Maritime record MDO20345 - Five vessels lost in Poole bay

I read with the greatest interest your letter in the “Times” of the 26th last, giving so graphic an account of the gallant rescue of the crew of the “Wild Wave” by the Coast Guard men of the Swanage Station. It brought very forcibly to my mind a case far more disastrous which I witnesses in Studland Bay in the month of February 1863 when no less than 5 vessels were wrecked on the Hook Sand all hands were lost but one man. He may be said to have been saved, “Eat so as by fire” for when he saw that all hope of his vessel escaping destruction was gone, taking his little boy in his arms he jumped overboard & swam for the shore but becoming exhausted and benumbed by the cold for it was February he was compelled to cast off his son who was drowned, & almost lifeless himself he at length gained the shore, the only survivor from the crews of the 5 vessels which became total wrecks. These vessels were coasters of from 60 to 100 Tons & carrying 4 or 5 hands each. You may properly form some idea of the fury of the storm when I tell you that the Poole lifeboat was unable to approach any of the vessels though they endeavoured to come to the rescue.

<1> J C Robinson, J C Robinson’s Scrapbook in Dorchester reference Library (Unpublished document). SDO10592.

Record last edited

Sep 28 2010 2:12AM