Brid RNLI volunteers remember the Great Gale at service
Bridlington RNLI Volunteers once again marked the 155th anniversary of the Great Gale at the Bridlington Priory Church. Bridlington RNLI along with the HM Coastguard, members of the harbour and fishing communities and others gathered at the Bridlington Priory Church on Sunday, February 8.
A spokesperson said: “Bridlington RNLI gathered today at Priory Church to remember the victims of the Great Gale in 1871.
“It was an excellent turn out again and so good to see many other services connected to the sea in Bridlington also in attendance.”
155 years ago, Bridlington witnessed one of the worst maritime disasters to ever hit the North East coast.
On Friday, February 10, 1871, the so called ‘Bay of Refuge’ was witness to the storm that affected not only the town, but many other seafarers who had taken shelter in the bay, to escape the worst of the winter weather that had ravaged the coast in the early part of that year.
In 1871, Bridlington had at its disposal two lifeboats, the RNLI’s Robert Whitworth II, which had launched several times saving the crews of three vessels, and the Harbinger, a private lifeboat owned by local fishermen, which had also set out on numerous occasions that day.
By mid afternoon, the lifeboat Harbinger put out once again into atrocious conditions to go to the aid of a brig, Delta, that was in serious trouble.
Tragically, as the Harbinger was attempting to save the crew, a wave capsized the lifeboat and six of the nine local men onboard were drowned. The six brave crew of the Harbinger who were lost were, Robert Pickering, John Clappison, Richard Atkin, James Watson, David Purdon and William Cobb. Four of the crew of the brig Delta, including the Captain, were also lost to the sea during the storm.
Another vessel to suffer many losses that day, was the brig Produce, which was driven ashore close to the North Pier. Two of its crew lowered a boat to escape the brig but were swamped almost immediately, with one man drowning within minutes, the other man tried to swim to the pier, but he was also lost to the storm. Another four of the crew from Produce were also lost that day. During the storm many other ships suffered similar fates as the loss of vessel's grew and many people succumbed to the storm.
Andy Rodgers MBE, Bridlington RNLI Coxswain, said ahead of the service: “The 10th of February 1871 is a date that is woven deeply into the heart of Bridlington. In a community shaped by the sea for centuries, the events of that day still echo through the generations.
“Many families in the town today carry the names, the stories and the memories of loved ones who were lost, and of those who bravely fought to save others whether out on the raging waters or along the windswept shoreline. The people of Bridlington witnessed the raw and unforgiving force of Mother Nature in a way that changed this town forever.
“That is why we must never allow the sacrifices made 155 years ago to fade from our collective memory.”