GREAT BRITAIN Board of Trade, Rocket Apparatus, Proof of Service At A Wreck 36mm bronze token 20.80 grams

During service at a wreck when the coastguard officer or the volunteer-in-charge of the rocket apparatus required extra assistance, he enrolled on the spot the helpers needed. As conditions at the scene of a wreck did not normally permit paper work, each individual helper was handed one of these tokens, to be redeemed later for wreck service payment. 

The Rocket Life Saving Apparatus was invented by Henry Trengrouse. It was a line thrower that became a staple onboard most ships. It had a superior range and was much lighter than the Manby mortar. Instead of the use of a mortar, the Trengrouse design made use of a rocket that had been stabilized in a cradle.

These bronze tokens were selected by the Marine Department of the Board of Trade, 3,000 were delivered, at a cost of £10 on the 30th May 1877. A second order of 1,000 coins were delivered on 16th.August 1883. There was confusion between the Royal Mint and the Board of Trade, as the mint thought that were being presented to the men in recognition for their work and thought they would have to be engraved with the name of the recipient. The reply from the Board was that were not medals, but were to be given out as vouchers to be exchanged for 2/6d or 5 shillings afterwards. 

Picture of Rocket Apparatus is not included.