Hinderwells account of the first launch of the Scarborough Lifeboat in 1802

Account of the Scarborough Life Boat, by Thomas Hinderwell in the 'The Cabinet of Arts' 1817

Sir - The life boat at Scarborough, which was built without the least deviation from the model and the plan which you sent here at my request, has even exceeded the most sanguine expectations; and I have now received experimental conviction of its great utility in cases of shipwreck, and of its perfect safety in the most agitated sea. Local prejudices will ever exist against novel inventions, however excellent may be the principles of their construction; and there were some at this place, who disputed the performance of the life boat, until a circumstance lately happened, which brought it to the test of experience, and removed every shadow of objection, even from the most prejudiced minds.

On Monday, the 2d of November, we were visited with a most tremendous storm from the eastward, and I scarcely ever remember seeing a more mountainous sea. The Aurora, of Newcastle, in approaching the harbour, was driven ashore to the southward; and, as she was in the most imminent danger, the life boat was immediately launched to her assistance. The place where the ship lay was exposed to the whole force of the sea, and she was surrounded with broken water, which dashed over the decks with considerable violence. In such a perilous situation the life boat adventured, and proceeded through the breach of the sea, rising on the summit of the waves, without shipping any water, except a little from the spray. On going upon the lee-quarter of the vessel, they were endangered by the main-boom, which had broken loose, and was driving about with great force. This compelled them to go along side, and they instantly took out four of the crew; but the sea which broke over the decks having nearly filled the boat with water, they were induced to put off for a moment, when seeing three boys (the remainder of the crew) clinging to the rigging, and in danger of perishing, they immediately returned, and took them into the boat, and brought the whole to land in safety. By means of the life boat, built from your plan, and the exertions of the boatmen, seven men and boys were thus saved to their country and their friends, and preserved from the inevitable destruction which otherwise awaited them. The boat was not in the least affected by the water which broke into her when alongside the vessel; and, indeed, the boatmen thought it rendered her more steady in the sea. I must also add, that it was the general opinion, that no other boat of the common construction could have possibly performed this service; and the fishermen, though very adventurous, declared they would not have made the attempt in their own boats.

We have appointed a crew of fishermen to manage the boat, under the direction of the committee, and the men are so much satisfied with the performance of the boat, and so confident in her safety, that they are emboldened to adventure upon the most dangerous occasion. I have been thus circumstantial, in order to shew the great utility of the Lifeboat; and, I should think, it would be rendering an essential service to the community, if any recommendation of mine should contribute to bring this valuable invention into more general use.

OTHER ARTICLES
• The early years of the Scarborough Lifeboat
• Scarboroughs first Lifeboat and its first rescue in 1801
• The 200 year history of scarboroughs RNLI
• Losses amongst Filey fishing cobles
• Scarborough sailors rescued in the Baltic - Thomas Hinderwell
• An epic Lifeboat rescue in Robin Hoods bay and a terrible tragedy
• Scarboroughs Lifeboat - the huge storms of October 28th 1880
• The history of Filey Lifeboats
• Robin Hood's Bay - The Storm family website
• A great storm in 1871 in Bridlington Bay
• Scarborough trawlers sunk and wrecked in the modern era
• The U-Boat campaign in the First World War
• A great storm off Filey Bridge and a famous rescue in 1799
• Watching for ships by the harbour walls in Scarborough
• Characters of the Filey fishing industry
• Events and newspaper clippings from Scarborough
• Thomas Hinderwell - history of Scarboroughs fisheries
• Loss of the Scarborough Lifeboat November 2nd, 1861
• Scarborough's harbour and the coal trade. Thomas Hinderwell