The Wreck of the 'Etruria'

15th December1903

The crew of the "Etruria", a steam trawler of Hull, had a lucky escape at Ravenscar near to where the trawler "Prime Minister" was wrecked the proceeding September. Fishermen believe that magnetism in the rocks affects their compasses.

At about five o’clock in the morning in thick fog and with heavy seas the vessel ran hard aground on the rocks and was badly damaged. The ten crewmen were able to get off in their own boats as the engine room and cabins filled rapidly with water. A fishing boat owned by Robert Lamplough of Scarborough fortunately took the men in tow. Later they were transferred to the trawler "Industrial" and were landed in Scarborough at about mid-day.

On the same day the Robin Hood’s Bay Lifeboat crew prepared to launch, after a light was observed coming straight into the bay. However as the light was lost it was presumed that the vessel had realised the danger and made out to deeper water.