Congressional medal presented to Captain Arthur Henry Rostron

1913

Gold

Each (diameter): 2 3/4 in. (69.9mm)

Gift of the Naval History Society, 1925

2008.42.348ab

The survivors of the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic had not even arrived in New York City before the United States Senate convened an inquiry into the disaster. The chairman of the hearing, Michigan Senator William Alden Smith (1859-1932), had been a champion of improved railroad safety in the United States, and he wanted to hear the survivors’ testimony while it was still fresh in their minds. The hearings began at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City only a day after the survivors had reached land. Among the first to testify was Captain Arthur Henry Rostron of the R.M.S. Carpathia, which had picked up more than 700 survivors from the icy sea. His testimony before the committee was so complete and so emotionally gripping, it brought tears to the eyes of the Senator and many others in attendance. Following his formal report on the investigation to the Senate, Senator Smith called for unanimous consent of a resolution to allocate one thousand dollars to award a gold medal to Captain Rostron. The resolution was passed by acclamation. The medal was designed by American sculptor and medalist John Flanagan (1865-1952), who based the portrait of the British captain on sittings in New York and Boston done between Rostron's voyages on the Carpathia. The gold medal presented to Rostron is still owned by descendants.

DescriptionGold struck uniface medals; one with obverse showing left-facing profile of uniformed officer; legend: "TO ARTHUR HENRY ROSTRON/ FOR THE HEROIC RESCUE OF THE SURVIVORS OF THE TITANIC/ LOST IN MID-ATLANTIC/ THE/ THANKS/ OF THE/ CONGRESS OF THE/ UNITED STATES; the other with reverse showing two nude figures in lifeboat at left; figure in water at right; legend: "APRIL - XV/ MCMXII"

MarkingsObverse at bottom of bust "MC JF [in circle] MXIII"; on edge: "MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y."

ClassificationsMEDALS