The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-13
CAPT. BILLUPs HoNoRED.
The Queens Tribute to the Heroisu
of American Seainen.


of American Seainen.
Capt. Gaius w. Billups, of the Decatur
H. Miller, First Officer j. Dent Robinson
and the boats crew, who made the rescue
of the shipwrecked crew of the British
ship Astoria, abandoned during the August
hurricane last year, have been presented
handsome testimonials by the British
government in recognition of their
bravery.
The testimonials were forwarded for
presentation through Secretary Gresham
to Collector Marine, OF Baltimore. The
testimonial to Capt. Billups is hand
some solid silver ebony-handled hot-wa-
ter pitcher. encased in a blue plush
lined oak case; to First Officer Robinson,
fine pair of nickle-plated binocular or
marine glasses, in a yelvet-lined rose
wood case, and to Quartermaster Richard
o. Hubert, and Seamen Robert Tweedy,
Charles Arnold, Michael Hill and August
Fait of silver medals, each in a hand
some leather and plush case.
The pitcher to Capt Bi!lups bears the
following inscription: Presented by the
British government to Gaius w. Billups,
master of the steamship Decatur H. Mil
Ter, of Baltimore, q. S. A, in acknowl-
edgment of his humanity and kindness to
the shipwrecked crew of the sailing ship
doned in the North Atlantic on Aug. 20,
1898"
The case containing the binocular
glasses is similarly inscribed, except as to
the name Of the recipient The silver
medals, which hung pendant from a mag
enta-colored ribbon, bear upon the OBJ
verse head of Queen Victoria in re-
pousse. and the words Victoria D. G.
Britaniarum Regina F. D." and on the
1,.., l.
the inscription For gallantry and hui
manity' on the outside of the wreath,
and on the inside of same, From the
British government" The name of the
seaman is engraved on the edge of the
medal in each case.
The presentation of the testimonials
took place in Baltimore this week. Col
lector Marine, in presenting the awards
said: Acts of humanity are not uncom-
mon to those who pillow the waJery MAN,
and yet such is the value placed on hu-
man life that it's rescuer from the perils
of the sea is regarded as heroic, For
such an act these testimonials have been
sent to me as the means of them reaching
you from the British government. 1t af-
fords me great pleasure to meet and greet
you on such an occasion, and present you
these tokens as they come to you as re-
ward for noble conduct"
OdpJ. DlilupS, III T6SpOuSe, saul MT
Collector, | thank YOU and through YOU
the British government, not only in my
own behalf, but in behalf of those brave
men who when called upon willingly vol
unteered to man the boat that rescued
the crew of the Inflated ship Astoria.
Bred to the sea, Injured to all the hard
ships, privations and danger incident to
his calling, the sailor is ever ready to
rescue, even at the risk of his own life,
his fellow-creatures from the dangers of
watery grave, and share with them his
quarters, his wardrobe and his rations
Shakespeare has said, One touch of
nature makes the whole whole world
kim. The mariner to-day may be borne
safely over the tempestuous seas by his
gallant bark in aiding his less fortunate
brother who is threatened with an un-
timely end, and TOMORROW will stand in
need of like assistance. l know of no
part of the community who have led
lives of greater sacrifice, hardships and
dangers than they, for they are deprived
of home with all its comforts and social
pleasures, and not only have they to
brave the storms and shipwrecks of MGR
CHESS old ocean, but far worse, their lives
are exposed TO the ravaging diseases that
infest the different sickly ports that stern,
memorable duty calls them to. And l
know of no part of the community who,
Dy btlGlT CdlA4uRi duu luOAC W OllO NNdAVil'
necessities and comforts and Injuries of
society than sailors, for they bring to our
shores from foreign countries numberless
indispensable articles Of consumption in
every day life that are neither grown nor
manufactured in this country. England
owes her great commercial wealth and
her extensive domains upon which, it is
said, the sun never sets, to the prowess
and bravery of her seamen. And Eng
land shows her appreciation of their serv-
ices by the liberal award she makes to
those who render their assistance in the
hour of great peril"
Mr. d. H. Miller also spoke briefly, ac-
knowledging the gifts on the part of the
Merchants and Miners Transportation
Company, in whose name, ne said, and in
the name and on behalf of the officers and
seamen in its service, he knew he could
pledge a service to suffering humanity upon
the seas at any and all times. He added
that in the present instance it was par
ticularly pleasing to him to know that the
ship which had been the means of render
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