Awarded to John Roberts, Able Seaman 'Baltic'. A circular badge surrounded by a laurel garland hanging from a ship's block. Fitted with a ring and inscribed clasp. Obverse: Inscription: 'THE LIFESAVING BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK'. Below: 'INCORPORATED 1849'. Clasp 'DECEMBER 6 1929'. Reverse, legend: 'VITA FELICIBUS AUSIS SERVATA'. Inscription: 'AWARDED TO JOHN ROBERTS (incuse) FOR SAVING HUMAN LIFE IN PERIL .' In card box of issue, ribbon missing.

Newfoundland schooner ‘Northern Light’ carrying general cargo from St Johns to Bonavista Bay, was sighted by White Star liner ‘Baltic’, drifting waterlogged in bad weather and requesting assistance. A volunteer crew of nine men including Roberts under 3rd Officer J. H. Walker put off from ‘Baltic’ and picked up a line from ‘Northern Light’. They took off five crew members, but the son of the skipper, Rex Parsons, who had been ill with pneumonia, let go the line and drowned.