In January 1951 the Lifeboat, named the ECJR, see note 1, was new to Scarborough, at 11.15 on the morning of 9th December 1951 a call was answered from a Dutch coaster, ‘Westkust’ that was in distress. When the ECJR arrived at the scene, 19 miles off Flamborough Head, the ‘Westkust’ was already a wreck, the port side was submerged as was the stern. The heavy seas made it difficult to come alongside, but they managed to do it. Two lifeboat men boarded the ‘Westkust’, Frank Dalton and Thomas Mainprize, to assess the situation and the ‘Westkust’ Captain gave the order to abandon ship. The two Scarborough men assisted the ten crew to board the ECJR. It was then the turn of the two Scarborough men to board the lifeboat, once Thomas Mainprize was over it left Frank Dalton on his own, with no one to assist him. As he climbed over the side to lower himself onto the lifeboat a massive wave caught the lifeboat, lifting it and sending it crashing into the ‘Westkust’, crushing Frank Dalton between the craft. The lifeboat crew managed to hold on to him and haul him back on board the ECJR, Sadly, he was so badly injured that he died before the lifeboat reached home.
Frank Dalton was posthumously awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal for his gallant conduct whilst coxswain, John Sheader and 2nd Mechanic Thomas Mainprize were also awarded the Bronze Medal.
Note 1: The name ECJR is in honour of four people who bequeathed money to the building of the boat, Mrs AE Wildish, Mr LA Critchton, Mrs FE Wood and Mr R Munday. It is a combination of two of the donors first name initials, one doners sur-name initial and the J was the initial letter of a boat name suggested by Mrs Wood.
