In November 1901
there was a gale and a shipwreck taking place.
My Great Grandfather; William Grainger SGM, was one of the Rocket Brigade
crew
trying to
get a line to the Swedish ship; Trio.
The Gale was blowing the line back so in his frustration my Great Grandfather
The Gale was blowing the line back so in his frustration my Great Grandfather
tied a rope around his waist and swam out
to help save life.
He was awarded a gold medal by the town ; a number of others were too,
He was awarded a gold medal by the town ; a number of others were too,
but only he was awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal.
Almost unbelievably the whole thing was photographed
Almost unbelievably the whole thing was photographed
and reproduced thanks to Hartlepool Arts and Museum Service.
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| The ship had left Port and headed North but dashed back to Hartlepool for safety when the weather turned. The weather was so bad that it could not get into the Port and she was breaking up in Hartlepool Bay. Note the men in flat caps watching. |
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| More onlookers as the ship is at the Sea's mercy. |
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| Masts are breaking up as the Ship is tossed around. |
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| It looks like a puff of white smoke on the left, perhaps from the Rocket team? |
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| WILLIAM GRAINGER . SGM 1864-1946. |
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| Eye witness account, written at a later date. |
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| Page 2. |
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| William and Biddy; his wife. |
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HIS SEA GALLANTRY MEDAL. BEACH BUOY. |
