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Irish
Coast Guard Historic |
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Setting the Scene |
BOARD of TRADE “WRECK
TOKENS” . A short history
by Capt. Coast Life Saving Service Association. Apart
from the Officers in charge of Coastguard stations, all other coastguards
were volunteers and unpaid as is the case today. However when they
were called out and attended or assisted in a shipping casualty such
as a shipwreck, they received a token payment. It is stated that this
was introduced to prevent pilfering from any cargo that was washed
up from the shipwreck, this however is not established and we should
regard it as payment for services rendered. Payment was made by the
presentation of a “Token coin” to all those that attended,
it became known as a “WRECK TOKEN”, and
was issued by the officer in charge on the completion of the operation.
This in turn could be exchanged for the appropriate payment for the
service rendered. E.g.; 2/6d.
Turnout. 5/0d
Attending a wreck. £1.00.
Saving a life. Over
the years the payment was modified as appropriate; this payment seems
small today but was fairly substantial at the time. THE WRECK TOKENS. A
design for the tokens was requested from the Royal Mint in January
1877, a design and samples of different types of metals was received
the following April. A token the size and shape of a Crown coin (5/0d)
and made of bronze , an initial order for 3.000 was placed, they were
delivered in May 1877 at a cost of £10;00. A further order for
1.000 was placed in July 1883 and were delivered in August 1883. 25
wreck tokens were issued to each coastguard station and were stored
in a canvas bag and held at the station. DESIGN. Initially
all tokens were identical and issued by the Board of Trade, (later
the British coastguard). On one side was a “CROWN”
surrounded by the words “PROOF
OF SERVICE AT A WRECK”, on the reverse side a “THREE MASTED SAILING SHIP”
surrounded by the lettering ”BOARD of TRADE ROCKET
APPARATUS” IRISH WRECK TOKENS. In
1922 at the formation of the “ The Wreck tokens were withdrawn from
service in 1972 |