Schematic of the course taken by the Rohilla.
The Rohilla's captain was travelling between Leith [Scotland] and Dunkirk[France], intending to pick up casualties being evacuated from the trenches.
He was navigating by "dead reckoning, but without the benefit of lighthouses or other on-shore lights, in a serious storm. He thought he was further offshore and North of Whitby, when there was a loud bang. He assumed that he had hit a mine and ordered a sharp turn to starboard. His intention was to run her ashore on the sandy beach just north of the Whitby piers.
Sadly, he was mistaken as to both his track and position ... which meant he had hit rocks and ended up on the scar close to Saltwick Nab.
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Not my image : fair use & public information