Shipwrecks and Storms
The east coast was notorious as a treacherous stretch of water on which many seamen lost both their vessels and their lives. In the 19th century, shipwrecks were as common as road accidents today. With so many ships transporting goods between the ports of the north east and London, as well as fishing vessels, it is hardly surprising that so many were lost, some without witnesses due to the sparse population of most of the coast. It is estimated that more than 50,000 ships have been wrecked off the Yorkshire coast since 1500.

Storm of 1861
One of Scarborough’s most famous shipwrecks happened in the South Bay during a violent gale in November 1861. A South Shields schooner called ‘Coupland’ was attempting to enter the harbour when her sails were disabled and she was forced onto rocks. The new lifeboat ‘Amelia’ was launched to rescue the crew, but its mission was far from successful, with the lifeboat men having to abandon their boat and two of their number being drowned. Three more people were killed that night after trying to rescue the lifeboat crew. Rocket lines later saved the six-man crew of the ‘Coupland’.

Great Gale of 1880
The great gale of 1880 made the South Bay at Scarborough the resting place of many vessels. The storm, in October 1880, was so severe that vessels all over the North Sea raced to the nearest safe haven. Some didn’t even make it close to shore. Only nine made it close to Scarborough harbour, with only one of these managing to safely enter, although this one was later washed back out to sea. The lifeboat rowed out to the stricken ships repeatedly, bringing the rescued crewmen back to the safety of dry land. Surprisingly, not a single life was lost and lifeboat Coxswain John Owston received a medal for his part in rescuing 28 men from five wrecked ships.

Wrecks on South Sands:
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