Historic Book

Extract from ‘A guide to Southport, North Meols‘ by Thomas Kirkland Glazebrook

Published in 1825

Pages 90-93

THE COAST off Formby , Southport , and Lytham , is probably
as dangerous , as any round the kingdom . The banks run in
a northwesterly direction from Southport , for at least six miles ,
and are so situated , as to render the navigation difficult even
to the natives , but impracticable to strangers . Hence SHIP
WRECKS have been very frequent . It is however extremely
gratifying to add , that they are not now so much so , owing ,
in some measure , to the increased number of lights in the
Liverpool Channel , but more especially to the admirable pro
visions of the Marine Fund Society .

With a coming in tide , accompanied by a strong westerly
wind , it is almost impossible for boats to get off , or live in the
sea . I was assured by a gentleman residing in Southport ,
who is fully competent to give an opinion , that , notwith
standing this , he has been witness to efficient assistance
being rendered to vessels in distress , under the most appalling
circumstances ; -and , at times , when some of the boldest sea
men would have shrunk from the attempt .

It not unfrequently happens that these accidents occur in
the night time , in very hazy weather , -or , at low tide . – In
the latter case , it is necessary to take boats in carts , over the
sands , down to low water mark , before any assistance can be
attempted . Had not this been the practice , the loss of hun
dreds of lives more than are recorded , must have been the
consequence .

A few years ago , I had the pleasure of meeting the
deservedly celebrated Captain Manby , to whom I mentioned
the disasters , which , at that time , so frequently occurred on
the coast . The nature of the shore is , I fear , however , such
as to preclude the probability of his humane inventions suc
ceeding . In most instances the vessel gets on a bank , or is
wrecked , six miles off ; -beyond the range of any mortar .
Nothing can therefore be done , either for her , or the crew ,
but according to the method adopted by those who are perfectly
acquainted with the banks , and all their hidden dangers and
difficulties .

When the Captain is obstinate , he increases the danger of
losing his ship . When the crews of vessels take to their own
boats , and disobey the directions of the Southport Pilots ,
relying on their own skill , their jeopardy is tenfold greater ,
and their perishing , almost inevitable .

The following ” List of Shipwrecks , ” was made out , by
THOMAS JACKSON , RICHARD BALL , and Peter Ball ,
from memory . Men , who have often fearlessly risked their
own lives , to save the lives and property of their fellow crea
tures . Thomas Jackson has been a Pilot 17 years , and his
skill is undoubted . Richard , and Peter Ball , are also , ex
perienced boatmen . What renders the account more valuable ,
is , that , either one or more of the three were present on every
trying occasion .

All the Boatmen at Southport are well acquainted with the
coast , and they have , frequently , rendered most essential
service , to vessels and crews in distress .

A LIST of VESSELS WRECKED OFF SOUTHPORT

N. B. V. t . I. ” Vessel totally lost . “

1786. 1. The Castle CREVEY , full Cargo , from Liverpool . V. t . 1. Crew saved .

1790. 2. A Sloop , in ballast . V. t . 1. Crew saved .

1792. 3. Ditto , laden with Oats . ditto . ditto .

1792. 4. Ditto, laden with Herrings , for Holyhead . V. t . 1 . three of the Crew drowned .

1792. 5. Ditto, in ballast. V.t.l two of the Crew, and a lady and child drowned. The Captain swam ashore.

1794 . 6. A Brig , laden with Figs . V. t . 1. Crew saved .

1794. 7. The Queen Packet , belonging to Parkgate . V. t . 1 . Crew and passengers saved .

1794. 8. A Sloop , from Wales . V. t . 1. Crew drowned .

1797. 9. The Brig HENRY , laden with Rum and Sugar , from the West Indies. V.t.l. Crew saved .

1797. 10. A Sloop. V.t.l. Crew saved.

1799. 11. The Ship TYSON , laden with Rum and Sugar , from the West Indies. V.t.l. Crew saved . Cut her masts at sea.

1800. 12. A Swedish Brig . V. t . 1. Crew saved.

1800. 13. The Ship ANN , for Liverpool . V. t . 1. Crew saved in their own boats , assisted by the Southport boatmen.

1804. 14. A large Ship , Captain Jackson , from Whitehaven . V. t . I. Crew saved by their own boats . This vessel upset .

1806. 15. A Brig , from the West Indies . V. t . l . Crew saved .

1806. 16. A large American Ship , laden with Cotton and Rice. V. t . I. Crew saved by their own boats . This vessel sunk before she reached the sands .

1807. 17. A large Ship , The FLETCHER , laden with Oil , Sugar and Coffee . V. t . 1. Crew drowned . This misfortune took place on a dark night , and there was no intimation of the wreck , till part of the Cargo floated ashore with the morning’s tide .

1809. 18. The Brig GRIFFIN , Captain Ball , from Falmouth . V. t . I. The Captain , his wife and child , and five of the Crew drowned , -two saved .

1809. 19. A Sloop . V. t . 1. Crew drowned .

1809. 20. The Brig BETSEY . V. t . 1. Crew saved .

1810. 21. A Brig , laden with Provisions for the army in Spain . V. t . 1. One man drowned , the rest saved . This was a dreadful case . One of the Southport boatmen was drowned . Pilot Jackson and two others clung to the mast which fell overboard , and their preservation was miraculous .

1810. 22. A Spanish Brig, laden with Timber, for Liverpool. V. t . 1. Three of the Crew drowned – five saved with Pilot Jackson .

1811. 23. The Ship MINERVA , laden with Cotton . V. t . I. Crew saved .

1811. 24. A Schooner , laden with Provisions and Oil , from St. John’s . V. t , 1. Crew saved .

1814. 25. The Ship TOM , General Cargo , Machinery , & c . for Demerara . V.t.1 . Fourteen of the Crew saved : -four saved on a raft on which all had got . It sunk , when the fourteen above named were taken up by the Southport boats , and rescued from their perilous situation .

The list continues in a similar vein, to a total of 48 vessels. A second list, of vessels saved in the same area, totals 43 vessels. You can read this book online for free.