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 John & Maria (H) Russell.

John Russell 30 Jan 1911 lost his barge YULAN on the Goodwins, together with two sons Walter and Arthur.


The Chelmsford Chronicle 2 Nov 1911 gives details of the tragedy:



Two lives were lost in the wreck of the Harwich ketch YULAN, which went aground on the Goodwin Sands on Monday night in a fierce south-easterly gale, and was not located by the ...
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John & Maria (H) Russell.
John Russell 30 Jan 1911 lost his barge YULAN on the Goodwins, together with two sons Walter and Arthur.

The Chelmsford Chronicle 2 Nov 1911 gives details of the tragedy:

Two lives were lost in the wreck of the Harwich ketch YULAN, which went aground on the Goodwin Sands on Monday night in a fierce south-easterly gale, and was not located by the lifeboatmen until daybreak on Tuesday. The crew consisted of John Russell, the master, and his two sons. The sons were drowned before their father's eyes, and John Russell himself narrowly escaped losing his life. The elder son was washed off the wreck during the night, but Russell and his son Arthur continued to cling to the rigging. Just as the lifeboat was approaching, the mast came down and both were plunged into the sea. Arthur Russell was never seen again, but his father kept afloat, and was eventually rescued by the Walmer lifeboat. It was a terrible night, piercingly cold, with a biting frost and a violent gale. The lifeboatmen showed great heroism. Poor John Russell was in a terribly exhausted state. He had no strength left, and was practically dragged through the sea with the lifebuoy round him.
The YULAN was on a voyage from Belgium to London with paper pulp. Speaking with deep emotion of his terrible experiences and the lost of his sons, John Russell said:
"The vessel was blown helplessly on to the sands. Heavy seas broke over her, and she bumped heavily and soon filled. My eldest son was washed off the wreck and drowned. He leaves a widow and two children. My son Arthur and I were in the rigging all night. It was bitterly cold, and we were quite benumbed. Just as the lifeboat and tug JAVA were coming to our aid, the mast broke off, and Arthur was washed away and drowned." [With thanks to British Newspaper Archive]"


Photo: Ron Green Collection
Image ID RG25_RUS_003
Category 3 Families


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This image is part of the Mersea Museum Collection.