132nd anniversary of the Mexico disaster

This evening marks the 132nd anniversary of the Mexico disaster, where 14 lifeboat men from Southport and 13 from St Annes lost their lives.

The Southport Offshore Rescue Trust have laid a wreath on the memorial to the tragedy which remains the worst lifeboat disaster in British history.

Despite a significant improvement in the vessels and safety equipment that our crew use today, the challenges of the tide and weather remain the same.

Tonight we not only remember those 27 brave men who perished attempting to save those on board the Mexico, but all the lifeboat volunteers who have lost whilst trying to save others.

The words of the final verse of ‘The Warriors of the Sea’ by Clement Scott (below) hold as much value today as they did in 1886.

‘When in dark nights of winter, fierce storms of wind and rain

Howl round the cosy homestead, and lash the window-pane;

When over hill and treetop we hear the tempest roar

And hurricanes go sweeping on from valley to the shore;
And those we love the best on earth are gathered in our homes,
Think of the sailors round our coasts who, braving sleet and snow,

Leave sweethearts, wives and little ones when duty bids them go.

Think of our sea-girt Island, a harbour where alone
No Englishman to save a life has failed to risk his own:

Then when the storm howls loudest, pray of your charity

That God will bless the Lifeboat, and the Warriors of the Sea.’