1911 – Lighter “Douglas”

Extract from the Friends of Lancashire Archives

The last extracts deal with perhaps more typical incidents, where the crew displayed their usual valour but without positive result. The difficulty of communication before wireless was invented is apparent, and the narrative also highlights a problem specific to Blackpool: the difficulty of launching the boat off a very level strand.

The incident began on the evening of Friday, 15 December, 1911. During the day the wind which had been E. Veered round somewhat suddenly S. To West and blew some strong squalls – the lighter “Douglas” proceeding in tow by tug Energy parted her warp – and went adrift flares were noticed from this station from S.W. and a look out was maintained – at 8-0p.m. a telegram was received from S. Annes by the Secretary asking for the Blackpool Lifeboat to be launched – telephone messages also from Police and other persons.

Lifeboat Signals fired at 8.10 – Lifeboat left Boathouse almost immediately after proceeded along Lytham Road thence by (gap) Road on to shore where she was launched N. Of Squires Gate – difficulty was experienced in finding a suitable place to launch on account of the level nature of the shore – The Lifeboat proceeded along the Channel in a Southerly Direction, then by the Hindings into the Channel cruising about the neighbourhood where the signals had been seen but ultimately had to return without finding anything – Lifeboat took the shore Westerly of Thursby Home proceeding by Thursby Slade and Lytham Rd. to the Boathouse – meanwhile the Secretary went to S. Annes for further information – after making enquiries he met the Coxs.

Of the St. Annes lifeboat at the residence of Sir Charles Macara, reports were exchanged as it was now nearly midnight it was decided after telephoning Lytham to await day light before prosecuting the search – information came to hand that the Lytham Lifeboard was aground on The Horse bank – it was thought improbable that the Lighter had survived. A look-out was ordered at S. Annes. The Secretary then proceeded by Taxicab to the Boathouse where the Boat had already arrived – a look-out was ordered to be kept – after consultation with the Coxs.

It was considered probable that the lighter had sunk with those on board. It would be pardonable to expect that at this point the crew of the lifeboat would consider that all possible action had been taken, and would call off further rescue attempts till first light, but no so. While the Secretary Coxs. officers and several of the crew were proceeding along the Promenade near the Wellington Hotel after housing the Lifeboat a flare was seen in a S.W. direction – they at once returned to the Boathouse and prepared for another launch another flare was seen in the same position, when after consultation with the Coxswain and Signalman it was decided to order another launch.

The Rocket Distress Signals were then fired and in about ten minutes the Lifeboat was on the road – she proceeded along the promenade to Waterloo Slade thence on to the shore for some 3 ½ miles in a W. and then S. Direction finding a suitable place to launch her off Thursby Home – launch was difficult and somewhat dangerous owing to the level nature of the sands making it necessary to go a considerable way into the surf before getting sufficient water to launch her into and owing to the soft sand allowing the wheels of the carriage to sink unless kept moving, it is also impossible to see inequalities of short for the water.

A successful launch was made but great difficulty was experienced in getting the carriage away as the tide was now on flood and coming in very rapidly – the five horses of the Corporation and Sidesmen got the carriage away – the boat proceeded in a W. Direction cruising about but were unable to discover any trace of the lighter returning to shore about the same spot – the boat was then taken home by the Thursby slade and Lytham Road.

The absence of any signal by which the distressed vessel could indicate her position to the Lifeboat made it impossible to find her in the dark. Later on in the morning information was received here the “Douglas” had been taken in to Preston by tug.

Charles Henry Turner, Honorary Secretary.