 The 18 carat gold plain case with 'J.R.' monogram to the sprung front cover, having hinged back and cuvette. The white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, outer minutes chapter, gilt hands and centre seconds with a stop function in the band. The keyless, gilt movement with lever escapement, bi-metallic temperature compensated balance, blued steel hairspring and screwed in jewels throughout.
The cuvette is inscribed:-
Presented to
J. RICHARDSON
AS A
MARK OF APPRECIATION FOR CONSPICUOUS SERVICES
RENDERED H.M.S.TITANIC
15th APRIL 1912
Included with this watch is a photograph of Mr. Richardson in uniform.
John George Richardson (26) was serving as 6th Engineer on the 13,555 ton passenger liner R.M.S. Carpathia on the fateful night of the 14th April 1912, when his ship heard the first distress signals from the Titanic. The Carpathia immediately changed course for the liner's last known position, over 60 miles away. The full extent of the disaster was realised when she arrived at the scene, after skillfully negotiating surrounding ice fields, at 4am the following day. Carpathia rescued all 705 of Titanic's survivors from their lifeboats but the remaining 1,503 passengers had perished in the icy waters.
Following the catastrophe, a committee led by one of the survivors, Margaret 'Molly' Brown, raised nearly 15,000 dollars for the aid of survivors and at a ceremony on the 29th May 1912 in New York, the committee presented awards to the Carpathia's officers and crew. Most received soley a medal but Richardson, who perhaps had performed a particularly heroic act, was awarded this gold watch.
This watch was on public display at Southampton Maritime Museum in an exhibition to mark the 80th anniversary of the Titanic disaster.
Date: Hallmarked 1912
Diameter: 52.5 mm
Price: P.O.A.
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