Lot 145

Description

Marquis De Leuville Medal, H.M.S. Calliope - Captain H.C.Kane, Samoa hurricane admiration medal, (1889) (M.H.642), in silver plated copper (30mm), obverse, Marquis De Leuville arms, reverse, 'British Seamanship/And/Captain H.C.Kane/Of/H.M.S.Calliope/From An Admirer/The Marquis De Leuville'. Very fine.

Spink & Son (Australia) Sale 33 (lot 2686).
Together with a Samoa First Day Cover commemorating the Centenary of the Apia Hurricane 1889.
There was a hurricane on 18 March 1889 that devastated Apia Harbour in Samoa. Captain Kane was the only ship's captain to save his ship, HMS Calliope, and crew. Marquis De Leuville, a French admirer, presented the Captain and crew with medals of the above design. HMS Calliope was assigned to the Australia Station and had gone to Samoa to protect British nationals and trading interests at a time when rival native chiefs were battling for supremacy. After the hurricane HMS Calliope returned to Sydney where she received a tumultuous welcome. She remained at the Australia station for about another six months before returning to England.
With research by Mostly Unsung of Admiral Sir Henry Coey Kane as well as other extensive research.