In the
early years of the twentieth century, Allonby saw two events which
might have proved to be major disasters. In both cases the village
had a lucky escape.
In
March 1903, the barque 'Hougomont' ran ashore. She was bound from San
Francisco, via Cape Horn, to Liverpool. She was driven north by heavy
weather and was standing off Maryport when she dragged her anchors
and was swept into Allonby bay.
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| Crowds of spectators gather on the shore |
The
Wigton Advertiser reported:
“Telegrams were sent by the postmaster and Mr Twentyman for the
lifeboat from Maryport. . . heavy breakers landed with awful crash
over the decks and rigging of the helpless barque. . . the surging
mass of storm-driven billows presented an awe-inspiring spectacle,
never to be forgotten . . . the main topmast and fore topmast broke
off . . . the men hung on for dear life but no lifeboat could be
seen.” Eventually
the lifeboat arrived and the crew were all rescued.
The cargo was
washed ashore, it included 32,000 cases of tinned pears and peaches
plus 24,000 cases of salmon. The locals examined the crates, the tins
had no labels. The only way they could tell which was which was by
shaking them. If the contents moved it was fruit!
Crowds
arrived from the surrounding towns and village to see the spectacle
and help themselves to a few tins too.
The
ship was later towed into Maryport docks for repair.
Two
years later, there was another near disaster. Until then the beck had
been crossed by a iron bridge built as part of the Maryport-Wigton
turnpike road.
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| The old bridge |
On
28 November 1905, a traction engine approached the bridge hauling
three large wagons containing Caris & Fox's Venetian Gondolas –
a steam-powered fairground ride.
The
beck was swollen at the time due to recent heavy rain and, when the
engine was half-way over, the bridge collapsed. The engine crashed
through the railings into the beck. The driver and his mate jumped
clear and nobody was hurt.
Sometime
later, a new stone bridge was built and this still carries the coast
road over the beck.
Click on any of the pictures for a larger view
