Russian Barque ‘Pittan’
A notable rescue took place on 25th October 1917 when the barque ‘Pittan’ was wrecked on Pilling Sands. Signals of distress were seen from the direction on Lune Deep, from the vessel ‘Pittan’ that was drifting onto Pilling Sands.
Fleetwood lifeboat ‘Maude Pickup’ was launched to assist the vessel that had drifted on to the Sands, abreast of Fluke Hall and was quickly becoming a wreck. Seven crew members including the skipper were on the poop. Six of the crew had been hauled into the lifeboat when the hawser to which the lifeboat was fastened to the barquentine broke. After several attempts the lifeboat crew succeeded in again coming alongside the vessel and despite considerable difficulty the captain was rescued. The exhausted crew were brought back to Fleetwood in the lifeboat.
Fleetwood Lifeboats Past 