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From: "Alan Bird" <>
Subject: Re: [UK-NE] 'Providence' lifeboat disaster of 1849
Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2000 11:37:04 +1000
References: <003d01c2af3e$bdd3c240$b448fc3e@oemcomputer>


Hello Richard and listers

In response to your query on the Providence I enclose the following extract
from a small publication written in 1928 by William S Garson, a friend of my
family,. He wrote a series of booklets and this one was titled: "The Origin
of the Tyne Life Boat service: and of the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade."

I have taken the liberty of scanning two pages, which some may find of
interest as they deal with local identities.

Other lifeboats and incidents are included in this publication.

The WRECK OF THE FIRST LIFEBOAT "ORIGINAL"

The "Original" rendered splendid service from 1790 until
1830; in the latter year she went to the rescue of the crew of the
brig "Glatton", wrecked.on the Black Middens, in the face of a
terrible sea, and succeeded in getting all the men off, but unfor-
tunately she was caught by a sea and driven against the rocks,
being split clean in two with the loss of two of her hands.

THE SECOND LIFEBOAT "NORTHUMBERlAND."
After the first lifeboat: had been installed at 'South Shields,
the second boat was presented to the people of North Shields
by the Duke of Northumberland in 1798, with an annual sub-
scription of £20 towards its maintenance. It was stationed at
the Sand End and named "Northumberland." The. first
coxswain' was Gilbert Young, who was on duty with her at every
wreck until she became too old for service. The Duke then
presented another boat. -The other coxswains were Messrs. J.
Lawson, John Martin, William 0. Thurlbeck, and John Burn (now living).

THE LIFEBOAT "TYNE."
To succeed the "Original," the second lifeboat for South
Shields was presented by Mr. Thomas Forrest, a shipbuilder
and,one of the most influential men of his day in the Borough.
It was built by Messrs. Edward Oliver & Sons, at the Coble
Landing, and named "Tyne." She was supported by a due
of 31/- per ship entering the harbour, and was manned by the
licensed pilots.

A history of the, gallantry displayed in this boat alone
would fill a large volume.

In the year 1845 a brig named " Elector," of South Shields,
was observed to be in distress, and riding off Hartley. The
lifeboatmen were determined, if possible, to save the crew, so
they rowed the "Tyne" to the Low Lights, where she was
beached and put on a pair of wheels. They then dragged her
up the Tanners' Bank and along the road towards Whitley.
Before arriving, however, the carriage gave way, a d the life-
boat had to be dragged along a rough road upon her keel, being
greatly damaged. She had just been launched when she was
struck by a sea and sunk, none of the men, fortunately, being
lost, although some of them were a long time in the water.

Strange to say, while the lifeboatmen were preparing for a
second effort, the brig was caught on the top of a huge wave
and landed high and dry with all her crew on deck.

The "Tyne" had a chequered experience, and for many
years did a great deal of severe service, saving no less than
1028 lives, a noble record which can be claimed to have been
unequalled. Her final trip to save life was in 1882, and Mr.
Andrew Harrison was her superintendent at the time. He also
filled the office of captain for 14 years, and altogether was a
lifeboatman for 51 years.

In May, 1894, the " Tyne" was handed. over by the
Trustees of the Tyne Lifeboat institution to the South Shields
Corporation, and may now be seen in an enclosure immediately
in front of the Marine Park Restaurant. The first lifeboat
coxswains at South Shields were Jacob Harrison, John Milburn,
William Tinmouth, Andrew Harrison, John L. Burn, Andrew
Purvis, and William Marshall, all of whom have passed from
this life.

THE LIFEBOAT "PROVIDENCE."

About the year 1846 the lifeboat " Providence " was built
and rendered service until 1849, when she was capsized under a
brig named "Betsy," of Southampton, which had run ashore
on the Herd Sands, and twenty of the lifeboat's crew were
drowned.

The accident was seen from the beach, and the "Tyne"
was at once manned, but she only succeeded in rescuing three
of the pilots and the crew of the brig.
South Shields was plunged into the deepest distress by the
loss of these gallant lifeboatmen, and the sympathy for the
widows and fatherless was very great. A relief fund was
started to, alleviate as far as possible the loss of their bread-
winners. A Memorial Tablet to the victims was placed In St.
Stephen's Church.

Regards to all and wishing you a Happy New Year
Alan Bird
Brisbane Q.

----- Original Message -----
From: Richard.spicer <>
To: <>
Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2002 11:32 PM
Subject: [UK-NE] 'Providence' lifeboat disaster of 1849


> Hi.
> A ancestor John Marshall, Tyne ..........

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