Eleven lives saved from the dark water

A pleasant summer’s evening suddenly turns into a fight for survival. Twelve people end up in pitch-black water after their ferry capsizes. As panic breaks out and the threat of drowning looms, four men spring into action. Risking their own lives, they manage to rescue eleven people from the water.
Their courageous intervention begins on an evening that was meant to be all about relaxation and conviviality.

An outing suddenly ends in mortal danger
The Hague Typographical Society ‘Nut en Genoegen’ regularly brought together colleagues from the printing and typesetting trades. This was also the case on 14 July 1853 at Pax-Intrantibus, a coaching inn on the opposite bank of a tow canal. Visitors were ferried to and from the other side by a ferry.
When the party returned that evening, the group was split up as a precaution. Yet things went wrong. The second crossing had barely begun when the ferry capsized. The first group heard a loud splash and blood-curdling screams. Twelve people ended up in the dark water.

Four men risk their lives
Four men spring into action immediately and rescue eleven people from the water, whilst putting their own lives at great risk. The newspaper describes it as an ‘incredible effort’.
Not everyone can be saved. Mr L. Fenkel drowns despite desperate attempts to help him. It later emerges that he was not actually supposed to take part in this second crossing, as his presence meant the predetermined number of participants had been exceeded. However, he wanted to stay with his wife.

A precious tribute to four courageous rescuers
Once the initial shock had subsided, the Nut en Genoegen association wished to present the four rescuers with a fitting and lasting token of gratitude. It commissioned four beautifully crafted silver medals. During a specially convened, solemn ceremony on 30 January 1854, they are presented to Messrs Bielen, Briedé, Jos and Lever.
The design itself also reflects the great significance attached to their deed. Each medal is roughly the size of a rijksdaalder, about 4 centimetres. On the obverse, the words ‘Vereeniging Nut en Genoegen’ are inscribed along the rim. An embossed wreath of oak branches surrounds a small silver shield bearing the word ‘Aan’. Beneath this is a larger gold shield in which the recipient’s name is engraved.
The reverse also bears an embossed wreath of oak branches, containing the words: ‘for Noble Self-Sacrifice on 14 July 1853’. The medals were manufactured by Messrs Burnier in The Hague. The newspaper praised their exceptionally fine workmanship. That craftsmanship can still be recognised in the medals today.
Thus, the association’s gratitude is literally embodied in silver and gold. The four men are not only thanked for their actions, but each receives a personally crafted memento of the evening on which they, at risk to themselves, came to the aid of others.