SALTBURN PIER
DISASTER OFF SALTBURN-BY-THE-SEA
A terrific storm has raged at Saltburn since Saturday, with wind from the N.N.E., accompanied with showers of sleet, rain, and hail. About midnight on Saturday, when the wind blew a perfect hurricane, the wooden framework, which has been in coarse of erection for some time for the hoist, which was some 135 feet in height, was blown down and smashed. On Sunday and Monday the gale continued with little abatement, but on Monday evening the wind freshened, and from dusk on Monday to the time of writing there has blown a complete hurricane, bringing with it a sea mountains high. Within a few yards of the promenade pier there is a half wrecked and deserted schooner, named the John Tain, which must become a total wreck. On Tuesday morning, about half-past seven, the crew deserted her, and took to the small boat, which almost immediately capsized, the whole of them being lost amidst the breakers. The lifeboat was brought out and manned, but the crew dared not venture out sea, until a gentleman who clung to the belief that some one was still board the schooner, offered them ten sovereigns to go alongside ; this offer they accepted, and amidst intense excitement the crew launched their lifeboat, and with considerable difficulty ran alongside the vessel, but with no result. The Vesper, belonging to Mr. Robinson, chemist, of Hartlepool, laden with timber, has run aground the South Gare breakwater. The master is drowned, and one of the crew has sustained a compound fracture of the leg. The rest of the crew are fortunately saved. Several dead bodies have washed along the coast.
