This article is based on the research of Suzanne Pollard into her Great Great Grandfather and his parents. Her family tree links in with the Robinsons, The Bayes, The Allens, The Jenkinsons and the Cowlings. Four old portrait photos can be found below which feature her main relatives.
Photo : James Robinson 
Photo : Ann Robinson 
Photo : Alice Bayes 
Richard Baxter Cowling : Suzanne's Great Great Grandfather on her grandmothers side. He was killed on The Emulator in 1919 at the age of 47, when she hit a mine off Flamborough Head(This is featured in detail at the bottom of this page). There is a memorial plaque for seamen who were lost at sea in The Tower Hill Memorial in London with his name and the other 8 fishermen that were lost that day.James and Ann Robinson : These were Suzanne's Great Great Great Grandparents from her Grandfathers side. James was born in 1838 and died in 1911. His wife Ann Jenkinson was born in 1839 and died in 1917.
John Robinson : Suzanne has a copy of the 1881 census document which lists the crew of the Smack Maud Florence which was skippered by John Robinson at the age of seventy! John Robinson was her Great Great Great Great Grandfather. His first mate was his son James. Four other members of the Robinson family were also crew members Thomas,Thomas,William,and John.
Alice Bayes(Born 1874 to Frances and Alice Bayes) : She was the wife of Richard Baxter Cowling. Alice's brother seems to have been James 'Ruffin' Bayes(For more information on Ruffin Bayes CLICK HERE). Alice's father Francis Bayes originated from Flamborough. One of Alice's other brothers was Francis Bayes. This Francis Bayes had a son who was also called Francis. This Francis Bayes died on 8th December 1954. James 'Ruffin' Bayes(For more information on Ruffin Bayes CLICK HERE)For more information on this Lifeboat disaster CLICK HERE.
Paul 'obbie Robinson Suzanne's Grandfather who was born in 1901 and died in 1984 was the last generation of fishermen in the Robinson family as his sons went into the building trade.
Suzanne's mother Suzanne Pollard is also related to fisher families on her mother's side - the Allens and Beevers. The Allens originated from Norfolk or Suffolk. Suzanne's Great Great Grandmother Alice Maud Allen was widowed when her husband was lost at sea and she lived in Trinity House on St Sepulchre Street in Scarborough.
The loss of the Emulator Richard Baxter Cowling was lost at sea when the Emulator hit a mine in 1919. It had left port on 15th April 1919. It had left port with two other vessels heading for fishing grounds adjacent to Scarborough. A huge explosion was heard on board the Tryphana and a search was launched. When nothing was found she went back to Scarborough Harbour.
The Scarborough Mercury stated, "The report spread rapidly to Filey, where the greatest anxiety naturally prevailed and repeated enquiries for news were made by telephone to Scarborough. Hopes were built up on the uncertainty of the news, and it was certainly too early to suppose that if the Emulator had been destroyed the crew had been picked up". But the reports were confirmed.
The crew were all lost. They were :
- Richard Baxter Cowling
- Richards cousin William Jenkinson, First Mate.
- His Nephew Thomas Jenkinson (William jenkinsons son)
- Richard Cammish Jenkinson, who ironically, had only recently returned from war service in the Mediterranean where he had skippered a minesweeper.
- Richard Matthew Crimlisk(Skipper) and his two sons Tom and Wilfred
So it appears that the disaster which took Suzanne's Great Great Grandfather aso took several other loosely related relatives as well.
The Emulator had just come from Grimsby at the weekend after being demobilised from naval service. William Jenkinson, Mr Richard Jenkinson and the skipper had only just bought shares in it. Another son of william Jenkinson was also due to go out on the Emulator but he had not received his demobilisation papers.
Sources
- Suzanne Pollards family research
- The Scarborough Mercury april 17th, 1919
- http://www.lealman.fsnet.co.uk
