1648-1863: The Era of Wrecking

The Hope Town wreckers who were motivated to salvage the ship’s cargo also saved countless lives by speeding to the sinking ships. In 1853 Capt Robert Sands of the schooner “Oracle” saved the passengers of the ship “William and Mary”, bound from Liverpool to New Orleans and received the Silver Medal from the Royal National Institution for the preservation of Lives from Shipwreck, see photo below: