Rescue of the Renown facts for kids
| History | |
|---|---|
| German Empire | |
| Name | SV Renown |
| Builder | R. & H. Green, Blackwall Yard |
| Launched | 1842 |
| Acquired | 1882 |
| Fate | Foundered December 1887 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 1224 |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Sail plan | Barque |
The Renown was a large sailing ship built in 1842 in London, England. It was a type of ship called a barque, which means it had at least three masts with a special way of setting its sails. The Renown was used as a cargo ship, carrying goods across the seas.
This ship had an adventurous life, even surviving a huge storm called a cyclone in Calcutta in 1864. Later, in 1882, it was sold to owners in Germany. Sadly, its journey ended in 1887 when it sank off the coast of the Netherlands during a powerful storm.
A Stormy Sea Rescue
In December 1887, the Renown faced a terrible storm in the North Sea. The ship began to sink near Den Helder in the Netherlands. The crew, about 30 people, had to climb up the mizzen-mast (the mast at the back of the ship) to escape the rising water.
A small lifeboat came to their rescue. It was led by a brave captain named Dorus Rijkers. He steered his lifeboat close to the sinking Renown.
Dorus Rijkers' Heroic Act
Captain Rijkers didn't hesitate. He jumped from his lifeboat onto the Renown and climbed the mast where the sailors were trapped. He and his crew then carefully helped the endangered men move from the tall mast into the lifeboat. They brought the survivors safely to land.
Out of the 30 crew members, about five sadly lost their lives in the shipwreck. But thanks to Captain Rijkers and his team, most of the crew were saved between December 9 and 11.
After the Rescue
The amazing rescue of the Renown's crew was a big success. For his bravery, Captain Dorus Rijkers was later given a special gold medal.
The surviving crew members also received some money. A court in The Hague decided they deserved it. This was because the Renown was in poor condition when it left the harbor in Hamburg, Germany, just a week before the accident.
See also
- Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution
