I thought you might be interested in the story of one of my ancestors who was involved in an rescue from the cliffs of Flamborough on the night of New Years Day, 1867.

I have attached the newspaper reported from the Bridlington Free Press reporting the rescue and also a  report of James Harringtons death, 9 years later.

James's family had the North Star Inn at Flamborough and various certificates show his occupation as a Gentleman, unfortunately at the end of his life he was driving carriages for a living and after his death his wife reduced to talking in laundry, a sad end to someone who I think must have been quite a character

Hope you enjoy reading it.

And keep up the good work, I love reading your newspaper reports on the Driffield Forum.

(I also have an interest in the names Elvidge / Sawdon / Headspeck and Allison )

Best Wishes

Gill Railton ( Hull ) gill@railton22.karoo.co.uk

BRIDLINGTON FREE PRESS -SATURDAY 5 JANUARY 1867

DREADFUL SHIPWRECK AT FLAMBOROUGH HEAD.

On Monday night or early  on Tuesday morning last, the Charlotte, a vessel of about 200 tons, laden with deals, batten &c, supposed to be from Gottenburg, was wrecked on the north of Flamborough Head. It is thought that she ran ashore during a snow storm, as, on Tuesday morning  at day-break, the north- sea landing was strewed with wreckage and on searching by Mr Harrington, of the North Star Inn , the master and three foreign seamen were found alive among the rocks, at the east entrance of Robin Lythe's cave. They were with difficulty carried across and got to Mr Harrington's house, were it was found the captain was dreadfully injured and unconscious; and the other men unable to speak English, so that any information could be gathered from them with difficulty. But it appeared that other three unfortunate men were also on board the vessel and formed part of the crew; these have not been saved, and , at this time, only one of the bodies have been found. Later on in the day, the master, whose name is said to R White, expired. It is supposed that one of the men, not saved, viz, the mate, is brother to the captain. The vessel has become almost a total wreck, but a portion of the cargo is being saved.

 

BRIDLINGTON FREE PRESS - JANUARY 1867

FLAMBOROUGH - TWO BODIES FOUND.

The loss of the timber-laden vessel Charlotte, from Gottenburg, off Flamborough Head, has already been reported in the Free Press. On Saturday last, the body of a man, who was said to be one of the three missing men, was found in the cliff, near the scene of the loss. The poor fellow had apparently taken refuge from the sea, by climbing up the cliff. He was in a sitting position when found, and he had no doubt died from exposure - The body of the mate of the ship was picked up on Wednesday, on the rocks, and was buried on Thursday.

 

BRIDLINGTON FREE PRESS  - JANUARY 12 1867

FILEY - WRECK.

A large quantity of deals, battens, and broken pieces of timber were on Saturday afternoon last, picked up at the beach, they having been washed on the shore by the tide: a further lot was secured whilst floating at sea , by a fishing coble. It is supposed to have come from the ill-fated ship which founded at Flambro' Head, otherwise some other vessel must have been lost among the rocks in this locality.

 

AS REPORTED BY F TILLE, IN THE DALESMAN - APRIL 1981, PAGE 56.

FLAMBOROUGH.

During the night of January 1st 1867, the ‘Charlotte’ of Sunderland, timber laden, from Gottenburg, suffered near Robin Lythe’s Hole.  It was a moonless night, the lights on the head obscured by the snowstorm and the booming of the gun lost in the roar of the elements.

In the morning a large quantity of wood was seen floating in the North Sea gap, and on search being made five men were found at the foot of the cliff.  One of them quite dead, another (the captain) fearfully wounded by the rocks and the others in an exhausted condition. They were rescued from their perilous position by James Harrington who kept the North Star Inn, and, at the imminent risk of his own life, brought them all into the cave.

The sea at the time was rising fast, the wind dead on shore the only access to the poor men was across the planks and mast of the wreck, which lay tossing at the mouth of the cave.  Four times did Harrington traverse this perilous path, each time bringing one of the men. His last venture was for the wounded captain, and the sea hurled Harrington and his almost lifeless burden far up into the cave and they narrowly escaped being dashed to pieces.  The captain died the next day.

Three days later another of the crew was found in a crevice of the rock known as  ‘Well Hole’.  The man had apparently taken refuge from the sea by climbing up the cliff and had died from exposure.  The body of the mate of the vessel was picked up on the rocks on the Wednesday following.

Harrington was rewarded for his brave conduct by the King of Sweden and also by the English government.

 

THE CHARLOTTE

The award was a result of an incident, which took place at nearby Flamborough , for years before the Flamborough lifeboat stations were established. Bridlington was the nearest lifeboat station to the incident.

 

On 1 January 1867, the Sunderland brig CHARLOTTE was wrecked during a strong north-east gale on east scar, North Landing, Flamborough. James Harrington waded into the violent surf several times, despite the cold and risks, which resulted in saving the lives of four men of the crew.

The award to James Harrington was in recognition of his gal lent conduct, at the risk of his own life.

 

Silver Medal awarded to James Harrington - He was also given £2

 

Ten shillings was awarded to each of the two men who gave assistance during the rescue.

 

A REPORT OF THE DEATH OF JAMES HARRINGTON.

FROM THE BRIDLINGTON FREE PRESS , SATURDAY FEBRUARY 5 1876.

FATAL CARRIAGE ACCIDENT.

An accident which has terminated fatally, occurred to James Harrington , cab driver in the employ of Mrs Harrison , Brittania Hotel, on Thursday when driving Mr Robert Wilson and Mr J Parker to their home at Bessingby.

The particulars of the case will be seen in the following report of the inquest which was held before J.M. Jennings Esq, the coroner at the Bull and Sun Inn ,Bridlington, on Monday evening , and adjourned until the following Wednesday, when the first witness was Mr Robert  Wilson , who stated that Harrington drove himself and  Mr Parker from the Quay to the Black Lion, Bridlington and thence home on Thursday night. They got out of the carriage between their two residences, it being very dark at the time, they wished Harrington good night, and after getting a short distance heard the horse going at a furious rate, they then heard a groan and went back to see what was the matter, and found Harrington lying in the road. He (witness) helped to raise him and Mr Parker ran to look after the horse and carriage, which he soon returned with. They then put Harrington inside and drove back to the Quay. Harrington only said "Oh my side"- On reaching the Brittania they there found out where Harrington lived and drove him home. Had heard the horse had sometimes run away, but it went very quietly that night.

 

James Parker gave similar evidence, stating that he ran after the horse, which he would have expected would have taken the road for the Lodge instead of which it had gone straight on until it had come to a gate where it was standing when he reached it. The road was a very bad one being 8 or 10 inches deep in mud. He found the reins over the splash board an thought that Harrington had not had hold of them.

Hannah Harrington wife of deceased, stated that he had told her that he always got hold of the reins before getting up; that he had done so on this occasion, but by the horse suddenly turning round he was thrown down on his side and the wheel went over him. - Deceased had died shortly after getting out of bed , which the doctor had enjoined him not to do.

 

The medical evidence given by Dr .Brett went to show that  deceased ribs were much broken , but what internal injuries there were besides he could not ascertain. His body was much swollen, he therefore bandaged him up, which gave deceased considerable ease, and laid him on his back with strong injunctions that he was not to raise himself appeared that the medicine caused him to get out of bed, and he believed that in doing so something pressed upon  the heart and occasioned his death. He (Dr .Brett) had not been apprehensive of danger , and when he saw him last he appeared to be going on favorably.

 

The Coroner said the evidence appeared very plainly to indicate the cause of death. There  appeared to him no reason to believe it to have been otherwise than accidental, but that was a question for the jury to decide. the evidence was as complete as it was possible to be, and they must form their verdict accordingly jury at once returned a verdict of " Accidental death".

 

James is buried in St Oswald's Churchyard, Flamborough.

Grave stone reads..

In affectionate Remembrance of James Harrington the beloved husband of Hannah Harrington who died January 30th 1876 aged 51 years.

 "be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh"