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During the afternoon of 24th November 1864 the Steamship "Stanley" battled to reach the safety of the River Tyne through the terrors of a North Sea storm. Unfortunately, the entrance to the river was as dangerous as the wild seas and she was thrown on to the rocks under the Spanish Battery.
Six brave people were swept away, trying to launch a ship's boat.
Strong wind and huge waves flung back the local lifeboatmen, smashing their oars and throwing two of them to death in the black, icy waters.
Using 'rocket apparatus', the Coastguard got a line aboard and brought off three crewmen, before the rocks snagged the line.
As other boats got into difficulties, the "Ardwell", crashed against the side of the Stanley and some of those trapped were able to scramble aboard.
In the night, the steamer split in two, and the rear half was swamped by powerful waves, drowning everyone there.
Early on 25th November another rocket line was put aboard and the survivors were brought ashore by breeches buoy.
On that night, more than 30 lives were saved, but more than 30 also died in the freezing waters, watched by thousands of local people on the cliffs and beaches.
The people of Tynemouth, North Shields and Cullercoats were so horrified and saddened that a public meeting was called and the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade was formed.
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