Lost at Sea off Sheringham

Boat Building and Marine Engineering

Wildfowling, Marshmen and Inland Waterways

Lifesaving

Index

Introduction

In the early 19^th century most cargo was transported by sea rather than land. Sailing ships were completely at the mercy of the elements; despite skilled seamanship they could be calmed for days or battered to pieces on rocks and sandbanks.

Those who serve as lifeboatmen often come from families with a history of lifeboat service. Lifeboatmen often turn out in treacherous conditions to rescue complete strangers, not knowing if they will return to their own loved ones. Undaunted they attend rescue attempts time after time. The RNLI today is entirely funded by voluntary contributions, many motivated by the gratitude and relief of those who have been assisted. Lifeboat sheds around the East Coast and elsewhere in the country feature honour boards detailing the history of rescues undertaken, the number of lives saved and the names of lifeboatmen who made the ultimate sacrifice. Lifeboatmen themselves were often more silent and did not talk about the incidents, even when the outcome had been successful. Generally regarded as heroes, they did not view themselves in this way. Coxswain Henry Blogg of Cromer typified this approach and was famously modest and a man of few words.

The North Sea is not a pleasant place. The East Coast has always been one of the most dangerous for shipping in the whole of the British Isles, due to a large number of treacherous, shifting sandbanks, constantly moved by currents, tides and furious storms. Fishermen, merchant seamen and passengers risked their lives in storms and shoal water. Historically people of the East Coast have responded to the physical challenges of the sea. Many have cooperated to prevent disaster occurring to their fellow men, risking their lives serving in lifeboats and through other humanitarian efforts, displaying ingenuity and courage. Many people were motivated to assist, having witnessed disasters for themselves. Beachmen along the East Coast were among the first to engage in rescuing vessels in distress. But a coordinated response was needed. Eventually county services were merged with the founding of the RNLI in the 1850s.

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Lifesaving

Page 8 of 17

Lost at Sea off Sheringham

Fishing was a dangerous occupation and fishermen had frequently to take risks in stormy seas to support their families. Their families were in constant fear that their menfolk would not return when they set out on fishing expeditions.When tragedies occurred in tight-knit communities the effect was profound. Occasionally more than one member of a family was lost in the same disaster.

The board shown here, which hangs in the Fishermen's Heritage Centre, commemorates Sheringham men who died at sea over the last two hundred years.

The hazards of fishing in the North Sea are reflected here in the list of local fishermen who perished regardless of the attempts of lifeboat crews to rescue them. Despite their life-long experience of working off the beach, fishermen were sometimes caught out by a sudden change in the weather. In past times weather forecasts were unreliable or non-existent, and fishermen had to take risks in order to earn their livings.

Note the large losses in 1836 which prompted the construction of the Augusta, Sheringham's first purpose built lifeboat. There were also many losses from 1878 to 1880.