 In a severe gale on 9 December 1886, the "Mexico", a German barque, was driven on to the Horse Bank, a sandbank off Ainsdale, near Southport.Three lifeboats were launched to come to her rescue, "Eliza Fernley" from Southport, "Laura Janet" from St Annes, and "Charles Biggs" from Lytham.The crew from the "Mexico" were rescued by the Lytham lifeboat, but the other two lifeboats capsized.