3-086-028 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Great Storm - Scene at Margate: horses drowned in the attempt to launch the life-boat, 1898. 'From a Sketch by an Eye-Witness. In the course of the great gale a vessel near the Girdle Light signalled for help, and an attempt was made to launch the Margate life-boat "Quiver." A wheel of the boat's trolley became fixed on a rock, and the horses attached to the carriage were carried off their legs by a heavy sea. The animals were promptly unfastened, and four of the eight got clear of their trappings in time to save themselves. Three of the poor creatures were drowned, however, before they could get free, and a fourth, attached to them by its harness, plunged heavily, beyond reach of help, for some time and then succumbed. The boat teas eventually hauled off, but only after she had been too severely damaged to put to sea'. From "Illustrated London News", 1898.