Mary Isabella

The incidents related here are taken from the book “The Ramsey Lifeboats 1829-1991” by W.N.Seybold of the Isle of Man.

We turn the pages of history back to the last century for the first story which concerns the last Ramsey Lifeboat service of 1899.

With the turn of the century just weeks away the lifeboat Mary Isabella (2) was called to rescue the crew of the Aberystwyth schooner Ruby.

But there was also trouble ashore for the lifeboatmen with drunken Fleetwood fishermen roaming the quayside!

Seven lifeboatmen were called out,together with a shore gang consisting of a signalman, a man in charge of flares and a till-man to navigate the lifeboat carriage.

Methods of launching depended on the weather and tidal conditions. If the tide was up and the wind off the land the carriage was run down the slipway and the boat slipped off directly into the sea.

If the wind was on-shore the haul-off warp must be used each time. The haul-off rope was a long rope through a large block laid down below the low water mark. One end is made fast at the lifeboat slip and the other at a nearby slipway.

The report at the time explains “here the bight of the warp is passed through a bulls eye at the bottom of the sea wall and the tree parts of rope fastened to the Promenade railings in such a way that the rope can be got at all stages of the tide. Further, this end is the hauling part.”

It was the night of the 15th December – a Friday. A strong southerly wind was blowing and several vessels – including a number of Fleetwood’s trawlers – arrived in port.

The weather worsened and on Saturday more Lancashire fishermen put in for shelter together with the Trinity House Steamship Stella.

The Ruby was attempting to ride out the gale in the bay, but it appeared she might need assistance before the night was over.

“Groups of Fleetwood fishermen full of drink became a nuisance in the town by evening, accosting people and being rowdy.

By 10pm the West Quay became somewhat of a battlefield with a few belligerent local people also involved.

“At 10pm the schooner showed distress flares for the lifeboat.

“The maroons were set off and the crew mustered immediately.

“But the signal also caused many of the revellers to muster at the boathouse full of “Dutch” courage and prepared to become unwanted “heroes of the hour”.

As the boat was being hauled out with the crew onboard the large crowd presented a problem which the police were unble to deal with.

“”One man reportedly got aboard the lifeboat and lay across the cable saying “You’ll never be in want of a man as long as I’m about.”

“The coxswain certainly wasn’t in need of this gentleman and he was summarily ejected.

“Others tugged at the carriage and ropes and one pulled the steering pole of the carriage away from the official steersman and one of the fore wheels banged into the door frame of the boathouse. The lifeboat secretary implored the crowd to keep clear – but to no avail.”

The Mary Isabella (2) was finally hauled on to the Promenade.

“The haul off warp had to be used with one end fast to the boat and the other cast adrift.

When hauling commenced, however, nothing happened and it appeared the warp was fouled near the bull’s eye.

Attempts to free it failed with the rough sea driving the helpers back.

“The haulers again tried their luck but first pulled the Promenade railings down and then the warp parted.

“It became apparent the crew would have to pull themselves off on the “stranding” part of the rope.

“The lifeboat was run down the slip but the shoregang member who was to slip the boat from the carriage did so too soon and the carriage upended and the boat’s bow slipped off and hit the concrete slip. Just as this happened some breakers tumbled onto the beach and lifted the boat and carriage and tipped them over the lee side of the slip.

A launcher was also swept off the carriage and tossed around like a cork, but luckily someone plucked him out of the water.

“As the carriage became submerged the boat floated off – but broadside onto the seas which broke right over her.”