Hand-made maritime quilt inspired by Whitby's Rohilla heritage donated to RNLI
A woman whose grandfather was rescued from the hospital ship Rohilla, which ran aground on rocks off Whitby’s Saltwick Nab in 1914, has made a quilt to help raise funds for Whitby RNLI.
Lu McCaskill presented her hand-made quilt to Whitby RNLI's fundraising group, Friends Of Whitby Lifeboat.
The quilt is made of the international maritime signal flags and with an embroidered meaning of each stitched into its adjoining panel.
It is a labour of love following her discovery that her grandfather Herbert (Jock) Leith Murray was one of those rescued from the wreck of the Rohilla.
Lu said: 'Me and my her sister Nicola would not be here today without the bravery and dedication of the RNLI and the good people of Whitby.
"It’s an amazing thing to consider the number of people of whom this may be true, and a stark and wonderful reminder of the true impact of the RNLI throughout its history.”
Danny Narey, chairman of the Friends of Whitby Lifeboat, said: “Thank you to Lu for this incredibly unique donation - we will use this gift wisely in raising funds for Whitby RNLI”.
Another survivor of the Rohilla disaster was stewardess Mary Roberts, who had also survived the Titanic sinking two years earlier.