Debunking Historical Myths: The Women of Cullercoat
The Myth: On January 1st 1861, as a ship called the Lovely Nelly struggled at sea, the women of Cullercoats dragged their lifeboat over two miles through a blizzard so it could be launched and rescue the crew.
The Truth: Although there was a ship called the Lovely Nelly, it was in danger at sea, and the lifeboat at Cullercoats was mobilised to attempt a rescue (most of the crew were saved), the dragging was done by a team of horses, as well as villagers: men and women alike.
The story that the indomitable women of Cullercoat dragged their lifeboat is a common one in British schools, and I was personally taught it. The problem is, it seems to have occurred entirely because of the work of John Charlton. A painter, Charlton painted a picture of the Cullercoats women dragging the boat in 1904, an image so powerful and a story so rich in potential meaning, that it spread hugely. The original events, with horses and the rest of the village, were eclipsed.
More Myths like the Real 300.
The Truth: Although there was a ship called the Lovely Nelly, it was in danger at sea, and the lifeboat at Cullercoats was mobilised to attempt a rescue (most of the crew were saved), the dragging was done by a team of horses, as well as villagers: men and women alike.
Why the Women Only?
The story that the indomitable women of Cullercoat dragged their lifeboat is a common one in British schools, and I was personally taught it. The problem is, it seems to have occurred entirely because of the work of John Charlton. A painter, Charlton painted a picture of the Cullercoats women dragging the boat in 1904, an image so powerful and a story so rich in potential meaning, that it spread hugely. The original events, with horses and the rest of the village, were eclipsed.
More Myths like the Real 300.
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