b. 1853 Caernarfon, Wales. d. 14/08/1915 Erith, Kent.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 28/08/1875 Cape Horn.
Ernest W Owens AM
Ernest was born in North Wales, and decided to go to sea as an apprentice at age of 14 in 1867. He would eventually attain the rank of Captain. In 1893, he was appointed as an Instructor at Liverpool Technical College. In 1898, he went to London to become a junior examiner of masters and mates for London, eventually becoming chief examiner. He was a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and wrote several books. His AM was stolen from his mother’s house in 1879 whilst he was at sea. He applied for a replacement, which was initially refused. He received the replacement medal in 1901.
AM CITATION:
On the morning of the 28th August, 1875, the ” Compadre” being then off Cape Horn, in a very severe gale, a heavy sea struck the ship, and washed overboard Duncan McKay, an apprentice, who was attending to his duties on deck. MR. OWENS, seeing McKay in the sea bleeding and fainting, immediately jumped overboard to his assistance, notwithstanding that he was very heavily clothed, and had on his oilskins and sea boots. A rope was thrown to them from the ship, which MR. OWENS caught with his right hand, and wound round McKay’s body, which he was supporting .with his left hand. His hands, however, were so benumbed with cold, that he could not make the rope fast, but winding it several times round his own wrist, he held on to it with all his power. Difficulty was experienced in getting them on board, as McKay was quite helpless, and both wore oilskins and sea boots, besides heavy clothing, which was saturated with water. After several efforts they were taken on board, having been in the water about fifteen or twenty minutes.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: PRIVATELY HELD.
