115. Darkest Day: David Forshaw

It remains the biggest loss of lifeboat crew in the RNLI’s history – David Forshaw on the 1886 Mexico disaster, and why it was a pivotal moment for the charity

On 10 December 1886, 27 lifeboatmen from Lytham St. Annes and Southport tragically lost their lives while attempting to rescue the crew from the German barque Mexico, which had run aground after getting caught in perilous conditions.

Those who died left behind 16 widows and 50 children without fathers. A public relief fund was launched to support them, raising £30,000 in a matter of weeks – which included donations from Queen Victoria and Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Soon after, local businessman Sir Charles Macara and his wife Marion organised the very first Lifeboat Saturday. Thousands of people lined the streets of Manchester and raised over £5,000 for RNLI lifesavers. Due to its success, other towns and cities quickly followed suit.

In this episode, David Forshaw, Launch Authority and Lifeboat Press Officer at Lytham St. Annes RNLI, tells the story of what happened on the darkest day in the RNLI’s history, and how it changed the face of fundraising forever.

For 200 years, RNLI volunteers have shown incredible courage at sea and have saved more than 144,000 lives – none of which would be possible without kindness from the public. Help us mark this historic milestone in our lifesaving story.

200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI   

Interview by Adventurous Audio

Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls   

The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200