1853 (i.e. 1854) Humane Society of Massachusetts Medal to Captain Robert Crighton. Silver, 50.9 mm. AU-58 (PCGS).681.1 grains. Attractive deep antique gray toning has the look of navy blue with hints of gold under a light. Scattered marks and hairlines are seen on both sides, a few more significant scratches but nothing traumatic. The bold double striking that is most easily seen among the legends around the reverse periphery brought out the detail of the obverse design beautifully. Engraved on the reverse "TO CAPT. ROBT. CRIGHTON OF BRITISH SHIP THREE BELLS, FOR HIS NOBLE EFFORTS IN RESCUING THE PASSENGERS & CREW OF THE STEAMER SAN FRANCISCO DISABLED AT SEA DEC. 24TH, 1853." Crighton was one of three captains who was recognized on a U.S. Mint medal (Julian LS-12) issued by the City of Philadelphia. <p><p>Just days before Christmas 1853, the <em>S.S. San Francisco</em>, a large steamer bound for San Francisco from New York, hit terrible weather and lost its engine east of Charleston, South Carolina. About 200 of the 700 aboard were lost to the high seas. The tragedy was a national headline due to its magnitude and the fact that the entire Third Regiment, U.S. Artillery was on board. Crightons ship <em>Three Bells</em> and two others saved many of the surviving passengers and became national heroes. <p><p>This medal, issued by the Humane Society of Massachusetts, is scarce as a general private lifesaving type, but is extremely special considering the person and event recognized. It brought $6,900 in the 2004 Ford V sale.PCGS# 926015.<strong>To view supplemental information and all items from the Sydney F. Martin Collection, click<a href="https://stacksbowers.com/sydney-f-martin-collection/"target=’_blank’> here.</a></strong>.From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Stacks, privately, September 1998; our (Stacks) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part V, October 2004, lot 281; Lawrence R. Stack Collection, November 2006.
