New York Nautical Society life saving medal being a sterling silver medal measuring 1.5" in diameter with obverse featuring enameled NYNS flag surrounded by anchor and text "Alumni Associate" and "St. Mary's". Reverse of medal engraved "Presented by the Alumni Association NYNS March 13, 1926 In recognition of the heroic conduct of the Late Herman A. Mathias, Class of 1912 When as chief officer of the Steamship Momus He sacrificed his own life in effecting the rescue on December 1, 1925 of three members of its crew who were overcome by fumigating gas". Medal is accompanied by photograph of Mathias as a student of the NYNS. Photograph by Cullen of Passaic, NJ measures 5" x 3.5" and is mounted to 9" x 6" board. Medal is housed in jewelers presentation case of Diege & Clust, NY. The S.S. Momus was a single stack steamer operated by the Southern Pacific Company. It was launched in 1906 and sailed until being scrapped in 1936. It usually sailed between New York and New Orleans. Herman A Mathias (1892-1925) is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Medal and photograph are accompanied by numerous hand calligraphed labels and art by Charles Lekites and research on the S.S. Momus. Provenance: Charles Lekites Collection.