Storm on the Coast
Schooner Ashore Shields
Rescue of the Crew
About 2-30 this morning, during the prevalence of a south-west gale and a heavy sea a schooner, which proved to the Resolution, of Fowey, Cornwall, was driven ashore about three hundred yards to the south of the South Pier at the mouth of the Tyne. The coastguard on duty immediately fired the alarm signals, which were responded to by the guns of H.M.S. Castor, in Shields Harbour. The lifeboats Bedford, South Shields, and James Young of Tynemouth were speedily launched, but it transpired that their services were not needed as the coastguardsmen who were in command of Mr Lorden, and the members of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade, under the command Captain Walter Buckland, were able to render the necessary aid in the rescue of the crew. Assisted by a number of foyboatmen the rocket cart was got out, and run down on to the beach, and communication was established with the stranded vessel, the first line going clear over her. The schooner lay with her head to shore, and the crew made the line fast to the foremast. A good deal of delay occurred owing to those on board not being able at the outset to work the apparatus. The seas were breaking over the vessel with great force, and the gale was increasing, but shortly after three o'clock the first of the crew, a youth, named Henry Shea, was landed by the breeches buoy. He was at once taken to the Brigade House, where his wet clothing was exchanged for a warm dry covering. Other three of the crew, William Whitford, Edward Parry, and the mate Thos. Collings, were landed in quick succession, in a more or less exhausted condition, Whitford especially suffering from the exposure and the journey through the heavy surf. They were all taken to the Brigade House and there received every attention. The honorary surgeon of the Brigade, Dr Robertson Crease, and his assistant, Dr Goudie, were in attendance, and administered to the relief of the rescued men with the most satisfactory results. The master, Captain Joseph Rosevear, for some reason, refused to come ashore, and remained on board until the tide receded. It was high water at 6.38 and as a consequence the water was well up the bulwarks before daybreak, but as the vessel preserved an even keel no danger to the captain was anticipated, but the brigadesmen remained by the rocket apparatus in case he signified his intention to come ashore. In an interview with the crew our representative was informed that the Resolution left Dunkirk, in France, on Tuesday week, in ballast. Owing to the state of the weather she put into Bridlington, and left there yesterday morning, a strong wind blowing, varying from N.E. to S.S.E. Coming on towards the Tyne last evening she had all sails set, and early this morning a tug came alongside. An endeavour was made to get a line on board the tug, but owing to the rough sea this could not be accomplished, although they tried about an hour. It was then found that they were close upon the entrance to the Tyne and there being great danger of striking the South Pier the sails were hastily taken in and the vessel drifted on to beach. The captain expressed to the crew his intention of staying the ship, but all the rest were very thankful for the services of the coastguard and brigade in taking them off and for the provision that had been made for their, comfort. The Resolution seems as she lies on the beach, to have suffered serious damage, and if this turns out be correct it is expected that she will be got off with assistance at the next spring tides. She is part owned by the master.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 27 October 1892
The Stranding of the Resolute
The schooner Resolute was, at the time writing of writing, lying in pretty much the same position as when she drove ashore on Wednesday. She about midway between the high and low water marks, bows up, with her port side exposed the sea, which is still running very high. The contract to float her has been secured by Mr Barclay, shiplifter and diver, of North Shields. Precautionary measures were taken to prevent her drifting further up the beach with the rise of the tide. The master, Captain Rosevear, who preferred to remain by the ship, came ashore when the tide had receded. The whole the men's effects were recovered, and as the vessel lies on a sandy bottom it is expected that she will be towed off during the spring tides.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 28 October 1892
The Stranded Schooner Resolute
Writing this morning, our shipping reporter says that the schooner Resolute, of Fowey, which as previously reported went ashore on the beach at South Shields, on Thursday morning, during the prevalence of a south-easterly gale, still remains hard and fast. An attempt was made last night to float the vessel, but in consequence of the heavy sea running, tow-lines from the steam-tugs which were in readiness to tow her off could not be got on board, the Resolute, and therefore the attempt was abandoned. Two tugs were near the schooner this morning, but it was found necessary, owing to the bad tides to postpone operations for a day or so. The Resolute is perfectly water-tight. When the vessel is floated she will be placed a dry dock for examination.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 29 October 1892
The Stranded Schooner Resolution
Yesterday, about one o'clock, the schooner' Resolution, of Fowey, which came ashore on the beach to the south of the South Pier, at the mouth of the Tyne, on the morning of Thursday last, was successfully floated. Being a well-built vessel and able bear a severe strain without any appreciable effect, she has never given her owners much cause for anxiety, and although there have been attempts to get her off during the past few days, it was never doubted but that the object would be attained. The weather was all that could be desired, and as she left the spot where she became stranded, she looked, being in tow of three steamtugs, as if she were none the worse for her rough experience last week. The names of the tugs which towed the schooner off the beach were the Freedom, the Wonder and the Europe. The vessel was brought into the Tyne and afterwards placed into Boutland's Dock, South Shields, for examination.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 2 November 1892
The latest achievement of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade, the rescue of the crew from the schooner Resolute, of Fowey, on the early morning of Wednesday, the 26th October, has evidently produced very grateful feelings in the hearts of the men who were for time exposed to extreme danger, if we may judge from the letters which have been received from the rescued, and which were written at their far-away homes in Cornwall. They are also devoutly thankful for the great kindness shown them by that true friend of the sailor, the Rev. H. W. Farrar, chaplain of the Tyne Seamen's Mission.
Of the three letters I select the following as an example. It is written by the mate of the Resolute, Thomas Collings, and addressed to Mr Farrar .—" Dear Sir, have taken the pleasure of fulfilling my promise in writing to you to give thanks for your kindness and also thanks and praise to the Volunteers for their kind treatment to me and the others. They are worth more praise than I can give them, but the Lord will not forget them. I have prayed to the Lord many a time to bless them for their kindness. I never forget them in my prayers, and am sure the Lord will bless them for it all. Dear sir, I should have written before, but when I arrived home Friday evening was very poorly and I have been ever since until to-day, and now I am a good deal better." This simple language, the outcome of an honest and generous heart, is ample repayment for any service rendered to the crew of the schooner. Another of the crew says: “In gratitude to you one and all, I return my sincere thanks for your promptitude in rescuing me, and also for your kindness after getting ashore to the Brigade House, not forgetting the lady who most kindly came. I shall remember to my dying day the kindness shown us, and may God bless you and prosper the work of so noble a calling."
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 16 November 1892