Southport Visiter, Feb 23rd, 1854
Violent storm and loss of life
Throughout Friday night the 17th inst and Saturday the neighbourhood was visited by a violent hurricane from N and N.W, which proved disastrous to shipping and caused serious loss of life.
The most serious disaster, happened at noon on Saturday, 11 lives were lost.
The Barque CHEROKEE, which sailed on Friday for Africa, was, reported on shore at East Hoyle Bank, about 9am on Saturday preparations were made for sending assistance to her.
The steam-tug PRESIDENT with the Liverpool lifeboat in tow and the steam-tug VICTORIA, with the steam-tug company’s lifeboat in tow was despatched to the distressed vessel.
The crew of the lifeboats stayed in their own boat whilst being towed out.
The VICTORIA proceeded on her course down the Rock Channel, all went well till a bank called the, “Flats,” was reached the lifeboat was struck by a heavy sea, and capsized, all on board were drowned, except for one man.
Every excertion was made by the Captain and crew of the steam-tug to save them but in consequence of the heavy sea running, it was impossible. The lifeboat was an old and well-tried seaboat, and the crew had great faith in her.
The following are the names of those who perished:-
Capt William ROBERTS of the steam-tug ALBERT, who volunteered to command the lifeboat, he leaves a wife and 6 children.
Joseph DAVIES, Senior, leaves a wife and 6 children.
Joseph DAVIES, Junior, son of above.
James GEE, leaves a wife and child.
John BROWN, leaves a wife and 6 children
Henry PEARSON, leaves a wife and 2 children
Stephen GRIFFITHS, leaves a wife and 2 children
Thomas HAYES, leaves a wife and child
Henry WILSON, leaves a wife and 4 children 2 other boat men whose names we are unable to ascertain.
Henry ARCHER the boatsman who was saved was in a very exhausted state when he got aboard the steam-tug.
The poor fellows who lost their lives with the exception of Captain ROBERTS are river boatmen, their families are left without means of subsistence, which makes their case extremely deserving of the benevolent.
Whilst on the Hoyle Bank the Hoylake Lifeboat succeeded in taking off part of the crew of the CHEROKEE, the others were taken off during the afternoon. The CHEROKEE drifted over the bank at high water and went ashore at Dove Point, where she remains, full of water. She is the property of Messers HORSFALL and Sons.
Copyright 2002 / To date