St. John Ambulance Brigade
Wreck of the Hospital Ship “Rohilla”
Service Report - Part Two
These three were the only cases in which life
was existent on coming ashore in which our efforts were unsuccessful.
At about six o’clock, the Grosmont Brigade reported for duty, and arrangements
were made for Whitby members to have a night rest. However there being
signs that the wreck was in danger of breaking up, all members were
called out, and proceeded with lights to the Scaur, and were successful
in securing four persons alive, and four more bodies were recovered.
We were informed later that nearly twenty persons jumped at this period,
the majority of the bodies washed ashore a week later. This was perhaps
the most dangerous part of the whole work, as the cliffs are two hundred
feet high, the storm was at its height, and it was raining torrentially
the whole time, besides being pitch dark. All the members were soaked
to the skin and spent the night at Saltwick drying their clothes etc
before the fire. During the night the Engineers Searchlight appeared
and a ray of light was thrown on the wreck cheering up wonderfully the
remaining fifty men. We provided the Engineers with hot drinks and refreshments
also supplying the Rocket Brigade and Lifeboatmen. At daybreak the South
Gare motor lifeboat appeared and took off the rest of the survivors.
These were met on landing and provided with hot Oxo and beef tea and
conveyed to various houses in the town. One case were taken to Hospital,
after temporary support suffering from a dislocation of the right shoulder,
with probable fracture of the humerous. After treatment at Whitby the
man was sent to Chatham for X – ray treatment. This brings the period
of the rescue operation to a close, but the Seven Members of the Brigade
were busy all Sunday helping to undress and put the patient to bed at
the Hospital and also at the various private houses.
Altogether forty six who swam or drifted to
shore were treated during the period of the rescue operations, besides
the lift which was given to those previously rescued, and those brought
off on the Sunday morning. These final survivors numbered fifty and
all recovered. The first aid treatment “rendered generally meant the
taking off, or cutting off, of lifebelts and clothing, rubbing with
warm towels, and wrapping in hot blankets, hot water bottles being placed
on the stretchers. The patients were examined for wounds, which were
dressed with boric lint and bandaged. Most of the men were cut or bruised
about the arms and legs through contact with the wreckage or the rocks,
and a score of minor injuries of this character were so treated
Each patient was also given a limited quantity
of hot stimulants and light food (under orders) each bearer party having,
in the later stages of the operations a vacuum flask with them. In several
cases, alas artificial respiration was resorted to, and many cases of
minor fainting and collapse were treated among the spectators on the
cliff. I specifically omitted to mention names, other than those on
charge, as all members behaved splendidly. Juniors and Seniors worked
together, and discipline was maintained from start to finish. Much valued
assistance was given by individual Ambulance, Railway and other men:
and the public as a whole gave every assistance possible. The owners
of the motor cars etc, placed them unreservedly at our disposal they
offering to take the men wherever required also taking the Grosmont
Brigade and Skinningrove men back home on the Sunday.
After the wreck, the Brigade undertook the
collection of all things lent to the Brigade, the rescuers, or survivors,
and were every night for two weeks on this work. We also dispatched
about thirty letters and telegrams to friends of the rescued, and received
and forwarded many more. Several lots of personal belongings were also
recovered, and returned to their owners. The Brigade Headquarters at
the Marine Cafe were open day and night, and the Brigades, Lifeboatmen
and Rocket men were provided with refreshments, and had their clothing,
etc, dried. Further, on the Sunday, one survivor and one Territorial
suffering from pneumonia and rheumatic fever, respectively as a result
of immersion in the icy cold water, were removed to Hospital – one survivor
being removed for the same reason on Saturday night. The Whitby Brigade
was on duty from 5 o’clock on Friday morning until 3 p.m. on Sunday,
and the Skinningrove men from 4 p.m. on Friday until 4 p.m. on Saturday,
and they also returned on Sunday morning, being, however too late to
be of service. The Grosmont Division reported on duty at 4 p.m. on Saturday
until 12 o’clock noon on Sunday. One member of the Whitby Division was
on duty for fifty four hours, and other members between forty and fifty
without a break.
So pleased was Captain Isdale, of the British
India Co. with the work of the Brigade that he gave a donation of £5
to the Brigade funds. We suffered the loss of several pounds worth of
stores and equipment, but this has been made good by the public who
saw our work, and we have received donations amounting to another £5.
Many members of the Brigade lost overcoats and other personal belongings,
as well as two days wages, but we should hope to do just as much or
rather more, should occasion demand it. All the bodies recovered during
rescue operations were conveyed to the Mortuary and were washed and
attended by the local Red Cross nurses at the Seaside Home. The Brigade
Secretary also assisted various relatives in the identification of lost
relatives, and the tracing of survivors or lost friends. At the funeral
of the greater number of the dead men on the Wednesday following the
wreck, the Brigade provided two bearer parties, and also sent a floral
anchor to the memory of the members of the Barnoldswick Division who
lost their lives. We also provided parties at each of the other two
funerals.
I have since received letters of grateful
thanks from survivors in many parts of England; one from a Marconi operator
containing two pounds as a donation. In recognition of the work of the
Police in the recoveries of the bodies they received from the owners
£25, and from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution £10; the Brigade
who did the work have officially received nothing, being a voluntary
organisation – such is life. We have however, had placed in the Occurrence
Book the following from Fleet Surgeon J. C. Littler Jones, F.R. C. S.,
R.N.V.R of the Rohilla;
The services rendered were excellent. The
long hours on duty, the arduous nature of the work and the weather,
were all endured cheerfully and the whole turn out was in my opinion,
absolutely splendid.
We have also had given to us the collection
of a large Recruiting Meeting, held in the town, which amounted to £7.
16d. The Secretary had an interview with the Chairman of the Whitby
Urban District Council, who thanked the Brigade for their services,
which added so much to the town’s efforts on behalf of the crew of the
“Rohilla”. Being unable to make any grant, the Chairman invited the
Brigade to parade for duty and receive the collection, with the above
result.
One result of the occurrence has been to bring the Brigade and its objects
into prominence and to commend it to the support and recognition of
the public generally; and it is now recognised as of much value to the
town.
In closing this report I desire to thank all who assisted the Brigade.
So much valuable and practical assistance was given that I cannot specify,
but to all, on behalf of the St. John Ambulance Association, I tender
my most sincere thanks.
Yours faithfully
C. H. Hood
Hon. Sec.
This most fascinating report represents a
true insight from those on the ground at the time of the Rohilla's loss,
use the following links to access the other pages.
Copyright © Colin Brittain 1999 - 2014
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