Source: THE GRAPHIC dated Dec. 27, 1884 as transcribed by Bev Edmonds

Grace Darling was the daughter of William Darling, keeper of the lighthouse on the Longstone Rock, one of the Farne Islands, off the coast of Northumberland. 

She was born at Bamborough about 1816, and distinguished herself by the heroism with which she rescued the nine survivors of the crew and passengers of the Forfarshire steamship, when it struck on the Hawkers Rocks, on the night of the 5th September, 1838. 

A subscription was raised for her benefit, her name on every tongue, and her portraits were eagerly sought after. But Grace was not spoiled by her sudden popularity. She lived on, in her simple, graceful way, loving and beloved, till consumption carried her off, October 20th, 1842. 

She was buried in Bamborough Churchyard, where a monument was erected to her memory. Her heroic deed was celebrated by Wordsworth in some noble lines, and a lifeboat bearing her name was presented to Holy Island. 

Her father, a remarkably handsome man, survived till he was nearly eighty, dying in 1865. He is buried by the side of his daughter. 

Grace Darling's monument is much out of repair, and the Rev. A.O. Medd, the Vicar of Bamborough, will gladly receive donations for restoring it.

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