SY ARGONAUT testimonial presented to Arthur Bealle
Date1908
Object number00036237
NameTestimonial
MediumWood, paper, ink
DimensionsOverall: 657 x 540 x 55 mm, 3.22 kg
ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from T Cameron
DescriptionA framed testimonial presented to Arthur Bealle of SY ARGONAUT.
The text reads "This testimonial is presented to A Beall Asst' Steward by the subscribers to the ARGONAUT Crew Relief Fund, in recognition of the exemplary discipline and courage displayed by the officers and crew of the S.Y. ARGONAUT, on the occasion of the founding of that vessel in the English Channel, on September the twenty ninth, 1908.'
Signed by two secretaries, the chairman of the ARGONAUT Crew Relief Fund and the treasurer.HistoryThis testimonial is part of a small collection of material relating to Arthur Beall who was an assistant steward on board passenger vessels during the early twentieth century.
Beall was aboard SY ARGONAUT in 1908 when it was involved in a collision with SS KINGSWELL in the English Channel. There were 117 passengers and 105 officers and crew on board at the time under the command of Captain Readman. Beall received a testimonial signed by King Edward VII and Kaiser Wilhelm for his part in the rescue.
A contemporary newspaper account of the sinking reads:
"The passenger steam-yacht ARGONAUT, belonging to the Co-operative Cruising Company, which was on a voyage to the Mediterranean, was sunk off Dungeness on Tuesday morning in a fog. There were about a hundred and twenty passengers on board, as well as a hundred and twenty persons forming the crew. All were saved, and only the second officer was slightly injured. The ARGONAUT was struck by the Newcastle steamer KINGSWELL, and sank in about half-an-hour. It is immensely to the credit of the crew and the passengers that the boats were filled in so orderly a manner, although the ARGONAUT threatened to founder before all had left her. No one can read the account without pride and satisfaction. When the two hundred and forty persons had been transferred to the KINGSWELL, there was a new anxiety, as she too threatened to sink, and the passengers had again to take to the boats. Fortunately, the fog lifted, and the collier SOUTHMOOR was signalled. On board this ship passengers and crew were safely taken to Dover."
The Spectator - 3 October, 1908.SignificanceArthur Beall was a long time steward aboard early twentieth century passenger ships and joined the Aberdeen White Star Line on their run from London to Australia.
In addition to being aboard the SY ARGONAUT when it sunk in 1908, Beall was serving aboard SS PERICLES when it sank off the coast of Western Australia on 31 March 1910.
