Published in History and antiquities of Filey in the county of York by John Cole 1832
The frequent shipwrecks which happen in Filey- bay and the vicinity, in the winter season, is appalling to humanity, and must excite the sympathy of every feeling and benevolent mind. How painful must it be to behold the suffering mariners lifting their supplicating hands, and praying for assistance, while the mournful spectators can offer them nothing but unavailing lamentations. A more painful scene cannot be exhibited, which, even in imagination, awakens the tenderest feelings of human nature; yet such mournful scenes are frequent at filey.
It is truth which can be proved by indisputable facts, that scarce a winter passes over without the occurrence of some melancholy shipwrecks in the vicinity of Filey, and it may be proper on this occasion to enumerate a few of them.
The 'Glory' of Yarmouth, some years since was wrecked near Filey, and the whole crew, except one man, perished; also, the 'Betsy,' of Sunderland, was wrecked upon Filey-bridge, and two of the crew perished.
During the present Winter (This was written in the beginning of the year 1823), the 'Friendship,' of Yarmouth, was wrecked near Filey, and three of the crew perished. The 'Happy Return,' and the 'Ann,' both of Whitby, were also wrecked here; but the crews, by the greatest exertions, were saved, by means of ropes communicating with the shore.
But it is probable that by means of the assistance of a Life-boat the lives of these valuable men might have been saved to their families, and to their country, and many a helpless orphan and desolate widow, would not have then had to mourn the loss of a parent a husband; even a single life preserved, by such means, had been of incalculable value.
The fishermen of Filey are also exposed to imminent danger in the winter season, when sudden storms arise on their return from the fishing ground, and the danger is also considerably increased on approaching the land, in consequence of the force of the out-set tide from the bay, where numbers have perished within the sight of their distressed friends on the shore, who were unable to render them any assistance, in their small boats, without certain destruction.
The recurrence of such melancholy accidents, has induced some benevolent persons to promote a subscription for a Life Boat to be stationed at Filey, for the general use of every vessel and boat in distress, to whatever place they may belong.
A confident appeal is therefore made to the benevolence of the public, and to the inhabitants in the vicinity of Filey, intreating them to come forward on an occasion so dear to humanity, and to the best feelings of the heart ."
Such was the appeal this revered gentleman made: a Life-Boat was procured, and a boat-house built for her protection; but there not being a sufficiency to establish a permanent fund for the remuneration of the crew, &c. , Mr. Hinderwell again gave the aid of his pen, in a letter, which was published in the York and Hull papers , of which the following is a copy:
"Sir, I beg leave through the channel of your respectable paper, to inform the public, that a Life-Boat, on the air-tight principle, for the preservation of shipwrecked seamen, has lately been built by subscription, for Filey and its vicinity; and a more eligible situation for the purpose could not have been selected, as shipwrecks and the loss of lives of many industrious fishermen, are frequent during the Winter season, on this part of the coast.
The cost of the Life-Boat with its appendages, and the erection of a Boat-house for its protection, will amount, at least, to two hundred and fifty pounds. (The Boat-house is situated near the beach). To this must be added the necessity of a permanent fund for the renumeration of the crew, and other contingent expences; but the present funds for these indispensible purposes, are totally inadaquate.
It is worthy of consideration, that the Life-Boat is for the use of every unfortunate vessel which may be in distress or stranded at the place, or in the vicinity where the boat is stationed. It would be unreasonable to expect, that the burden of its maintenance should be imposed upon the inhabitants of Filey, who are, in general, poor fishermen, dependant for their subsistence on their own industry and toil, in a laborious and perilous occupation.
The awful scenes, so frequently presented on this dangerous coast, will touch the hearts and awaken the sympathy of those, who are in comparative safety and comfort, in peace and shelter, and must form a grateful contrast, and call forth every energy for alleviating the miseries of their afflicted brethren.
- a confident appeal is therefore made to the public, and to the inhabitants of the vicinity, intreating them to come forward on an occasion so dear to humanity, and to the best feelings of the heart. Aggravating and bitter indeed is the thought, that in this enlightened country, any assistance should be withheld, which clarity and human foresight could provide with any probablity of success; a single life preserved by such means(though hundreds yet become the prey of the devouring element) would repay, fourfold, the effort which is now proposed, the grateful prayers of those (who, but for an arrangement as simple, as it may prove effectual , would mourn as helpless orphans, or in desolate widowhood) would rise in sweet memorial before the throne of god.
To the Editor of the Hull Packet. I am, Sir, &c."
Among the subjects in the "Costume of Yorkshire" is one of a group taken on the beach near Filey. They are employed pushing their cobble on a pair of wheels(always used for the purpose) out of reach of the tide. The sketch is accompanied by the following observations:
Fishing, as may naturally be supposed, is almost the sole maintenance of the inhabitants of the villages on the extensive coast of Yorkshire. From the little intercourse they have with the world, there is a singular simplicity in their manners and deportment, and their behaviour, though unpolished, is uniformly civil to strangers. They are a hardy industrious race, inured from infancy to a hazardous employment and to boisterous elements.