The story is straightforward: in 1838, a strong and brave woman rescued nine passengers from a sinking ship. Learn why her story is still being told today, more than 180 years later.

When Grace Darling’s life changed, she was 22.

A steamer known as the Forfarshire was travelling from Hull, in Yorkshire, to Dundee, in Scotland, on the evening of September 7, 1838. The ship’s engines broke out, putting 60 crew members and guests in danger during a storm.

The Longstone Lighthouse was mistaken for the Inner Farne Lighthouse, which was closer to the beach, when the captain was looking for protection. The ship was lifted into the air by a massive wave before it slammed with Big Harcar rock.

Within 15 minutes, half of the ship sank, killing hundreds of adults, children, and infants. Some people didn’t even have time to get out of their cabins. Nine passengers successfully boarded the lifeboat. Nine more survivors climbed up the rocks and out of the surging ocean.

Grace Darling first noticed the silhouette of the wreck at 4.45 am from the Longstone Lighthouse. At seven in the morning, she noticed survivors moving about on Big Harcar rock.

Grace and her father, William, anticipated that the North Sunderland lifeboat wouldn’t be able to launch because of the weather. They both believed it was their responsibility to try to save the surviving.

Grace and William start the rescue effort

On their coble, a wooden rowing boat, they each took one oar. They had to row for over a mile to avoid the sharp rocks and get to the survivors safely because to the high tide and wind.

Grace was left to manage the boat by herself when William sprang from the boat and onto the rocks. She had to take both oars and row backwards and forwards to keep it in place and prevent it from hitting the reef. William discovered eight individuals on the rocks, one of them was seriously hurt. A woman carrying two children who had both passed away was also present.

Only the injured guy and the woman, together with three other men, William and Grace, could fit aboard the boat. William joined the three men as they rowed back to the lighthouse. Together with her mother, Grace stayed at the lighthouse and took care of the survivors.

The remaining four soldiers were brought back by her father and two members of the Forfarshire crew.

Following the rescue: recognising bravery

The Royal Humane Society presented Grace and her father with gold medals, while the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck presented them with silver medals for gallantry (now the Royal National Lifeboat Institution). She was the initial female recipient of an RNLI Medal. Even Queen Victoria forwarded her £50.

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