On the night of January 1st. 1867, the sailing ship 'Charlotte' of Sunderland, timber laden from the port of Gottenburg, Sweden, suffered near the Robins Lythes Hole.  It was a moonless night, the lights on the headland obscured by a snow storm, and the booming of the warning gun lost in the roar of the elements. In the morning a large quantity of wood was seen floating in the North Sea Gap, and on a search being made, 5 men were found at the foot of the cliff, one of them quite dead, another (the Captain) fearfully wounded by the rocks, and the others in an exhausted condition.

They were rescued from their perilous position, by James Harrington, the landlord of the North Star Inn, Flamborough, who, at imminent risk of his own life, brought them al into the cave.  The sea at the time was rising fast, the wind dead on shore.  The only access to the poor sailors was across the timber and mast of the wreck, which lay tossing at the mouth of the cave.  Four times did James Harrington traverse this perilous path, each time bringing back one of the sailors.

James Harrington's last venture was for the wounded captain, and the sea hurled Harrington, and his almost lifeless burden, far up into the cave, and they narrowly escaped being dashed to pieces.  The captain died the next day.
3 days later another sailor was found, dead from exposure.  The following Wednesday, the body of the mate was found.

James Harrington, for his brave conduct in the rescue, was rewarded by the King of Sweden, and the English Government. 

Allison Harrington, Flamborough, East Yorkshire.

Submitted by Shep