Martha - wrecked at Hartlepool 1919

Northern Daily Mail, Monday, February 24^th, 1919:
"WRECK AT HARTLEPOOL - Exciting Rescue Work - Two of the crew drowned.
During the fog on Saturday night the new three-masted Swedish schooner Martha, of Gothenburg, bound for Hartlepool with pit-props, ran ashore on the rocks off Hartlepool promenade, and is now a total wreck.

About seven o’clock on Saturday night the vessel was seen to be makingsignals, but owing to the dense fog prevailing these could not be understood. The schooner herself was not discernible, but by the motion of her lights it was apparent that she was then riding, although in difficulties.

The Hartlepool Lifeboat was manned and proceeded in tow of a tug to render assistance, but, owing to the heavy swell running and the broken water, it was found impossible to get near the vessel, and the Lifeboat had to return.

The Martha was driven ashore by the rising tide and the rescue work had therefore to be undertaken by means of the rocket apparatus, under the direction of the Chief Officer of the Coastguard. Communication was established from the Promenade but the operations were rendered extremely difficult owing to the inward movement of the vessel and the consequent slackening of the line. The breeches buoy had to pass through heavy breakers and the men thereby received a savage buffeting as they were being drawn ashore.

Of the crew of eight, two youths lost their lives, doubtless through being swept out of the buoy as they were being rescued – in fact, it is stated that in the case of one of them this was observed from the shore. After stranding, the vessel was swept by heavy seas and the crew suffered severely from exposure. Every attention was given to the six men rescued, who included the captain, and they were removed to Hartlepool Hospital.

The hull of the vessel – for the masts and deck fittings have now all been swept away – was this morning lying almost flush with the Promenade, the heavy seas completing the destruction."

Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, Friday, February 28^th, 1919:
"WRECK OF THE MARTHA. Any Person in possession of Props salved from the "Martha", wrecked at hartlepool, must give immediate notification of same to the Superintendent of Police, Hartlepool. Following notification, such Persons will be liable to prosecution."

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