Dealer Information Dealer: Hornbeam Militaria Location: Bromsgrove, United Kingdom Tel: 01214051501 Email: sales@hornbeammilitaria.co.uk

Original WW1 Medal Pair, Lieutenant Commander Cossentine, Royal Navy, Sunk SS Beatsa

Code: MZ45426

Website: https://www.militariazone.com/groups/original-ww1-medal-pair-lieutenant-commander-cossentine-royal-navy-sunk-ss-beatsa/itm45426

A rare and sought after medal pair to an officer of the Royal Navy, with replacement ribbons, correctly named to;

LT. COMMR. H. H. COSSENTINE. R. N. R.

Copy paperwork included showing Harry Harvey Cossentine served from 22 April 1897, having been born on 20 April 1868, being moved to the retired list on 4 May 1911 but was recalled during the war and served aboard HMS President.

Harry continued his maritime career after the war.  In 1937, at the age of 69, he was the skipper of the S.S. Beatsa, a merchant cargo vessel. A court of Inquiry found that he was at fault for the sinking of the Beatsa, when it ran aground and sank near Les Pierres Noires lighthouse, on the French coast in very heavy fog. It was found that the vessel was not navigated with proper care and no proper lookout was in place. Furthermore the court found no speed reduction took place and no course corrections were made due to the influence of the current. They concluded; "The stranding of the Beatsa was caused by the negligent acts or defaults of her master Harry Harvey Cossentine".  His master's certificate was suspended for 12 months. He died in 1945.

As for the crew of the Beatsa, all 19 were picked up by a French lifeboat.

I will send a copy of the Inquiry to the successful buyer.