“The Fethard Life-Boat Crew (I)”
Description
The Mexico, from America to Liverpool, is "dashed to pieces along the beach of Burrow's lonely shore." The Fethard Lifeboat crew "launched their boat at Fethard Quay ... to save the shipwrecked sailors." The lifeboat itself is wrecked.
Notes
Ranson: Tune is "The Hantoon" on p. 46.
February 20, 1914: "Nine members of the Fethard lifeboat were drowned when going to the assistance of the Norwegian steamer _Mexico_.... Eight of the Mexico's crew were saved by the five lifeboat survivors. All but one of the stranded survivors were saved with great difficulty the next day." (source: Bourke in _Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast_ v1, pp. 52-53) - BS
We note that at least four poems were written about this disaster (see the cross-references); one suspects a campaign to raise money for someone's family. - RBW
Historical references
- Feb 20-21, 1914 - The Mexico wreck
Cross references
- cf. "The Mexico" (subject) and references there
- cf. "The Hantoon" (tune)
References
- Ranson, p. 44, "The Fethard Life-Boat Crew" (1 text, 1 tune)
- BI, Ran044