Medals presented to surviving Fethard lifeboat men

Medals given by the King of Norway and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution were presented to the lifeboat men who survived the Fethard lifeboat tragedy today at the Civic Exhibition. The incident took place while the Fethard was attempting to rescue the schooner Mexico which went aground on the Keeragh Rocks off Cullenstown. When they had almost reached the schooner their lifeboat was swept up by a wave and hit the same rocks. Nine of the crew members were killed in the incident but the surviving five managed to rescue the crew of the Mexico, though one died of exposure.

Addressing the lifeboatmen, Lord Aberdeen said that he was about to present them permanent tokens of congratulation, admiration and esteem in memory in the gallant manner in which each and all, in the teeth of immense difficulties, succeeded in rescuing a number of lives which were in jeopardy.

The men were then entertained to tea with the Lord Aberdeen at the Civic Exhibition.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]