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A 14ct gold pocket watch in a hunter case by Waltham, with a gold chain. The watch is contained in a red leather-covered presentation box.
This fine pocket watch is inscribed, 'From the President of the United States to Edward William Freeman, Captain of the British steamship 'York Castle'. It was given in recognition of his humane services in the attempted rescue of the captain and crew of the American schooner 'Willie L Newton' abandoned at sea Feb.21 1904'.
Watches such as this one were often presented to captains as expressions of gratitude. The watch itself is a high-grade precision timekeeper. As well as an inscription on the inner dome, the watch has an American eagle emblazoned on the front. Suffolk-born captain Edward William Freeman was aged 40 at the time of the incident. Two years earlier, as captain of the 'Roddam', he was cited in Lloyd's List for his 'extraordinary exertions on the occasion of the volcanic eruption at St Pierre Martinique.'
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