Captain George Manby

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Shipwreck! For Those in Peril

Index

Introduction

The East Coast has always been one of the most dangerous for shipping in the whole of the British Isles.

The large number of shipwrecks around the coastline of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, and the subsequent loss of lives, remind us that for as long as we have lived close to the coast mankind has fallen victim to the great natural forces of the sea.
Historically the people of the East Coast have responded to the physical challenges of the sea in different ways. Some have cooperated to
come to the aid of their fellow men, risking their lives serving in lifeboats. Others gave their support through humanitarian efforts. This year
sees a number of anniversaries connected with local lifesaving. Artists have depicted the fury of the sea and the bravery of those at its mercy. Many survivors have been deeply
affected by their ordeals. And, long after the drama, those left behind have endeavoured to come to terms with their loss.

This exhibition tells the personal stories of the people who have lived, worked, died and survived on the East Coast.

Comments

Posted:Feb 5, 2011 8:01:28 PM GMT

May I correct error in the first para above. SNIPE was not a merchantman and not particularly large. She was HMS SNIPE, gun-brig. She was badly damaged, but not lost. There is a thread on her in Feb 2011 online Archives of The Mariners List

Mme_N_Carmichael Canada

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Shipwreck! For Those in Peril

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Captain George Manby

In 1807 Captain George Manby (1765-1854), the commander of the local artilliery barracks, witnessed the loss of the Snipe, a large Merchantman, off Great Yarmouth.. Sixty-seven people drowned within touching distance of the shore because boats could not reach them through the shallow surf. After witnessing this disaster Manby invented a system for firing a line from the shore to the distressed vessel. Once the line was attached people could then be winched safely ashore. Many lives were saved by this invention which Manby promoted with publications and lecture tours around the country.Some of the models and illustrations used by Manby are included in this exhibition.

Faithful and Historical Reminiscences of Captain Manby

During four winters after my appointment to the charge of the Barracks at Yarmouth in 1803, I resided near the beach, and was witness each year to the loss of vessels and their crew while within a few yards of the shore and safety. But in the dreadful gale of February 18 1807, I beheld, when his majesty’s gun brig ‘Snipe’ was stranded, no less than sixty seven persons perished, within fifty yards from the shore, from the impossibility of getting any communication by a rope or a line with the vessel, though every attempt was made for several hours to rescue them by the methods then in use. On the close of that mournful event I vowed that if Providence spared my life, I would apply myself to discover some means by which not only the sufferers might have been rescued, but similar occurrences prevented in future. Many months produced uniform disappointment in my attempts; all the modes by which a rope might possibly be conveyed from the distressed vessel to the shore were tried, and all rejected, on finding that nothing, having a line to it, however buoyant, would come to the beach. I thus entertained the idea of casting a weight, with a line attached to it, from the shore to the vessel, either by mechanical force, or that of gunpowder, and I attempted the projecting of a shot with a chain from a carronade; but finding chains invariable break from the want of proper and immediate connecting medium, and that stout rope, was consumed, and thus defeated my efforts in innumerable experiments, I began to despair of success. At last procuring a royal mortar better adapted to the purpose I hit upon a better medium of connection between the shot and the line (platted ox hide), which did not, as all ropes had done before, burn at the discharge, and thus succeeded in effecting the objects for communication.

From that time not a single life, has been lost on that part of the coast, where many, had annually perished. I should observe, the important fact has been confirmed to me, that since its adoption, crews have felt the confidence in their safety, and do not, as formerly, cut and run to the shore for self preservation in violent gales of wind; and can add with truth, not only from what has been related to be by persons on board vessels in cases of great danger, but from what has come under my own observation, that many vessels and valuable cargoes have been saved entirely by the confidence with which this plan has inspired the crews.

Comments

Posted:Feb 5, 2011 8:01:28 PM GMT

May I correct error in the first para above. SNIPE was not a merchantman and not particularly large. She was HMS SNIPE, gun-brig. She was badly damaged, but not lost. There is a thread on her in Feb 2011 online Archives of The Mariners List

Mme_N_Carmichael Canada