 The weather had abated somewhat when light was spotted and a rescue attempt was carried out after the storm had calmed.Of the 138 passengers and crew, 44 had survived the initial crash and 27 hours after the ship had struck ground, the last of the passengers and crew were rescued.Medals of bravery were awarded to several crew members of HMS "Briton" and HMS "Prospero" who had responded to the wreck; these were given by the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VIII, while he was in St. John's in 1919.