"Are you still in the area; would you be able to find information on how many lives really were lost in which storm?"

Hi Mysha.

I still live in the East Riding, though not actually on the coast. The lifeboat records say that in the 1871 storm 30 vessels and 70 (three score and ten) lives were lost. That's probably why I put two and two together and got five. I'll try to find out how many were lost in 1899 as I agree this probably sounds more like the storm alluded to. Also, when I can get over to Flamborough, I'll have a look in the graveyard and see if that gives any indication of lives lost there.