Show on mapThis clock and barometer in Staithes commemorate a local tragedy. George Hanson the Runswick Lifeboat Head Launcher died after saving a school boy and attempting to save a man in the harbour at Staithes.
The plaque reads :-
Erected to honour the memory of George Hanson, A Staithes fisherman who lost his life in a gallant attempt to rescue a drowning bather in a rough sea on Wednesday 28th August 1957.
Unveiled by Sir William Worlsey (4th Baronet of Hovingham and amateur first-class cricketer.) and dedicated by the Bishop of Whitby in 1959 (which would have been Philip Wheeldon at the time)
Worsley.
Like the blog. Very interesting always.
A well deserved tribute to a hero, placed in one of my favourite fishing villages.
A relative of mine witnessed the incident…and another lived in the cottage to which the barometer was attached… Very rough sea: a teacher from the camp allowed some youngsters to swim off the Cod & Lobster slip way. George Hanson bravely saved the the youngster but tragically foundered in his attempt to save the teacher, who was also lost. A popular local fisherman, Frank ‘Tange’ Verrill managed to get his coble to the incident but to no avail…