Saturday 1st. November

12:00 noon

Volunteers and lifeboat crew members will launch the restored lifeboat the William Riley and undergo a rowing and rescue demonstration. The demonstration will present how difficult it is to row the boat with an additional seventeen people just as the John Feilden did on its first rescue trip.

1:00 p.m.

A flotilla of boats led by Whitby’s station lifeboat George and Mary Webb will proceed to the site of the Rohilla wreck for a short service and wreath laying. The crew of the Whitby lifeboats will lay wreaths for families, the Flotilla will be subject to weather conditions.

3:00 p.m.

On the West Pier, a specially commissioned plaque, provided and funded by the Whitby Civic Society to mark the 100th anniversary of the wreck of the Rohilla, will be unveiled by the Most Hon. The Marquis of Normanby.

The tragedy that befell the wreck of the Rohilla held both extreme joy and sadness. It was undoubtedly the biggest tragedy in Whitby's history and is regarded as one of the worst services in the annals of the RNLI. Brave lifeboat crew members were joined by members of the public in gallant rescue efforts to this end we invite you to an evening celebratory concert.

7:00 p.m.

Spirit of Whitby - Rohilla Remembered. An evening of Music and Drama will be held at St Hilda’s Church, West Cliff a wonderful setting for such atmospheric tribute. This event is an open invitation to all guests, crews and members of the public. We envisage the concert to be an evening of fine entertainment and should not be missed.

Tickets are £5 per person and are available from the lifeboat museum / station.