ONE of the most dramatic sea rescues ever to take place off the Yorkshire coast is to be commemorated next month.

Organisers of the special service of remembrance want to contact relatives of anyone who was on board the ill-fated Rohilla, a First World War hospital ship which ran aground in horrific weather conditions on October 30, 1914.

Of the 229 people on board, 84 were killed.

The service is being planned in Whitby, where there is a monument in the town cemetery to those who lost their lives.

Organisers hope families of both those who died and the survivors will attend.

The rescue took place over three days, with RNLI lifeboatmen battling through colossal seas to reach the ship and bring 145 survivors to safety.

Six RNLI lifeboats from Whitby, Upgang, Scarborough, Teesmouth and Tynemouth - most of them rowing boats - were involved in the rescue, which is well-documented in the RNLI Whitby Lifeboat Museum.

The Rohilla was on its way from Scotland to Dunkirk to pick up wounded soldiers. On board were several nurses and a large group of men who had all been part of the same St John Ambulance Brigade group in Barnoldswick, Lancashire.

Museum curator Peter Thomson said: "This was the greatest rescue ever to have been carried out off Whitby and it is fitting that we mark the 90th anniversary.

"We would like to invite the families of anyone who was on board the Rohilla to join us.

For details of the remembrance service, contact Mr Thomson at the RNLI Whitby Lifeboat Museum, Pier Road, Whitby, YO21 3PU, or telephone 01947 602001.