LIVERPOOL SHIPWRECK & HUMANE SOCIETY

Instituted 1839 Incorporated 1888 Registered Charity No. 222098 Limited Company No. 27726

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The Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society makes honorary awards of medals, parchments, certificates and letters of commendation to people who voluntarily put their own lives or safety at risk by saving or attempting to save other people who are in danger in cases of shipwreck, drowning, fire or any other hazards. The Society also encourages the teaching of swimming and life-saving techniques to local schoolchildren to whom it awards medals, certificates and embroidered costume badges where a suitable level of proficiency is shown.
 

Geographical Area

Although there is no specific boundary defining the area over which the Society has jurisdiction, by general agreement with the Royal Humane Society, the Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society nowadays restricts its activities to rescues arising in Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire, or anywhere at sea if the vessel involved is Liverpool registered (or the person lives in the Merseyside, Lancashire or Cheshire area). Rescue acts in all other parts of the UK are dealt with by the Royal Humane Society with whom we maintain close liaison

Awards

Since the Society was first formed in 1839 it has awarded over 9,200 medals, medallions and bars in gold, silver or bronze (of which number 51 have been in memoriam medallions) as well as a countless number of parchments, certificates and letters of commendation. These awards reflect the varying degrees of risk and it is only in rare instances that in memoriam awards are made to rescuers who lose their life in the attempt.

Stanhope Gold Medal

Each year the case which the Society considers to have been its most meritorious rescue is submitted to the Royal Humane Society where it is considered alongside the best cases from other Societies for the award of the prestigious Stanhope Gold Medal.

Nominations

Nominations may be made to us by anyone who has witnessed an act of bravery but we normally seek supporting evidence from the police or emergency services.

Research Services

Although our staff resources are limited, we can on request research our records for academics, writers and family historians. The Society also supplies “replacement” certificates in the event of the original having been genuinely lost or destroyed, and appropriate charges are made for these services. The Society does not provide “replacement” medals.

Donations

The Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society is a registered charity and we receive no government funding, relying for income entirely on our investments and a small number of subscriptions and donations.

Publications

Each year we publish an Annual Report which includes brief details of the awards made during the year and copies can be supplied on request.

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