Category: death at sea

March 6th

On 6th March 1851, two days of severe storms, coupled with high tides, caused several breaches in Spurn Point, and made the Low Light insecure. The lifeboat was damaged, and several of the crew’s cottages were flooded. The extraction of gravel was halted, but did not finally end for many years.

On 6th March 1862, Joseph Wildridge, aged 14, apprentice, was attacked by another apprentice, probably named William Webb, on board Hull fishing smack Fairy. He was  so severely injured that he had to be returned home by another vessel, and died on 9thApril. He was unable to report on the events leading up to his attack, and a court case failed to prove a case against his assailant, as the crew would not testify.

On 6th March 1883, a great storm affecting the whole of the East coast resulted in huge losses in the Hull fishing fleet. Accounts vary: up to 230 Hull fishermen and 32 fishing smacks are recorded as lost.

On 6th March 1916, Zeppelin L14, after attacking Hull, dropped bombs on Burstwick and Owstwick, with no further casualties, before passing out to sea.

On 6th March 1919, the RAF Squadron 248 at Hornsea Mere seaplane station disbanded. From August 1918, it flew coastal patrols with Short 184 and Fairey Hamble Baby floatplanes off the Yorkshire coast. photo shows a short 184

 

short-184

February 25th

On 25th February 1325, Nicholas le Couper conveyed property in Aldegate, abutting on ‘Wycote Dyk’, to Robert de Preston, draper.

On 25th February 1803, Burnett’s Daily Shipping List reported the arrival of 1 ship from Wells (Wells-next-the Sea, Norfolk?) and 14 ships left the port, for the Davis Straits, London, Lisbon, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Valencia, and Amsterdam.

On 25th February 1862, Miss Turner and Miss Broadley paid for the building work, and donated the land, for Turner Court, Midland Street, Hull. This is the only example of Model Dwellings built outside London by the Labourer’s Friend Society, (founded by Lord Shaftesbury) which became the Society for Improving the Conditions of the Labouring Classes. The first tenants of flat No 8 were James and Mary Ann Adam, 38, their 9 children and 1 grandchild.

On 25th February 1905, an International Commissionin Paris reported that the Russian Rozhestvensky did all he could to prevent Hull trawlers being fired on in the “Russian Outrage’ (also known as the Dogger Bank Incident’) which killed 3 Hull men. Russia voluntarily paid £66,000 to the fishermen.

On 25th February 1971, Rupert Alec-Smith, Lord Mayor of Hull, formally opened BBC Radio Humberside.

Russian Outrage

February 15th

On February 15th 1518, Richard Jakson of Hogett on the Wolds (presumably modern Huggate) claimed the sanctuary of St John’s church, Beverley, for debt.

On February 15th 1530, John Gillco, labourer of Painsthorpe, fled to his parish church in Kirby Underdale from York, where he had assaulted and killed John Notyngham at 4p.m. the previous day. A coroner’s inquest the same day reported that the killing took place within the liberty of the monastery of the Blessed Mary.

On February 15th 1793, a contemporary report said a horseman galloped into Hull with urgent news that men had landed near Patrington from a privateer. Nervous of the risk of French invasion, part of the Corps of Invalids stationed at the Citadel and several volunteer seamen were immediately dispatched to meet the enemy. A 2ndmessenger met them on the road near Hedon, and informed them that instead of French enemies, those who had landed were the crews of several colliers, who had left their ships to avoid the press gang. HM Sloop of War, The Queen, was lying at anchor in the Humber.

On February 15th 1898, James Ashton, 39, skipper, of Witty St, Hull, was lost with his crew when trawler European foundered in the North Sea.

press-gang

February 10th

On 10th February 1644, Sir William Constable of Flamborough led Parliamentary troops from Hull in routing the Royalists at Kilham.

On 10th February 1801, Sir Samuel Standidge, aged 75, died at Thorngumbald. He was born at Bridlington, and at age 19 was taken prisoner by privateers and taken to Rhode Island. Later in life he traded goods to Rhode Island and bought lands in Holderness, building New York Farm, Preston, to mark his financial success in New York.  He is credited with restarting the Hull whaling industry, acting as master of his own whaler.  Sheriff of Hull, Mayor, and warden of Hull Trinity House 5 times. His memorial is  in St Mary’s Lowgate, Hull.

On 10th February 1866, 6 days after running aground on the Isle of Juist, Germany, 15 people were rescued from the rigging of the ‘Excelsior’ of Hull, where they survived without food and water. Mrs Newton was considered a hero for her support of her fellow survivors.

On 10th February 1871, at least 70 mariners lost their lives in Bridlington Bay in the Great Gale, including 6 lifeboatmen. 23 vessels were lost. There is a mass grave in the Bridlington Priory churchyard, and an annual Fishermen’s Service was held for 100 years.

On 10th February 1893, Revd Francis Orpen Morris died aged 82 at Nunburnholme. Vicar at Nafferton 1844-1854, rector of Nunburnholme to 1893. Irish-born naturalist and author of children’s books, and books on natural history and architecture. Anti-feminist, anti-hunting and opposed to Darwinism. (b25.3.1810)

On 10th February 1898, Commander Cave, of Humber guard ship Galatea, rescued the crew of SS Marbella in the River Humber, near Humber Dock, Hull. The Marbella had problems with its steering gear, and almost collided with 2 ships before hitting the Galatea. The only passenger had to swim to safety, and the Marbella’s cargo of 41 horses were all lost. The Galatea was itself later stranded on the Hebbles sandbank, but refloated later.

Saml Standidge memorial

February 8th

On 8th February 1834, as well as directing ships into harbour at Hull, the Humber Pilots’ work for the day included relaying the Chequer buoy and surveying.

On 8th February 1974, Hull trawler Gaul gave her last position report to the trawler’s owners before she was reported missing. Suggestions were dismissed at inquiry that she was involved in espionage or was in a collision. Link is to a short film about the Gaul. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQlSaCf5tWA

Gaul

February 5th

On 5th February 1538, widow Mabel Brygge, 32, servant of Holmpton, was examined by an enquiry headed by Sir Ralph Ellerker the younger. She was alleged to have carried out a ‘black fast’ with the aim of injuring King Henry VIII and the Duke of Norfolk, in relation to the King’s divorce and the Reformation. She was executed at York, along with John Dobson, vicar of Muston, and John Ainsworth, priest, who had also spoken out against the royal supremacy and Act of Succession.

On 5th February 1856, Humphry Sandwith, junior, MD, aged 34, had a public breakfast given in his honour as a war hero at Royal Station Hotel Hull.  He gained the Orders of St Stanislaus, Nishan Iftahar and Mejidie, and French Legion of Honour in the Crimean War. He was head surgeon at Hull General Infirmary 1847-48. Author of a number of memoirs, as well as 3-volume novel “Minsterborough’ about his upbringing in Beverley.

On 5th February 1909, George Gibbon, Melchoir Chadwick and Thomas Leng Major, fishermen, lost their lives attempting to rescue the crew of the coble Gleaner when it capsized. Their own boat also capsized, and all 6 lives were lost. A monument to this ‘Conspicuous Act of Bravery’ is in the village centre.

 

 

flambro

February 4th

On 4th February 1516, John Holme, labourer, of Ottringham, claimed sanctuary at the church of St John ‘for divers felonies’.

On 4th February 1634, William Kitching, 39, of Little Driffield, and 9 other men, were hanged at York for rioting at Hull about corn, for demolishing the dwellinghouse of Edward Cooper, and for stealing clothes. None of those convicted were from Hull.

On 4th February 1783, Hull Trinity House accepted the proposal of Mr Blaydes of Hull to build a yacht for £500; they used the yacht Humber for 23 years.

On 4th February 1809, Ebenezer Bettison and 2 others, of Hull, drowned during a storm when going in a boat to secure a lighter which appeared to be in danger.

On 4th February 1821, Thomas Wilkinson Wallis was born in Hull. The son of a cabinet maker, he became a wood carver. He was a pprenticed to Thos Ward in Waterworks St, Hull, and trained at the Mechanics Institute. His work can be found in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. photo shows one of his carvings

On 4th February 1900, Sir Leo Schultz (Joseph Leopold Schultz) was born in Hull. He was  the Leader of Hull City Council from 1945-79. Was awarded the OBE in 1946 for war work, including as an air raid warden, and for his campaign to provide all households with a bomb shelter. He was knighted in 1966 for services to local government. Honorary Doctor of Law Hull University 1979. d 1991. photo above

On 4th February 1968, Hull trawler Ross Cleveland capsized and sank with all but 1 of the 20 crew. An enquiry concluded the ship was unable to cope with ice build-up. The wreckage was located in 2002.

St Andrews Dock memorial

February 1st

On 1st February 1639, King Charles I issued an order to enclose Hull and improve its fortifications.

On 1st February 1714, a great wind caused damage in several places, and blew down Richard Stevenson’s house in Kilpin, then the fire in the hearth destroyed the remains.

On 1st February 1884, at the Hull Sanitary Congress, Hull City Hall, Rev Joseph Malet Lambert called for bold action to save hundreds of lives, and improve thousands more, by dealing with dreadful housing conditions, some of them a stone’s throw from the City Hall. The slums were cleared 20 years later.

On 1st February 1893, Hedon Gymnastic Society put on an ‘Assault-at-Arms’, with an appearance by a clown, and followed by a dance in the Board School room, Roos.

On 1st February 1922, Robert Anderson, 26 of 7 Emily Terrace, Gillett St was lost with 9 shipmates when Hull trawler Magneta was wrecked off Murmansk, under Russian arrest.

On 1st February 1983, 800 dignitaries, service representatives and families of the Norland crew gathered at the King George Dock Terminal Building, Hull. They were there to greet the return of North Sea Ferries Norland after over 9 months in the Falklands War supporting the troops. Unfortunately, 90 mph winds did not allow the ship to dock, and it rode out the storm in the Humber for several hours , by which time the banquet was over.  Hundreds of people were still there to greet them at the quayside in the evening. The Norland was refurbished and returned to the Rotterdam run on 20thApril.

Norland return

January 29th

On 29th January 1505, Richard Naperton, labourer, of Goodmanham, claimed sanctuary at the church of St John, Beverley, for debt.

On 29th January 1885, William Barlow, 15, cook, was lost overboard from Hull trawler Only Son in the North Sea.

On 29th January 1916, Sir Clements Robert Markham KCB, FRS of Stillingfleet died aged 85. Born in Stillingfleet, he became a Navy officer, explorer and geographer, Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society, organiser of Scott’s 1901-4 National Antarctic Expedition, author, and organiser of the 1860 expedition to collect cinchona for quinine.

sir clemts markham

January 26th

St Andrews Dock memorial
Zebedee’s Yard

On 26th January 1509, William Ivenson, Hull tailor, claimed sanctuary at the church of St John, Beverley for debt.

On 26th January 1516, John Catton, husbandman, of Allerthorpe, claimed sanctuary at the church of St John, Beverley, for felony.

On 26th January 1884, former pupil of Hull Trinity House School John Blakeston drowned after falling into the sea while reefing sails on the Barque Cape City off Rosario, Cape Horn.

On 26th January 1926, Ronnie Hilton was born Adrian Hill  in Hull. A singer, had 9 top 20 hits in the 1950s, and was also a radio presenter and pantomime artiste.  d 21.2.2001

On 26th January 1968, Hull trawler Kingston Peridot made her last contact by radio. See 10.1

On 26th January 1972, students at Hull University held a sit-in, called The January 26 Movement, in the Students Union building. It was part of an anti-apartheid campaign to persuade Hull University to divest itself of shares in Reckitt & Colman, which had extensive interests in South Africa and Rhodesia. The sit-in ended on 7th February.

ronnie-hilton-a-windmill-in-old-amsterdam-1965