Excerpt From The Great Yarmouth Shipwrecked Sailors' Home Logbook

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Excerpt from the

Great Yarmouth
Shipwrecked Sailors’ Home
Logbook
May 24th 1861
to
8th December 1864
Copied from Phillip Rumbelow's handwritten copy,
dated June 1931, of the original
by Percy Trett
27th January 2001
Edited by Paul P. Davies

Great Yarmouth Local History and
Archaeological Society
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Copyright © Great Yarmouth Local History and Archaeological Society
Published
by
Great Yarmouth Local History and Archaeological Society
2011
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or

introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means
(electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior
written permission of the publisher.
Every endeavour has been made to trace any copyright that exists on the material in
the book, but often the owner of the copyright is unknown.
If the society has contravened copyright, please accept our apologies and the
publisher will be happy to include a full acknowledgement in any future edition
Printed
by
RPD Litho Printers
Gorleston
Norfolk
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Introduction
Mr. H. A. Pertwee, the present Manager of the Great Yarmouth Sailors’ Home has found a second
volume of the log book. The first covered the period between 10th September 1858 and 23rd May
1861 and the second dates from May 24th1861 to March 9th 1865. Mr. Pertwee has now been in
charge for over two years, so there is little hope that other volumes may come to light.
June 1931.
Editor’s Note
The Publication Committee of the Great Yarmouth Local History and Archaeological Committee
have decided to print and publish a series of monographs (with the owners’ permission) of small,
interesting and historic documents, which are usually in private hands and are worthy of greater
circulation. It is felt that this is a valuable service that the society can offer to disseminate more
knowledge of the history, especially that which is obscure and not readily available, of Great
Yarmouth.
This monograph, which is a snap-shot of the work of the Sailors’ Home, will vividly demonstrate
its valuable work, the perils of the North Sea off Great Yarmouth and the bravery of the
beachmen, who went out to assist vessels in distress.
The text in italics after the entries in the log book are written by the editor from information
gleaned from the Yarmouth Independent newspaper.
The museum service at Great Yarmouth holds extensive archival records from the Shipwrecked
Sailors’ Home that can be viewed by appointment. Please contact the Curator for further
information on (01493) 743941 or email yarmouth.museums@norfolk.gov.uk
I am grateful for the help given by the staff at the Great Yarmouth Library and the Norfolk
Museum and Archaeology Service. Also, to Ann Dunning, for copy-editing.and to Percy Trett for
allowing the use of his transcript.
Paul P. Davies.
June 2011.
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The Great Yarmouth Local History

and Archaeological Society
On 24th January 1888 a Great Yarmouth branch of the Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological
Society was formed. On 27th February 1953, the Society became independent and its name was
changed to the Great Yarmouth and District Archaeological Society. At the Annual General
Meeting on 15th May 2009, it was decided to change the Society’s name to the Great Yarmouth
Local History and Archaeological Society in order to reflect members’ changing interests.
The aims of the society are: to encourage the study of history and archaeology, especially in the
Great Yarmouth District and to secure the preservation and conservation of historic buildings and
monuments, within the Great Yarmouth District.
Its activities include lectures in the Northgate Room, Central Library, Tolhouse Street, Great
Yarmouth, at 7.30pm, on the third Friday of each month, from January to May and from
September to December. The lectures are on local, national, historical and archaeological topics.
At least two excursions are organised each summer, including a coach outing to a place of interest
in East Anglia, and an evening visit to a village or a site.
The Society’s journal is a compilation of articles, written mostly by local people, on local
historical and archaeological topics, which is published each autumn.
The Society produces a quarterly newsletter, giving news of latest events, which is sent out to
members, by email or by post.
The Society also erects blue plaques around the district to commemorate buildings, people and
events of local interest.
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The Great Yarmouth Local History

and Archaeological Society Committee 2011/12
President
Andrew Fakes
Chairman
Paul P. Davies
Vice Chairman and Secretary
Margaret Gooch
Committee Members
Derek Leak
Carl Boult
Leslie Cole
Ann Dunning
Norman Fryer
Shirley Harris
Alan Hunt
Peter Jones
James Steward
John Smail
Haydn Thirtle
Patricia Wills-Jones
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The Sailors’ Home 1861

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The Sailors’ Home

(Great Yarmouth Beachmen and Fishermen's Institute,
British and Foreign Sailors' Home and Refuge
for the Shipwrecked of All Nations)
The Objects of the Home
To provide a place of refuge for the shipwrecked with comfortable board, lodging and medical
attention. It is open for seamen from men-of-war, yachts, fishing vessels and merchant ships. The
Home is open to men of all nations, where they may be received and entertained at the lowest
possible charge, when they are paid-off from their ship, on leave, waiting to join a ship, detained
by the weather or in anyway requiring accommodation. They will be able to obtain, in the Home,
useful nautical instruction, social and intellectual intercourse, thus sparing them from the
temptations and associates to which seamen are often thrown.
The coast off Great Yarmouth was a dangerous place, especially in foul weather. The port was
busy with fishing boats and general cargo boats. Thousands of ships passed through the Yarmouth
Roads every year, navigating their way through shifting sandbanks.
In July 1858, a meeting was held with a group of men from the various Great Yarmouth Beach
Companies, with a view to founding a Sailors’ Home, a nautical school, a library and a reading
room. It would become a refuge for the many shipwrecked seamen, who were landed from the
wrecks occurring on this dangerous part of the Norfolk and Suffolk coast.
A trust was created and trustees from Great Yarmouth included, the Collector of Customs, the
Inspector of Coastguard, merchants, a ship-owner and a chandler. The Home was to be funded by
members and voluntary subscriptions. A small museum would be housed at the home and a
charge would be made to view the donated objects.
The prime mover for the foundation of the Sailors’ Home was George Simon Harcourt, who
became the first secretary and treasurer. He was well-connected and used his connections to obtain
funding from outside Great Yarmouth.
George Harcourt was compelled to resign in June 1860, because of his failing health. Shortly
afterwards he left Great Yarmouth. George Watson was the secretary from 1860 to 1908 and
raised much financial capital for the home.
In February 1859 the Sailors’ Home was opened in temporary buildings at the rear of the Bath
Hotel. Fishermen, beachmen and their wives were regaled with tea and cakes, sumptuously served
up at the Norfolk Hotel. Speeches were made and the evening’s amusements were enhanced by
dissolving views.
By July 1859, it was expected to have raised £1,000 by Christmas. A further £300 would then be
required to start building a permanent home with a sea frontage. The building and its fittings were
all to be paid for before the home was opened. The Corporation of Great Yarmouth granted the
site to the north of the Jetty, formerly occupied by the coastguard station, at a nominal rent.
In 1860 fifty-two shipwrecked crews were received into the temporary Sailors’ Home. In total,
706 men and one woman were admitted. They all received a change of clothing, hot baths,
bedding and refreshment. As the temporary accommodation was small, a considerable
expenditure was spent on lodging-house hire. It was stated that the year had been more disastrous
than usual to shipping off the coast.
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The Sand Banks and Hazards off the Coast around Great Yarmouth - Chart 1978 - Depths in Metres
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In March 1861, the new building, fronting the sea was completed and was opened without any
ceremony. The building consisted of three storeys together with a spacious attic and a basement.
In the basement was the night-refuge, capable of accommodating 30 to 40 people. It was provided
with apparatus for hot baths and drying closets. On the same floor was the kitchen. On the ground
floor, which is entered from the east side by a spacious hall, is the dining room, measuring 30 feet
by 24 feet, which can be supplied from the kitchen by a lift. Behind the dining room was the
manager’s accommodation. This had a sliding window opening onto the dining room for the
manager to supervise the meals. The hall has a broad and solidly constructed staircase. On the
first floor was the museum and library with the same measurements as the dining room. It was
supplied with shelves, tables and chairs. Here was a collection of maps, charts and nautical
instruments. There were over 1,000 books. Puzzles and table-games were provided here for the
amusement of the seamen. Next to the library and museum was the directors’ board room and the
secretary’s office. The boardroom was used by apprentices who wished to prepare themselves for
the Government schools, or to become mates or masters of ships or, simply, to take the first steps
in reading and writing. The second floor and the third floor contained the sleeping quarters with
20 beds and a dozen hammocks. There were separate rooms set aside for the masters of vessels.
The attic was used for storage and had access to the roof, with its fine view of the sea. All the
rooms were lofty, well lit and ventilated. The cost of the building and fixtures amounted to £2,000.
In October 1861 the Illustrated London News described the building as being of Italianate style,
with red and white bricks, with imitation stone cement dressings. The home consisted of four
storeys with a basement. A hundred foot flag-pole stood at the front.
The Illustrated London News continues: forty thousand vessels pass the home every year and over
half the wrecks in the United Kingdom occur in the sea off the Norfolk coast. Writing in October
1861, the paper stated that, since the commencement of the Sailors’ Home, 799 souls had been
rescued from the sea and succoured at the institution, from 95 vessels, either wrecked or
foundered. Seven lives had been saved by the use of the resuscitation equipment. The cost
incurred was claimed from the relevant Consuls for foreign seamen. For British seamen, the cost
was claimed from the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society, if they
are members. Masters and Mates pay for themselves, whereas the castaway and wayfarer depend
on charity. The Sailors’ Home uses the Board of Trade’s new storm signals on the flag-pole in
conjunction with the electric telegraph on the quay. It is hoped that, in the near future, funds will
be available to install an electric ball to give Greenwich Mean Time, so that passing vessels may
get a true reckoning.
During 1861 the cost of the building, its fittings and fixtures was paid off.
The total number of seafarers received during 1862 was 664, which was an increase of 79 over the
preceding year. Of this number 240 men and three women were received from wrecked vessels.
The remaining 421 seafarers were either casual boarders or destitute seamen. Since the
establishment of the Sailors’ Home, the crews of 151 wrecked vessels had been received. The
recently formed sick-club continued to attract members and several seamen had enrolled in the
Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society. The sick-club paid ten shillings
a week during times of illness. The new signal-station was progressing well and the number of
subscribing vessels, signaled during the year, had risen to 260. For a subscription of five shillings
a year, each vessel, on showing her flag was reported both at home and in the Shipping Gazette.
There was a financial deficit of four guineas for the year 1862.
By 1883 over 5,700 people had been rescued from shipwrecks and had been received at the home.
The Sailors’ Home closed on the 1st January 1965, as improvements to navigational aids made
shipwrecks rarer. During its one hundred and five year history it had cared for more than 11,000
shipwrecked sailors from 29 different counties. They were given accommodation, food and basic
medical care, sometimes having been through terrible ordeals.
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From 1967 to 2002 the building housed the Great Yarmouth Maritime Museum. The Sailors’
Home collection formed part of this museum’s exhibits and they are now an important aspect of
Great Yarmouth’s maritime history displayed at the Time and Tide Museum.
Lifeboat going to Vessel in Distress c1832 by William Joy (1803-1859)

Reproduced with kind permission by Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service ©
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Comment by the Yarmouth Independent September 1859
It is now more than a year since the Sailors’ Home and Beachmen’s Institute was established and
we conclude that Great Yarmouth needs such an establishment. Every effort must be made to
build a permanent structure overlooking the beach, where seafarers congregate, rather than
housing the Home in a shabby back street, as the temporary accommodation now is.
500 beachmen are employed by day and night in saving life and property
5,000 fishermen are engaged at sea
More than 1,000 sailors hail from this port
754 large vessels, having ten or eleven hands, are engaged in fishing,
besides Scottish and foreign craft
1,400 vessels have been known to anchor in Yarmouth Roads at once
It is thought that 40,000 trading ships pass through Yarmouth Roads every year.
According to the wreck chart Yarmouth Roads maintains the sad distinction for a destruction of
life and property which occur there. Fifty vessels have been known to be stranded at once on the
beach and in one year, 500 vessels broke adrift in a gale. The Sailors’ Home is ready to give
succour to the poor fellows rescued from the yawning deep; to receive them, where warm baths,
changes of apparel and warm food are available. Instruction is given to seafarers to better qualify
them for their dangerous vocation. It provides education and is counteractive to the seduction of
the taverns.
In the last nine months 133 British and foreign castaways have been received at the Home. In
three instances, human life, apparently extinct, has been restored by the appliances at the Home.
In the first six months of the year:
5,155 people have attended the reading room
2,944 people have attended the coffee room
There were 252 weekly subscribers to the Home, all seafarers
734 adults have received instruction in reading, arithmetic and navigation
Evening lectures were well attended

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Returns for the Country made by the Lords of the Committee of the
Privy Council for the year 1861
There were 323 collisions between vessels
There were 1,171 casualties, other than collisions
The number of casualties to colliers carrying coal, ore, etc. was 1,491
The number of lives lost at sea was 884. The number of lives saved was 4,624 The number of
lives saved with assistance from the shore was 1,516, or nearly a third of the whole number saved.
Of these lives, lifeboats saved 743 lives and the mortar and rocket apparatus saved 447 lives. The
remaining 326 lives were saved by fishing boats, smacks, etc
There were 179 lifeboats in existence at the end of 1861. Of these, 106 were under the
management of the National Lifeboat Institution. The sum paid to the institution was £2,877
The payments made by the Board of Trade, for rewards and gratuities and for services at
Wrecks, amounted to £1,292
The cost of maintaining the mortar and rocket apparatus was £2,246
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Sailors’ Home Report for 1862
664 inmates received (an increase of 79 over the previous year)

Of the 664, 240 were men and three were women, who had been received from wrecks
The remaining 421 were either casual boarders or destitute sailors.
SAILORS’ HOME ACCOUNTS for 1862
EXPENSES £ s d INCOME £ s d
Food, clothing, bedding etc 124 6 10 Balance from 1861 3 8 8
Painting, whitewashing 9 3 7 Annual subscriptions 161 7 6
Rates, gas, coal, rent etc 101 3 11 Donations 115 14 0
Printing, magazines, stationary, 61 9 4 Reading room subscriptions 32 1 5

postage etc
Deposits repaid to seamen 151 13 9 Collecting boxes 20 10 0
Purchase of flags 10 13 6 Subscriptions to signal station 51 2 0
Salaries and wages 174 10 0 Board and lodging fees 73 16 3
TOTAL 633 0 11 Deposits from seamen 151 13 9
Sale of flags 11 2 6
TOTAL 620 16 1
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Panorama of the Great Yarmouth Seafront showing the

Sailors’ Home in the centre 1861
George Simon Harcourt

The First Secretary and Treasurer of the Sailors’ Home
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Extract from Kellys’ Directory of Norfolk - 1883
The Sailors’ Home provides sailors with somewhere to call home if they are between berths or if
they have no land-based home to go to. It is intended as an alternative to ordinary lodging-houses,
where there is a concern that the sailors might be exposed to fraud.
The home is open from 6am. to 10pm., although the night-refuge room is open at all hours, every
day. Basic facilities offered include bed, meals, washing facilities and clothes. These can be paid
for at a daily or weekly rate. Free facilities to sailors include the reading room, where the Shipping
Gazette, stationery and timetables are provided. Coffee and tobacco are available and there are
also games. There is a library, which houses sea charts and herring statistics. The only religious
item in the library is the Bible. The museum displays model boats, ethnographic items and stuffed
birds and animals. Examinations for masters and mates were introduced in 1850 and mariners can
study for their certificates in the nautical classroom. The home possesses such useful items as an
eight-day clock, telescope, barometer, compass and sextant.
Sailors are often paid off at the end of their voyage. A number of initiatives are set up to protect
them from the temptation to squander their money. A branch of the Seamen's Savings Bank
operates from the home, arrangements are made to pay the families of those at sea by a system of
allotment notes and money-orders are made without fee. Advice is also readily available as to the
best places to shop.
Sailors' other needs are also met. Dry clothes are available and the home provides storage space
for mariners' belongings in the attic whilst they are at sea. The home also acts as a poste-restante
and offers assistance to those who need help in writing letters. In addition, the home acts as an
unofficial employment agency, away from the public house.
There is to be no discussion of religion or politics and no advantages are offered to a member of

any religion.
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Sailors’ Home 1861
Sailors’ Home c1900

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1861
June 4th 10pm. Received the Master (Thomas Mortby) and crew of the Nestor of Faversham, for
Rochester, which vessel was lost on Haisboro’ Sand this day. Crew brought here by the Trinity
steamer (Captain Race).
June 15th 1.15pm. The six men of the Nestor were forwarded home by Hon. Agent of
Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Benevolent Society. Capt Mortby remains an inmate.
July 5th 9am. Received George Saunders, a destitute seaman, late of the Ocean of Plymouth,
forwarded him to London, where he wanted to go, per Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’
Royal Benevolent Society, as he had no clothes by him to enable him to accept a berth at this port.
The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society or the Shipwrecked Mariners for
short, is a national charity founded in 1839, which operates throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland,
whose purpose is to provide help to former merchant seamen, fishermen and their widows and dependants
who are in need. It was founded at the instigation of Mr John Rye, a philanthropic retired medical man
of Bath, Somerset and his servant Mr Charles Gee Jones, a former Bristol Pilot and Landlord of the
Pulteney Arms in Bath, following the tragic loss of life from the Clovelly fishing fleet in a severe storm in
November 1838. Aided by Sir Jahleel Brenton, at that time Governor of Greenwich Hospital, Mr. Rye
succeeded in establishing the Society, and of collecting a respectable sum as a first subscription, initially by
going from house to house in Bath collecting half-crowns.
Aug. 12th. George Archer, a fisherman, called, stating that while trawling on the night of Tuesday
last, the 6th of August, he lost his gear by coming in contact with a sunken wreck, and he, having
belonged to the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society for more than
ten years, wanted to know whether that Society would allow him some remuneration, as he had
lost all means of earning his livelihood. Wrote to the parent society thereon as the Hon. Agent here
was away sick.
Aug. 28th. James Brand (the destitute boy) received yesterday was forwarded home per London
steamer Rainbow, in which vessel he was permitted a free passage.
Sept. 16th. 11.30am. Received the crew, twelve in number, of the Norwegian barque Justitia,
(Captain Parr) of and from Sarpsburg in Norway for London with pinewood, which vessel, while
proceeding on her voyage at about two o’clock this morning, struck on Corton Sand. The Master
and crew were brought on shore by the Gorleston Lifeboat. Supplied them with dry clothing and
all they required. It is expected the vessel will be got off on the next tide.
The Justitia (320 tons) had anchored in Yarmouth Roads by St. Nicholas Gat. At midnight she weighed
anchor with a pilot on board to proceed on her voyage. Two hours later she grounded on Corton Sand.
Two steam-tugs were employed at daybreak, but they failed to float the Justitia. Three days later on a high
tide she floated into deep water and was towed into Great Yarmouth. She was nearly a total wreck with
most of her bottom missing. The Justitia was valued at £1,500 and her cargo at £300. She was insured.
Sept. 17th. The crew of the Norwegian barque still inmates.
Sept. 18th. 4pm. Eleven men of the Norwegian barque, Justitia, left at about 9 o’clock last night
London, per London steamer Rainbow.
The Mate remains an inmate.
Sept. 19th. 8pm. Received the crew, 17 in number, and one passenger of the ship Leon Belge of
Antwerp (Capt. Fudder) which vessel left Leith on Saturday the 14th instant, with a general cargo
for Sydney, but became a total wreck on Tuesday 17th by striking on the Ower Sand.
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The Master and crew succeeded in reaching the Leman and Ower Lightship, by their own boat,
and remained on board that vessel until today, when they were landed here by the Trinity steamer.
Supplied them with dry clothing and all they required. The Mate of the Norwegian barque still an
inmate.
The Leon Belge, a full-rig ship, grounded on the Ower Sand in heavy rain and with the wind blowing hard
from the west by north. She struck the sand several times before breaking up with the sea breaking over
her. The crew of 16 and one passenger took to two boats. Steamers were employed to pick up any floating
cargo. Her value was £3,000.
Total at the Home this evening, 19 shipwrecked men.
Sept 20th. 9am. Received James Shone, a Russian, from a vessel in the Roads. He will proceed,
per steamer, to London in the morning. Stewart Wood, also an inmate, with the crew of the Leon
Belge.
Stewart Wood was probably the passenger.
Sept. 21st. 5.30pm. Thirteen of the Belgian crew left for London per steamer Giraffe.
Sept. 23rd. Capt. Fudder and three men of the Leon Belge, inmates also the Mate of the
Norwegian barque Justitia. Saw the Consul respecting them.
Sept. 24th. Capt. Fudder, his Mate and two men of the Leon Belge, the Mate of the Justitia and
James Stuart all inmates. The Justitia evidently failed to get off as expected and no mention is
made of her fate. The crew of the Leon Belge were eventually forwarded; the Master left by train
on the 26th.
Sept. 26th. 2am. Received the Master and crew, ten in all, of the lugger Racehorse of Lowestoft,
which was run down, about nine last night, by the steamer Onward of Middlesboro’. The crew of
the lugger succeeded in getting on board the steamer and were landed here; she is the property of
Mr. Capps of Lowestoft.
During the previous fortnight 45 destitute or shipwrecked sailors were received into the Sailors’ Home.
Oct. 29th. 10.30 am. Received the crew, three in number, of the schooner Kingfisher of Whitby,
from Newcastle to Lowestoft, which vessel was totally lost on the Barber Sand at about nine
o’clock last night. The crew were forwarded here from Scratby, where they landed in their own
boat after much difficulty; it blowing very strong at the time, with a very heavy sea. Provided them
with all they require.
The Kingfisher (61 tons) laden with coals was carried onto the Barber Sand after becoming unmanageable,
as she was waterlogged. The crew took to their boat and watched the Kingfisher sink shortly afterwards.
They were landed at Scratby and then conveyed to Great Yarmouth. She was not insured.
Oct. 30th. 6am. The Master and crew of the Kingfisher left per rail, being forwarded by Hon
Agent of Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society .
Oct. 30th. 10am. Received Master and crew, seven in all, of the brig Gauntlet of Whitby, from
Shields for Havre, which vessel was totally lost on Sunday 27th instant near the Leman and Ower
Sand. The crew, with their own boat, succeeded in reaching the Leman Lightship, where they
remained until the 29th instant, when they were received on board the fishing lugger Samaritan of
Great Yarmouth and landed here this morning.
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The Gauntlet, laden with coals, struck the sands during rough weather. Within an hour she had six feet of
water in her hold. In spite of the crew manning the pumps, the water gained on them and the crew left the
Gauntlet, leaving all their possessions behind. They watched the Gauntlet sink from the lightship. The
value of the ship and her cargo was £1,460. She was insured.
Oct. 30th 5pm. Received an order to supply William Nelson (a destitute seaman) with provisions
and lodging for one night and also to see that he leaves for London per the first train in the
morning.
Oct. 31st 5pm. Received the Master (Z. Baines) and crew, four in all, of the William the Fourth
of and from Shields for Lowestoft which vessel was run down by the brig Jane of Hartlepool,
while tacking through the Roads. Immediately after the collision, finding their vessel fast sinking,
they took to their boat and saw William the Fourth go down, about five minutes after they left
her, and then rowed to the beach and were received here.
Nov. 2nd 6am. Forwarded the Master and crew of William the Fourth to their homes per rail by
Hon. Agent of Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society.
Nov. 3rd. 11pm. Received the Master (H. Cowey) and crew, 10 in all, of the smack Venture of
Harwich, which vessel parted from her anchor and drove into the North Sand, where she now lies.
The crew were taken out by the Great Yarmouth Lifeboat.
Nov. 5th. 7pm. Received the crew of the brig Union of Shields, which vessel was on Scroby
Sands on Saturday. She, however, drove off and was towed into the harbour, where she sunk.
Fifteen men at the Home as inmates this day.
Nov. 6th. 1.15pm. Two men of the Union left per train, the Master still an inmate.
Nov. 6th. 11am. Received the Master (T. Riley) and crew, four in all, of the brig Gainsboro'
Packet of and for Montrose from Sunderland, which vessel foundered off Scarborough on Sunday
3rd instant. The crew were taken off by the brig Josephine of Aberdeen (Captain G. Cook) last
from Archangel and landed here.
Previously it had been reported that the Gainsboro’ Packet had foundered with the loss of all hands.
However they were rescued at sea by the Josephine.
During the above week of foul weather, 19 shipwrecked sailors were received into the Sailors’ Home,
where they obtained everything their destitute condition required. During the last twelve days, 44 sailors
had been admitted to the Home.
Nov. 15th. 3pm. Received the Master (N. Williams) and crew, six in all, of the brig John of
Shields from Hartlepool for London, which vessel foundered about 3pm. yesterday, off the
Humber. The crew left the vessel in the longboat and were shortly after picked up by the barque
Pearl of Whitby, from Hartlepool for Dieppe, and landed here.
The John (144 tons) was laden with coals. While off the River Humber, with the wind blowing a hurricane
from the north-north-east and the weather thick with rain, she was struck by a tremendous sea, which
carried away her bulwarks and stanchions and made a clean sweep of her decks, which were stove in. The
John took in water rapidly, and the crew, exhausted by pumping, had to take to their boat. She was valued
at £1,050.
Nov. 17th. 9pm. A destitute seaman named William Hermitage called and requested lodging and
refreshment; granted his request.
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Dec. 9th. James Mayes, still an inmate, awaiting the settlement of a claim his company has upon
the barque Union of Liverpool (bound for Rio de Janeiro with coals and coke from the north),
which vessel they assisted off the Cromer rocks, with loss of the rudder.
Dec. 24th. 11am. Received the Master (George Dickenson) and crew, five in all, of the brig Ann
of Seaham, which vessel was run down off the Dudgeon Light Vessel on Sunday 22nd instant, by a
brig, name unknown. The crew succeeded, with their boat, in reaching the British Queen of
Shields, which vessel landed them here.
Yarmouth Independent 14th December 1861
Sailors’ Home 1862

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Nov. 18th. Received two seamen belonging to the sloop Two True Friends on account of Mr.
Butcher, their vessel being in the harbour leaky.
Nov. 19th. Noon. Received the Master and crew, six in all, of the Belgian sloop Annet of Ostend,
which vessel foundered on Sunday 17th instant The crew were rescued by the smack Ruby of
Great Yarmouth and landed here. Saw the Belgian Consul respecting them.
The Annet was trawling on the North Bank on the Belgian coast. The weather was stormy, with the wind
blowing from the north-north-east, and she was dismasted and rapidly began to take in water. She hoisted
distress signals and the Ruby made for her and took her in tow. Ultimately the Annet became so full of
water that the tow-rope had to be cut. It was believed that she later sank. Her value was £300.
In December 1863 the Ruby was picked up derelict and taken into Lowestoft. She had been dismasted and
had lost her anchor and chain.
Nov. 20th. The Queen of Shields (Captain Eskdale) landed the body of a seaman, named Thomas
Johnson, who died on board yesterday, of disease of the heart. Sent the undertaker to convey the
corpse to the Old Lifeboat House to await the coroner’s inquest.
Nov. 25th. 5am. Received the Master (J. Bull) and crew, five in all, of the schooner El
Clancarthy of and for London from Shields, which vessel went down on Corton Sand, about three
this morning. The crew landed here in their own boat.
Nov. 30th. 4pm. Received the Master (W. Short) and crew of the brig Ivy of Whitby from Seaham
for London, which vessel was run down off Cromer this morning, at about two o’clock, by the
schooner Royalist (Wilson) of and from London for Shields, in ballast.
The Ivy was carrying coals and sank so rapidly after the collision that the crew scarcely had time to launch
their boat and had to scramble aboard. The Royalist, which was sailing north, lost her bowsprit, part of
her stem and received other damage in the collision and had to return to Great Yarmouth for repairs.
Dec. 3rd. 7am. Received the Master (Heslop) and crew, seven in all, of the brig Mora of and from
Sunderland for London, which vessel was lost on Scroby Sands last night. They were landed by
the Caister yawl.
Dec. 8th. I .30am. Received the Master (J. Clarke) and crew, five in all, of the brig Harper of
Whitby from Middlesboro’ for London, which vessel was lost on Scroby Sands last night. Crew
landed in the harbour with their own boat.
Dec. 8th. 3pm. Received the Master (W. H. Townsend) and crew, 18 in all, of the barque Armais
of Sunderland from Hartlepool to Africa, which vessel was lost on Haisboro’ Sand on the morning
of Saturday (yesterday). The crew left the barque in their own boat and got on board the lightship
and were brought thence in a Bacton yawl.
The Armais (451 tons) had a crew of 17 and a pilot. In the middle of the night, with the wind blowing
strongly and the weather thick with rain, she struck the Haisboro’ Sand and began to fill with water
rapidly. Signals were fired, but assistance was not forthcoming, so the crew took to their boat, leaving
behind all their possessions. They were taken on board a nearby lightship, where they stayed for two days
before being taken off by the Bacton beachmen and landed at Great Yarmouth. Her cargo was valued at
£4,250 and she was insured.
Twenty-four inmates in all.

22
1862
Jan. 5th. 11.30am. Received the Master (J. Patterson) and crew, five in all, of the brig Scotia of
and from Sunderland for Lowestoft; which vessel was lost on the Barber Sand this morning. The
crew were saved by their own boat. The Mate (George Barker), in getting into the boat, severely
hurt his leg and I sent for the Hon. Surgeon, who promptly attended the same.
The Scotia had a fair voyage until close to the Barber Sands when she struck, what was thought to be a
wreck, which disabled her rudder and rendered her unmanageable. Shortly afterwards, she grounded on
the sands. She began to take in water quickly and the crew of five were compelled to take to their boat.
This was difficult, as the vessel was rolling violently in broken water. A yawl set off from the beach to
assist and the beachmen managed to get aboard. As the water had reached the Scotia’s cabin deck they
were obliged to leave. Half an hour later the Scotia sank. The Scotia had 170 tons of coal as a cargo and
was insured for £400.
Jan. 15th. Gave J. Gairsey, a destitute seaman, lodging, as he leaves tomorrow for the north,
having procured a free passage in a collier.
Jan. 27th. 4pm. Called by the beachmen to look at a sick seaman, just landed by them from a
smack (he is an apprentice to Mr. Smith). Found him full of sores, completely prostrated and
requiring immediate medical attendance. Saw his Master at once and, by his orders, took him to
the hospital.
Jan. 28th. 10.15pm. Received two seamen belonging to the derelict schooner William Edward of
Gloucester. Also, one man belonging to the schooner Eclipse, of Guernsey for lodgings at
midnight.
During hazy weather, the William Edward from Alloa to Rouen grounded on the Long Shore Bank of
Lowestoft. After an hour she floated off into deep water. It was then found that she had taken in a great
deal of water and the crew manned the pumps to no avail. The next day the William Edward bore down on
the brig, Caroline of West Hartlepool. The exhausted crew boarded the Caroline and were brought into
Great Yarmouth. Later the William Edward was seen by her Master (Mr. Lewis) much to his surprise,
being towed into Yarmouth Roads by a brig and a smack. Lewis boarded the William Edward to take
possession, but was informed that the salvage claim would have to be settled first, which would be
considerable, considering her cargo of pig-iron.
The William Edward was put in the possession of the Receiver of Wrecks.
Feb. 7th. 5.30pm. Received the Master (B. Balmforth) and two hands of the schooner Planter of
and from Goole, for Dover with stone, which vessel was run down about one this morning, when
off Haisboro', by the brig Matthew of and from Sunderland for London.
The schooner had a crew of four in all but Isaac Newton, the Mate, was unfortunately drowned
during the collision. The weather being unfavourable for James and John Mayes (two Cromer
beachmen) to proceed home in their small boat they will also remain at the Home until tomorrow.
The Matthew sank half an hour after the collision.
Feb. 15th. 9pm. Received John West, an ordinary seaman, as an inmate until Monday (this being
Saturday) when he will leave for Cromer, his home, being forwarded by the Shipwrecked
Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society from Southampton, where he arrived on
Friday last by the West India mail boat. He having lost his ship the Matilda of London near St.
Thomas, West Indies.
23
Shipwreck at Great Yarmouth 1859
Rescuing the Crew of a Fishing Smack

© National Maritime Museum Greenwich
24
Feb. 15th. 10.15pm. Received the crew, nine in number, of the Spanish brig Alphonse of and for
Bilbao from Norway with fish, they having lost that vessel at Blakeney.
Feb. 21st. Received the Master (E. Syvich) and crew, nine in all, of the schooner Elizabeth Ann
of Jersey, from Valencia for Hull, with oranges, which vessel was lost on the Haisboro’ Sand
yesterday. They left the vessel in their own boat and got on board the light vessel, where they
remained until today when they were brought in by the Trinity steamer Beacon. Supplied them
with all they required.
The Elizabeth Ann became a total wreck. Rigging, stores and part of the cargo were saved. A large
quantity of oranges were washed ashore. The value of the vessel was estimated as £700 and the cargo as
£500. The ship was insured for £600.
Feb. 26th. 11.15pm. Received the Master (P. George) and crew, nine in number, of the brig
Sisters of Whitby from Hartlepool for Rochester with coals, which vessel struck on the Patch Sand
at about 9pm. The crew of nine hands were taken off by the Caister Lifeboat. The ship is rapidly
breaking up.
During an easterly gale the Sisters with 400 tons of coals, stuck on Barber Patch and became a total wreck.
Mar. 3rd. 9am. Received the Master (Thompson) and crew, five in all, of the brig Banff of
Harwich. Also the Master (Watson) and Mate of the schooner London of Folkestone. Both
vessels were from the north with coals and on the night of Friday the 12th ultimate, they came in
collision off Whitby; the crews, expecting both vessels would founder left the vessels in the boat
belonging to the Banff and were picked up by the brig Cynthia Ann of London and landed here
this morning. The remaining part of the London’s crew having previously put on board a vessel
belonging to, and bound for, their home port.
The two colliers collided off the coast of Yorkshire. The crew of the London scrambled on board the Banff.
Later, for their safety, they were obliged to get into the Banff’s lifeboat. The crew believed that both boats
sank shortly afterwards. After about one hour in rough seas with the wind blowing hard from the east-
north-east they were picked up by the Cynthia Ann. One of the crew of the London lost his thumb and cut
his hands severely in the collision.
The London and her cargo were valued at £370 and the Banff and her cargo at £370. Both vessels were
uninsured.
Mar. 6th. 8pm. Received eight men belonging to the brig Jane of Shields, which vessel parted
from her anchors in the Roads on the 4th instant and, on the same night, drove on shore at
Winterton. They were taken off by the Palling Lifeboat, but the Master (Johnson) and the Mate
remained on board. After obtaining assistance and being lightened, the vessel was brought again
into the Roads.
The brig Jane grounded about three miles from Palling during a strong gale with heavy surf and the night
was dark. The brig held together and was brought by the beachmen to a point of safety. Later the Royal
National Lifeboat Institution voted the sum of £13 as a reward for the Palling Lifeboat in rescuing the crew
of eight men in the strong gale.
Mar. 7th . The eight men belonging to the Jane went on board.
Mar. 14th. 9am. Received the Master (Baines), his wife and two sons of the sloop Cobden of
Goole from Leeds for Portland (stone), which vessel struck on Scroby Sands when the Master’s
wife and children were put on board the St. Nicholas Light Vessel. The sloop was assisted off the
Sand and put into the harbour and a Great Yarmouth yawl brought the wife and children from the
lightship to land.
25
Mar. 14th. 11.30am. Received the Master (Mande) and crew, five in all, of the schooner George
Canning of Kirkwall from Newcastle for Antwerp with a general cargo. Early this morning she
struck on the Haisboro’ Sand, forged over and sunk in deep water; the crew having barely time to
leave her in their boat before she went down. They were picked up by the brig Shipwright of
Maldon and landed here.
Mar. 16th. John Longhorn, a destitute seaman, belonging to Sunderland called and requested
some food as he had been starving and had no money. Supplied him with the same and sent him
to speak to Baines respecting reloading his vessel.
Mar. 21st. 2am. The lifeboat bell rung on the alarm being given of a brig being on shore near the
North Sand. Made every preparation to receive the crew, but it so feared that they are
unfortunately drowned, as no person was either heard or seen on board. The brig which proved to
be the Sarah Bell of Arundel (Captain Rowell) in ballast. Part of the ship’s boat washed up on
shore, but no bodies at present.
A violent gale sprung up from the east-north-east accompanied by heavy rain. The rain fell in torrents and
a tremendous sea broke onto the beach. About one o’clock in the morning the coastguard men saw a brig
on the North Sand close to the beach and immediately gave the alarm. Rockets were got out and a line shot
across the Sarah Bell. However, not a soul could be seen on board. The sea made terrific breaches over
her and she soon began to break up. From papers washed ashore it appeared that the vessel was the
Sarah Bell in ballast. Nothing was known of the crew, but the fact that a boat washed up on the beach,
marked Muggeridge, who is known to have been the former Master of the brig, it was feared that all hands
had perished. Ten hours later the brig was in pieces.
Mar. 21st. 6pm. Received the Master and crew, five in all, of the sloop Jupiter of and for
Cherbourg from Blyth (coals) which vessel was totally lost at Cromer. The Master and crew will
remain here until further orders from the French Consul.
Mar. 25th. 10pm. Received John Jarvis a seaman belonging to the steamer Onward of
Middlesboro’, which vessel was lost on the 21st instant off Flamborough Head. He was forwarded
here by the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society from Hull on his
way home to Trimingham, a village near North Walsham. Gave him supper and lodgings.
Mar. 27th. 1.30pm. Received a boat’s crew from the Julius Caesar of Colchester, which vessel
was at anchor in the Roads. The boat came to the Jetty where the Master and the crew landed,
obtained all they required and were about to leave when a sea struck the boat and upset her. The
crew were fortunately rescued although one man (John Rose) was very bad. Provided him with
dry clothes, restoratives etc. as directed, got medical attendance, but he remains very bad and fears
are entertained for his recovery. After he had been about three hours in bed, he recovered in great
measure from the effects of water. I procured a cab and moved him to the hospital, as he is
dangerously ill from inflammation of the lungs.
Mar. 27th. 4pm. Received the Master and two men belonging to the brig Laurel of and for Blyth
from Dieppe. The vessel was at anchor and they came on shore for provisions, landed at the
Wellington Pier, procured all they required and were about to return to their vessel when they were
upset and one man Hermann, a Prussian was unfortunately drowned; the others were brought here,
the Captain still suffering. Provided them with restoratives, dry clothes etc.
Mar. 28th. Visited John Rose at the hospital, also lent him another change of clothing, he is very
much better and out of danger.
26
Apr. 3rd. 12.45pm. Received six men, four women and four children; fourteen in all, German
emigrants, who left Rotterdam on the S. S. Eagle of and for Goole, which vessel this morning
struck on Haisboro’ Beach and the Germans were sent here by the Captain.
Apr. 26th. Wrote to the secretary of the Marine Department of the Board of Trade respecting
remuneration for saving life to the crew of the beach gig Guardian (Diamond Company).
May 4th. 4pm. Received the Master (F. Prankard) and crew, seven in all, of the schooner Trial of
and for Poole from Hartlepool with coals, which vessel was lost on the Barber Sand, at about 1am.
Crew landed by the Caister Lifeboat. Provided them with dry clothes and all that they required.
The Caister yawl, the Great Yarmouth Lifeboat and a tug went to the Trial’s assistance. In May 1862 the
Royal National Lifeboat Institution voted the sum of £25 for the crew of the Caister Lifeboat, belonging to
the institution, for rescuing, amidst great peril the crew of seven men from the Trial, which, during a strong
gale and in a heavy sea was wrecked on the Barber Sand. The Great Yarmouth Lifeboat was also rewarded
for putting to sea to assist.
May 14th. 9am. Received seven beachmen for breakfast they having come from Caister with a
wreck this morning. Received two ostrich eggs, as present to the museum, from Mr. R. Davie.
May 31st. 10am. Received the crew, 14 in all, of the Austrian brig Jozko B (Captain P.
Piestricke) of Flume from Shields for Odessa (coals), which vessel was lost on Sheringham Shoals
at about 4pm. yesterday (the 30th instant). Crew took to their boat and were picked up by the brig
Meridian of Whitstable.
The Jozko B (355 tons registered) struck the shoals in hazy weather. The crew of 14 and a pilot were
picked up by the Meridian. The value of the Jozko B was £2,500 with the cargo worth £200.
June 20th. Captain of brig Williams of Hartlepool called for advice respecting one of his crew
who is very sick on board with smallpox, and another, a boy, who was killed by a fall from aloft
and is now on board dead. Dr. Norman went off directly and saw the sick man and the body of the
youth will be interred tomorrow.
June 21st. The Inquest was held on the body of the youth, named John Allison, who was killed by
falling off the main topsail yard of the Williams and a verdict of accidental death was returned. He
was buried at 4pm.
June 21st. 8pm. Received J. Watson, a seaman belonging to the schooner Johns (Captain Leister)
of and from Goole, he having been upset in the ship’s boat near the Jetty. Supplied him with dry
clothes also some liniment for his right arm, which had received a very severe contusion.
June 22nd. 7pm. J. Watson left and went again on board, as, although unable to work, the Master
thought it best to give him a passage home.
June 28th. Axel Ausell, a Swedish seaman, left for London (he had been received on the 21st). As
he was last on board an English vessel, the Consul of his nation could do nothing for him and, as
he was nearly destitute and could obtain no ship here, got him a passage to London.
June 30th. Saw the Inspecting Commander of the Coastguard and also the Governor of the Jail
respecting Inkpen, an inmate, (he had been received on 26th at 3pm.. and is daily referred to as
‘still an inmate’) he having no means of proceeding to join his vessel H.M.S. Trafalgar. It
appears that one half of a five pound note has been received from the Paymaster and the vessel to
enable him to join. He must therefore wait until the other half of the note comes to hand.
27
The Sailors’ Home

28
July 3rd. Wrote the Chaplain of H.M.S. Trafalgar respecting lnkpen. Left by steamer at 3pm for
London on his way to join the ship at Spithead. Also paid to him on leaving the five pounds,
which was sent by the Paymaster on his account..
July 11th. 9.15 Received James Turner, a destitute seaman, lately belonging to the Blessing of
Goole.
July 12th. Sent James Turner to Norwich as a sloop was discharging there, which requested a
Mate, which berth (he hopes) to be able to obtain, as he knows the Master.
July 13th. James Turner walked back from Norwich, as the sloop had left for Great Yarmouth
when he arrived there.
July 14th. James Turner joined the Falcon of Fowey and will go to work on board tomorrow.
July 17th. James Turner late an inmate called for his bag of clothes etc.
Sept. 23rd. 6pm. Received the Mate and one man, being the crew of the Prussian schooner Otto
Hermann from Stettin for Havre with timber, which vessel is now on shore at Cromer with no
prospect of being got off. They were sent here by the Prussian Consul, Mr. Preston. Provided
them with all they require.
Oct. 17th. 7pm. Received Thomas Whittle, Master of the brig Salonica of and from Sunderland
for London, which vessel sunk in the Roads this morning, during a violent gale from the west-
south-west with rain. She had been in collision with two other vessels and his crew got on board
one of them and were taken to Lowestoft.
Oct. 18th. 8.30pm. Received the Master (Loft), his wife and Mate of the sloop Two Brothers of
Hull from Newcastle for London with coke and bricks, which vessel was totally lost about noon
yesterday, about eight miles to the north of the Dudgeon. The Master, finding the vessel making
much water and it being impossible to keep her in the violent gale then raging, made signals of
distress to a foreign schooner that was in sight. This vessel came to their assistance and one man,
named Stephen Glaidell, succeeded in getting on board. The two vessels parted and the foreign
schooner left them to their fate. As they found the sloop sinking very fast they had to get their
own boat out as a last recourse, having no hope that she would live in the heavy sea then running.
They, being short-handed, had very great difficulty in doing so, but at last they succeeded. The
Master, his wife and the Mate left the sloop with only the clothes they had on, and after about an
hour, they were picked up by the schooner Susannah of this port and landed here about 5 pm.
Oct. 19th. It blowing a full gale, kept open all night.
Oct. 20th. 7am. Received the Master and crew, seven in all, of the brig Integrity of Hartlepool
now on shore on the Barber Sand. Crew left the ship in their own boat and were picked up by the
steam-tug.
Oct. 20th. 9am. Received two men belonging to the schooner Hannah Booth of Plymouth from
Newcastle for Swansea (copper ore) now on shore at Caister.
Oct. 20th. 10am. Received the Master (Brotchie) and crew, six in all, of the brig John of
Hartlepool, which vessel was afterwards towed in derelict.
29
On Sunday 19th October in a gale from the south-west accompanied by rain and a heavy sea in Yarmouth
Roads several burning lights were seen on the shore from vessels in distress. The bad weather yawl, Red
Rover, was launched by the Holkham Company of beachman. This took an hour because of the ebb tide.
Sixteen men were on board the yawl and they made their way through a large fleet of ships for Scroby
Sands. The yawl came across the John, which had been in collision with a larger brig. The John was very
disabled with its foremast carried away. The John appeared to be kept afloat by hanging onto the other
vessel. The Red Rover veered down to the John at a great risk. They found the vessel deserted with water
six inches from the cabin deck. The yawl’s crew had pumped for twenty minutes and were only able to
lower the water by two to three inches. The ferry boat, Favourite, and the steam-tug, Pioneer, came by. An
agreement was made with the Pioneer for half the salvage fee for assisting the Holkham Company in saving
the John. The John was taken in tow by the Pioneer with the Holkham Company beachman remaining at
the pumps to keep her afloat. Off Great Yarmouth harbour a pilot came on board and the John was
moored at Beeching’s Yard.
Later James Saunders, James Haylett and 23 other men of the Holkham Company of beachmen and the
Master and crew of five hands of the steam-tug, Pioneer, applied for salvage of £475 for the John and its
cargo of coal. They were awarded £200.
Oct. 20th. 10.30am. Received the Master (Robinson) and crew, seven in all, of the brig Sea
Nymph of Blyth (coals) for Calais. After parting from her anchors and drifting into Scroby Sands,
they left in their own boat and got on board the Cockle Lightship and were landed here by the
yawl.
Oct. 20th. 9pm. Received the remainder of the crew of the Hannah Booth. They left her before
she struck, in their own boat, and pulled to the Newarp Light Vessel and were brought thence by
the revenue cutter. 35 inmates this day.
Oct. 20th. A fearful gale. About 1,000 ships sheltered in Yarmouth Roads. Five vessels were reported to
have gone down with their crews.
Oct. 22nd. 10.30am. Received the Master (James Putney) and two men, being the crew of the
sloop Faithful of and for Maldon from Goole, which vessel parted from her anchors in the gale on
Sunday. It was taken in tow by the fishing smack Pet of London and kept in tow for twenty-four
hours, when, finding it impossible to keep her, they took off her crew and the sloop shortly went
down, being then off Aldborough, distant about thirty miles from the land. We supplied them with
all they required.
Oct. 24th. 11am. Received the Master and crew, eight in all, of the brig Commerce of and from
Shields for Chatham, which vessel was totally lost yesterday afternoon, when about thirty miles
from the Humber. The crew were rescued by the fishing lugger Mosquito of this port and landed
here.
Oct. 25th. Received the Master (J. Hall) and crew, seven in number, of the brig Queen of and
from Sunderland for Boulogne. When about 25 miles from the Dutch coast on the 22nd, and
finding they could not keep the vessel, they left her in their boat and got on board the fishing
smack Victoria and were landed here. Supplied them with dry clothes and all that they required.
Oct. 25th. 1pm. Received three of the crew of the brig Spec of Hartlepool bound for Boulogne.
They were taken on board Diamond, a fishing smack, and landed here. The Master, Mate and one
man remained on board, as they could not get them, but left the Brilliant fishing smack quite near
to render any assistance if possible to do so.
In early November the Diamond of Scarborough lost the Master and one of her crew in a gale off the coast.
30
Oct. 30th. 2pm. Received the Master (Dan Simmonds) and crew, six in all, of the schooner Fanny
of Colchester from Caen for Shields in ballast, which vessel was abandoned on Tuesday the 28th
instant. Crew saved by the smack Persian of this port and landed here.
Nov. 1st. 8pm. Received the Master (E. Carter) and crew of the schooner Enterprise from Whitby
for Newcastle (iron and stone), which vessel was totally lost in the gale of the 19th. The crew were
picked up by the brig Ellida of Tonsberg from Drumtham for Dunkirk. They were taken from the
brig by the fishing smack Alpha of Aldboro’ this afternoon and landed here.
Nov. 4th. Captain Brotchie’s effects went on board the John (Oct 20th).
Nov 15th. 7pm. Received the Master (W. Nurse) and the crew, five in all, of the schooner
Phantom of Blakeney from Shields for lpswich with coals. She left Shields on 16th October and
nothing particular occurred until the 19th, they being then off Orfordness, when they lost some
sails and were blown off the land. They were driving about in the North Sea for two or three days
and they were afterwards, as the weather moderated, to reach in with the land, when they lost their
rudder head. The ship, being then unmanageable, they hoisted signals of distress when a smack
went to their assistance, but was unable to tow them. They continued driving until the 29th, when
their vessel was making much water and, the crew being exhausted, they were taken off by the
Danish schooner Dorothy and Elizabeth and landed at Mandal, Norway, on the 31st. They were
forwarded from thence to England by the British Consul. They arrived at Hull yesterday and left
last evening, by the steamboat, for this place where they arrived at 6pm.
Nov. 18th. Received George McMaid, a destitute lad, who was discharged from the brig From of
Shields.
Nov. 19th. Saw Captain Taylor of the brig Mead respecting George McMaid, the lad we received
yesterday, and who went out last evening and did not return.
Nov. 22nd. 10am. Received the Master (Beaufil) and the crew, five in all, of the French schooner
Josephine of Dunkerque from Seaham for Rochester (coals). She struck on the Haisboro’ Sand
last night and the crew left in their own boat. Provided them with dry clothes etc. and saw the
French Consul respecting them.
Received from Captain Hall an order to pay two pounds to the Master and crew of the fishing
smack Greyhound for saving his clothes from the Queen.
Nov. 24th. The Master of the French schooner went to Palling this day, as his vessel has drifted
ashore there.
Nov. 30th . 8.30am. Received seven of the crew of the fishing lugger Matchless of Great
Yarmouth, which lugger sunk after being in collision with the schooner Cygnet, also of this port.
One man belonging to the lugger was unfortunately drowned, the remainder of her crew were
rescued by the Cygnet, and landed here. French crew and two English seamen still remain.
Sixteen miles off Great Yarmouth the Matchless, while on a fishing voyage, was run into by the Cygnet and
was cut to the water’s edge. During the collision, three of the fishermen attempted to board the Cygnet, but
a fourth, Thomas Sharman, fell between the two vessels and was drowned. The Matchless, taking in water
fast, drifted away. The remaining crew, who numbered eight hands, were in a perilous situation with a
heavy sea running with poor communication between the two boats. The Cygnet crew launched her boat
and, after some hard pulling on the oars, they rescued the stricken hands. The Matchless sank five minutes
later. Thomas Sharman was 28 years old and left a widow and three children.
31
A letter written to the Yarmouth Independent a week later stated that the Cygnet had both lights burning
brightly while the Matchless had no lights.
Dec. 4th. Captain Beaufil of the French schooner Josephine arrived from Palling, at which place
his vessel will be sold as a wreck.
Dec. 7th. Captain Beaufil left per steamer for London en route for Granville, his home.
Dec. 9th. 3.30pm. Received the Master (E. Wallace) and crew, nine in all, of the brig General
Pélissier of and from Shields for London, which vessel was lost after being in collision yesterday
morning when off Flamboro’ Head with a vessel, name unknown. They left the vessel with their
own boat and were picked up by the Arklles of Shields and landed here. Provided them with all
they required.
Dec. 10th. 5pm. Received James Sheenan, an ordinary seaman belonging to the smack Attila of
this port, which, when about sixty miles from the land on Monday the 8th, was struck by a very
heavy sea, which did her so much damage that she shortly after sunk. The crew left in their own
boat and were picked up by the smack Three Sisters and landed here this afternoon, the remainder
of the crew being men belonging to the town went to their own homes.
Dec. 11th. 10am. Shipped James Sheenan, a destitute seaman, received yesterday to the brig
Victoria of Maldon now lying in the Roads.
Dec. 15th. 1.30pm. Received an ordinary seaman named Joseph Terry from the hospital, he having
been there with his collar bone broken and other injuries, which he received from falling from the
top gallant yard of the schooner Why Not of Bridport. He will remain today and leave tomorrow
per rail for London on his way home.
Dec. 17th. Received a letter of thanks from Captain Wallace of the General Pélissier.
Dec. 18th. Forwarded the log book of the General Pélissier, which was left here by mistake, to
the address of the Captain at Shields.
Dec. 19th. 6.30pm. Received the Master (Alexander Graham) and crew, six in all, of the brig
Moore of and from Seaham for London, coals, which vessel was dismasted in a squall about noon
yesterday and was taken in tow by the fishing smacks Osprey and Planet, both of Grimsby and
kept in tow until about four this morning when both tow ropes broke. The Planet then left her and
also left one of her own crew on board the Moore. The Osprey remained by them until about
noon this day when the crew of the brig, finding all their endeavours to keep her unavailing and
there being eight feet of water in the hold with the ship gradually settling, left her in their own boat
and were picked up by the Osprey. When they abandoned their vessel she was about eight miles
to the north of the Dudgeon Light Vessel. They were landed here and later a boat with them on
board cruised about for some time in the direction of the Osprey, but could see nothing of her and
suspect therefore that she had sunk.
Dec. 25th. It being Christmas Day closed the Home as on Sunday. Three inmates this day.
32
Boat going to a Vessel in Distress by William Joy (1803-1859)

Saving a Crew near Yarmouth Pier by William Joy (1803-1859)

33
Shipwreck off Yarmouth Jetty by John Cantiloe Joy (1806-1859)

Shipwreck at Gorleston by John Cantiloe Joy (1806-1859)

34
1863
Jan. 2nd. 11am. Received three seamen belonging to the brig Maid of Kent of Rochester, which
vessel was in collision about two o’clock this morning, when off Haisboro’, with the steamer
Gnome of Leith. Three men were landed here by the steamer. The Captain of the brig with four
hands remained with their vessel until a tug took them in tow, but finding their vessel sinking they
took to their boat; the brig then sunk. The Master and the remainder of the crew were landed here
by the tug at 4.45pm.
During mid January 1863 the Norfolk coast was swept by a succession of violent gales. The damage to
shipping in Yarmouth Roads resulted in a total loss of several vessels with serious injury to seafarers from
preventable causes.
Jan. 16th. 3.45am. Received the Master (C. Annar) and crew, five in all, of the schooner Kezia of
and from Sunderland for Caen with coals, which vessel struck on the Outer Barber Sand about
midnight and drove onto the beach, where she remained. The crew were taken off by the Caister
Lifeboat.
When the Kezia struck the sand the wind was blowing strongly from the east. The crew of the Caister
Lifeboat, seeing her lights, immediately set off and soon reached her. The crew of five had left the Kezia in
their boat and were picked up by the Caister Lifeboat about a quarter of a mile from the wreck.
The Captain of the Kezia had let go of the anchor after she struck the sand. Consequently she struck the
sands a couple of times before coming to rest on the beach half-way between Great Yarmouth and Caister.
The wreck was sold by the underwriters to Mr. D. Beales for the sum of £42. However shortly afterwards
the Kezia was dashed to pieces.
Jan. 18th. 4pm. Received the Master (Forster) and crew, eight in all, of the brig Thames of and
for Newcastle from London, which vessel was lost in collision off Cromer about half past ten last
night. They left the vessel in their own boat and were picked up by the brig Blossom, which
vessel landed them here.
The Thames (213 tons registered) in ballast collided with the Hebe and was struck with such a violent force
on the port bow that the sea rushed in. The crew of eight barely had time to board their own boat. After
rowing for three hours in a fresh wind they were picked up by the Blossom from Shields. The Thames sank
and was valued at £1,300.
Jan. 19th Received the Master (Heinkel) and crew, eight in all, from the brig St. Helena of and
from Shields for London, which vessel was lost in a collision about six o’clock this morning; they
then being off Winterton. They left their vessel in their own boat and were picked up by the
schooner Condon of and from Hartlepool and landed here.
The St. Helena (190 tons registered), laden with coals, was in collision with the brig Friendship. The decks
of the St. Helena were ripped up and the sea rushed through the boat. The crew of eight hands took to their
boat for the preservation of their lives, but could not save anything from their vessel.
St. Helena’s value was £1,600 with her cargo. The Friendship lost her foremast in the collision and
sustained other damage to the value of £200 and had to be towed into Great Yarmouth for repair.
In November 1861, the Friendship had been in collision with the brig Severn of Hartlepool in the Yarmouth
Roads. The Friendship carried away the Severn’s bowsprit.
Nineteen inmates this day.
Jan. 22nd. Thomas Burns, a seaman who belonged to the Naples Packet, which vessel was lost on
the 19th instant and with the remainder of the crew he was landed at Lowestoft, but the Hon. Agent
of Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society refused to grant him a pass as
35
he did not belong to the society. Supplied him with provisions etc. and referred him to Mr. Ferrier
who granted him a pass. He will leave for home by this evening’s mail train.
Jan. 23rd. Received the Master (Z. Barnes) and crew, eight in all, of the brig Two Brothers of and
from Shields for London (coals), which vessel was abandoned on the 21st instant as the crew found
the water rapidly gaining on them and it was impossible to keep the ship. They therefore left in
their own boat and were picked up by the fishing boat Samuel Bales and afterwards put on board
the fishing smack Brilliant of this port and landed here. They abandoned her about sixty miles
east by north of Yarmouth.
The Two Brothers was abandoned sixty miles off Great Yarmouth and the crew were picked up after
enduring great hardship.
Jan. 23rd. 6.30pm. Received the Master (S. Lincoln), Mate and two seamen belonging to the brig
Lucerne of Whitby from Hartlepool for London, which vessel was lost in the very heavy gale of
Thursday the 22nd instant. The crew consisted of eight in all and were rescued by the smacks
Miriam and Waterwitch, both of this port; they being then about twenty miles off the Texel. One
man belonging to the Miriam was unfortunately lost from the boat when going to the brig. Four
of the crew were put on board each smack; the Waterwitch has not yet arrived in Great Yarmouth.
The Lucerne, laden with coals, was caught in a gale about six miles off Lowestoft, which split her sails.
Shortly afterwards she was swept by two heavy seas, which swept her decks. The Lucerne took in water
rapidly and the crew manned the pumps for some hours. Later she was struck by a big sea which swept
everything off her decks leaving the vessel very disabled. The smacks, Miriam and the Waterwitch of Great
Yarmouth, seeing the disabled Lucerne bore down on her. Because of the fury of the gale and the heavy sea
they could not offer any assistance. When the weather moderated a boat was launched from the Miriam to
rescue the crew of the Lucerne. On trying to board the Lucerne one Miriam’s crew was thrown overboard
by a heavy lurch of the vessel. Three of the Lucerne’s crew jumped into the boat to rescue him, but as he
had carried an oar with him, they were helpless. He was rapidly borne away by the sea with his cries being
heard and was lost. Coincidently he was the only member of the crew wearing a life-jacket. He left a wife
and two children to mourn his loss. The crew of the Lucerne realised that she was sinking and were taken
off by the Miriam. By this time she was twenty miles off Texel. The Lucerne was valued at £1,500 and the
cargo, £180. The vessel and her cargo were insured for £1,500.
Thirteen inmates this day.
Jan. 24th. 3pm. Received the Master (J. Sanderson) and crew, five in all, of the brig St. George of
and from Sunderland for London, coals, which vessel foundered on the 22nd instant, about twenty
miles off Egmont. The crew left in their own boat and got on board the schooner Joys of Hull.
They remained on board until the 23rd when, at about 3pm., they were taken on board the fishing
smack Rainbow (Captain Riches) and landed here.
The St. George was swept out to sea by a gale and began to take in water. Her bulwarks were carried
away. The crew stayed with their vessel for a couple of days and then left in their boat and were later
picked up. The vessel’s value was £800 and the cargo £150.
Jan. 24th. 3.15pm. Received the Master (J. Wade) and crew, six in all, of the brig Daring of and
from Middlesboro’ for Dunkirk, iron, which vessel foundered on the 20th instant about twenty
miles from the land off Lowestoft bearing west-south-west. The crew were brought in by a smack.
The Daring sprang a leak and had to be abandoned. She became a total loss. The crew were taken off by
the Emanuel Boucher.
The value of the ship was £800 and her cargo £500.
36
Jan. 24th. 4pm. Received the remaining four of the Lucerne’s crew from the smack Waterwitch.
Twenty-eight inmates this day.
Jan. 26th. 9.30am. Received the Master (Spencer) and crew, eight in all, of the brig James and
Agnes of Shields from Danzig for London, timber, which vessel was abandoned about sixty miles
from land on the 22nd. The crew were saved and brought in by the smack Vixen of this port.
The value of the James and Agnes was £1,200 and the cargo £1,500. She was insured for £500.
Jan. 26th. 10am. Received the Master (Pitt) and crew, five in all, of the schooner Spray of and for
Colchester from the north, coals, which vessel was left in a sinking state in the North Sea on the
23rd. Crew saved and brought in by the smack Vixen.
The Spray was abandoned with seven feet of water in her. She was valued at £900 and the cargo £150 and
insured for £800. The Master of the Spray stated that on the 20th January he saw a brig sink with all hands
in a gale, but was unable to render any assistance. Three days later the Spray became waterlogged. The
Vixen of Great Yarmouth came home after a terrible gale with two crews, 13 men in all.
The figures for the past week show that 34 wrecked seamen were received at the Sailors’ Home.
Also received the Master (Hunter) and crew, seven in all, of the brig Gipsy of Sunderland for
London, which vessel foundered on Friday the 23rd instant. Crew were saved and bought in by the
barque Auxiliar (Franklin) of and from Shields for Giron.
The value of the Gipsy was £500 and the cargo £200. Incidentally the Auxiliar sustained damage to the
value of £150 in the gale.
Twenty-one inmates this day.
Jan 27th. 11am. Received the Master and crew, four in all, of the schooner John of and for
Ramsgate from Newcastle, which vessel was lost on the 23rd instant. Two smacks went to her
assistance, named the North Star and the Roundabout, both of this port, and unfortunately, lost a
man each as the boat capsized.
The John was laden with coals. Two crew members of the smacks were pitched overboard during the
rescue and were drowned.
Jan. 27th. 4pm. Received the Master (Neofield) and crew, eight in all, of the brig Eliza Bell of
and from Hartlepool for Bilbao, which vessel was lost yesterday afternoon about fifty miles from
the land. The crew were taken out at great risk by the smack Roundabout (Captain Jones) who
ran his smack alongside the sinking ship to take them off, as neither vessel had boats having lost
them.
The Roundabout had lost her boat as well as one of her crew while with the North Star saving the crew of
the John.
The value of the Eliza Bell was £1,100 and the cargo £250.
Jan 28th. Noon. Received the Master and crew of the schooner Saxon of and from Sunderland for
St. Valery, which vessel sank last night about eight miles from the land. Crew left in their own
boat and got on board the Jane Every. They were landed in the harbour in their own boat.
The Saxon was laden with coals and was abandoned, as she was waterlogged.
Received the Master (Angus) and crew, seven in all, of the brig Fellowship of and from Seaham
for London, which vessel foundered on the 20th instant. The crew left in their own boat and were
picked up by the brig Croxdale of South Shields and landed here.
37
The Fellowship was abandoned when she was half full of water. The value of the Fellowship and her cargo
was £1,200.
Two destitute smacksmen also received provisions and refreshment having been wrecked with the
brig James and Agnes and who belonged to the Gem of Lowestoft (how they came to be wrecked
with the James and Agnes is not stated).
Jan. 28th. Wrote out a statement to the Board of Trade soliciting remuneration on behalf of John
Wheeler (Master) and crew of the smack Vixen for saving two crews from shipwreck. (See
January 26th.)
Jan. 28th. 4pm. Received the Master (Reylbeg) and crew of twelve; also the pilot and passenger
of the Russian brig Alli of Helsingfors from Alexandria for this port with cotton seed, which
vessel was lost last night on Haisboro’ Sand. The crew left in their own boats and were picked up
by a Mundesley yawl and landed here. A short time after which the wind came from the north, the
beachmen consequently could not get back with their boat, therefore I provided them with
refreshments and a shakedown in the Refuge to the number of sixteen. Making a total of 30
inmates.
The Alli (237 tons) was caught in a gale whilst off Lowestoft and driven out into the North Sea. Several
days later she made the Haisboro’ Light and soon was on the Haisboro’ Sand. The crew burned lights and
fired guns, but received no assistance. With the sea breaking over the vessel, the crew left it in their two
boats and were picked up by a Mundesley yawl and landed at Caister. A small part of the rigging and
stores were saved, but the Alli broke up. The vessel had a crew of twelve hands. Her value was £2,000 and
she was insured. The Alli had, three weeks earlier, rescued the crew of the William of Montrose in the Bay
of Biscay and had landed them at Penzance.
Feb. 3rd. Received the Master and one man of the schooner Alarm of and for London from
Seahaven, which vessel was lost on the Leman on the 23rd ultimate. The crew of six in all got out
their boat to leave and the Master and two hands had barely got into her when the painter broke
leaving the Mate and other two hands on board. They made every exertion to regain the vessel
with the boat, but were unable to do so. After tossing about in the boat for five hours they were
The Schooner Alarm painted by B. H. Hansen 1856

38
picked up by the barque Samuel (Captain Wilson) of and from Shields for Constantinople and
remained on board until 8am. this day when they were taken out by the smack Brothers of this
port and landed here. The other man was shipped to the barque but whether the other three
remaining on board are lost or not, the Captain cannot, of course, say.
The surviving crew of the Alarm had stayed on the Samuel for twelve days before being landed at Caister.
Feb. 11th. Paid the widows of the two smacksmen ten shillings each from the Rev. M. Mitchell.
Feb. 12th. Prepared memorial to the Board of Trade praying for some remuneration for the Master
and crew of the North Star for saving the life of Charles Hayman under very perilous
circumstances.
Feb. 13th. Prepared a Statement for the Board of Trade soliciting some remuneration for the
Master and crew of the smack Roust About for saving two crews from shipwreck.
Feb. 26th. Wrote out petition to the Board of Trade for the Master (Briggs) and crew of the smack
Greyhound of this port for saving the crew of the smack Baron Camber.
Mar. 3rd. 10am. Received John Bygs, a seaman belonging to the brig Danube (Captain Barnes)
of and from Shields for Portsmouth and now lying in the Roads. Just before coming to sea, Bygs
happened with an accident from which he is still suffering so severely that the Captain was obliged
to land and discharge him. Shipped George Mills in his berth.
Mar. 3rd. 8pm. Forwarded, by train per Hon. Agent Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal
Benevolent Society, John Bygs to his home at Shields.
Mar. 10th. Hoisted all our flags and closed the Reading Room inconsequence of a general holiday
on the occasion of the Prince of Wales’ marriage.
Apr. 14th. Received information relative to the petition forwarded to the Board of Trade on behalf
of Robert Briggs, the Master and crew of the smack Greyhound, who saved the crew of the
Baron Camber. The Board of Trade having awarded ten pounds for the service.
Apr. 18th. 6.30pm. Received Thomas Hogan, a sick seaman, belonging to the brig Brothers of
and from London for Shields and now lying in the Roads. He had seen a medical man who
advised him to get home as soon as possible, as he was suffering from intermittent fever. The
Hon. Agent of the Shipwrecked Mariners Society kindly provided him with a pass and he therefore
left by the mail-train for Peterborough en route for Shields at 8.50 pm. Two other seamen from
the same vessel called for tea etc.
Apr. 24th. 6pm. Received a sick seaman, named James Locket, from the brig Sir Colin
Campbell (Burrows) of Whitby from Boulogne for Warksworth. He is suffering from intermittent
fever and will be forwarded home by rail by the Hon. Agent Shipwrecked Fishermen and
Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society.
May 12th. 7.30pm. A large ship was seen to strike on the North Bank. Made every preparation to
receive the crew in case she broke up. At midnight three seamen belonging to her arrived here,
wet and exhausted. Supplied them with dry clothes etc. The vessel is the Mississippi of and for
Genoa from Sunderland, coals, with a crew of twenty in all. The three seamen are English, the
remaining portion of the crew are Italians.
39
The Sardinian barque, Mississippi, with 1,000 tons of cargo of coals sprung a leak and was beached. She
was re-floated by the Gorleston boatman for a fee of £300, after 600 tons of coal had been thrown
overboard. Four days later she became stranded on the bar. In May an inquiry was convened into the
circumstances of her stranding. It was stated that the draft of the vessel was between 14½ and 15½ feet,
whereas the depth of water on the bar was 15 feet. The man piloting the wreck into port was Benjamin
Holt, who was exonerated by the inquiry. In June the Mississippi was placed in the dry-dock at Messrs.
Fellows and Son at Great Yarmouth and repaired. The whole operation, including blocking up the ship in
the dock, took only an hour. This was the largest vessel to enter the port of Great Yarmouth.
May 13th. Two of the seamen who arrived last night remain inmates while the others went back
on board at noon. The vessel was got off the sand about 1.30pm.
May 20th. The schooner Susannah of this port foundered off Corton early this morning. The
crew got on board a fishing lugger, but as they belonged to Great Yarmouth they did not come
here after being landed, but went to their own homes.
May 24th. 9am. Received Charles Spooner, a seaman belonging to the Rosa of this port, which
vessel was abandoned off the Land’s End on the night of Tuesday the 19th instant. The crew
landed in Scilly and were forwarded here from thence via London, but as Spooner belonged to
Manningtree in Essex, he was sent by steamer with the crew here. Will be forwarded on
tomorrow.
June 4th. 1.30pm. Received the Master (A. Hopton) of the brig Sea Walker of and from London
for Sunderland, as he is unable to remain on board, being very sick. The Mate therefore will take
charge of the vessel and proceed and the Master will go to Sunderland by rail. Applied a mustard
poultice to his back, gave him some gruel and sent for the Hon. Surgeon, who attended him. He is
suffering from a protracted cold.
June 5th. Captain Hopton, being much better, left per rail for his home, (Sunderland).
June 18th. Received a young woman, Amelia Brown, who had fallen from the Jetty into the sea,
but was rescued by two men who saw the accident happen. Sent for the Hon. Surgeon. Stripped
her and applied hot water etc. She gradually recovered. The doctor saw her, ordered her a little
brandy and also said we must not have her removed before tomorrow. She therefore slept in the
Refuge. Employed two women to assist for the night.
Amelia Brown fell off the Jetty. Fortunately it was low water and she was easily rescued by Samuel Bishop,
one of the coastguards. She was unconscious and was taken to the Sailors’ Home. In spite of using the
appliances of resuscitation at the Home she did not show any signs of animation for nearly an hour. Some
said that the fall was an accident and others attributed the rash attempt to an affair of the heart.
June 19th. 11am. Amelia Brown, who is very much better, left in a cab for her home.
June 19th. Noon. Received two fishermen named Henry Reynolds and Thomas Baldwin
belonging to the lugger Young Henry of this port, which boat drove on shore. The remaining part
of her crew belonged to the town and went to their homes, with the exception of the Mate (Rust),
who borrowed some dry clothes. Supplied the two men with dry clothes and refreshment and at
3pm. they left for their homes in the country.
.
June 21st. 8.30am. Received the Master (Glanville) and crew, five in all, of the Schooner Thomas
Brothero of Fowey from Boness for Dieppe with pig iron, which vessel was totally lost on the
Cross Sand last night during a fog. The crew left in their own boat and were picked up by the
fishing smack of this port and landed here.
Later the Thomas Brothero was towed into Lowestoft derelict.
40
June 25th. 7pm. Received (by order of Mr. Ferrier) five men belonging to the brig Thomas Baker
of and from London for Newcastle, which vessel got ashore in the fog on Sunday 21st instant, but
afterwards got off and was brought here for repairing. The Master (Mode) remains with the
vessel.
July 18th. A Prussian seaman, named Kinman, and his wife called for assistance having been sent
by the Hon. Agent of the Shipwrecked Society, but found they were impostors.
Aug. 21st. 3pm. Received the crew of eight men belonging to the Adelicia of and from London,
ballast, for Sunderland, which vessel struck on Winterton beach on Wednesday night (19th) where
she now remains and has become a total wreck. The Master (Hopwood) and Mate remain at
Winterton. Supplied the crew with all they required.
Aug. 28th. Four seamen belonging to the Adelicia shipped to the barque Derwent for the run to
the north. Two other seamen belonging to the same vessel, named F. Allen and W. Taylor, were
received at 6 pm; they having been detained at Winterton to guard the wreck.
Aug. 31st. 7pm. Received a destitute seaman named Henry Fisher, a native of Hull, who is
evidently very sick. Gave him tea, supper and lodgings and will endeavour to get him home
tomorrow. He walked here from Ipswich, being about three days on the road.
Sept. 13th. 3pm. Received 14 French seamen belonging to the schooner Marie of and for Dunkirk
from Iceland with fish, which was in collision last night with the Newarp Light Vessel. The 14
men received got on board the Newarp Light Vessel during the collision. The Master and one man
were left aboard the schooner and have not since been heard of. Saw the French Consul
concerning them.
Oct.4th. 7.45am. Received the Master (Sauvan) and crew, 17 in all, of the French fishing lugger
Confiance á Dieu of and for Boulogne, which was lost early this morning on Scroby Sands. The
crew were taken out by the Caister beachmen. Supplied them with dry clothes and informed their
Consul.
The Confiance en Dieu was tacking through the Yarmouth Roads. While going about she missed stays and
drove towards Scroby Sands. In trying to put about she again missed stays, as she was deeply laden. There
was a strong ebb tide and a short sea and she immediately heavily struck Scroby Sands. Casks of herring
on the deck were taken forward to lighten her aft, but to no avail. Signals were hoisted for assistance and a
yawl and a boat set off to her from Caister. The crew of the Confiance en Dieu, finding it impossible to
save her, boarded the yawl and were landed at Caister. The other boat laid by the Confiance en Dieu, in
an attempt to save the nets and the fishing gear. The Confiance en Dieu began breaking up next day. She
was a new vessel, having been built in the previous year and sailed from Boulogne. She was valued at
£1,000 and had, at the time of her loss, 14 lasts of herrings on board ,worth £200. She and her cargo were
not insured.
Oct. 9th. 5pm. Received the Master John Hacklarid, and crew, twelve in all, of the barque Gilbert
Munro of and for London from Cronsdaal, with tallow and brass guns, which vessel was lost on
the Leman Sand on the 8th instant. The crew left in their own boat and were picked up and landed
here by the brig Concord of Hartlepool.
The Gilbert Munro (400 tons burden) and with twelve hands had earlier experienced bad weather. In hazy
weather she struck heavily on the Leman Sands. The Master of the vessel thought he was twenty miles
away from the sands. The vessel struck the sands several times and the stern post began to break, as did
the rudder. She took in water rapidly. All hands took to the pumps. After six hours, the water was gaining
and they took to their boats when the water reached half-way up the forecastle.
41
Savage Sea and Boats at the Harbour’s Mouth, Great Yarmouth 1868
Landing Survivors from a Wreck at Caister by C. J . Staniland

42
After knocking around for some time, the crew were picked up by the Concord. Her value was £2,000.
Captain Hackland, the Master of the vessel, attributed his error to an extraordinary current carrying him
off his course. Later the Gilbert Munro was picked up by three fishing smacks, but foundered while being
towed to Hull.
Nov. 2nd. 11pm. Received the Master (Larraman) and crew, six in all, of the Prudence of
Whitstable from Seaham for Rochester (coals), which vessel was abandoned on the 31st about
11pm., they being then about 20 miles east of the Dudgeon. They left in their own boat and were
picked up by the brig Caroline Sainty of Colchester from Shields for London and landed here.
Nov. 2nd. 12.50pm. Received the Master (Mutt) and one man of the Helena of Rochester, which
vessel parted from her anchors in the Wold last night and came in collision with the brig Arrow of
Sunderland. The Master and one man got on board the Arrow during the collision and were
landed here. The remaining four of the crew have not since been heard of; Captain Nutt believes
his vessel sunk very shortly after the accident.
After the Helena parted from her anchor she fouled the Arrow. The Captain and one man got on board the
Arrow. The rest of the crew, four in number, were picked up from their boat a day later by the smack Fear
Not after being tossed about in the waves for thirteen hours.
Nov. 4th. 9am. The wrecked seamen received yesterday from the Helena and Prudence left per
rail for London (noon).
Received the Master (Pelican) and crew, seven in all, of the schooner Thomas Edward of London
from Shields for Dartmouth, coals. They were taken out by the brig Fearful of Portsmouth and
landed here.
The Thomas Edward sprung a leak and sustained other damage and was abandoned off Cromer.
Also received the Master (J. Etherington) and crew, eight in all, of the brig David Lype of
Arundel from Sunderland for Littlehampton, coals, which vessel foundered on Sunday last, at
about 4.30pm., when off the Humber. They were taken out by the smack Edward of London and
landed her (they saw their vessel sink).
Nov. 4th. 4pm. Received the four men who were supposed to be drowned belonging to the Helena
of Rochester. When the vessels parted after the collision they launched their boat about 11pm. and
after enduring very great suffering from exposure they were picked up forty miles from the land by
the smack Fear Not of Yarmouth and landed here.
The brig Eau Terry of and for Rochester from Sunderland is at anchor in the Roads (leaky)
having pumpers * on board and have just landed a seaman named John Maynard who fell from the
main topsail yard on Saturday morning last (this being Wednesday) and sustained severe injury.
Sent the stretcher down to the boat and accompanied him to the hospital.
* Labourers from shore to supply the motive power for the pumps.
Sixteen inmates in all.
Nov. 5th. 7.30pm. Seven Frenchmen, being a boat’s crew belonging to a Fécamp fishing vessel,
now lying in the Roads, were received as lodgers for the night, as they cannot get off to their
vessel on account of the heavy seas. They are drenched with rain and provided them therefore
with dry clothes etc. The French Consul also called respecting them
John Maynard the seaman taken to the hospital yesterday is progressing favourably.
During the past week the Sailors’ Home has boarded, lodged, clothed and forwarded to their respective
homes twenty-four seamen, who had been wrecked in the Roads or nearby.
43
Nov. 6th. Visited the sick seaman, Maynard, at the hospital and wrote to his friends at Rochester.
Nov. 8th. 12.30pm. Received the Master (Johnson) and crew, eleven in all, of the brig Allandale
of and for Shields from Carthagena, lead and grass, which vessel foundered in the Bay of Biscay
on the 1st instant They were picked up by the brig Mary Young of Shields from Salonica for Hull,
with bones, and this morning put on board a Yarmouth fishing lugger and, by them, landed here.
Provided them with all that they required and called upon the Agent of the Shipwrecked
Fishermen and Mariners Royal Benevolent Society respecting them.
Nov. 12th. 6pm. A lad named C. Shankill requested lodging and refreshment. He was put on
shore from a ship being sick. Granted his request. Visited sick seaman in hospital and wrote for
him to his friends in Rochester. (The lad, Shankill, was sent home by rail being too unwell to
travel by steamer and J. Maynard was taken in cab to station).
Nov. 28th. 11am. The Master of the barque Thomas Forrest of Sunderland called for an able
seaman as he had landed a sick seaman, Simon Newman, who was suffering from an attack of
fever. Visited the man and found him very weak and exceedingly anxious to get home
(Sunderland), but as he was able to travel and belonged to no sick-club or society I recommended
him to go to the Dreadnought, which course he followed and left here by the 1.40pm., train being
kindly forwarded to London by the Hon. Agent of the Shipwrecked and Fishermen and Mariners’
Royal Benevolent Society.
Dec. 2nd. It blowing a heavy gale, kept the Home open all night.
Dec. 3rd. 3.15pm. Received a seaman named Henry Feast, who belonged to the smack Peace of
Arundel, which vessel sunk in the Roads about 2.30pm. He was picked up by the steam-tug
Pioneer and reports that the Master was picked up by the lugger Ethelbert of Yarmouth.
Provided him with dry clothes and restoratives, he being in a very exhausted condition.
A great gale from the west swept the coast. In Great Yarmouth the gale caused havoc and damaged many
properties. Roofs and chimney pots were blown off. The Peace was laden with potatoes and was sailing
for Scotland. Earlier she had grounded on the Barber Sands. She was floated off in a leaky state and was
being towed into Great Yarmouth by a tug when the tow-rope broke and she immediately sank. Two life-
buoys were thrown from the tug, which the Mate, Mr. Feast, and the Master Mr. Copsey, succeeded in
catching hold of, although the former did not reach his until he had divested himself of his deck-boots, oily
frock and trousers in the heavy sea. The remaining two hands were drowned.
Seventeen smacks were lost, two schooners and one brig belonging to Great Yarmouth with all their crews.
The total number of lives lost was 145 men and boys, leaving 73 widows and 110 orphaned children. His
Majesty’s gun boat, Ruby, one of the vessels dispatched from the Humber to search for the missing smacks
was lost on Texel beach. On the 28th December a meeting was convened in the Town Hall by the Mayor of
Great Yarmouth for the relief of the bereaved. In total £2,000 was raised with Queen Victoria donating
£100.
Dec. 3rd. 7pm. Received the Master J. Copsey of the Peace, but the other two of the crew of four
are unfortunately drowned.
Dec. 4th. 4pm. Received the Master (Howston) and crew, eight in all, of the brig Allen of
Newcastle, which vessel was dismasted in the terrific gale of last night and which they abandoned
in a sinking state off Cromer at about ten o’clock this morning. The crew were picked up by the
S. S. Carron of Grangemouth and landed here in their own boat. One of the seamen, Robinson,
was brought on a cart, being insensible and utterly prostrate from cold and exhaustion. Put him on
a bed in the Refuge and got off his wet clothes, rubbed him well with rough towels, applied hot
44
water to his feet and legs and sent for the doctor. After showing signs of life put him into a hot
bath. The doctor remained with him until he left the bath. Wrapped in blankets and kept him
before the Refuge fire. Captain Howston’s leg was injured and the doctor sent him lotion for the
same.
The Allen, bound for London, laden with coals, lost her masts and bowsprit in a gale. She became leaky
and unmanageable. Her crew were lashed to the pumps in turns, which they kept going for the next 17
hours. At that time there was seven feet of water in her hold. The crew were rescued by S. S. Carron.
About two hours earlier the brig Emily of Shields passed so near to the Allen that both crews could see
each other. Although every effort was made to attract their attention, the Emily pursued her course without
attempting to render assistance. The Allen was valued at £1,200 and her cargo at £200. She was insured.
Dec. 4th. 6pm. Received the pilot and twelve men belonging to the barque lna of and from
Shields for Carthagena, which vessel was totally lost at Palling during the gale of Thursday night
last. The Master (Johnson) remains at Palling and the Mate was drowned.
Dec. 4th. 10pm. Five men belonging to an Austrian brig, which had struck on the Patch Sand
arrived here with a large quantity of luggage, but on making enquiry found that the Master and six
hands remained on board the vessel, expecting to be able to get her off, and that the five men had
left against the wishes of the Master. Therefore sent them all back again by the direction of their
Consul, but allowed their clothes to remain.
Twenty-four inmates at present.
Dec. 5th. 9.30am. Received the Master (Brown) and crew, seven in all, of the brig Luna of and
45
from Sunderland for London, which vessel was abandoned in a sinking state yesterday morning
about nine o’clock off the Leman and Ower Light Vessel. The crew were taken off by the smack
Violet of Yarmouth and landed here.
The Luna laden with coals was a total loss. She shipped heavy seas, which swept her decks and carried
away her starboard chain-plates rendering her so leaky that the pumps could not keep abreast with the
incoming water. She was valued at £2,000 and her cargo at £250. One of the crew sustained an eye injury
and the Master lost the end of one of his fingers.
Dec. 5th. 10.30am. Received the Master (Robinson) and crew, eight in all, of the brig Scipio of
and from Shields for London, which vessel was abandoned in a sinking state about noon
yesterday. Crew were taken out by the brig Huntress of Hartlepool and landed here.
The Scipio lost some of her sails, had her tiller broken and lost her sternpost. She was kept afloat for the
next 13 hours and then abandoned in a sinking state. She was valued at £1,400 and her cargo at £400. She
was insured for£ 1,000.
Thirty inmates in all this day.
Dec. 6th. 9.30am. Received the Master (Anderson) and crew, six in all, of the schooner
Speculant of Gefle from Newcastle for Lisbon, coals, which vessel was abandoned off the coast
of Holland. They were picked up and landed here from the smack Fox of Great Yarmouth.
Dec. 6th. 11.30am. Received the Master (Magness) and crew, ten in all, of the brig Thomas
Kennion of Shields from Cronstadt for London, deals, which vessel was abandoned waterlogged
outside the Dudgeon on the 4th instant. Crew were taken out by the smack Clown of London and
landed here.
The Thomas Kennion’s deck load had moved and the vessel became very leaky. She made water so fast that
it was soon up to the cabin deck. At length, the Clown hove into sight and the crew was rescued. She was
valued at £1,000 and her cargo at £800. She was insured for £600. The crew lost everything, apart from
the clothes they stood up in.
46
Yarmouth Independent December 12th 1863

47
Yarmouth Independent December 1863
Dec. 8th. Received the Master and crew, nine in all, of the Russian brig Osis (Captain Johanssen)
of and from Windau, Latvia for Lowestoft (sleepers), which vessel was abandoned during the late
gale. The crew were taken out by the Prussian barque Malvina and were yesterday transferred to
a Great Yarmouth smack, which landed them here.
Dec. 8th. 6pm. Received the Master (Vanherle) and crew, six in all, of the Belgian fishing sloop
Joseph of Ostend. They lost their vessel on Sunday morning and were picked up in their boat by
the fishing smacks Harriett Todd and Rechabite, both of this port.
The Joseph’s desk was swept by a sea and she started to leak. The pumps were set to work, but became
choked. She floated about for two days and then began to sink. The crew took to their boat. Ten minutes
after, the Joseph sank. She was valued at £800 and insured for £400.
Dec. 9th. D. Erington, a destitute American seaman, called for advice etc., having been
shipwrecked. Found his to be a true statement, gave him a coat and trousers and told him he could
stay until tomorrow and we would endeavour to find him a berth.
Dec 10th. Captain Koolman, who lost his vessel in the North Sea during the recent gale, arrived
here, being sent by his Consul, Mr. Preston, at 4pm. His crew are now on board a smack, but will
come here as soon as landed.
Dec. 11th. 9am. Received the crew of four men belonging to the Elise Antoinette; the Captain of
which vessel arrived here yesterday. They were from Shields bound to Alexandria and were
picked up and landed by the smack Enterprise of this place.
Also received the Master (Francis Lee) and crew, five in all, of the fishing smack Ebenezer of
Barking, which vessel was abandoned in a sinking state off the coast of Holland on the 8th. Crew
were also brought in by the smack Enterprise.
48
Wrecked Spars on the Beach at Gorleston by G. Cooke 1856
Shipwreck at Great Yarmouth

49
Sent Erington to the Captain of the barque Newcastle of Newcastle who engaged him; will
therefore go aboard tomorrow, the vessel is at Lowestoft.
Dec. 12th. Noon. Received the Mate and crew, four in all, of the brig Lively of Guernsey from
Shields for Dartmouth (coals), which vessel struck a sunken wreck off Blakeney last evening and
shortly after foundered. The crew were taken out by the schooner Daphne of Whitstable and
landed here. The Master (Palmer) has gone to Blakeney to ascertain if any of the stores have been
landed.
Dec. 12th. 3.30pm. A seaman called for lodging but as he was very drunk, sent him away.
Eighteen inmates.
Dec. 14th. 9.30pm. Nine seamen called to request lodgings. They belonged to vessels in the
Roads, namely the Remembrance of Hartlepool, the Northumberland of Whitby and another.
They had been with the boat at the pier since ten o’clock in the morning, without food or money,
and the captains had not come back. Granted their request.
Dec. 15th. The men received last night left at daylight this morning.
Dec. 20th. 2pm. Received the Master (W. Hill) and crew, eight in all, of the brig George of
Whitby from Cronstadt for London, deals and iron, which vessel was abandoned waterlogged
during the gale of the 4th instant. Crew taken off by the brig Active of Whitby and landed here.
Dec. 22nd. 6pm. A lad belonging to the Mary Hughes, lost yesterday near Wells, called to request
supper and bed, which was granted. His friends live at Ormesby.
Dec. 23rd. 3pm. Received five men of the Orient of Shields (Captain Wetherhead) from London,
Great Yarmouth Seafront looking out over the Jetty

Engraving by R. Pollard after J. Butcher 1801
50
ballast, which vessel drove ashore at Bacton yesterday morning during a gale from the north. The
crew were taken out by the lifeboat and forwarded here. The Master, Mate and apprentice remain
with the wreck.
Also received six men belonging to the schooner Ellen of Jersey for London from Seaham, ballast,
which vessel was lost at the same time and place. The Master (Jasper) and Mate remain with the
wreck..
Fifteen inmates in all.
Dec. 26th. 11am. Received the Mate and boy of the Orient and the Mate of the Ellen, both vessels
being on shore at Bacton.
51
1864
Jan. 2nd. 9.20pm. Received the crew of twelve men belonging to the Prussian barque Fifth of
May of and from Stettin for London, timber, which vessel was lost on Haisboro’ Sand this
morning. The Master and Mate are staying at an hotel.
The Fifth of May missed stays and went onto Haisboro’ Sands. She struck heavily and the crew cut away
the mainmast, but, finding the water gaining on them, the crew took to their boat. They were picked up two
miles from the vessel by the California Lifeboat and landed at Scratby. Later, part of the Fifth of May
floated off the sand and beached to the north of Great Yarmouth.
Jan. 4th. 2.30pm. Received a destitute lad named Edward Langdon; he was, last Thursday (this
being Monday), paid off from a sloop and entrusted his money to the Mate, who pretends to have
lost it. The boy stated his case to the magistrates, who sent a policeman to ascertain whether it
was correct and he found it was so. They therefore referred the lad to us, thinking perhaps we
could find him a berth.
Jan. 7th. Shipped Edward Langdon to the schooner Earl Grey and he leaves here to join her in
London by the steamer on Saturday (this being Thursday).
Jan. 10th. Received a Dutch seaman belonging to the Annette Cathrina of Groningen for London
(oats), which vessel went ashore at Palling.
The Annette Cathrina became stranded off Palling in a strong wind, blowing from the east, and a heavy
sea. The Palling Lifeboat was launched and, after a gallant struggle with the elements, succeeded in
rescuing the crew of three.
Jan. 12th. 6pm. Received Captain Claxton of the schooner Seaflower of and for Markworth from
Boulogne in ballast, which vessel is now on shore at Winterton. One beachmen is with him, being
sent for the night by Mr. Butcher.
Jan. 13th. Captain Claxton and the beachman returned to the vessel at Winterton At noon two of
the crew arrived, named Richardson and Day. They will be forwarded home tomorrow per
Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society.
Jan. 13th. 1.30pm. The Master (Claxton) of the Seaflower returned with his Mate and two
apprentices; their vessel having been got off the beach into our harbour.
Jan. 18th. 7pm. A lad named Bodewell called to request a night’s lodging etc. being sent by the
coastguard, as he thinks of joining the Royal Navy tomorrow.
Jan. 19th. Captain Claxton thinks of taking the lad, Bodewell, received yesterday as an apprentice.
He will therefore keep him here until further orders.
Jan. 24th. 2.30pm. The Captain of the brig Danube of Whitby called to enquire for two hands.
He is bound for Constantinople and when leaving the Tyne on Thursday last he had found one
seaman, that had shipped on the previous day, was not on board and after getting to sea, another
(the cook and steward) was very bad with a certain disease and unable to walk. Referred him to
two inmates who will go with him tomorrow.
52
Jan. 24th. 6pm. The sick man from the Danube called, but from the nature of his complaint and
especially after being at sea only two days refused to receive him. He stated that he required only
one night’s lodging, and as he was destitute gave him one shilling to obtain it.
Jan. 28th. 9am. Captain Claxton, Lewis, Bringle, Hall and Bodewell (who thought of joining the
Royal Navy) left the Home.
Feb. 7th. 4pm. Received three seamen named John Addison, John Reynolds and Isaac Blackburn
belonging to the brig Fanny of Whitby from Hartlepool for London, which vessel was in collision
with the Newarp Light Vessel on Friday evening (the 5th) last, when these three jumped on board
the light vessel, leaving the other four of the crew on board the Fanny. The vessels shortly after
got clear of each other and they supposed she proceeded on her voyage.
Feb. 8th. 11am. Addison, Reynolds and Blackburn left per rail for London being forwarded by
Hon. Agent Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society.
Feb. 12th. 3.30pm. Received the crew of ten men of the Norwegian barque Porsgrund from
Norway for London with deals, which vessel is now on shore at Winterton. The Master and Mate
remain with the vessel, as, with the assistance of steamers, they expect to get her off on the next
tide.
The Porsgrund struck Winterton Ridge, where she was beaten by the sea for an hour. She floated off, but
had lost her masts and rudder and rode through the gale. Later the crew found that the anchor had lost its
stock and they beached the vessel on Winterton beach. She was re-floated with the tide and was brought
into Yarmouth Roads by tugs and then towed to Lowestoft.
Feb 13th. 11am. Received the Master (Alexander) of the Norwegian barque Porsgsund. The
Mate and all the crew likewise remain.
Feb 14th. The Master and the crew of the Porsgsund left the home to go on board, as their vessel
has been got off the beach and is now lying in the Roads and will proceed to Lowestoft, as there is
not sufficient water here.
53
Rocket Fired over a Shipwreck by N . Pocock (1740-1821)

Sailors’ Home with Beachmen’s Lookout

54
Feb. 14th. 7.30pm. Captain Jasper of the Ellen returned, as the vessel made so much water they
could not proceed. (This vessel went ashore at Bacton on December 22nd and was probably got
off).
Feb. 18th. 8.30am. Received the crew of twelve men and pilot of the Italian barque Peppino
Caffiere from Shields for Naples, which vessel was lost on the Cross Sand about four o’clock this
morning. They (the crew) left the vessel in their own boat and were picked up by the steam-tug
Pilot. The pilot of the vessel, a Belgian, remained on board the barque and the steamer went as
near as possible and hove a line to him, telling him to make it fast under his arms and jump
overboard, which he did and was hauled on board the steam-tug.
The Peppino Caffiere (460 tons) was laden with coals and made water rapidly. The crew were unable to
save their belongings and eighty pounds, belonging to the Captain, was left below in the confusion, when
leaving the vessel. The Peppino was only six years old and was valued at £4,000 and her cargo at £300.
Eighteen inmates in all this day.
Feb. 24th. Received 500 wheels and 500 bundles of firewood as a present to the Institution from
G. S. Harcourt Esq.
Feb. 25th. 10am. A seaman named Owen Griffiths called for board and lodging, as he thinks of
doing his drill on the Battery, he belonging to the Naval Reserve.
Feb. 26th. Captain Jasper (of the Ellen) remains an inmate. Griffiths, the seaman received
yesterday, also remains, but he will leave tomorrow.
Feb. 27th. Owen Griffiths left the Home at 9am., it being impossible to allow him to remain an
inmate, from his very dirty and drunken habits.
Feb. 29th. 4pm. Received the Master (Mackenzie) and crew, seven in all, of the brig Palladium of
and from Shields for London, which vessel struck on Scroby Sands during the thick fog and will
become a total wreck. The crew left in their own boat and were afterwards taken into Robert’s
ferry boat and landed here.
The Palladium was laden with coals.
Feb. 29th. 4.50pm. Beachmen came for the stretcher, stating they had picked up a man dying, or
dead, from the vessel he was in, which was sinking in the Roads; got the body in as quick as
possible. Fortunately three medical men were on the spot at the time. Dr. Vores and Messrs.
Norman and Smith cut his clothes off, rubbed him and got him into a hot bath, but the doctors
pronounced him dead. Took him, therefore, out of the bath and laid him on the stretcher and, in
the evening obtained permission to put the body in the hospital dead-house, which was done by
employing four beachmen to carry him there. On the body was found the following articles, which
I took charge of until the coroner’s inquest: a silver watch with gold chain and a small locket, a
purse containing one pound ten shillings in gold and three shillings and sixpence in silver, a
whistle, a pipe, a medal, a tobacco pouch, a penholder, a toothpick, a pencil case, a bunch of keys,
a small bag and thirteen pence and a halfpenny in coppers. Also a silk handkerchief, a pilot cloth,
trousers, a reefing-jacket, a coloured flannel shirt, a white flannel shirt, flannel drawers, a flannel
Guernsey, a pair of mittens, a pair of bluchers, a pair of woollen stockings and a fur cap. The
watch had stopped at twenty minutes pass three and the locket contained a woman’s likeness. On
examining the body I found the left arm was marked ‘R. Hunter’. From information at present
obtained he is the Mate of the S. S. Ryhope of and for London, which steamer, when in the Wold
55
this morning fell in with the derelict brig William and Richard of Whitby. The Mate and some
men from the steamer went on board to pump her out. The brig was taken in tow by the Ryhope
and when they arrived in the Roads a boat’s crew from the revenue cutter went and assisted them
to pump and likewise some beachmen. When off the Monument, she suddenly sunk with about 18
men on board, all of, excepting a man named King belonging to the cutter, the supposed Mate and
two others belonging to the steamer were rescued by steam-tugs and boats near the spot.
The Ryhope was a screw-collier laden with coals. While towing the derelict brig William and Richard,
which they had found inside Haisboro’ Sand, through Yarmouth Roads the Ryhope signalled for assistance,
as the brig was nearly sinking. Two boats from the Dolphin (an Admiralty cutter) and a shore-boat put off
to help. The pumps were manned and the salvers were gaining on the water inside the brig. When opposite
the Monument, several heavy seas struck the brig and put her on her broadside. Water rushed in, the
Ryhope cut the tow-rope, the water in the brig rushed forward and the brig sank. About twenty men were
on board, seven from the cutter, seven beachman and the remainder from the Ryhope. All the men, apart
from one, were propelled into the sea. Some were picked up by a yawl alongside, others by beach boats
and some scrambled aboard the cutter. Four lives were lost. The Mate of the Ryhope, who was steering
the brig, was seen hanging onto the shrouds when the brig sank. He ended up on the shore in an exhausted
state. He was taken to the Sailors’ Home in an insensible state. Resuscitation by Drs. Vores, Smith and
Norman was ineffective. A fine young sailor called King, who was of the Dolphin, also perished. He was
unable to swim. Two hands belonging to the Ryhope also drowned. Several narrow escapes were
recorded. The carpenter of the Dolphin, Knowles, clung to the rigging of the brig and was taken down with
her when she sank. He let go and on rising to the surface succeeded in getting onto the foreyard, which
sank. Coming up for the third time, after an arduous struggle, he got onto the foretop-gallant mast and was
rescued in an exhausted state. An inquest on the Mate of the Ryhope returned a verdict of accidently
drowned.
Mar. 1st. 3pm. A seaman, named Alexander, who was put on shore very bad with a fever on the
13th November 1863 and who has since that date been at the town fever-ward and the Union,
called for his clothes and money, seventeen shillings, which was left here for him. His Captain
sent one pound, but he applied for and received three shillings at Christmas. He will leave per
steamer tomorrow for London, for his home (Southend).
No answer of any kind received to telegraph forwarded to owners of the Ryhope.
Mar. 2nd. No news respecting the body from owner or friends.
Mar. 2nd. 3pm. Attended the coroner’s inquest at the hospital.
Mar. 3rd. 6am. A seaman named Thomas Liddle arrived from London per mail train, he belonged
to the S. S. Ryhope and he was sent by the Captain to identify the body of his Mate.
Mar. 3rd. 9am. Accompanied him to the dead-house where he saw the body, which he at once
identified as his Mate, named Robert Hunter, and who belonged to Sunderland.
Mar. 3rd. 9.20am. Sent a telegram to Captain of the Ryhope asking for instructions.
Mar. 3rd. 2.pm. Received a telegram from Messrs. Fenwick and Son and also from Hunter’s
friends to bury the body.
Mar. 3rd. 3.15pm. Liddle left and returned to London per East Suffolk Railway.
Mar. 4th. Noon. A destitute seaman, named Henry Steward, called and requested assistance.
Made enquiry and found his statement to be correct. Therefore received him.
56
Mar. 4th. 4.pm. Attended the funeral of R. Hunter and ordered the grave to be paved. It is letter
‘N’ No. 294 in the new cemetery.
Mar. 4th. 5pm. Received the Master (M. White) and crew, eight in all, of the barque Electric of
and for Newcastle with grass seed from Aquilas, which vessel was lost on the Cross Sand at eight
this morning. Crew left in their own boat and were brought in by the steam-tug.
The Electric carried eight hands and became a total wreck. The crew took to their boat. They were
rescued by the steam-tug Andrew Wodehouse. Later part of the stores and wreckage were salvaged.
Five Italian seamen were also received as inmates, until tomorrow, by order of their Consul.
Fourteen inmates in all.
Mar. 7th. 11am. Received the crew, four in number, of the Norwegian sloop Lykens Proven,
which vessel is on shore at Horsey beach. They will remain until further orders from their Consul.
The Lykens Prove was laden with herring. The crew escaped in their boat. She was afterwards lightened
and it was hoped to re-float her.
Mar. 7th. 11.50am. Received the crew of five of the Undaunted of and from London for
Newcastle, which vessel was lost on the Cross Sand about 2am. this day. They left in their own
boat and were, afterwards, picked up and landed by the Scratby boatmen. The Master (Hartley)
and wife, who was on board, with the Mate remains at Scratby, but will be here this afternoon.
Mar. 7th. 3pm. Received the Master (Jones) and crew of seven in all of the brig Glide of and for
Portsmouth from Sunderland, which vessel was lost on the Haisboro’ Sands on Saturday night
(this being Monday). The crew left in their own boat; were picked up by a passing vessel the next
morning and landed here.
The Glide carried coals. After striking the sands she rapidly broke up. The crew took to their boat, but as
there was a dense fog and they did not know their position, they rowed westwards. Finding that they were
making very little progress and nearly swamped by the waves, they turned to the north-east. They rowed all
night and most of the following day before being picked up by the brig Elpis, about twenty miles north-east
of Cromer. The value of the Glide was £1,200 and her cargo £150.
The Master of the Undaunted, his wife and Mate arrived.

57
Nineteen inmates this day.
Mar 8th. Given up all the late R. Hunter’s effects to Messrs. Butcher and Son.
Mar 9th. 5pm. Captain Jasper was again received as an inmate, as his vessel the Ellen of Jersey is
put back leaky. (Captain Jasper left on March 4th after a long stay, see February 26th).
Mar 11th. 9.20am. Received the Master and four men of the French schooner Chasseur of
Gravelines from Newcastle for Bordeaux with bricks and soda, which vessel is on shore at
Cromer.
Mar. 14th. 9.30am. Received the Master (H. Pyves) and crew, seven in all, of the brig Alice of
and for Newcastle from Aquilas with grass and lead, which vessel was lost on the Cross Sand this
morning. The crew left the vessel in their own boats and were picked up and brought in by the
Caister yawl. Provided them with dry clothes etc., they being quite wet and exhausted from being
in an open boat above five hours. The vessel belongs to the same owner as the barque Electric,
which was lost on the same sand about 10 days since.
Mar 15th. Captain Olsen of the Lykens Proven was received as an inmate for a few days.
The Lykens Proven became stranded on Horsey beach and broke up during a gale. Large parts of her were
washed up on the beaches for a week. Her cargo of herring were taken off.
April 2nd. 11am. Received a lad named R. Parker, who had just been thrown into the sea by the
boat capsizing at the Jetty. He had left a vessel called the Cornet of Whitby and was going to his
home, Lowestoft. Provided him with dry clothes while his own were being dried in the Refuge.
Gave him his dinner and at 2.30pm. he left and went home by rail.
Apr. 4th. Each day Captain Jasper remains an inmate but today he is unwell and in bed, on the 6 th
Mr. Norman, the doctor, saw him. The doctor saw him on 7th and he was better and will leave
tomorrow.
Apr. 8th. Captain Jasper left at 8am.
May 17th. 9pm. Mr. Brown called to ask if we could recommend a Master for one of his vessels,
the Mary. Informed him that one of our members wanted such a berth and he shipped him (S.
Coultivas) the same night. (The hand of an Egyptian mummy in the museum was presented by
Captain Coultivas).
May 19th. Prepared a petition for the Trinity Board on behalf of James Annis, a beachman, who
was on board the Outer Dowsing Light Vessel.
June 26th. 8.30pm. Received the Master (H. Tombuck), his wife and child and crew, eight in all,
of the Hanoverian schooner Minister von Bovies of Papenburg from Newcastle for Alexandria
with coals, which vessel was lost outside the Leman Sand. Crew were picked up by the Sparta of
Glasgow and afterwards transferred to the Alarm, pilot cutter, of this port and landed here.
The Minister von Bovies sprang a leak and foundered ten miles north-west by west of Lemon Sands.
July 6th. 2pm. A seaman named William Taylor, who belongs to the schooner Aurora of Goole
called for advice etc. He came on shore with the Captain yesterday from the vessel in the Roads
and was left without food or money. Gave him his dinner. He went on board this afternoon.
58
July 6th. Midnight. Received two seamen from vessels in the Roads. They brought the Captain
ashore about noon and they have not seen him since; gave them lodgings.
Aug. 9th. 8.30pm. Two lads called stating they had left their vessel in the harbour and were
anxious to join another. Sent them back to their Captain for their discharge or a note to
substantiate their statement, they did not return.
Aug. 15th. Heard an alarm of a boat being capsized near the harbour mouth and that out of a crew
of seven men, three were drowned. Made preparation in case anything was wanted from here.
Sept. 5th. 6pm. Received the Master (W. Alsop), his wife, two children and J. Noble, the Mate
being the crew of the sloop Charity of and from Goole for Harwich, which vessel was lost by
foundering off the Dudgeon. They left in their own boat, were picked up by a passing vessel and
landed here. They have lost everything. Supplied them with everything they required from old
clothes, shoes etc. on shore.
The Charity was carrying coals.
Sept. 5th. 6.30pm. Received W. Blacksell, Master of the Erie Quay, of Sunderland. He is very
sick and forced to give the Mate the charge of the vessel to Sunderland (ballast). He was sent here
by the Agent of the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society and, if able,
will leave by rail tomorrow for home. Supplied him with gruel etc. Also provided him with a
mustard poultice for his chest.
Sept. 11th. 1.30pm. Captain Collins of the Swaledale called with the Captain of the Stadella,
which vessel is now lying in the Roads with the Mate sick, and upon whose care the Master
wanted advice. Mr. Colley, surgeon, went on board and finding that the man would very shortly
recover sent him some medicine. He will therefore proceed with the vessel.
Sept. 13th. 8am. Received the Master (J. Davison) and crew, seven in all, of the brig Aurora of
and from Sunderland for London (coals), which vessel foundered yesterday; Dudgeon bearing
north-west by north distant of four or five miles. The crew left in their own boat and were picked
up by the brig Muta of Whitby (Captain Granger) and landed here this morning.
Sept. 15th. 8pm. A destitute seaman named William Drury called and requested food and lodging.
Believed his statement to be true, granted his request and told him of a vessel that required hands.
Sept. 16th. 9am. William Drury left and, I expect, shipped on a Sunderland barque, as he did not
return.
Sept. 20th. A seaman named West called to have his advance payment of two pounds cashed; as
we knew nothing of him, I refused to cash it.
Sept. 26th. 10am. Received the Master (Smith) and crew, five in all, of the Dutch galliott Margina
from Riga for London, which vessel foundered at or near the Silver Pits on the 20th instant. The
crew were picked up by the Swedish barque Fortuna (Captain Radis) and were yesterday
transferred to the pilot cutter Harry of this port and landed here.
Sept. 29th. 9pm. Received the Master (Gregerson) and crew, nine in all, of the Norwegian brig
Emulazione for London with iron, which vessel is now on the Cross Sand and will become a total
wreck. They were brought in by the steam-tug.
59
The Emulazione had sailed from Lillesand. She struck Cross Sand but was not spotted for several hours
when two steamboats set out to help. It was expected that she could be floated off at high water, but a
heavy sea beat her down and she had to be abandoned. The crew were saved but the cargo was lost.
Oct. 5th. Received a hamper containing two white bears heads, also the head of a walrus and a
portrait of an Esquimaux woman as presents from Mr. W. Mogg, London to the museum.
This entry probably relates to two Polar Bear skulls and a very fine skull of a walrus, which, as well as the
portrait, were still in the museum in 1931.
The Screw-steamer, Ontario, aground on Haisboro’ Sand

Illustrated London News
Oct. 20th. 1pm. Received sixty eight men of the screw steamer Ontario lost on the Haisboro’
Sand. The vessel belongs to the National Steam Navigation Company (registered tonnage 2803)
and was on her first voyage from Newcastle for Alexandria with coals and iron. She got ashore on
Sunday morning last (this being Thursday) and the crew left her at eight this morning, in their own
lifeboats, and were taken aboard the steam-tug Pioneer and landed here. Provided dry clothes for
those that required them, employed extra help and made up beds as far as possible. They all slept
at the home except three. The Captain (Brooking), pilot and five others remain with the vessel.
The three-decker steamer Ontario of 4,000 tons burden and 350 horse-power struck the Haisboro’
Sands. She was laden with 2,000 tons of coal and pig-iron. She belonged to the National Steam
Navigation Company and was said to be the finest merchant steamer afloat, with the exception of
the Great Eastern. The Ontario had three decks, three masts and was constructed of iron. She
had a crew of eighty-five, including the officers. She was built at Jarrow. She was on her first
voyage and it was intended to trade her between Liverpool and New York. The Ontario was in
charge of a pilot, who was licensed for the east coast of England from Pentland Firth to
Dungeness. He had been paid thirteen pounds for the task. Land was sighted, which was thought
to be Blakeney. The pilot then hauled the vessel close towards the land so that the sighting might
be confirmed. On the point of trimming the sails, the Ontario glided onto Haisboro’ Sands. It was
nearly high tide at the time. The sands were about ten miles from the shore and twenty miles from
60
Comment from the

Yarmouth Independent
on the actions of the
beachmen and the
grounding of
the Ontario
61
Great Yarmouth. The engines were put into reverse to no avail. She was steaming at about ten
knots an hour, the weather was hazy and it was stated that the compass was not working correctly,
because of the cargo of pig-iron affecting it. Three steam-tugs and the Caister Lifeboat (of the
National Lifeboat Institute) proceeded to her assistance. Although there was a heavy sea on the
sands it was hoped that by throwing the cargo overboard she would be able to be re-floated. In
addition to the crew of the Ontario there were between fifty to sixty men engaged in lightening the vessel
and several hundred tons of coal were thrown overboard. Their efforts were in vain. The next day,
additional men and steamers went out to the Ontario, including the London steam-trader Rainbow, and the
work of unloading her continued with greater zeal. If they were successful the steamers involved in the
salvage would receive £2,400 while £45 per day would be paid to the other boats assisting. The following
day the weather was very poor with a south-easterly gale. The Caister Lifeboat took fifty-six men off the
Ontario, but the remainder declined and stayed with the vessel. Later the storm worsened and the men on
the Ontario were distressed and continually set off rockets and burnt blue lights. With the exception of the
lifeboat, no small craft could have survived in that weather. The crew of the Great Yarmouth Lifeboat were
implored by the shipping agent to launch their boat, but in vain. The agent offered them £55 if they set off,
but it was said that they steadfastly refused unless they were offered £400 to £500. It was also stated that
the Great Yarmouth Lifeboat men were angry that steamers had been employed by the agents and they
declared that, as they had started the job they could finish it. The Great Yarmouth Lifeboats were manned
by the beach companies. Recently the beachmen had found that much of their business had been taken by
the steam-tugs. Application was then made to the Gorleston Lifeboat men and, on receiving a guaranteed
payment of £100 and one pound for each life, saved they set out for the Ontario. They had initially asked
for £400. They returned within a few hours after finding their task impossible because of the weather and a
heavy surf breaking on the Haisboro’ Sands. All efforts to get her off failed and she was abandoned. On
21st October she foundered. Seventy of the crew were rescued, after taking to the Ontario’s boats, by the
tug Pioneer, who manoeuvred as close as she dared to the sands. The Ontario was built early this year at
Jarrow, Durham. Her registered tonnage was 2,083, length 370 feet, beam 41 feet and draft 48 feet. Her
estimated value was between £120,000 and £90,000. She was insured.
A Board of Trade inquiry decided that the pilot, Alexander Scott, failed to show caution in the navigation of
the Ontario. The Captain, John Brooking was exonerated.
The Caister Lifeboat was paid £60 for their services. The Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Lifeboats
corresponded with the Yarmouth Independent vigorously justifying their actions.
Later parts of the Ontario, including cabin doors and other fittings, were found floating as far north as the
mouth of the River Humber. Her poop deck was washed ashore at Haisboro’.
Oct. 21st. 11am. The seamen who remained with the vessel (four) were received at the Home,
they left with the Captain and pilot, the vessel is now abandoned.
Seventy-two inmates at the home for the day.
Oct. 21st. 7pm. Fifty-eight left per rail for their homes being forwarded by Shipwrecked
Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society. Fourteen remain.
Oct 21st. 9pm. Received four fishermen belonging to the lugger James of this port, which vessel
drove on shore. Supplied the men with dry clothes. The remainder of the crew belonged to Great
Yarmouth and are gone to their own homes.
Oct. 22nd. 7pm. The remainder of the Ontario crew left per rail.
Oct. 25th. Visited the sick seaman of the Ontario (W. Harris) at the hospital.
This accounts for four only of the five men left on the ship being received at the home.
62
Yarmouth Independent April 9th 1864

63
Oct. 26th. 6.30am. Received the Master (J. Shakeshaft) and crew, six in all, of the brig Richmond
Packet of Stockton from Middlesboro’ for Dunkirk (iron), which vessel is now ashore on the
Barber Sand. They were taken out by the Caister Lifeboat and sent here. Supplied them with dry
clothes and all that they required.
The Richmond Packet was seen at 1.15am., by the coastguard lying on the Barber Sand. The Caister
Company and beachmen were alerted, but they thought that the vessel was lying outside the sand.
However, a flare was seen on the vessel half an hour later and they launched their large yawl, the Eclat.
On arriving at the Barber Sand, they found that the Richmond Packet was lying in the breakers on the sand
with the sea crashing over her. As it was too dangerous to go to the vessel, the beachmen hailed her and
told the crew to keep their hearts up. The beachmen returned to shore to get their lifeboat. They succeeded
in rescuing the crew of six from the rigging, but the lifeboat received considerable damage.
Oct. 29th. Captain Smyth R.N. sent an albatross, which his son had caught on his voyage home
from the Cape, as a present to the museum, but on unpacking it we found it to be utterly rotten and
useless from being imperfectly preserved. Called Captain Smyth’s attention to it and afterwards
had it buried on the beach.
Nov. 2nd. Made enquiry at the Newcastle Steam Wharf respecting a clothes’ bag belonging to C.
Turner, late an inmate, which is supposed to have been lost going to Newcastle.
Nov. 4th. A seaman, named Charles Todd, called for a letter to be written respecting his clothes
and sent to Whitby to Captain Stimpson, late Master of the Comet of Whitby.
Made enquiry respecting the sick seaman Harris (of the Ontario) at the hospital.
Nov. 5th. 8pm. Received five men of the brig Elvira of Whitby of Shields for Bordeaux, which
vessel got ashore at Palling this morning and is expected to become a total wreck. Also received
three men of the schooner Blakeney of Wells lost at the same time and place. The Master and
Mate of the Elvira and Master of the Blakeney remain with the wrecks at Palling for the present.
The Blakeney sailing from Sunderland to Mistley in Suffolk laden with coals ran onto Palling beach in thick
weather and became a total wreck.
On the same day the Elvira sailing from Shields to Bordeaux was wrecked on the same beach.
Nov. 7th. 6am. The seamen received on Saturday (5th) left per rail with the exception of David
Cooke of the Blakeney, who having wages due remains until the Master comes from Palling.
Nov. 9th. 9am. Received J. Yates, Mate of the Elvira, from Palling and forwarded him home per
rail by the pass of the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society of which
society he has been a member for 13 years. Cooke remains an inmate.
Nov. 9th. 5.30pm. Received the Master and crew, six in all, of the Eleanor of Nantes, which
vessel is on shore at Blakeney.
Nov. 10th. The French crew remaining, the Master is staying at the Duke’s Head Hotel. Cooke
remains an inmate.
Nov. 12th. 9.30am. Sent O. Cooke on board the schooner Concord of Fowey now loading flour in
the harbour, where he can obtain a berth.
64
Manby’s
Lifesaving
Apparatus
Stone Relief - Part of Manby’s Garden Monument displayed at the Time and Tide Museum, Great Yarmouth
Image reproduced with kind permission by Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service ©
65
Nov. 16th. 8.30am. Received a seaman named John Rust, who was paid off at Lowestoft on
Saturday and came to Great Yarmouth with the intention of going home (Hull) by steamer, but
was prevented by falling down in a fit. The steamer sailed without him. He had two more
stoppages during the day. Saw Hon. Surgeon respecting him, also the Hon. Agent of the
Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society who authorised me to pass him
home if I thought proper to do so, he being a member of the Society.
Nov. 16th. 10am. Received a Dutch fisherman, Albertius Jonge Jan, as an inmate until he recovers
from a wounded hand.
Nov. 17th. 9.20am. Forwarded Bull home per rail.
Nov. 20th. 4pm. Two seamen called for passes and refreshment for themselves and six others,
eight in all, being the crew of the brig Briton of Whitby (Captain Roope) which vessel was lost on
the coast of Jutland on the 5th instant. They were rescued by the Danish lifeboat and were
forwarded to England by the Consul. They arrived at Hull on the 18th instant and were forwarded
by steamer here on their way home to Lowestoft, as they were very anxious to reach home this
evening, their friends being anxious about expecting them. Supplied them with all they required to
enable them to get away by the next train.
Nov. 21st. 9.10am. Beachmen brought in a lad named George Hepburn, who they stated had been
in a boat lying at the Jetty since nine this morning, without food, waiting for his Captain. He
belongs to the brig Anniversary of Blyth from Cronstadt for London. Gave him supper and
lodgings for the night.
Nov. 22nd. Received two destitute seamen for the night. They belong to vessels in the Roads and
had been without food or money, lying at the Jetty, since noon waiting for the Master.
Forwarded W. Harris, the seaman belonging to the Ontario who was left behind sick, to the
railway station by a conveyance. He was forwarded to Liverpool by the Shipwrecked Fishermen
and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society.
Nov. 22nd. 8. 30pm. Received Captain J. Robinson of the Elvira of Whitby which was on shore
at Palling as an inmate for the night. He will leave for his home, Whitby, tomorrow morning.
Nov. 23rd. 8.20pm. Received a seaman named Carl Sesse, as an inmate for the night; he belongs
to a brig in the Roads, but is unable to get on board in consequence of the weather.
Nov. 24th. 4am. It blowing a very severe gale, made therefore preparations in case of casualties.
Nov. 24th. 4.45am. A coastguard man raised the alarm that a vessel was ashore near the
Wellington Pier. She proved to be the barque Sea Serpent, Captain Ascough, of and from Shields
bound for Port Royal, Jamaica. Her crew, fifteen including the pilot, were received and provided
with all they required.
A gale of great fury burst over the coast on early Thursday morning and raged for several hours with most
destructive violence to shipping in the Yarmouth Roads. Symptoms of the coming storm were observed the
previous evening. The sun went down in a dull leaden atmosphere with the western sky being flecked with
angry patches of red cloud. The barometer fell to 99 and was even lower the next morning. The gale
sprung up from the east-south-east. Several hundred sailing vessels lay in the Roads waiting for the gale to
abate. There were immense waves on the beach with a seething foam. An intense darkness with blinding
showers of sleet added to the horrors and discomfort of the night. Early in the morning rockets were fired
and tar barrels were burnt on the vessel, the Sea Serpent. The blaze of light was visible from the town and
66
people rushed down to the seaside expecting a fire in one of the terraces. The anchor cable holding the
vessel had snapped and she was blown before the gale towards the beach. The luckless vessel struck twenty
yards from the Wellington Pier. The coastguard and the lifeboat men rushed to the pier. The first life-
saving rocket failed, but the second one carried a line between the main and foretop-gallant mast. A
grappling hook was attached, even though the water was breaking heavily over the pier. The Manby
apparatus was attached and ten men were brought ashore in a cradle. Meanwhile the surf lifeboat had
been launched by the beachmen. Repeatedly it was thrown back onto the beach by the furious sea. It
seemed almost impossible, but at last the stout arms and brave hearts of the crew, half-drowned as they
were, bore the frail craft gallantly through the wild waters. The Sea Serpent now lay broadside to the
beach and the lifeboat had to go to leeward in the furious sea and ran the risk of being dashed against the
pier. She succeeded in taking off the remaining members of the crew.
The Sea Serpent was a fine barque of 810 tons with a cargo of 1,000 tons of coal. Recently £2,000 had
been spent repairing her. The full complement of crew was 18 hands, but she was short-handed with five
men having been sent to prison for refusing to sail on her, as they thought that the Sea Serpent was
unseaworthy. They had received a month’s wages in advance.
Nov. 24th. 10.30am. Received six men of the schooner Light of the Harem of Whitstable,
Captain Ayert, from Seaham for London, coals, which vessel is now ashore at Gorleston. Crew
saved by Manby’s apparatus.
Nov. 24th. 11am. Received the Master and crew, five in all, of the Sultana of Sunderland (Captain
Hollingshead).
Nov. 24th. 11.10am. Received three men of the Dutch galliott Capella from Hamburg for Bruges
which vessel, with the Sultana, is ashore at Corton. Crew rescued by Manby’s apparatus.
The Sultana (laden with coals), the Light of the Harem (laden with coals) and the Capella (with oil-cake)
were all blown ashore between Gorleston and Corton during the gale when their anchor cables parted.
The crew of all three vessels were saved by the beachmen, who were tied together and waded up to their
waists in the broken surf . Several times they were bowled over by the sea. They rescued eleven crewmen
while another twelve were brought ashore by Manby’s apparatus. It was thought that all three vessels
would become a total loss.
In all 30 men were received by the Sailors’ Home during the gale.
67
Nov. 24th. 10pm. Received four men for the night. They belonged to vessels in the Roads, but
were unable to get off.
Thirty Two inmates in all.
Nov. 25th. 11am. Received the Master and crew, six in all, of the brig John of Hartlepool, which
vessel is ashore at Winterton. Crew saved by Manby’s apparatus.
The John (139 tons laden) with coals was beating up the Wold when a flash of light was seen at intervals
through the rain. This was thought to be the Cockle Light and a course was set accordingly. However, it
proved to be the Winterton Light and after a short distance waves were seen breaking ahead. The helm
instantly was put down, but it was too late and the vessel hit the sand and stuck fast. The billowing sea
washed everything off the deck. The crew took to the rigging and expected the vessel to be dashed to
pieces. After five hours exposed to the storm they were rescued more dead than alive by the Winterton
Lifeboat. The crew of the John, six in number, were taken to the Sailors’ Home in a pitiable state. They lost
all their possessions. The vessel was valued at £800 and the cargo at £120. She was insured.
Employed extra help during the week.
Nov. 25th. 10pm. Received two Frenchmen as inmates for the night. They belong to a brig in the
Roads and they cannot get off to her.
Nov. 26th. 11am. Received the Master and crew, six in all, of the brig William Walker of
Sunderland, which vessel drove on the Barber Sand about 1am. After parting from her anchors in
the roads, the crew left her in their own boat before she struck and got on board a vessel at anchor.
They were landed by beach yawl. Supplied them with all they required.
The William Walker (178 tons laden) with coals, endeavoured to ride out the gale. She was parted from
her anchors and began to drive uncontrollably through a fleet of colliers, consisting of several hundred
sailing vessels. She came in contact with a brig and had her bows stove in. The crew took to their small
boat and battled through the darkness in the boisterous elements. They pulled for several vessels anchored
near by, but failed to reach them. Eventually they managed to get on board the Elizabeth of Whitstable
exhausted with cold, wet and fatigue. The William Walker eventually ended up on the Barber Sand, where
she lies as a total wreck. She was valued at £800 and her cargo at £300. She was insured.
Nov. 27th. 9am. Received the crew of the Argo of Colchester, five in all, which vessel struck on
the Corton Sand about 10.30pm. of the night of Friday the 25th instant. The vessel capsized
immediately after striking and the crew got out the boat to leave her and, expecting they were all
in the boat, the rope was cut, when it was found that the Master, S. Hedley, was left on board.
Those in the boat made every effort to regain the vessel to save the Master, but were unable to do
so. They drove in the boat over the sand into Hewett’s Gat and through the Roads into the Wold
and about 4am. of the next day succeeded on getting on board the barque Medora of Whitby
(Captain Marshall) and were landed here this morning.
The Argo was laden with coals. When the gale struck she was off Southwold and ran for the relative safety
of Yarmouth Roads. After she struck the sand, the crew took to their boat and cut adrift from the Argo.
Soon they found that the Master of the vessel had been left behind. They frantically attempted to return to
the Argo, but in vain. They were swept through St. Nicholas’ Gat, through Yarmouth Roads and Cockle
Gat into the Wold. After five hours adrift, with their boat full of water, they were picked up off Haisboro’
by the Medora.
Sent all inmates to church or Bethel for Divine Service, fifteen in all.
Nov. 28th. 4pm. Received the Master and crew, seven in all, of the brig Salisbury Harrison of
and for Sunderland from Hamburg, which vessel was lost on the 25th instant, by foundering in the
68
North Sea, Tynemouth Castle bearing west by north. The crew were picked up by the ship
George A. Holt (Captain Johnson) of St. John’s, New Brunswick from Shields for Aden, and
landed here.
The Salisbury Harrison, of 288 tons, was in ballast. About fifty miles south-east of Tynemouth, she sprung
a leak. The pumps were set to work but they were useless, as they were choked by the ballast, which had
shifted. The crew then used buckets to clear the water inside the vessel. After several hours, the crew gave
up in despair and took to their boat and hung onto the Salisbury Harrison until daylight. As they were
thirsty and hungry, they attempted to board the brig to get supplies, without success. They were picked up
by the George A. Holt and landed at Great Yarmouth. The Salisbury Harrison was valued at £1,400 and
insured for £1.250.
Nov. 28th. 6pm. A North Sea pilot named Anthony Moffat called for assistance, being destitute.
He had left an Italian barque, lying in the Roads, in consequence of his life being threatened by the
Mate, in consequence of the chain breaking, when bringing the ship up.
Nov. 28th. 9.40. Two Beachmen brought in the Master of the same vessel lying in the Roads in a
state of beastly intoxication. Refused him admittance and also refused two others, for the same
reason, during the night.
Nov. 30th. Refused admittance to three drunken seamen during the night.
Dec. 1st. 6pm. A lad named S. Seago, who belonged to the schooner M. D. Sarah of Fowey, was
brought in. He had fallen overboard. Immediately took off his wet clothes and rigged him in a dry
suit. He afterwards went on board with his Captain.
Dec. 1st. 11.30pm. Refused several men admission for drunkenness.
Dec. 3rd. Received part of the crew of the fishing lugger Betsy of this port, which was run down,
at 6am. of this day, about thirty-five miles east of this place, by the Norwegian brig Prosperity.
The lugger’s crew, eleven in all, with great difficulty, managed to get on board the brig and were
afterwards transferred to the William and Mary, also of this port, who landed them here. Four of
the crew remained here, the remainder belonged to the town and went to their respective homes.
Dec. 4th. Two of the lugger’s crew went home (Reedham) because it was very necessary they
should put on clean underclothing; the other two remain.
Dec. 7th. A sick seaman named John Noble, who had come from Lowestoft, requested lodgings
etc. Found his statements to be correct and granted his request.
Dec. 8th. 4am. Received the Master, pilot and crew, thirteen in all, of the Austrian brig Zornizza
from London for Sunderland, which vessel is on shore on Scroby Sands.
The Zornizza was in ballast and was seen by the St. Nicholas Lightship creeping along the edge of Scroby
Sands. The crew of the lightship immediately fired rockets and signal guns to warn the vessel of her
dangerous position, without effect. She shortly afterwards grounded on the sand. Her crew fired rockets
and burnt flares to attract attention. One or two tugs arrived in an attempt to pull her off, but they failed.
A yawl, launched from the beach, succeeded in taking six of the crew off. However, the weather worsened
and the yawl was in danger of sinking. In the meantime, the large lifeboat had been launched from the
beach and it rescued the yawl by taking it in tow and pulled her to the safety of Yarmouth Roads. The yawl
had been stove in and the men had to plug the hole with their neckerchiefs. The lifeboat then returned to
the Zornizza and, in the most gallant manner, rescued the remainder of the seven crewmen, including the
pilot. The National Lifeboat Institute sent the beachmen £25 and they also received a letter of thanks from
the Austrian Government.
69
Dec. 8th. 10am. Received the Master (Ward) and two men of the Margaret, brig, of and for
Hartlepool from London, which vessel was run down off Southwold last night, by the steamer
Emma of Glasgow. The other two men belonging to the brig (making five in all), named
Robinson and Hammond, were unfortunately drowned.
Great Yarmouth Beach in a Storm

Engraved by J. P. Neale 1821
The Tug, Edward VII towing into Great Yarmouth a shipwreck c1910
70
Wreck Great Yarmouth Beach c1900
Wreck Great Yarmouth Beach c1900

71
Sailors’ Home c1910
Shipwrecked sailors at Sailors’ Home c1900 Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service ©
72
73
INDEX of VESSELS Ellen 50, 52, 54, 57 Elizabeth Ann 2418 Roundabout 36
Ellida 30 Laurel 25 Roust About 38
Adelicia 40 Elvira 63, 65 Leon Belge 17, 18 Royalist 20
Alarm 37, 38, 57 Elpis 56 Light of the Harem 66 Ruby 20, 43
Alice 57 Emma 69 Lively 49 Ryhope 54, 55
Alli 37 Emanuel Boucher 35 London 24 Salisbury Harrison 67, 68
Alphonse 24 Emily 44 Lucerne 35, 36 Salonica 28
Ann 21 Emulazione 58, 59 Luna 45 Samaritan 18
Allandale 43 Enterprise 30, 47 Lykens Proven 56, 57 Samuel 38
Annette Cathrina 51 Erie Quay 58 M. D. Sarah 68 Samuel Bales 35
Argo 67 Ethelbert 43 Maid of Kent 34 Sarah Bell 25
Arklles 31 Faithful 29 Malvina 47 Saxon 36
Armais 20 Falcon 28 Margaret 69 Scipio 45
Arrow 42 Fanny 30, 52 Margina 58 Scotia 22
Aurora 57, 58 Favourite 29 Mary 57 Sea Nymph 29
Auxiliar 36 Fearful 42 Mary Hughes 49 Sea Serpent 65, 66
Banff 24 Fear Not 42 Mary Young 43 Sea Walker 39
Baron Camber 38 Fellowship 36, 37 Matchless 30 Seaflower 51
Beacon 24 Fifth of May 51 Matilda 22 Shipwright 25
Betsy 68 Fortuna 58 Matthew 22 Sir Colin Campbell 38
Blakeney 63 Fox 45 Mead 30 Sisters 24
Blessing 28 Friendship 34 Medora 67 Sparta 57
Blossom 34 From 30 Meridian 26 Spec 29
Brilliant 29, 35 Gainesboro' Packet 19 Minister von Bovies 57 Speculant 45
British Queen 21 Gauntlet 18, 19 Miriam 35 Spray 36
Briton 65 Gem 37 Mississippi 38, 39 St. George 35
Brothers 38 General Pélissier 31 Moore 31 St. Helena 34
Capella 66 George 49 Mora 20 Stadella 58
Caroline 22 George Canning 25 Mosquito 29 Sultana 66
Caroline Sainty 42 George A. Holt 68 Muta 58 Susannah 28, 39
Carron 44 Gilbert Munro 40, 42 Naples Packet 34 Swaledale 58
Charity 58 Gipsy 36 Nestor 17 Thames 34
Chasseur 57 Giraffe 18 Newcastle 49 Thomas Baker 40
Clown 45 Glide 56 North Star 36, 38 Thomas Brothero 39, 40
Cobden 24 Gnome 34 Northumberland 49 Thomas Edward 42
Comet 63 Greyhound 30, 38 Ocean 17 Thomas Forrest 43
Commerce 29 Guardian 26 Ontario 59, 60, 61, 63, Thomas Kennion 45
Concord 40, 42, 63 H.M.S. Trafalgar 26, 65 Three Sisters 31
Confiance á Dieu 40 28 Onward 18, 25 Trial 26
Cornet 57 Hannah Booth 28, 29 Orient 49, 50 Two Brothers 28, 35
Croxdale 36 Harper 20 Osis 47 Two True Friends 20
Cygnet 30 Harriett Todd 47 Osprey 31 Undaunted 56
Cynthia Ann 24 Harry 58 Otto Hermann 28 Union 19, 21, 55
Danube 38, 51 Helena 42 Palladium 54 Venture 19
Daphne 49 Huntress 45 Peace 43 Victoria 29,31
Daring 35 Integrity 28 Pearl 19 Violet 45
David Lype 42 Ivy 20 Peppino Caffiere 54 Vixen 36, 37
Derwent 40 James 36, 61 Phantom 30 Waterwitch 35, 36
Dorothy and Elizabeth James and Agnes 36, Pilot 54 Why Not 31
30 37 Pioneer 29, 43, 59, 61 William and Mary 68
Eagle 26 Jane 19, 24 Planet 31 William and Richard 54,
Earl Grey 51 Jane Every 36 Planter 22 55
Eau Terry 42 John 19 Porsgrund 52 William Edward 22
Ebenezer 47 Johns 26 Prosperity 68 William the Fourth 19
Eclat 63 Joseph 47 Prudence 42 William Walker 67
Eclipse 22 Josephine 19, 30, 31 Queen 20, 29, 31 Williams 26
Edward 42 Jozko B 26 Racehorse 18 Young Henry 39
El Clancarthy 20 Julius Caesar 25 Rainbow 17, 35, 61 Zornizza 68
Electric 56, 57 Jupiter 25 Rechabite 47
Elise Antoinette 47 Justitia 17, 18 Remembrance 49
Eliza Bell 36 Kezia 34 Richmond Packet 63
Elizabeth 67 Kingfisher Robert 54
74
INDEX of NAMES Granger 58 Parker, R 57

Gregerson 58 Parr 17
Addison, John 52 Griffiths, Owen 54 Patterson, J 22
Alexander 52, 55 Hacklarid, John 40, 42 Pelican 42
Allison, John 26 Hall 29, 30, 52 Piestricke, P 26
Alsop, W 58 Harcourt, George Simon 7, Pitt 36
Anderson 45 14, 54 Prankard, F 26
Angus 36 Harris, W 61, 63, 65 Preston 28, 47
Annar, C 34 Haylett, James 29 Putney, James 29
Annis, James 57 Hayman, Charles 38 Pyves, H 57
Archer, George 17 Hedley, S 67 Race 17
Ascough 65 Heinkel 34 Radis 58
Ausell, Axel 26 Hepburn, George 65 Reylbeg 37
Ayert 66 Heslop 20 Reynolds 39, 52
Baines 24, 25 Hill 49 Richardson 51
Baines, Z 19 Hogan 38 Riches 35
Baldwin, Thomas 39 Hollingshead 66 Robinson 29, 44, 45, 65,
Balmforth, B 22 Hopton, A 39 69
Barker, George 22 Hopwood 40 Roope 65
Beaufil 30, 31 Howston 43, 44 Rose, John 25
Blackburn, Isaac 52 Hunter 36 Rowell 25
Blacksell, W 58 Hunter, R 54, 55, 56, 57 Rust 39, 65
Bodewell 51, 52 Inkpen 26 Sanderson, J 35
Brand, James 17 Jan, Albertius Jonge 65 Saunders 17, 29
Briggs 38 Jarvis, John 25 Sauvan 40
Bringle 52 Jasper 50, 54, 57 Scott, Alexander 61
Brooking, John 59, 61 Johnson 20, 24, 43, 44, 68 Seago, S 68
Brotchie 28, 30 Jones 17, 36, 56 Sesse, Carl 65
Brown 44, 57 King 55 Shakeshaft, J 63
Brown, Amelia 39 Kinman 40 Shankill, C 43
Bull, J 22, 65 Koolman 47 Sharman, Thomas 30
Burns, Thomas 34 Langdon, Edward 51 Sheenan, James 31
Burrows 38 Larraman 42 Shone, James 18
Butcher 20, 21, 49, 57 Lee, Francis 47 Short, W 20
Bygs 38 Leister 26 Simmonds, Dan 30
Capps 18 Lewis 22, 52 Smith 22, 54, 57, 58
Carter, E 30 Liddle, Thomas 55 Smyth 63
Clarke, J 20 Lincoln, S 35 Spencer 36
Claxton 51, 52 Locket, James 38 Spooner, Charles 39
Colley 58 Loft 28 Steward 55
Collins 58 Longhorn, John 25 Stuart, James 18
Cook , O 19 Mackenzie 54 Syvich, E 24
Cooke 48, 63 Magness 45 Taylor 30, 40, 57
Copsey, J 43 Manby 64, 66, 67 Thompson 24
Davie, R 26 Mande 25 Todd 47, 63
Davison, J 58 Mayes, James 21, 22 Tombuck, H 57
Day 51 Maynard 42, 43 Townsend, W. H 20
Dickenson, George 21 McMaid, George 30 Turner 28, 63
Drury, William 58 Mills, George 38 Vanherle 47
Erington, D 47, 49 Mitchell, M 38 Vores 54, 55
Etherington, J 42 Mode 40 Wade, J 35
Allen, F 41 Moffat, Anthony 68 Wallace, E 31
Feast, Henry 43 Mogg, W 59 Ward 69
Fenwick and Son 55 Mortby, Thomas 17 Watson 7, 24, 26
Ferrier 35, 40 Mutt 42 West 22, 58
Fisher, Henry 40 Nelson, William 19 Wetherhead 49
Forster 34 Neofield 36 Wheeler, John 37
Fudder 17, 18 Newman, Simon 43 White 56
Gairsey, J 22 Noble, 58, 68 Whittle, Thomas 28
George, P 24 Norman 26, 54, 55, 57 Wilson 20, 30
Glaidell, Stephen 28 Nurse, W 30 Wood, Stewart 18
Glanville 39 Olsen 57 Yates, J 63

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Excerpt From The Great Yarmouth Shipwrecked Sailors' Home Logbook

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Excerpt From The Great Yarmouth Shipwrecked Sailors' Home Logbook

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Excerpt from the

Edited by Paul P. Davies

Copyright © Great Yarmouth Local History and Archaeological Society

Great Yarmouth Local History and Archaeological Society

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or

The Great Yarmouth Local History

The Great Yarmouth Local History

Vice Chairman and Secretary

The Sailors’ Home 1861

The Sailors’ Home

The Objects of the Home

Lifeboat going to Vessel in Distress c1832 by William Joy (1803-1859)

Comment by the Yarmouth Independent September 1859

5,000 fishermen are engaged at sea

More than 1,000 sailors hail from this port

1,400 vessels have been known to anchor in Yarmouth Roads at once

5,155 people have attended the reading room

2,944 people have attended the coffee room

There were 252 weekly subscribers to the Home, all seafarers

734 adults have received instruction in reading, arithmetic and navigation

Evening lectures were well attended

There were 323 collisions between vessels

There were 1,171 casualties, other than collisions

Sailors’ Home Report for 1862

664 inmates received (an increase of 79 over the previous year)

SAILORS’ HOME ACCOUNTS for 1862

Food, clothing, bedding etc 124 6 10 Balance from 1861 3 8 8

Painting, whitewashing 9 3 7 Annual subscriptions 161 7 6

Rates, gas, coal, rent etc 101 3 11 Donations 115 14 0

Printing, magazines, stationary, 61 9 4 Reading room subscriptions 32 1 5

Deposits repaid to seamen 151 13 9 Collecting boxes 20 10 0

Purchase of flags 10 13 6 Subscriptions to signal station 51 2 0

Salaries and wages 174 10 0 Board and lodging fees 73 16 3

TOTAL 633 0 11 Deposits from seamen 151 13 9

Panorama of the Great Yarmouth Seafront showing the

George Simon Harcourt

Extract from Kellys’ Directory of Norfolk - 1883

There is to be no discussion of religion or politics and no advantages are offered to a member of

Sailors’ Home 1861

Sailors’ Home c1900

Sept. 17th. The crew of the Norwegian barque still inmates.

Yarmouth Independent 14th December 1861

Sailors’ Home 1862

Twenty-four inmates in all.

Shipwreck at Great Yarmouth 1859

Rescuing the Crew of a Fishing Smack

The Sailors’ Home

Oct. 19th. It blowing a full gale, kept open all night.

Boat going to a Vessel in Distress by William Joy (1803-1859)

Saving a Crew near Yarmouth Pier by William Joy (1803-1859)

Shipwreck off Yarmouth Jetty by John Cantiloe Joy (1806-1859)

Shipwreck at Gorleston by John Cantiloe Joy (1806-1859)

The Schooner Alarm painted by B. H. Hansen 1856

Landing Survivors from a Wreck at Caister by C. J . Staniland

Sixteen inmates in all.

Twenty-four inmates at present.

Thirty inmates in all this day.

Yarmouth Independent December 12th 1863

Yarmouth Independent December 1863

Wrecked Spars on the Beach at Gorleston by G. Cooke 1856

Shipwreck at Great Yarmouth