It remained quiet at Whitby until 16 December when a German Battle Cruiser shelled the town. Many buildings were damaged and the west doorway of the Abbey received a direct hit. Two people were killed and several injured.

The Rohilla inquest Jury recommended that Whitby have it’s own motor lifeboat, but that did not arrive until five year’s later.

The families of the men that lost their lives in the wreck of the Rohilla soon became typical of so many. In their various ways they coped with the changed circumstances.

William Anderson’s will, which he had hidden in a drawer in his father’s house, was subsequently the subject of an action in court. It was declared invalid on the grounds that H.M.S Pembroke, on which he was theoretically serving at the time of making the will was not a ship but a barracks so he was not entitled to make a “Sailor’s Will.” His fiancée, Edith Downes, for whose benefit William had made the will, received nothing.

Stewardess, Miss L.K. Robert, who had twice survived being shipwrecked, lived to old age and died peacefully in her bed.