Los 2338

1907 - English decoration 'Sea Gallantry Medal (foreign service)', instituted in 1841 for people who have saved or tried to save others with danger to their own lives - Obv: Head Edward VII left / Rev: PRESENTED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT within wreath, legend surrounding: FOR SAVING THE LIVES OF BRITISH SUBJECTS / Edge lettering: BERNARDUS FRANCISCUS BLOKLAND. "BERLIN" 22nd FEBRUARY 1907. - Silver 33 mm with inverted suspension bar and necklace - VF, very rare On the night of February 20 to 21, 1907, the steamship SS Berlin was thrown into a flying storm on the north pier of Hoek van Holland. Only 14 of the 140 or so passengers survived the disaster. Many people have tried to save passengers, including B.F. Blokland. He was the stoker or fireman on the lifeboat ‘President van Heel’.