On the 130th anniversary of the wreck of the Mexico, the worst disaster in lifeboat history, a poignant reminder of the tragedy has come to light.
Southport resident John Lasley spotted the old bible in a second-hand book shop with an inscription marking the event. The bible was given to a close relative of Richard and John Robinson, crew members of the ‘Eliza Fernley’, the Southport lifeboat that capsized in the attempt to rescue the crew of the German ship the Mexico, wrecked on a sandbank off the Southport coast.
John Robinson was the youngest member of the crew, aged just 18 when the disaster happened. His brother Richard was aged 25. A third brother, Henry Robinson survived by clinging on underneath the overturned lifeboat and breathing through an air valve. He was one of only two survivors on the Southport boat and all the crew of the ‘Laura Janet’ lifeboat from St. Anne’s were drowned.
Mr Lasley has very kindly donated the bible to The Atkinson who will put it on display in the Museum.
