Appeal launched to raise £30,000 for memorial to eight Hoylake Lifeboat crewmen who drowned during rescue in 1810

Nov 11 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

Appeal launched to raise £30,000 for memorial to eight Hoylake Lifeboat crewmen who drowned during rescue in 1810

HOYLAKE Lifeboat is remembering the bravery of a group of men who drowned after going to the rescue of a stricken ship in the 19th century.

The rescue and subsequent loss of life from two Hoylake families was long thought to be just a tale passed through the generations.

But research carried out by Hoylake train station manager Peter Fitzgerald found it actually happened – and uncovered the details of the incident and the names of those who died.

The Hoylake 1810 Memorial Fund has now been established to raise £30,000 for a bronze memorial at Hoylake Lifeboat Station marking the men’s bravery.

The dead lifeboat crew, who were all from Hoylake – or Hoose as it was then known – were John Bird, 40, sons Henry Bird, 18 and John, 16, and nephew Henry, 18.

Joseph Hughes, 38, his brother Richard, 36 and Richard’s son Thomas Hughes, 16, also died.

The eighth man has not been identified.

They perished on December 22, 1810 while going to the aid of the ship Traveller in strong winds.

Lifeboat operations manager John Curry, who is one of the trustees of the fund, said: “It is important not to lose sight of our heritage, even though this happened so long ago.

“Peter Fitzgerald carried out a piece of research worthy of any university academic. The breakthrough came with a report from New Brighton Lifeboat in the Royal Naval Journal of the time, which cited the upturned Hoylake boat.

“We don’t know what happened to the boat they went to rescue but most of the drowned were washed up on the beach. The boat was recovered and within a week had a new crew and was fully operational.

“Four were buried at St Bridget’s Church, West Kirby, on Christmas Day and another three on Boxing Day.”

An inaugural service of remembrance will be held at Hoylake Lifeboat Station on Tuesday, December 22 at 11am.

It is hoped the memorial will be installed at a ceremony in December 2010, the 200th anniversary of the event.

Donations can be sent to John Curry at 15 Devonshire Road, West Kirby CH48 7HR.

Cheques should be made payable to Hoylake 1810 Memorial Fund.