The RNLI are appealing for relics and
memorabillia ahead of an exhibition about a First World War hospital ship that ran
aground 100 years ago.

The incident, which saw 85 of the 229
people on board lose their lives, resulted in one of the most dramatic sea
rescues off the Yorkshire coast.

Six RNLI lifeboats came to the aid of those
who were stranded on the stricken Rohilla
after she ran aground on 30 October 1914 near Whitby.

The charity is hosting a special exhibition
about the historic event between May and November at Whitby RNLI Lifeboat
Museum, with a weekend of commemoration on the actual anniversary.

Whitby RNLI volunteer museum curator Peter
Thomson said: “This was the greatest rescue ever to have been carried out off
Whitby and it is very important that we mark the 100th anniversary this year in
what is also the centenary of the start of World War One.

“To help us commemorate this very special
event, we would like to invite the families of anyone who was on board the Rohilla and of lifeboat crew who were involved to join
us in Whitby.

“But we are also hoping to discover artefacts from the Rohilla to put into the temporary exhibition in the
museum. We already have some fascinating items, including the ship’s bell, a
trunk, and a pantry key with a piece of curtain which was clasped in the hand
of a survivor when he was rescued. I’m sure there are many other items out
there which would help us tell the story of the Rohilla
rescue.”