Lifeboat ‘Maude Pickup’ (1894-1930)
The lifeboat Maude Pickup was a 43 foot long by twelve foot six inch beam non-self-righting lifeboat. She was gifted from the legacy of the late Mr. James Pickup of Southport. During the thirty six years at the Fleetwood lifeboat station she was involved in many dramatic rescues.
Wednesday June 16th, 1897. Svalen, Louise and Zillah
On Wednesday, 16th June 1897, the Maude Pickup lifeboat from Fleetwood undertook multiple rescues during a severe summer storm that struck the Fylde coast, the same storm that wrecked the Foudroyant near Blackpool.
First, the lifeboat rescued 3 people from the Norwegian barque Svalen off Sunderland Point, near Lancaster. It then proceeded to the barque Louise, stranded on the south side of Glasson Channel, and rescued 9 crew members along with a local pilot.
While returning across Pilling Sands, the crew spotted the steamer Zillah, which had sunk near Bernard Wharf, nearly opposite Wyre Light on the East side of the Wyre channel. Five crewmen were found clinging to the rigging and funnel. Despite dangerous conditions, all were safely rescued.
In total, 18 lives were saved from three different vessels in one day.
Old Hunter and Maggie Kelso
In February 1906, the schooner Old Hunter, carrying coal from Liverpool to Mevagissey, encountered worsening weather after departing under tow. Adverse winds forced her eastward toward the Isle of Man and later the Cumbrian coast. As gale-force winds from the northwest intensified, the captain attempted to seek shelter in Morecambe Bay. However, the vessel was driven south onto Shell Wharf sandbanks and became stranded in heavy surf.
The crew launched distress rockets, which were seen from shore. The lifeboat Maude Pickup, towed by the steam tug Fylde, arrived during severe conditions. After waiting for the tide to rise, they managed to rescue all four crew from Old Hunter.
On their return, the lifeboat also discovered another schooner, Maggie Kelso, stranded near Rossall Point. After landing Old Hunter‘s crew in Fleetwood, they returned and rescued three more sailors from Maggie Kelso. In total, seven sailors were safely rescued without injury.
One of the last service calls David Leadbetter undertook was on 19th November 1906 when in hurricane force conditions the lifeboat Maude Pickup rescued the crew from the trawler Belmont (FD64) that had been driven onto Pilling Sands. The lifeboat had been launched two days earlier on 17th November to take off the crew when she grounded and was again launched when a crew had been put back on board by local boats to attempt to re-float the Belmont but the weather deteriorated and all those on board had to be rescued.
Record of Service Rendered by lifeboat Maude Pickup (1894-1930)
December 22nd, 1894. Schooner Annie Park of Barrow. The three masted schooner apparently ran aground and was disabled with its sails blown away. Tug towed her into port.
December 22nd, 1894. Barque Furu on Pilling Sands This Norwegian barque Furu was built in 1873. She was registered in Norway at 844 tons and had a crew of fourteen. She was left high and dry after braving a hurricane in which she lost her topsail, forestay and mizzen stay sail, until 5.00 a.m., when the crew walked ashore. Her back was broken and keel torn away. She became a total wreck, sold later as salvage to local men.
June 16th, 1897. Barque Svalen of Tvedestrand. Aground on Sunderland Bank. Lifeboat towed by tug Brock.
Only 3 persons on board. All others had gone ashore previous day before storm blew up. Rescued three.
June 16th, 1897. After Svalen (above) went to barque Louisa of Drammen, aground on Pilling Sands. As the vessel was breaking up in pounding seas the lifeboat rescued crew of 9 plus Pilot.
June 16th, 1897. After Svalen and Louisa – spotted steamer Zillah of Liverpool also aground on Pilling Sands and appeared to be sinking rapidly. As lifeboat reached her she had already sunk. Two crew clinging to foremast. Other three hanging on to top of funnel.
All saved from incidents above and lifeboat landed 18 persons from the 3 incidents.
In recognition of the above incidents Coxswain David Leadbetter was awarded a pair of binoculars. Special bronze medals, given by a Birmingham gentleman, were later presented to each member of the gallant crew.
November 29th, 1897. Ship Larnaca of Nova Scotia. Distress signals near Pilling Sands. 90 mph winds.
(From 1897 to 1906 there was a 9 year gap when no rescue service launches were required.)
February 20th, 1906. Old Hunter of Barrow.
February 20th, 1906. Maggie Kelso of Dalbeattie.
November 17th, 1906. Trawler Belmont. Pilling Sands. Local boats went on. November 19th (2 days later) lifeboat rescued.
(No lifeboat rescue service were required from 1906 and into the First World War until 1917).
October 25th, 1917. Russian barque Pittan.
September 17th, 1920. Coaster Waritar of Chester. On fire.
December 6th, 1922. Trawler Merrydale.
December 25th, 1929. Steamship Tchad.
Fleetwood Lifeboats Past 