Shipwrecks Part 1

Timeline

Shipwrecks

Shipwrecks Part 1

Last updated 09/02/2010

A special thank you must go toF. Brunskill and The Zetland Lifeboat Museum, also to the staff of the Redcar Reference Library.
Without their help and assistance, we could not have created one of the most comprehensive list of vessels that have come to grief along our coastline, and in the estuary River Tees.
Unfortunately, lives over the years have been lost, but Redcar is proud of those who help to save lives at sea, the RNLI.
We are also fortunate to have the Jewel in the Crown with the the oldest lifeboat in the world. The Zetland.
This lifeboat was in service (before the foundation of the RNLI) up until October 1880 and saving upwards of 500 lives. Please visit her and the museum along The Esplanade east of the Town, and support the RNLI.

5/04/1801	HEART OF OAK	Michael Potts master of the ship which was in ballast, wrecked at Redcar. Crew saved.
13/10/1801	BESS	The brig of Stockton in ballast from London was wrecked at Redcar. Crew saved.
02/11/1801	unknown name	A vessel from Hull in ballast, wrecked at Redcar. Crew saved.
19/02/1802	DESPATCH	The vessel of Aberdeen bound for Hull with general cargo, wrecked at Redcar. Crew saved.
26/08/1802	BITTERN	His Majesty's sloop "Bittern of London, wind being South West got stranded on Redcar Rocks. Later re floated but with much damage.
05/12/1802	FRIENDSHIP	A brig blown ashore North Gare of Tees PM. At the same time another brig SARAH (below) was also blown ashore. 9 members of 'Friendship' saved.
05/12/1802	SARAH	A brig blown ashore North Gare of Tees PM. 6 members of 'Sarah' saved.
11/09/1803	MARY	The sloop mastered by person named Fox of Sunderland, in ballast, wrecked at Redcar. Crew saved.
16/11/1803	INDUSTRY	The sloop of Stockton, in ballast, wrecked at Redcar. Crew saved.
06/10/1804	RAMSGATE	The sloop mastered by person named Sharp, in ballast (light), wrecked at Redcar. Crew saved.
08/03/1804	ROSE	The brig mastered by person called Seffald of London, laden with cargo of timber, wrecked on Redcar Rocks. Crew saved.
29/10/1804	MARY	The brig mastered by person called Worth, of Shields, in ballast, wrecked off Saltscar Rocks. Crew saved.
1805		Reported that no vessels came to grief off Redcar.
1806	CONSTANTINE	The sloop mastered by person called Mulgrave of Whitby, light, stranded on Redcar Rocks. Assisted off by fishermen and pilots.
1806	FANNY	The sloop of Lynn at same time as sloop Constantine (above) stranded on Redcar rocks. Assisted off by fishermen and pilots.
11/11/1806	ENDEAVOUR	We had this vessel listed on this date but no information. As a result of below we are now able to state that the brig Endeavour of Hull, became stranded on Redcar Rocks for the first time, and managed to get back off them. See below
11/11/1806	FARMERS INCREASE	The vessel of Whitby, light, wrecked at Redcar. Crew of 5 saved by Lifeboat.
11/11/1806	PEGGY	The vessel of Ipswich, light, wrecked at Redcar. Crew of 6 saved by Lifeboat.
11/11/1806	BRUNTON	Wrecked on rocks. Crew of 6 saved.
23/11/1806	ANT	The vessel of Lynn, light, wrecked at Redcar.
23/12/1807	MARY ANN	The vessel of Yarmouth, light, wrecked on Redcar Rocks. Crew saved.
30/06/1807	unknown	Newcastle bound for Stockton became stranded on entering the River Tees. Crew of eight saved, but unfortunately two men assisting in rescue swept away by tide.
03/11/1807		During heavy gales, no less than 17 ships became stranded on Coatham sands.
20/03/1808	NEW BIGGIN	Further information required
26/03/1808	CALEDONIA	Aberdeen to London, 26th, March 1808, when it sank off the Redcarcoastline. What is known, is that the following 10 people perished as a result of this tragedy, and were buried in the Marske grave yard on the dates shown. 30th March, 1808 Captain.John Booth, Aberdeen. 30th March, 1808 Captain.William Heley, Aberdeen. 30th March, 1808 Mate. Joseph S. Aberdeen. 30th March, 1808 Seaman. James MacHie. 30th March, 1808 Seaman. John Rumey [? Runsey]. 30th March, 1808 Seaman. William Philip. 30th March, 1808 Seaman. Andrew Creig. 4th April, 1808 Passenger. Mr. John Mather. Aged 50 years. 4th April, 1808 Passenger. Mr. Thomas Henry. Aged 30 years. 4th April, 1808 Passenger. Mr. John Burnett. Aged 18 years. This is new information to the site, and not commonly known in the area. It has become available through J. Webb who we are grateful to. Any further information on this vessel would be appreciated. (PRESS NAVIGATION BAR FOR MORE ABOUT THIS VESSEL)
29/12/1808	MAGDELINA	Further information required.
1809	NEPTUNE	This brig of Newcastlegot stranded on the Redcar Rocks, but with assistance of the fishermen managed to get and was re floated.
06/09/1809	unknown name	A sloop not recorded, of Lynn, laden with a general cargo wrecked on Redcar Rocks. Crew saved.
06/09/1809	unknown name	A smack not recorded, of Leith, wrecked on the rocks Redcar. Laden with a general cargo. Crew saved.
09/09/1809	unknown name	A brig with no name and port wrecked on Redcar Rocks. Crew saved.
09/09/1809	unknown name	A brig with no name and port wrecked on Redcar Rocks. Crew saved.
09/09/1809	unknown name	A sloop with no name and port wrecked on Redcar Rocks. Crew saved.
18/09/1809	unknown name	It was reported that 3 vessels in ballast had been driven ashore between the River Tees mouth and Saltburn. All the crews were saved. It was also reported that a further 4 vessels were wrecked at the entrance to the River Tees. The crew from two of the vessels perished. The crews from the other 2 vessels were saved with great difficulty by Redcar Lifeboat.
	'DOVES EXCURSION' 'THE EDWARD' 'GENEROUS FRIENDS'	Further information required on other 3 vessels. See above ?
18/11/1809		Severe gale. Four vessels ashore on Coatham Sand The lifeboat Zetland rescue two of the crews numbering 10, but unfortunately the remaining crews perished.
15/12/1809	unknown name	A brig laden with coal wrecked on Redcar rocks. The saved.
1810	unknown name	A brig vessel not recorded but of South Shieldsand laden with coal wrecked on the Redcar Rocks. Crew saved.
20/11/1810	FLORA	A brig vessel sailing from South Shieldsbecame stranded on Redcar Rocks, but managed to get back off.
10/05/1811	TRIO	Of Hullnot known what type of vessel, but got stranded on Redcar Rocks, but managed to get off.
17/04/1812	OCEAN	A brig from Aberdeen, travelling from that location to Londonwith a general cargo wrecked on Redcar Rocks. Crew of seven men and boys. Four lives lost, and three saved by a pilot boat. Reported to have went to pieces on the rocks soon afterwards 1am.
07/08/1813	unknown name	A sloop from Sunderland, carrying lime stranded on Redcar Rocks but later got off.
03/09/1813	ENDEAVOUR	(see above) The brig Endeavour again got stuck on Redcar Rocks for a second time, and managed to get back off. Put into the River Tees.
19/10/1813	JANE	The brig with the master Thomas Allen of Lynn. It was in ballast at the time bound for Stockton in stormy weather with the wind North Easterly. The crew of sixteen were saved when the brig was wrecked at the South Gare.
19/10/1813	BETSY and NELLY	This brig in ballast and from Sunderland bound for Stockton got into difficulties (see above JANE) and became wrecked at the South Gare. Crew saved.
09/02/1814	RESOLUTION	The brig 'Resolution' of Shields, with the wind South Westerly, became stranded on the Redcar Rocks. After a long delay the vessel got off the rocks on 31/03/1814, but not before suffering considerable damage as a result of its grounding, and getting off the rocks.
21/02/1814	ELIZABETH	A galliot vessel the master John Swain of Northfleet, from Newcastle bound for Londonwith coal. Unknown cause but it would appear that the weather was fine and with a South westerly wind became wrecked on Redcar Rocks. The crew were saved by their own boat.
17/03/1814	unknown name	A brig not recorded leaving South Shields for London with coal the weather being calm and with a South Westerlywind, became stranded on the Redcar Rocks. Decision made to unload some of her cargo and as a result became unfastened from the rocks.
08/10/1814	TWO BROTHERS	This vessel from Whitby, laden with coals from Sunderland, was wrecked on the South Gare at the mouth of the Tees. The crew consisting of seven were saved. (Thanks to F. Brunskill for this update 04/01/10)
27/01/1815	unknown name	A brig no further details sank off coast.
07/12/1815	brig	A brig was wrecked at the South Gare. The vessel laden with coals also lost seven of its crew, with only the Captain being saved from drowning.
15/11/1817	RIFLEMAN	This sloop struck the Redcar Rocks laden with coal. Consequently became a total wreck. Crew of 9 rescued.
19/12/1817	unknown	6 fisherman from 2 boats saved by the lifeboat Zetland. RZLM
27/01/1819	unknown	6 fisherman from 2 boats saved by the lifeboat Zetland. RZLM
16/04/1819	unknown	6 fisherman from 2 boats saved by the lifeboat Zetland. RZLM
23/10/1819	sloop	A sloop on route from Aberdeencame to grief near Marske. The 4 crew were drowned. RZLM
31/12/1919	unknown	3 fisherman from 2 boats saved by the lifeboat Zetland. RZLM
28/01/1820	unknown	Redcar fishing boat off Redcar. 3 crew drowned. RZLM
07/09/1820	ESK	One of the many whaling ships sailing out of the port of Tyne returning to its home port of Whitby. Was caught out by an on shore gale which forced her onto the Saltscar rocks East of Redcar. 3 of the crew of 20 survived. It maybe worthy of note that whaling from the port of Whitby never survived this tragedy
04/11/1821	unknown MARY	On this day a severe storm blew up from the North East, on which 30 vessels came ashore between the entrance to the River Tees, along the coastline towards Marske. All of these vessels managed to get free from the shore and other points except one which was the vessel MARY of Weymouth, laden with coal, and floundered with all on board. Believed seven persons lost.
29/02/1822	unknown	Yes we had them in Redcar as well.A smuggler getting into difficulties on Redcar Rocks with his boat laden with gin, was carefully assisted off the rocks by Redcar fishermen, who received payment in kind. Namely GIN.
13/10/1822	OVINGTON	Dusk on this date the brig 'Ovington' carrying cargo valued £40,000, from Newcastle to London. Crew rescued from vessel and raging seas. Although both anchors were dropped, the sea was so strong that the vessel was beached at Marske sands. 12 male crew were save along with 2 women located in their cabins.
24/10/1822	ST. MARTINS	This brig from Miranichia, with timber, was wrecked on the North Gare. Crew saved by the Zetland.
24/10/1822	HAWK	This vessel of Sunderland was lost on the North Gare, the crew being saved.
29/01/1823	unknown	A boat belonging to Redcar, coming from Seaton to Coatham, was overtaken by a storm. The Zetland lifeboat was launched and seven people were saved.
01/02/1823	FRIENDS ADVENTURER	The brig Friends Adventurer of Stockton was stranded off the North Garein a storm from N.N.E. The lifeboat Zetland was launched but later the brig was re-floated.
01/02/1823	MERCURY	The brig Mercury laden with coal came to grief and was wrecked on Marske sands, One of the crew drown with 11 being saved by the lifeboat Zetland. The hull was sold for £142. RZLM
22/09/1923	unknown	A fishing boat belonging to Redcar, Master John Crane, lost off Redcar. The crew of three were all drowned
25/12/1824	unknown	Two fishing boats, belonging to Redcar, were returning from the sea with fish and were overtaken by a storm, and the crews consisting of seven were drowned.
29/09/1825	FLEECE	The brig 'Fleece', Captain Booth from Sunderland yo LOndon, laden with coal was wrecked on Redcar rocks. Crew of 10 saved by the Zetland. RZLM
06/10/1825	RICHARD & ANN	The brig "Richard & Ann, Captain Joe Dixon, from Sunderland to London, laden with coal, struck Redcar Rocks. The crew saved by the Zetland RZLM
11/11/1825	COURIEREN	The schooner "Courieren", Captain Westberg, from Gottenburg to Leith, laden with deals and iron, stranded on South Gare. The crew of 7 saved by the Zetland. RZLM
17/11/1825	BRITANNIA	The brig "Brittania", Captain Taylor, from Newcastle to London, laden with coal. Wrecked on Redcar rocks. The crew of 9 saved by the Zetland. RZLM
30/11/1825	SCOTIA	The brig "Scotia", of Aberdeen, 240tons burthen, Captain Garvin W. Robinson, from London to Sunderland, was wrecked on Coatham sands. The crew of 14 were all drowned. InKirkleatham churchyard a tombstone is erected to the memory of the Captain, who perished with all hands on board. Near the mouth of the River Tees, on the morning of 30th November 1825. This stone is erected by the sorrowing relatives as a small tribute of respect to the memory of an affectionate son and brother, and in the 26th year of his age. Near this place are interred six of the unfortunate crew. It is also reported that several ships of smaller size were also wrecked in the vicinity of the River Tees, and all crews were drowned. RZLM
07/09/1826	THE ESK	A Greenland whaler, named "The Esk", of Whitby, Captain Dunbar, from Greenland to Whitby, (out of the port of Tyne returning to its home port of Whitby) with a cargo of oil, was driven in a storm from the N.E. on to Marske sands and became a total wreck. Out of the crew of 27, only 3 were saved. One of the many whaling ships of the time. Was caught out by an on shore gale which forced her onto the Saltscar rocks East of Redcar. 3 of the crew of 20 survived. It maybe worthy of note that whaling from the port of Whitby never survived this tragedyRZLM
13/08/1829	AURORA	The brig "Aurora", Captain Oxley, from Shields to London, laden with coal, was wrecked in a storm from N.E. on the North Gare. The crew of ten were saved by the Zetland. RZLM
20/01/1830	ROBIN HOOD 'ST MARTINS PLANTER' HAWK JANE	The schooner "Robin Hood" of Harwich, Captain Emmerson from Harwich to Sunderland, was wrecked on Redcarsands. The crew of 6 saved by the Zetnad. The brig "St Martins Planter, laden with coal, was stranded on the North Gare. The crew of 14 were saved by the Zetland. Totally wrecked. Further information required, but totally wrecked on the North Gare. Crew saved. The brig "Jane", of Sunderland, Captain Bob Ayre, from Londonto Sunderland, was wrecked on Redcarsands. the crew of 14 saved by the Zetland.
19/03/1830	F.T. RISONS	The galliot "Berhardina", Captain Veluin, from Holland to Hullwith bark and bones, stranded on the Saltburn sands. The lieutenant of the coastguard and two of his men went aboard to render assistance, and unfortunately drowned before the Zetland could get to the scene. RZLM
25/11/1830	BERHARDINA	The galliot "Berhardina", Captain Veluin, from Holland to Hullwith bark and bones, stranded on the Saltburn sands. The lieutenant of the coastguard and two of his men went aboard to render assistance, and unfortunately drowned before the Zetland could get to the scene. RZLM
02/02/1831	unknown	On this date 12 vessels were driven ashore at Coatham sands with dozens of lives lost. Wreckage from these vessels was evident along the beaches at Redcar and Marske. RZLM
09/12/1834	MOWBRAY	Wrecked near to Redcar and crew saved by lifeboat. See special write up under Shipwrecks. RZLM
12/12/1834	GEORGE	Of Westtray, Capt. Jas Millan, from Westtray to Newcastlewith cargo of kelp, wrecked in a tremendous gale off Coatham sand. Crew of 4 drowned.
12/12/1934	ALEXANDER & WILLIAM	Sloop of Sunderland, wrecked on the North Gare. Crew of two men drowned.
18/12/1834	unknown	Vessel name not know with a supposed cargo of apples wrecked off Redcar. Crew believed all drowned. The beaches were strewn with apples. RZLM
19/02/1836	THOMAS & ANN	This brig of Scarborough was wrecked near Marske with the crew of 6 being drowned. RMLM
07/05/1836	ENGLISHMAN	Whilst leaving the Tees went aground at the Bar. Became a total wreck.
17/12/1836	ALFRED	A brig laden with coal caught up in a tremendous gale and was wrecked near Marske. All crew of six drowned. RZLM
25/12/1836	CAROLINE	Danish brig of Aalborg from Shields laden with coal, wrecked opposite where now Coatham Hotel stands. The crew of ten pen left in two boats but perished before the "Zetland"" arrived. *The only time the lifeboat 'Zetland' lost a life of one of its crewmen William Guy.* RZLM
08/04/1838	BELSAY CASTLE	This brig Capt Robson of Sunderland, travelling London to Sunderland under ballast, when it became stranded on the North Gare. Seven crew drowned and three saved by Seaton lifeboat. RZLM
13/08/1938	MARY	Came to grief on the Bar going out of the Tees. Despite assistance eventually sank. RZLM
01/01/1839	PALLION	A sloop of Newcastle, Capt . Tissimen, stranded on the North gare. The captains son was drowned but rest of crew saved. RZLM
07/01/1839	CITY OF YORK	Of Stockton, stranded in the Tees Bay, having parted from her anchors. RZLM
07/04/1840	JANE	Of Whitby, Capt Lennard, from Newcastle to Stockton with a cargo of railway chairs, and became stranded at Saltburn. Two crew saved by the "Zetland". RZLM
10/05/1840	ARCHURUS	O Whitby, from Sierra Leone to Sunderland with cargo of teak wood, became stranded on Coatham Beach in a storm from the North East. The crew of eighteen, and a pilot on board were rescued by the "Zetland". RZLM