Lot 1012
RARE SAMPLER - LIFEBOAT DISASTER, LYTHAM ST ANNES & SOUTHPORT
a large sampler commemorating the Lifeboat Disaster, Dec 10th 1886. With text in the centre titled The Warriors of the Sea, A Lifeboat Story. With panels on each side including two photographs of the fallen, two photographs of the monument erected, and two panels of text An hero of Southport Lifeboat and Monument erected in memory of the Heroes that fell, Dec 10th 1886. Mounted in an elaborate Tunbridge Ware frame. Frame 109cms by 90cms.
*This lifeboat rescue remains the worst loss of life in RNLI history and was viewed as a National disaster in Victorian England. The 'Mexico' left Liverpool bound for Ecuador but was caught in a violent gale. Lifeboats were launched from Lytham St Annes and Southport to rescue the stranded but both tragically capsized and 27 of the 29 crew drowned. A third lifeboat was sent and saved 12 of the Mexico's crew.
The disaster left 16 widows and 50 children without fathers, and a public appeal was launched which was donated to by Queen Victoria and Kaiser Wilhelm, and also contributed to memorials which were erected in their memory.
