Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-01-05 00:00:00

Thursday, January 5, IS6O

PRESENTATION TO A CAPTAIN.

A gratifying display-of- appreciation of bravery was
witnessed yesterday at the monthly meeting of the Local
Marine Board, at which a splendid gold chronometer
' and chain from:the President of the United States was
presented,to Captain Hodgen, master of the brig Antigua
' Packet. The chronometer was manufactured by Messrs.
Appleton, Tracy, and Co., Waltham, Massachusetts, and
bore the following inscription on the inner case :-" The
President of the United States to Captain It. Hodgen,
of the English brig, Antigua- Packet, for humanity to
shipwrecked American seamen, 1859." This was in
allusion to the fescue of twenty-two "seamen from the
r Ainerican ship St: Petersburg, on the 11th November
last, when that vessel was in a sinking condition, about
midway between the coast of Newfoundland and the
'British Isles.: The chair was occupied by Mr. James
Smith, there being also - present—Messrs. Maclver,
Lockett,- Tomlinson, M'lntyre, • Mott, and Captain
Hodgen. -
The CHAIRMAN, in presenting the testimonial, said
that in the absence of the,Chairmna of that board (Mr.
Graves) it had fallen :to his lot to hand to Captain
Hodgen a very handsome gold watch and chain, pre-
sented by the President of United States,' in testimony
of the exertions he had made on the 11th of November
last, -when he was instrumental in 'saving the crew of
the American ship. St. Petersburg. He had_ no doubt
thafthe captain, in the sacred performance of the duty
to do good to all men, as'he had had an opportunity of
doing, probably at great risk and danger to, his
own life, would feel the happy reflection that he
' had been successful in ' his endeavolirs, and this
would at all times be to him an ample reward;
at the same time, he thought, there was some value
in a testimonial like that beyond its money value.
There was no doubt that the occupation of a seaman
was at all times very hazardous, and it must occur from
time to time that they would be called upon to displaY,
as in that instance,
.great courage, at great risk
of life. Their efforts might be successful or they might
- not. Unsuccessful efforts never came to the knowledge
of their 'countrymen, or of the countrymen of those on
whose behalf those efforts were made ; but when their
efforts were successful, as in that instance, the British
Government as well as the American Government were
in the habit of marking their sense of the
obligation to those who made those efforts by pre-
senting testimonials similar to that ; therefore, he
thought that Captain Hodgen would feel that the chroi
nometer had more than a money value, for whenever he
looked at it he would bear in mind not only that h
had been instrumental in.4saving a number of huma
beings.from a watery grave, but that his country as w
as other .countries ..do not overlook such -efforts.
concluded by wishing. Captain_ Hodgen every possible,
success in his future career, with long life, health, an
hAppieess.

Captain HODGEN thanked.the board for the kindness
they had displayed towards him. The expectation of
that testimonial had never entered his head, for he con-
sidered he was only doing his duty when he rescued the
§C4lnen, and would do the same, again. He_ had only a
small supply of provisions, but his mate, at great risk,
had gone to the sinking ship and obtained some from
her. -

It was intimated that the mate was outside ; and Mr.
Mott suggested that the chairman should' call him in;
_and express the admiration of the board for his conduct;
but, at the suggestion of Mr. Maclver, it was determined
to present him with £5, which Mr: Maclver offered to
pay himself, but which the members present subscribed
among them.
The mate—Mr. John tawson—wes then introduced,
and the chairman told him that, considering the couragd
he had displayed, the board thought his efforts should
not go unrewarded, and had deter Mined to present
him with £5, not .exactly as a reward, but to remind
him that when under similar circumstances he did his
duty, boards like that would show their appreciation of
his exertions.. .

Mr. MoTT said he would send up the mate's certificate/
with that of the captain, to the Board of Trade, to get
an official recognition of their conduct endorsed upon
them. •
The proceedings then terminated. -