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The effect of the North Sea Storm on 14th October 1881 was far reaching and there are many reports of boats lost in the UK, Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths at Sea, 1844-1890 register. The greatest loss was suffered by the people of Eyemouth in Berwickshire, and full details can be seen at Eyemouth Disaster "Black Friday" 14th October 1881
Image right; Attribution - Background image from Maxpixel.net /Wave-Boat-Distress-Sea-Rough-Sea-Forward-2624054 Background Creative Commons Zero - CC0. CJB Compilation
Newspaper reports added to the project documents
* The Scotsman October 17th 1881 Page 4
The following are vessels that were lost with crew on the 14th October 1881, or reported as missing from that date. Boats are being added as details are found. Links will gradually be added top Geni profiles as these are researched.
List of shipwrecks: 14 October 1881
From "Losses of Life and Property Amongst Fishing Boats". The Cornishman (171). 20 October 1881. p. 8.
- Bertha United Kingdom The Newcastle steamer foundered with all hands lost.
- Emma Mary United Kingdom The barque foundered near Yarmouth and the crew were rescued by the St Bernard.
- Sunflower United Kingdom The Falmouth vessel was foundered in the North Sea and the crew were taken to Yarmouth.
- Unione Italy The barque sank in the North Sea. Eight of the crew were taken to Yarmouth by the Seaflower and the other four were picked up by fishermen from Lowestoft.
CARMARVEN BOATS
SNOWDONIA 70677 of Carmarven
15th October 1881 - Snowdonia losses
- John Roberts 28 M
- John Griffiths 49 Bos'n
- William Smith 50
- William Anderson 34 AB
- Evart Erikson 21 AB
- Murdock MacKay 20 AB
- James Labonon 21 AB
- Robert Socheibe 29
- Samuel Murray 19 OS
- John Dowdell 10 OS
HARWICK BOATS
MARY LYNE 78973 of Harwich
Lost in Farley Bay 14 Oct 1881 See Mary Lyne Lost at sea 14 Oct 1881
- Charles Edward Redwood 41 Master Harwick
- Charles Lewis Redwood 36 Mate Harwick
- William Bragg 21 AB London
- Thomas Frostick 21, AB Little Bromley Essex
- James Knock 17 OS Harwick
LEITH BOATS
ROSE MIDDLETON of Leith
1 man registered as lost as Redburgh - Wrecked
- Hulior Huliorsen 21, AB
LOWESTOFT BOATS
SKIMMER of the SEA 14747 of Lowestoft
Lost in North Sea 14 Oct 1881
- Henry Boon 40 M
- Henry Carr 37 SP
- William Munnings 33 AB
- John Buck or Atkins 19 OS
- James Olley 19 OS
- Arthur Thurston 16 OS
MIDDLESBOROUGH Boats
JANE AND HANNAH 67307 of Middlesborough
Lost off Blyth
- William Smith AB
- William Ruddock Engineer
- Robert Simpson Fireman
NORTH SHIELDS BOATS
SAMSON 27700 of North Shields
See North Sea ships lost 14-15 Oct 1881
- William Lee 39 Eng
- John Lee Jr 19, Fireman
- James Oats 21
PETERHEAD BOATS
JANE of Peterhead
The schooner "Jane" of Peterhead, bound for the Tyne with a load of col, went ashore at Dunbar and all hands were lost. All bodies were recovered.
References
* See List of crew Lost
* Past and Present
* The Scotsman October 17th 1881 Page 4 Those named marked ⧈
Registered Dunbar, Haddington
- William Mackie ⧈ 62 Captain/Master,
Shipmaster, married to Jane Summers?, son of George Mackie and Jane Sella. He had traded in the East Coast and was part owner of the Schooner. Last address Jamaica Street, Peterhead. - James Cowe ⧈ 40, or Cow Mate leaving a widow but no children. son of George Cowe and Margaret Grant.
- James Marshall Sailor ⧈ 21, Seaman son of James Marshall and Margaret McKane. Informant - William Adams, Constable.
- Michael Kelly ⧈ 26, Seaman unmarried. Son of Henry Kelly and Mary Dickson
Ramsgate Boats
COQUET WATER 45990 of Ramsgate
Vessel lost about 14 Oct 1881
- William Ralph Blackburn Master 37 Ramsgate Liverpool Lawn, Ramsgate
- Richard Ferrett 40 AB Ramsgate
- Alfred Gibbs 16 OS Sevenoaks Kent
- William Blackburn Archer 17 Apprentice Walthamstow, Essex
- Edward Bockett 20 Apprentice Luton Bedford
LILY 73504 od Ramsgate
Vessel lost about 14 Oct 1881
- George Robert Willson Ramsgate 36 Hert St. Ramsgate
- James Smart Boy
- James Bolton 29AB Ramsgate
- John Edward Maskell 20 Apprentice Ramsgate
- Charles Ward 17 Apprentice Margate
SILVER DART 77381 of Ramsgate
Vessel lost about 14 Oct 1881
- Robert Hodgman 34 Master Ramsgate Castle Cottages Ramsgate
- Job Grant 33 AB Ramsgate
- Walter Gardner 33 AB Ramsgate
- Frederick Jeal 13 Boy
- Walter John Emptage 19 Apprentice Ramsgate
SILVERY WAVE 68860 of Ramsgate
Vessel lost about 14 Oct 1881
- Thomas Nowell 34 Master Ramsgate Vincent Row Ramsgate
- Edward Butcher 36 AB Ramsgate
- Charles Smith 38 AB Ramsgate
- Walter George Stevens 21 AB Sandwich
Scarborough Boats
RUBY 4488 of Scarborough
Lost North Sea 14 Oct 1881
- James harwood 35 M
- Francis Hitchin 22 Fisherman
- Edward Dobson 19 Fisherman
SUNDERLAND BOATS
Ship TABOR 62640 of Sunderland
The Sunderland steamer TABOR, owned by James Westoll & Partners, left Shields bound for London with a cargo of coal. On 14/10/1881 the vessel passed the Dudeon LV but was never heard from again. Posted missing - Lost all 17 hands, including the Master. Read more at wrecksite: https://wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?172184
Was lost on 14 October 1881 near Dudgeon with all hands supposed drowned, lost with the ship.
- James Rinney 40 Master Sunderland, 37 Cromwell St. Sunderland
- Thomas Cunningham Mate
- John Harker 2nd Mate Sunderland
- Robert Johnson Carpenter
- Isaac Hume Steward
- David Nicholls Lamps and AB
- Robert Slater AB
- William Bellman AB Cornwall
- nn Smith AB
- John McGregor AB
- Robert A Young Engineer
- Robert Stansfield 2nd Engineer
- George Lock Donkeyman
- James Dean Fire'm
- John Reed Fire'm
- John Goudge/Gouge Fire'm
- nn Hodgson Eng's Steward
ROBERT AND CATHERINE 224462 of Sunderland
- Thomas Murphy 18 Boy
- Edward Smith Jnr 18 Boy
- Thomas R Richards 25 M
Yarmouth Boats
120 people are reported to have been lost from Yarmouth.
Various newspaper reports to be explored - 120 men were missing
Shields Daily News - Monday 24 October 1881
Shields Daily Gazette - Monday 24 October 1881
LOSS OF YARMOUTH FISHING BOATS. There is now no doubt that eight fishing boats belonging to Yarmouth have been lost with all hands in the late gale. Their names are
- the Comet,
- Serjeant Ballantyne,
- Amelia,
- William and John,
- Mary Ann,
- Gcldseeker,
- Florence,
- Mary and Eliza.
These would each carry least ten hands. Three smacks are also missing with six hands each.
Framlingham Weekly News - Saturday 19 November 1881
YARMOUTH Drowned at Sea —The master (William Cox) of the fishing lugger WILLIAM and JOHN, reports the loss of one of the crew, named George Mayhew, while at sea, some 25 miles east-north-east of Yarmouth. The deceased was carrying a basket of bread on deck, when, by a sudden lurch of the vessel, he was thrown overboard, and before any assistance could be rendered he sank and was drowned.
ALICE 58613 of Yarmouth?
Vessel lost 14th Oct 1881
- Henry Roberts 55 Master Palling Norfolk Havelock Road Yarmouth
- Thomas Eastick 37 Mate Yarmouth
- Charles Page 20 Seaman Yarmouth
- Thomas Sole 24 Ramsgate
- Benjamin Bowles19 Seaman Winterton Norfolk
- Harry Wood? 16 Boy Loddon Norfolk
AMELIA 67440 of Yarmouth
See North Sea ships lost 14-15 Oct 1881 Vessel lost 14 Oct 1881
- Henry George 30 Master Winterton
- William Lawes/Laws 39, Mate Norwich
- John Dunning 28 Fisherman Neatishead
- William Shreeve 34 Fisherman Flegborough
- Frederick George 21 Fisherman Yarmouth
- Robert Raven 39 Fisherman Hemsby
- John Mason 19 Fisherman East Russon
- Samuel Boulton 18 Capstanman Yarmouth
- James Coleman 18 Capstanman smallburgh
- George Wenn 17 Capstanman Ingham
- William Wright 16, Boy Irstead
- James P Layton 18 Foys Neton
ELIZA 29346 of Yarmouth
14th October 1881 off Yarmouth, supposed drowned
- Richard Redgrave 62 M
- George Hubbard 28
- George King Senr 42
- James Joseph Green 26
- George King Jnr. 16
- John Manthorpe 62
- James Beauty 16
- Robert Bullock 16 Boy
FLORENCE MARY 58595 of Yarmouth
Lost 14th Oct 1881
- Martin Ives 31 M
- William Warner 24
- William Elliott 22
- George Oakes 20
- Edward Wright 25
- David Thorpe 19
- Robert Smith 21
- George Woodcock 18
- Charles Newton 22
- Henry Harmer 16 Boy
GOLDKEEPER 74730 of Yarmouth
14th October 1881 - 15th October 1881 - Goldseeker losses
- George Burrage 30
- George Allen 21
- Charles Jones 20
- Edward Pigg 19
- Robert Cockerill 19
- Martin Luck 18
- William Bland 17
- John Forge 21
- George Fox 15, Boy
- James Charlton 40 M
LILLA of Yarmouth 73590
Lost in North Sea
- Charles Olliver 23 M
- Charles Smith 20
- Charles Coulter 19
- William Marshall 19
- Frank Cook 18 Boy
MARY ANN MATILDA 56348 of Yarmouth
See North Sea ships lost 14-15 Oct 1881
Lost in the North Sea 14 Oct 1881.
- Frederick Rowland 28 Master Barking Essex Exmouth Road Yarmouth
- James Bishop 42, Mate Ormsby Norfolk
- Robert Spooner 23, Seaman Hemsby Norfolk
- Henry Knights 27, Seaman Hemsby Norfolk
- George Robinson" 19, Seaman Yarmouth Norfolk
- Alfred Goodings 16, Boy Yarmouth Norfolk
SERGEANT BALLANTYNE 67424 of Yarmouth
15th October 1881 - Sergent Ballantyne losses
- John Dow, 25 M
- Daniel Crosswell 40
- James Pilkingson 27
- George parker 25
- Thomas Gymer 30
- Henry Flaxman 18
- George Whiles, 16
- William Ling 48
- Joseph Gymer 37
- Robert Thompson 19
- Charles Whiley 15, Bpy
WILLIAM and JOHN 74690 of Yarmouth
See North Sea ships lost 14-15 Oct 1881 Vessel lost 15 Oct 1881
- Joseph Barnard Master Caister Norfolk
- George Brown 30, Mate Winterton
- Robert Powley/Powby 44, Fisherman Caister
- James Wright 39, Fisherman Heckingham
- James Alder 28, Fisherman Gravesend
- Edward Edwards 33, Fisherman Hales
- James Long 37, Fisherman Hales
- Benjamin Futter 18, Fisherman Cantley
- John Spooner 18, Fisherman Hemsley
- George Humphrey 17, Boy Caister
OTHER BOATS
.....as yet not geographically located
CYPRIAN 70873
Wrecked 14 Oct 1810
- James McKardy 28 AB Port Glasgow 52 Seaport St. Liverpool
MANNINGTREE PACKET 23586
Vessel lost supposed 14 Oct 1881
- George Kerridge 63 Master Mistley 20 Clockwell St. Southwick
- George Kerridge 34 Mistley
- William Trevethick AB Penryn
MARY ELLEN 50852
Supposed lost 14th October 1881
- Samuel Nicholls 39 Master Falmouth 72 Kemp Street Fleetwood
- William Nicholls 16 Seaman Falmouth
- Joshua Summerfield 51 Seaman Grantham Lincolnshire
- Thomas Pearce 40 Seaman Hoylake Chester
- Alfred Nicholls 14, Boy Falmouth
OLIVIA 45559
Supposed lost 14 Oct 1810
- Alfred Newman 46 Master Sussex 60 Bedford St. Buckland Portsmouth
- Francis Price 45 Mate Plymouth
- Alfred T Griggs AB
- George Jones or Johns 37 AB Sussex
- James Henry Kinch OS
- Webster OS
- George Hoare 18 OS Portsmouth
PRINCESS VICTORIA 2401
Vessel lost 14 Oct 1881
- John Anderson 48 Master Seaham North Railway St.
- Matthew John Wright 36 Mate Seaham
- Thomas Penmeat? 34 AB Lynn
- Alexander Snowdon 16 Boy Seaham
- Edwin Milton 17 Boy Gravesend
VESPER 67275
Missing since 14-10-81
- T M Hardy 46, Master Combe, Salscombe, Devon
- G T Nicholls 43, Mate, Bristol -Sailor's home, Dock Street, London
- Robert Evans 22 AB Aberayson? - 28 Gill Street, Limehouse
- John Hiebert 28 AB Dantzic? 208 St. George's St E
- Daniel Lavender 43 AB Dover 108 St. George St E
- J A Sellguist 23 AB Sandwell, Sweden 88 Laman St. E
- James Bent 29 AB Manchester 4 Caledonian St. Poplar
- C W Berglundh 23 OS Esbi? 88 Leman St. E
WILL WATCH 50164
Vessel lost about 14 Oct 1881
- William Smith 42 Master London 66 Hardres? St, Ramsgate
- Thomas Woodward 23 Mate Ramsgate
- George Samuel Ward 17 Deck boy
- Edward Ovenden 18 Apprentice Woodnesborough, Kent
- Arthur Dorman Palmer 15 Apprentice Stamford-le-Hope Essex
WILLIAM AND MARY 65177
Vessel lost about 14 Oct 1881
- John Richards 31 Master Dover 32 Plains of Waterloo Ramsgate
- Edward Chowles 23 Mate London
- Henry Neville 22 Third Hand London
- Alfred John Blogg 17 Apprentice Faversham
- William McDonald 17 Apprentice
SHIPS AND MEN THAT SURVIVED:
PILGRIM, of Eyemouth
all on board saved:
- Thomas Fairbairn skipper
AERIAL GAZELLE, of Eyemouth all on board survived, ship found 2 days after the storm
- Alexander Burgeon, skipper
- George Craig
WHITE STAR all on board survived
SUCCESS all on board survived
FATHER AND SONS all on board survived
BRITTANIA
all on board survived
ALABAHAMA
all on board survived
WATTY DOUGAL, skipper
IONA, of Burnmouth
all on board survived
PROGRESS, of Burnmouth
all on board survived
- William Spouse, Skipper
- William Aitchison and 2 sons, of Burnmouth, wife Agnes/Aggie, other children Jimmie 4 and Mary 11
References and further reading
- Wiki
- Eyemouth Museum
- Great Eyemouth Fishing Disaster of Oct 14 1881
- Peter Aitchison's book "Children of the Sea" : The Story of the People of Eyemouth. Tuckwell Press Ltd, 2001.
- Rebecca Stott's book In the Days of Rain 2017
- At What Cost - David M Cowe