also of note, marrying Chester Alan Arthur, who would later be elected the 21st President of the US.
Here's more information on Herndon:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lewis_Herndon
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Central_America
This incredible medal was created for his widow in remembrance. It really brings home the sacrifices people made and how dangerous it was back then. The medal was created by F.B. Smith & Hartmann of New York, which is on the obverse under the waves.
This specimen's provenance includes T. Harrison Garrett, John Work Garrett, and Alan V. Weinberg.
Here is is photo:
Comments
Cool!! Thanks for posting!!
Thanks for the pictures and the history.... Would that be the only one struck? Seems as if it would be a single piece...Cheers, RickO
The whole subject of Life Saving Medals is interesting. Apparently then, as now, many merchant ships would ignore other ships in distress (see the recent movie "STYX") rather than engage in a time and money consuming rescue. The issuers of such medals obviously wanted to encourage such gallant behavior. While this medal involves the Captain of a ship rather than a lifesaving effort on the part of another ship it falls into the same category of subject matter.
Thanks. Why does the medal reference both widow and mother?
It acknowledges him as a Son of Virginia, his native state.
Very cool piece. Never heard of it, and I never knew his connection to President Arthur.
That is pretty special and a great provenance.
It looks like they carved Herndon into the medal standing on the paddle wheel cover as well. It's pretty incredible to think about steam boats with paddle wheels out in the open seas.
The SS Central America did not sink quickly. There was an extended but unsuccessful effort to keep it from sinking. Since the ship was near the end of its voyage it had used up a large amount of its coal. This meant the ship rode high in the water and made the paddle wheels much less effective at propelling the ship. This was one factor, of many, that contributed to its sinking.
Very nice. Just read Ship of Gold (highly highly recommended) and enjoyed getting to know Captain Herndon. Not all crew members acting honorably however. But anyone who wants a front row seat to both the sinking and the heroism should read Ship of Gold. It's simply the best documented account imaginable.
It had sails too didn't it?
Missed this thread.
Awesome!
Thanks @Zoins I do like reading the history.
I think all the water on board made up for the used coal.........
Love the history, thanks.
Yes, and ultimately more than the coal because it sunk....
This just sold for $50,400.00 at FUN. Very impressive result for a medal. This would definitely go into a fantasy Box of 20 medals for me.
It's a cool medal with a cool design, but I'm not sure the widow would have derived much comfort from the depicted scene.