Runswick Storm

“To the Benevolent and the humane, it is always a gratification to relieve the wretched, and to soothe the sorrows of the victims of misfortune and affliction. For several years there has not been a more afflicting scene of distress, than what now exists at the above villages. By the tremendous storm of Friday, April 14^th 1815 about one-third of the fishermen of RUNSWICK, have been drowned. Three fishing boats belonging to that place, with their crews, twenty one in number, have fallen victims to the raging tempest – twelve poor women have lost their husbands. Two widows have lost their sons, who were their only support; and thirty six children have become fatherless, and bereft of all means of subsistence.

Also one fishing boat belonging to STAITHS, entirely new, has been totally lost, with eight persons on board, by which four widows and twelve children are left destitute.

Thus by the loss of so much property, and so many heads of families, a most powerful appeal is made to the inhabitants of this city and county and it is humbly and earnestly hoped that it will not be made in vain”.

Sufferers’ Names	Left Destitute	Child	Lost (£)

RICHARD AND SARAH OF STAITHS
Rob VERRELL Master	Widow	3	300
William VERRELL	Widow Pregnant	4	20
Francis ROBINSON	Widow Pregnant	1	20
Ralph SAUNDERSON		2	20
James HARRISON	Widow	2	20
Luke HARRISON - James Harrison's Son			20
James HARRISON - James Harrison's Son			20
J. VERRILL’s Son - a boy			20

GOOD INTENT OF RUNSWICK
Geo. BROWN Master	Widow	3	400
Michael CALVERT	Widow	6	20
Michael CALVERT jnr
George TRATTLES	Widow Pregnant	2	20
Robert HUTTON	Mother		20
Thomas CLARK	Widow Pregnant		20
Wm. TRATTLES a boy	Mother a Widow

HAPPY RETURN OF RUNSWICK
Robt DAWSON Master	Widow		200
James CARLING	Father & Mother - 75 years each		200
John CARLING	Widow Pregnant	2	20
Tim CARLING	Widow	2	20
John CALVERT	Widow Pregnant	5	20
William CLARK	Widow Pregnant	1
J. TIPLADY a boy

BROTHERS OF RUNSWICK
I. HESELTINE Master	Widow	2	400
I. HESELTINE jnr - son of I. Heseltine			20
John HESELTINE - son of I. Heseltine
William LEGG	Widow	7	20
G. LEGG - William Legg's son - a boy
Jeremiah APPLEBY	Widow	4	20
Robert URWIN			20

Making a total of 29 sufferers, leaving 16 widows, 7 of whom are pregnant, 2 aged mothers who were dependant on their sons for their livelihood, and 46 fatherless children.

“Amount of property lost £1,820”

A subscription has already been entered into the town of Whitby, for this benevolent purpose, and donations will be thankfully received at all the York Banks, and by Mr. Alderman SMITH, skeldergate, York.

N.B. When the subscription is closed, a meeting of the principle subscribers will be called, and a committee formed for dividing and appropriating the sums.

Subscriptions £ s d

Rev. W. Smith (Rector of Hinderwell) 21. 0. 0

Mr. Alderman Smith, York 5. 5. 0

The Rev. P.C. Guise 1. 1. 0

From: YORK HERALD AND GENERAL ADVERTISER, Saturday May 6^th, 1815.