Another Storm on the North East Coast
Screw Steamer Ashore at South Shields
This morning after a long continuance of unsettled and inclement weather, another gale burst over the north east coast. The wind was from the east-south-east, and was accompanied by frequent heavy showers of hail and snow. The sea also rose considerably, and broke with great force across Shields Bar, and along the coast. Shortly after nine o’clock the alarm guns from the Spanish Battery, followed by those of H.M.S. Castor, announced the unwelcome intelligence that a vessel was in distress at the entrance to the harbour. A large number of persons at once betook themselves to the beach, and it was ascertained that the screw-steamer Alice, which regularly trades between Newcastle and Grangemouth, with goods, was ashore at the north side of the South Pier, South Shields. The members of the Volunteer Life Brigade mustered in large numbers, but it was deemed unnecessary to get out the rocket apparatus, as the vessel was lying in comparatively smooth water. The lifeboats Tom Perry, Northumberland and Noble Institution were got out and rowed to the vessel, but, for the same reason, their services were not required, and the crew declined to leave the steamer. It appears that while the Alice was entering the Tyne her steering apparatus became defective, and she was rendered unmanageable. The steam tugs Toiler, Great Britain and Selina got towlines attached to the vessel, and endeavoured to pull her off and their task was accomplished about an hour after the occurrence of the accident, notwithstanding that the tide was receding at the time. The steamer stranded in close proximity to the spot where the screw steamer Eagle was wrecked five years ago.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette30 November 1875