 | |
| Date | 9 December 1886 |
|---|---|
| Location | Southport, England (53°39′11″N 3°00′54″W / 53.6531°N 3.0150°W) |
| Outcome | 27 lives lost; 2 survivors |
 Mexico beached
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
.svg){kind=small} Germany | |
| Name | Mexico |
| Out of service | 1890 |
| Homeport | Hamburg |
| Fate | Sank in 1890 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 400 long tons (410 t) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Barque |
| Crew | 12 |
The Southport and St Anne's lifeboats disaster, commonly known as the Mexico disaster after the German barque, Mexico was wrecked on the evening of the 9th December 1886. In all, 27 lifeboat men lost their lives trying to save the crew of the ship.
14 of the 16 crew members aboard the Southport Lifeboat, Eliza Fernley, drowned along with all 13 of the St Anne's Lifeboat, Laura Janet.
The 12 crew of the Mexico were eventually rescued by the Lytham Lifeboat, Charles Biggs.
In the words of Queen Victoria, written in her private journal Saturday 11 December 1886, "A dreadful misfortune has happened on the Lancashire coast, the loss of life boats, & many lives, a terrible & inconceivable thing!" [1]
- ^ Quote retrieved from source Volume 84, Page 175 - 21/12/2018 by Jon Maddox. Thanks to Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II