Some stories of human interest from Bakers history of Scarborough
• 1694 - John Collings was executed at Tyburn, York for stealing lead and copper from St Marys Church, Scarborough.
• 1724 - George Duesbury was fined for selling a codfish on a sunday
• 1732 - A foot race was held on the old bowling green for £500 between a fisherman and a Captain in the Navy.
• 1736 - The Dutch took 589 whales and the Spaniards 70 from this coast.
• 1767 - Severe storms upset a number of masts and timber from the shipyards - these floated from a place of safety to the heart of the storm where they became battering rams destroying the harbour staithes.
• 1769 - Valentine Bailey was executed for the murder of Jim Smith of Scarborough, a customs Officer. On passing of sentence he knocked over the woman who gave evidence against him - a former member of his smuggling gang.
• 1799 - During a heavy gale cobles couldn't make port easily. One man died of the perishing cold - Richard Potter. His son survived the ordeal.
• 1805 - Two incidents in the same year caused death by lightning. William Church was killed by lightning in Tindalls shipyard. Later in July 2 men and a boy were killed when lightening struck a boat on the stocks.
• 1809 - A body was snatched from St Marys graveyard by the Barracks surgeon. After an investigation the Barrack surgeon was removed.
• 1810 - Oil lamps were first used in Scarborough. They were installed in Newborough Street and Market Cross amongst others.
• 1822 - On August 12th His Majesty King George IV approached Scarborough on his journey to Edinbrough. The castle battery fired a Royal Salute.
• 1824 - On October 24th a huge NNE storm and tidal surge struck the east coast.
- The Caledonian went ashore near Mill Beck
- The Providence went ashore near the Caledonian
- A Wisbeach sloop "Hope" went down with all hands trying to make the harbour
- A schooner the Collingwood went down, again trying to enter the harbour with all hands.
- The Bucephalus went aground near the Spa, all hands saved by the Lifeboat
- The Eagle went ashore near Blands Cliff
- Elsewhere the Yarmouth Haven flood tide lasted for 15 hours. Hundreds of vessels were lost up and down the coast.
• 1825 - On 4th February 3 ships under construction were washed off the stocks which caused much damage. The Spa was also damaged by a huge tide.
• 1840 - Mary Woodall was blown from the Pier and drowned to death.
• 1861 - 3 Soldiers from the 58th Regiment were killed while swimming under the Castle Foot. In the same year in September 10 visitors were drowned in a boat.
• 1866 - In September, 14 men were brought ashore from the St Joseph, from Fecamp, France. They had cholera and were treated at the old Workhouse. The owners of the veseel later sent their thanks and a plaque from the fisher people of Fecamp.
• 1876 - Two fishermen found a body of a respectable looking young woman aged 15-16 years old. Later the body of a young man was recovered near White Nab. They turned out to be sweethearts who got a cheap ticket to the seaside. The mother had refused the young man permission to court her daughter. They died either getting caught whilst walking on the beach or they had agreed to die by mutual consent. The mother had already taken out a warrant out against him for abducting the her daughter.
• 1878 - 30th August - a gentleman visitor was struck by lightning whilst boating in Cornelian Bay.
• 1880 - October 28-29th a huge storm drove 9 vessels ashore. The Lifeboat proved itself several times. Sometimes vessels were going ashore too quickly for the Lifeboat to keep up with.
• A widow of a respectable tradesman is said to have spontaneously combusted.
• The main mast of a 'snow' became detached from the deck. The spike landed upright on the deck trapping a seaman - the spike going right through his body. He did not die of his injuries.
