Silver medal of the Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society of NSW awarded to J A Geary

Subject or historical figure Joseph Augustus Geary

Date9 July 1903

Object number00056575

NameMedal

MediumSilver, metal, fabric

DimensionsOverall: 99 x 40 x 5 mm, 41 g

ClassificationsCoins and medals

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Collection Gift from Frank Geary

Collections

Recently digitised

Terms

DescriptionA boxed Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society of New South Wales silver medal and its associated certificate, both of which acknowledge the bravery of Joseph Augustus Geary. It was awarded to Geary for rescuing Mr. A. Morney on the night of 17 January 1903 after the capsize of his boat in Johnston’s Bay. These objects are significant reminders of the dangers, accidents and drownings that occurred in an era when many Australians were unable to swim.HistoryThe Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society of New South Wales, originally established as the National Shipwreck Relief Society of New South Wales, was inaugurated on 25 July 1877. The Society was formed as a result of the loss of the iron paddle steamer, Yarra Yarra, and its crew on 15 July 1877. The steamer foundered due to a heavy south-east gale near Oyster Bank when re-entering the Newcastle Harbour. There was a crew of 17 onboard, all of whom lost their lives. The Society was established with the three key objectives of providing relief for the families of deceased or missing mariners, to support the survivors of shipwrecks and to reward bravery in saving human life. This was later amended to include not only acts of bravery that saved human life but also those that attempted to and became the primary objective of the Society. The Society’s necessity for the first and second objective ceased as it became the state government’s responsibility to assist those financially disadvantaged by shipwrecks. The design of the medal was created in 1878 by James W. Sayer of Newcastle, whose drawing was chosen by the Society’s committee as the most appropriate. Sayer was awarded a premium of five guineas for his design. In 1879 the die for the Society’s gold, silver and bronze medals was cast in London and sent to the Sydney Mint to begin production. This particular silver medal and merit of certificate was awarded to Joseph Augustus Geary at the annual meeting of the Society on 10 August 1903 at the Sydney Town Hall. Geary received these accolades in recognition of rescuing Mr. A. Morney on the night of 17 January 1903. Geary was a passenger onboard the Ferry Steamer Lilac and after witnessing the capsize of a boat in Johnston’s Bay, resulting in three men being thrown overboard, sprang off the steamer and swam to assist Morney, who was one of the three men. Geary proceeded to support Morney until the steamer was close enough for them be hauled onboard. The other two men were rescued by the crew from the barque Collingwood.SignificanceThese two items are significant at a state level as they act as a reminder of the dangers, accidents and drownings that occurred around Sydney – and New South Wales – throughout this era. The story of Joseph Augustus Geary’s act of bravery also provides links to the history of Sydney ferries as a significant mode of transport throughout its waterways. In terms of national significance, they also highlight the many maritime accidents that commonly occurred throughout the 19th century and early 20th century. Importantly, it also represents an enduring significance placed upon publicly recognising acts of bravery through the symbolic gesture of medals and certificates.