STORM – Dreadful Gale – Tees – Minna – Hazzard – Luna
Accreditation The Redcar and Saltburn-by-the-Sea Gazette 30/10/1880.
THE DREADFUL GALE
The gale continued until last night with terrific fury. The lifeboat men and the members of the rocket brigade were on the look out ready for active service, and about six o’clock a large screw steamer was sighted apparently unable to steam ahead, and making for the shore opposite the Coastguard station. The life brigade was speedily on the spot, and two rockets were fired to their assistance, and the crew of thirteen hands were rescued. The steamer turned out to be the “Tees” of Stockton, Capt. Henderson The whole of the crew proceeded to Middlesbrough by first train. At nine o’clock in the evening lights were showing from a distressed vessel on the rocks, between the piers. An alarm was given by Thomas Picknett, of the Free Gardeners’ Lifeboat house. The lifeboat was again got ready for action and the rocket apparatus was at once on the spot. Lights were exhibited from the shore, but the vessel broke away from the rocks and drove in shore, when it was found that she had parted in two, leaving only the stern. A rocket was fired over the vessel, but there being no place to make fast the line, no help could be rendered in this way. The lifeboat could not be launched, the horses being unable to make a start. The shouts from those on the vessel were truly heart rendering. However, the tide returned enough for a line to be thrown to the wreck, and the fishermen were ready to save, if possible, the poor helpless men. Some had clasped before this could be done, and by the aid of lines, the crew, twelve in number were safely landed and taken to the Swan Hotel, where they were taken care of by Mr, Rogowski. This vessel turned out to be the barque “Minna,” of Enno, Capt. Fisher, in ballast from London to Newcastle.
Early this morning, another sign of distress was exhibited from a vessel crossing the rocks to the east of Redcar Pier. The old lifeboat “Zetland” was made ready for launching. The vessel had by this time drifted helplessly in the direction of the centre of the pier, and fears were entertained as to the safety of the pier. Unfortunately the strong wind and the sweeping tide forced the vessel through the pier without stoppage. The pier now stands divided in the centre, and about fifty yards has fallen into the sea. The deck of the pier fell upon the vessel as she passed through, but luckily all hands were down below. The sudden crash caused the men to come on deck, and they had to cling to the wreck to save themselves from being washed overboard – the huge breakers rolling completely over her. Many people were on the pier but a few yards from the stranded vessel, but could not help them. The rocket brigade had fired all their rockets, and the scene was most affecting.
The “Zetland” was launched for the first time, and succeeded in reaching the disabled vessel, taking on board the whole of the crew, seven in number. It was the brig “Luna” of Rochester, Capt. Frend, of that port, in ballast from Rochester to Shields, is reported, when out at sea he ordered the masts of his vessel to be cut down in order to save themselves.
The wreckage of the Dutch Galliot has washed ashore on the Coatham beach, supposed to have foundered at sea during the night. A fine large barque is reported ashore in the Tees. At Saltburn a rumour is afloat that a screw steamer has gone down with all hands.
About eleven o’clock another brig was observed flying a flag of distress, and labouring heavily under a little canvas near East scar end, and the lifeboat “Burton-on-Trent” was again drawn in the direction of the brig which ran ashore at Marske, the lifeboat was launched, and the Saltburn rocket brigade fired two shots over the vessel but the crew were unable to use the apparatus. The lifeboat was pulled out to the vessel and in a few minutes the crew of nine were taken on board the lifeboat and landed, they were conveyed to Redcar, when they were received by Mr. Skinner, Stockton Hotel.
This was the brig “Hazzard,” Capt. Anson, from Dover to Norway, in ballast. This was the fifth crew in which the Redcar lifeboat men and life brigade had been instrumental in saving, the total number of lives saved being forty seven. This speaks well for the Redcar lifeboat men.
We have just received a report from Saltburn that eighteen bodies have washed up this morning, but we cannot confirm it.30/
dean August 20, 2011 Weather & Tides