Lot Essay
S.G.M. For the rescue of passengers and crew from the burning emigrant Steamer Volturno by Officers and men of the British Steamer Devonian [and other vessels].
S.S. Volturno, 3,581 tons and built by Fairfield's of Glasgow in 1906, was a typical mixed cargo-emigrant Steamer of the pre-Great War era. Although at first owned by three different companies in as many years, she maintained the same North Atlantic route and, in 1910, began a regular run from Holland to New York. On 2.10.1913, she cleared Rotterdam carrying 22 First Class passengers, 539 Steerage and a crew of 96 with, amongst her cargo, a quantity of barium oxide and similar chemicals plus sundry other highly inflammable commodities. On 9 October, in mid-Atlantic, smoke was seen escaping from No.1 hatch whereupon Captain Inch reduced speed and summoned the ship's firecrew. Shortly afterwards, a violent explosion wrecked much of the forward portion of the vessel in addition to jamming both the steering gear and the Engine Room Telegraph. Gale force winds fanned the fire to exacerbate an already dangerous situation and Captain Inch ordered distress calls to be sent to all ships in the vicinity. The first to arrive on the scene, at about noon, was the Cunard Liner Carmania, followed by nine others during the remainder of that day, all of which tried unsuccessfully to launch boats in the deteriorating weather conditions. These fruitless but dangerous attempts continued until about 1.00am. on the 10th when the setting of the moon forced them to be halted; then, just as they were restarting at 5.00am., the Tanker Narragansett hove into sight. Immediately discharging oil into the sea to calm the swell, she was instrumental in allowing the majority of those aboard Volturno to be saved by the boats of the rescue ships which were at last able to lay alongside the burning derelict. In all, 520 persons were saved, with 134 losing their lives, and whilst the disaster is largely forgotten today, it was nevertheless one of the most dramatic in the long history of the North Atlantic passenger trade (Also refer P.R.O. BT261-6).
Able Seaman Edward Donald Cunningham received his S.G.M. from the hands of the King at an Investiture held at Buckingham Palace on 17.12.1914, one of the batch of 18 awarded to the Officers and men of the Devonian.
S.S. Volturno, 3,581 tons and built by Fairfield's of Glasgow in 1906, was a typical mixed cargo-emigrant Steamer of the pre-Great War era. Although at first owned by three different companies in as many years, she maintained the same North Atlantic route and, in 1910, began a regular run from Holland to New York. On 2.10.1913, she cleared Rotterdam carrying 22 First Class passengers, 539 Steerage and a crew of 96 with, amongst her cargo, a quantity of barium oxide and similar chemicals plus sundry other highly inflammable commodities. On 9 October, in mid-Atlantic, smoke was seen escaping from No.1 hatch whereupon Captain Inch reduced speed and summoned the ship's firecrew. Shortly afterwards, a violent explosion wrecked much of the forward portion of the vessel in addition to jamming both the steering gear and the Engine Room Telegraph. Gale force winds fanned the fire to exacerbate an already dangerous situation and Captain Inch ordered distress calls to be sent to all ships in the vicinity. The first to arrive on the scene, at about noon, was the Cunard Liner Carmania, followed by nine others during the remainder of that day, all of which tried unsuccessfully to launch boats in the deteriorating weather conditions. These fruitless but dangerous attempts continued until about 1.00am. on the 10th when the setting of the moon forced them to be halted; then, just as they were restarting at 5.00am., the Tanker Narragansett hove into sight. Immediately discharging oil into the sea to calm the swell, she was instrumental in allowing the majority of those aboard Volturno to be saved by the boats of the rescue ships which were at last able to lay alongside the burning derelict. In all, 520 persons were saved, with 134 losing their lives, and whilst the disaster is largely forgotten today, it was nevertheless one of the most dramatic in the long history of the North Atlantic passenger trade (Also refer P.R.O. BT261-6).
Able Seaman Edward Donald Cunningham received his S.G.M. from the hands of the King at an Investiture held at Buckingham Palace on 17.12.1914, one of the batch of 18 awarded to the Officers and men of the Devonian.