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From: "BILL HASKINS" <>
Subject: S.S.'ETHEL' 1888
Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 11:10:30 +0100


S.S.ETHEL Nov 1888
Dear friends
Would anyone know anything about the steamship 'ETHEL' which was southward bound out of Middlesborough in
a south easterly gale. on 27th November 1888.?
That night evidently, nearly all the local Staithes lifeboatmen and both coxwains were out with the cobbles ,fishing, so a scratch lifeboat crew under Joseph Verrill went to escort 40 of the cobbles back into harbour, only to discover that one cobble was missing. So, once again,'The WINIFRIDE MARY HOPPS' now with the regular crew, went out again at 6.0 in the pitch dark, which ended in tragedy as it was overturned, with one member losing his life on the rocks, the others managing to scramble ashore.
Meanwhile the lifeboat itself, had drifted out to sea, where most of her gear was either broken or lost. She dropped anchor and was eventually rescued by the 'ETHEL' who took her into tow back to Middlesborough.

Out of curiosity, could someone tell me whether the owners of the Ethel would have been compensated for their 'diversion' ? The R.N.L.I gave a 'Thanks on Vellum' to the Captain of the S.S.Ethel... Captain Henry Whittington.
What kind of ship was she?
Many thanks for all your help Jenny H

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