Five Vessels Ashore

17th December 1859

On the night of Saturday no less than five vessels came ashore at Robin Hood's Bay, being deceived by the frost hag.

The "Brittania" of Whitby, "Lord Seaham" of Seaham, brig, "Ellen" of London, brig. "Belford" of Dundee, and the "John Henry Hatts" also of London. The first two were assisted off the following day. On Monday the "Ellen" was got off and on Wednesday the "Belford" and "John Henry Hatts". They were all assisted off by the "Esk" and "Hilda" and taken to Whitby harbour. As the steamboat was endeavouring to get the Ellen afloat on the hightide a vessel ran so close to the shore as to be within the steamer rendering it necessary to cut the towrope in order to let her pass.