"Quickies" 17 - Caroline Parsons

SS Alba was a Panamanian-registered ship owned by Burger B. that sank off St Ives in Cornwall, England on 31 January 1938. Alba was seeking shelter from rough seas driven by a north-westerly gale and her captain, Joseph Horvath, guided her into St Ives Bay. He mistook the lights of Porthmeor for the lights of St Ives, and Alba went aground on the Three Brothers Rocks.

All Alba's 23 crew members were initially rescued on the first run by the local RNLI lifeboat Caroline Parsons, but the lifeboat overturned on its way to shore. With its engine not working, Caroline Parsons was driven ashore. Wikipedia

Using torches and lamps rescuers managed to save all the members of the RNLI's crew, but five of Alba's crew died. Three bodies were brought ashore and two others were never found. An inquest on the three was held on 2 February 1938, and returned a finding of accidental death.

Illustrated London News - Saturday 05 February 1938

A CORNISH GALE TRAGEDY: ST. IVES LIFEBOAT WRECKED ON THE ROCKS.

Western Morning News - Wednesday 16 February 1938

Beach In Mourning

The whole beach seemed in mourning. Her deck cargo of coal had blackened the golden sands. It was providing frugal harvest for men and boys of the town. Farther up the beach

women, with shawls about their heads, gleaned driftwood. Meanwhile a sympathetic crowd of visitors watched the crew salvaging the engine from Caroline Parsons the only part of

the gallant craft that can be used again. The lifeboat lies a total wreck, although, mercifully, her crew were saved. Already a new lifeboat has come to the town. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has just distributed rewards, medals, and thanks. Many a St. Ives woman took part in rescue work, as she has often done before. Some helped the living chain that dragged men from the jaws of death. Others provided warm drinks. food, clothing, and bedding, giving open-handedly to their own and to strangers among them.

Today the lifeboat waits ready for the next shout, while there are more surfers than boats on the beach, even this late in the year on a beautiful day in October.