SHIPWRECKS & GROUNDINGS “Willow” Schooner Ashore near Redcar

Accreditation The Redcar and Saltburn-by-the-Sea Gazette 09/04/1887.

SCHOONER ASHORE NEAR REDCAR

          A severe gale raged all Tuesday night (05/04) to (06/04) Tuesday Night, along the coast, and on Wednesday morning soon after six o’clock, a small German schooner, the “Willow,” in ballast from North Shields, was observed off Redcar in difficulty.

          She was first observed by the fishermen – John Picknett and a member of other men quickly got their coble out in case of need. At first it was thought she would run ashore at Redcar, but her head turned southward and she ran towards Marske. The coble and fishermen proceeded along the coast, the schooner grounded near Marske the coble succeeded in rescuing the crew of three, which were conveyed to the Ship Inn, Marske.

          The alarm gun was fired at Redcar soon after seven o’clock, and the National lifeboat and crew proceeded towards Marske, but the crew had been rescued by the coble before the lifeboat reached the scene of the wreck. The rocket apparatus from both Redcar and Saltburn also proceeded to the scene, but were not required.

          Great credit is due to the crew of the coble for their courage in going out and for the hardships they underwent on such a cold and stormy morning. The ship will in all probability, be knocked to pieces with the stormy sea, as she is quite an old vessel.