A medal presented to John Bell as the first merchant captain to sink a German U-boat during the first world war is set to be one of the star lots in Morton & Eden's July 2 auction in London.
 German U-boats were a major threat to shipping and, with five Royal Navy cruisers lost during the first ten weeks of the first world war, England's shores were vulnerable |
The Distinguished Service Cross was presented to Captain Bell after he successfully rammed and sank the U-boat off the coast of Plymouth, UK.
Having previously sold at auction for £4,140 ($6,381) in 2007, the medal is now estimated to sell for £3,000-5,000.
It is accompanied in the sale by a 19-carat gold watch given to Bell by King George V at Buckingham Palace, where a dinner was held in his honour.
The German U-boat fired a torpedo at Bell's SS Thordis, which was carrying coal from Newcastle to Plymouth, on February 28, 1915.
Thankfully, the captain managed to avoid being hit in a last-minute manoeuvre.
However, instead of fleeing, Bell then turned his 500-ton steam ship and the U-boat and rammed it at full speed.
 The crew of SS Thordis were awarded £660, which is more than £75,000 in today's money |
"I observed periscope of submarine on starboard bow. I immediately ordered all hands on deck in case of emergency. I then observed submarine pass across our bow and on to our port beam, where it took up a position 30 to 40 yards off," Reads Bell's deposition to Customs.
"Shortly after this I noticed the wake of torpedo on my starboard beam. I then put my helm hard over to starboard and ran over periscope, when I and all the crew heard and felt crash under bottom."
"I did not see submarine after, but saw oil floating on water. I then proceeded on voyage."
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a fantastic selection of militaria for sale, including a signed letter from Sir Winston Churchill.
