SHIPWRECKS & GROUNDINGS – ROHILLA at Whitby
Accreditation the Evening Gazette 30/04/2014
WORLD WAR I – HOSPITAL SHIP ‘ROHILLA’
RUNS AGROUND AT WHITBY
Although outside the records kept by this site, the hospital vessel ‘Rohilla’ must be mentioned for her part in the First World War 1. Whilst travelling from Scotland to Dunkirk, October 30th, 1914, the ship ran aground in severe weather conditions near to Whitby. On board were 229 people, 85 of these losing their lives in this incident. These consisted of several nurses, and a large group of men from the St. Johns Ambulance Service, from Lancashire area.
Six lifeboats attended the incident over 3 days, some of those being from Whitby, Teesmouth, Upgang, Scarborough, and Tynemouth. (most of them rowing lifeboats to get to the incident). The three day rescue saved 145 personnel. This year is the 100th Anniversary, marking the greatest rescue ever to be carried out off Whitby.
Lol Hansom June 17, 2014 Shipwrecks Part 3