Residents of a North Yorkshire village are appealing for help in their efforts to create a poignant memorial for sailors lost at sea.
It has been more than 200 years since the Caledonia shipwreck, but fresh efforts are being made to honour the Aberdeen men who died in the tragedy.
The Aberdeen-built Caledonia – a “smack” vessel used to transport fish for market – had been bound for London, but was caught up in a devastating storm in 1808.
The ship ran aground on Redcar Rocks in North Yorkshire on March 25 while the crew and passengers slept.
The day after, the Press and Journal reported: “Upon the vessel’s striking, the mate had both his legs broken by the falling of some part of the rigging, and died soon after.
“Sixteen of the crew and passengers betook themselves for safety to the rigging, the tremendous sea then breaking half-mast high over the vessel.
“Soon after this awful period, the mast went by the board, when, dreadful to relate, they were all swept into the merciless ocean.”
As morning came, lifeboats raced to the scene and saved six survivors, who had escaped the water by tying themselves to parts of the boat.
Only 10 of the 17 dead were found. They were buried at the local St. Germain’s Church, perched upon a hilltop which looked down onto Redcar Rocks.
The church is no longer used, and much of the building was demolished around 1902.
But more than two centuries after the tragedy took place, local residents hope to make a fresh effort to honour those fallen.
Community group Friends of St Germain’s plan to build a physical memorial to the Aberdeen men buried in the church’s graveyard.
Member Keith Render, who lives in the neighbouring village to Redcar, Marske-by-the-Sea, explained how he initially came up with the idea to create a memorial.
He said: “A visitor called Ethel Brown, visiting from Chester-Le-Street in Durham, was at the graveyard looking for her ancestor, who was the captain of the ship the Caledonia which ran aground on Redcar Rocks in 1808.
“The chance meeting spurred the rest of my investigation into the topic.
“We are hoping to erect a memorial stone within the churchyard later this year, in remembrance of those who perished in the tragic incident.
“We’re trying to trace any surviving relatives from the ship who may be able to assist in this project.
“Though a very sad tale, this is also an important part of our wonderful coastlines history.”
The names of those buried in the graveyard are, according to the Marske Parish Reigster, Captain John Booth and Captain William Heley of Aberdeen, crewmen Joseph S, James MacHie, John Runsey, William Philip, Andrew Craig also from Aberdeen and passengers John Mather, Thomas Henry and John Burnett whose origins are unknown.
If you have information which may assist Friends of St Germaine’s, contact Keith Render at k_render@outlook.com or message www.facebook.com/FriendsofStGermains/
