The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-12 00:00:00

AUTHORISED STATEMENT OF THE

CALAMITY AND LOSS OF LIFE ON THE SCROBY SA-ND,
OFF YARMOUTH BEACH,
On SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1845.
TO THE NOBILITY, GENTRY, AND CLERGY, AND TO THE
SHIPPING, MANUFACTURING, AND TRADING POPULA-
TION OF ENGLAND.

It is well known to those acquainted with the Eastern coast of
Norfolk. that, during heavy gales, the immediate vicinity of Yarmouth
Roads is one of the most dangerous parts of the entire coast of
England.

The number of wrecks which occur on the Barber, Cross, Corton,
and especially the Scroby Sands, has long ago induced a hardy, brave,
and intrepid race of men to devote their entire lives to the saving of
property and life along the coast.
A number of boats called yawls, measuring from 50 to 89 feet long,
and from 30 to 50 tons burden, have, at an expense of fl-em 3001. to
4001. each, been built by the joint contributions of the Beachmen,
who have f rmed themselves into companies for that purpose. With
these they often leave the shore at the most imminent risk of their
lives, not only when the chance of saving property holds out to them
the hope of a large reward in the shape of salvage, but with no less
earnestness and intrepidity when the only satisfaction they have in
prospect is rescuing from a watery grave some of their fellow-
creatures.

On no occasion is It remembered that this noble and disinterested
daring was more magnanimously displayed than on Sunday, the 26th
of January, 1845, on which day, during a veryheavy gale from N. W.
and by W. no less than five brigs were in distress, four upon the Scroby
Sand and one upon the Barber. In no one of these cases was there,
at the time of their condition being discovered, the slightest probabi-
lity of saving anything like property. Nothing, therefore, but the
warm promptings of humanity could offer any inducement to the
Beachmen to man their boats : yet they hesitated not a single mo-
ment, but at once launched their gallant barks and set forward to the
rescue. Happily their efforts, in four instances, were successful in
saving all the crews.

The Caister Beachmen, with their yawl, Storm, succeeded in saving
the crew of the Elizabeth, of Scarborough, nine in number.
The Holkham Company, in their Yawl, the Red Rover, 38 tons,
went off to the brig Jane, of Whitby, from which, although the yawl
sustained considerable damage, they succeeded in rescuing the crew,
nine in number.

The Young Company, with their yawl, the Sailor's Friend, of 48
tons, succeeded, at very considerable risk, in taking off the crew of
the brig Choice, of Newcastle, also nine in number.
The Star Company, is their yawl, Phoenix, went off to the Ann, of
Sunderland, from which, after splitting the stem and carrying away
the mast of the yawl, they rescued and safely landed the crew of
nine men.

Having thus far been enabled to record the meritorious and suc-
cessful conduct of these gallant men, who, in addition to the immi-
nent risk of their lives, have suffered considerably in the injury done
to their property—for which no remuneration can be anticipated but
from the benevolence of a British public, it remains to relate the me-
lancholy catastrophe which forms the climax to this statement.
The Beachmen of the " Phcenix" having safely landed the crew of
the " Ann," and being themselves ntuch exhausted, a fresh crew of
the same Company re-manned the yawl, and immediately proceeded
to another vessel lying in distress on the Scrohy ; the wind was then
blowing a hurricane. On nearing the vessel, they found the sea
running over her, and made an unsnccessful attempt to reach her ;
failing to do so, they let go their anchor and veered down ; unfortu-
nately the force of the sea drove the yawl upon the brig and dashed
her to pieces ; when the Beachmen—with the exception of one man
(named Abraham Wetherell), who sank with the yawl—got on board
the brig, which was now drifting, and every sea breaking with tre-
mendous violence over her bull.

The accident being witnessed from the shore several men belonging
to the different Companies manned the life-boat and flew to their as-
sistance. The danger of all was extreme, and those on shore trembled
alike for the poor fellows on the brig and those in the life-boat. Hap-
pily she reached the brig though too late for many, some of whom
were carried overboard by the falliag of the brig's masts, and some
drowned on the wreck. Six only of the " Plutnix's crew were savedl;
and of the brig's crew, who were in a state of exhaustion when the
" Phoenix" first reached ber, the whole perished.
Thus in the noble attempt to save the lives of their fellow-men,
seven of our gallant beachmen found a watery grave, leaving behind
them four widows and fourteen children (ten of whom are under
twelve years of age) totally unprovided for, as well as the aged
mothers of the three single men. Their names were Abraham
Wetherell (leaving a widow and nine children), James Shreeve
(widow and three children), Ganham (alias James) Milling (widow
and two children), James Boulton (widow), William Warner, George
Points, and James George, single men, but upon whom their widowed
mothers, or aged parents, depended for subsistence.
To provide a fluid to relieve the necessities of the bereaved—to re-
ward the noble fellows who so gallantly risked their lives for others—
to assist iu replacing the serious loss suffered by the boatmen—and
to form a nucleus for a permanent fund for the relief of sufferers
under similar calamities in future—is the object of the present
appeal.
Subscriptions will be received at the banks of Messrs. Barclay and
Co., and Sir R. C. Glynn and Co., London ; and at any of the banking
houses in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Signed on behalf of the Committee,
W. HURRY PALMER, Mayor of Great Yarmouth, Chairman.
Committee-room, Town-hall, Feb. 24, 1845.