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: metal: silver, silk
Object name: medal
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 1968-0005
I am proud to have been related to this great man - John Landy Report this
- Hope Makin Report this
He was my Great great grandfather. I am descended down from on all the male family, hence I have retained the name Cain. My mother and father gave me Charles as my middle name. - Chris Cain Report this
Looking for relatived of charliie cain the cox - Peter Faragher Report this
Looking for relatived of charliie cain the co he was my great grand fathetx - Peter Faragher Report this
Looking for relatived of charliie cain the co he was my great grand fathetx - Peter Faragher Report this
Looking for relatived of charliie cain the co he was my great great grand fathetx - Peter Faragher Report this
Looking for relatived of charliie cain the co he was my great great grand fathetx - Peter Faragher Report this
My mother donated this medal presented to her grandfather Charley Cain the Cox - Kit Gawne Report this