The Camp and Villaverde Medal

The Camp and Villaverde Medal has its origins in the wreck of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company's SS Tweed, which was carrying over 150 passengers and crew when it became a total loss striking the Alacran Shoal in the Gulf of Mexico February 12, 1847. Only 50 or 60 survived. Some two days later, the Spanish brig Emilio arrived on the scene and sterling rescue work by Captain Bernadino Camp, his First Mate Don Guilliermo Villaverde, and the crew of the brig resulted in the rescue of the survivors.

lthough the Society was not involved in making awards to Camp and Villaverde for their rescue work, a subscription was opened in Liverpool in 1847 for the purpose of rewarding these gallant Spaniards but the amount raised did not meet the expectations of the promoters and the money was left in the hands of John Bramley-Moore, the Mayor of Liverpool. It was not until September 1872 that Bramley-Moore, donated the funds to the Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society to found a medal for saving life at sea which was to bear the names of Camp and Villaverde.