BRIDLINGTON  LIFEBOAT  TRAGEDY

In August, 1952, two girls, from Dewsbury ?, were swept out to sea while paddling in Thornwick Bay (above).   At that time, the North Landing lifeboat slipway was being extended and the lifeboat could not be launched.  Bridlington lifeboat 'Tillie Morrison' obviously took a fair time to reach the bay.   The boat was larger than the Flamborough lifeboat and the crew had much less experience of the bay and rock shelves.
As a result, the boat was 'rolled over' twice, (or three times ?) it being a 'self righting craft'.  All crew members were thrown into the sea except one who was inside the cabin.

Regrettably, one of the crew - a very well respected, long term crew member - drowned.
A memorial tribute (statue ?) was erected in Bridlington and a lifebelt was erected in Thornwick Bay, in memory of the girls, by their parents.

An RAF launch from Bridlington managed to pick up one of the girls who had an arm around a life-line which had been shot across the bay by coast guards but, sadly, the girl died before reaching hospital.

The 11 year old boy near the boat and looking down on the beach is myself, (Melvin Ashton), I lived at Newton Hill, Wakefield and my mother and father had a caravan on the 'OLD' Thornwick Bay Caravan Site.
This was situated behind the Viking Hotel (at that time, the Thornwick Hotel).
The boy immediately behind me, (looking towards me), is Godfrey Tattersall, my school friend who lived in Moxon Grove, Newton Hill.
Sadly, in 1960, at the age of 20, Godfrey was thrown from a car on Ings Road, Wakefield, and killed.

Picture & Notes from:  Melvin Ashton  -  Mel's General & Waterways Pictures Brid. Lifeboat - see also George Chapman (Flamborough Bell Ringer).  Print   Back