An abortive rescue

Loss of the Defender, 1902

Extract from the
LOWESTOFT JOURNAL
8th November 1902

Please click on the surname to see its first occurence in this report.

Ayres...Barley...Borley...Boyd...Burgess...Capps...Chamberlin...Chaston
Coleman...Donnington...Doughty...Evans...Hall...Jenner...Johnson...Kerridge
Mewse...Norman...Pipe...Sadeen...Stannard...Sterry...Westgate

One of the saddest disasters that has happened to the Lowestoft fishing fleet for some time occurred on Tuesday night, when the Lowestoft herring drifter Defender, a smart craft of some 35 tons, was hurled on the south beach, almost at the foot South Slopes wall, and opposite the Empire Hotel. She heeled right over, and in the pitch darkness, and with heavy seas swelling over her from stem to stern, six of her crew were drowned, and only three managed to save themselves. That such a catastrophe could take place within a few yards of the shore, and almost within striking distance of the Harbour, where a lifeboat lay ready at hand, and with rocket apparatus at the Coastguard station not far off seems incredible: but such, is the awful fact. The day did not give promise of the calamity. The morning was fine, if dull. There was no wind, and the sea was comparatively calm. Towards the end of the afternoon, however, the wind freshened and by the evening it was blowing with gusty violence from the east, bring up ugly seas, and causing many boats to run back for shelter.

THE SCENE AT THE WRECK

Up on the South Esplanade all was quiet at half-past six, save for the roaring of the wind, the thunderous dashing of the sea against the South Slopes wall, and the hissing of columns of spray as they rose and fell on the wall decking. Pc Borley was on duty here and there were a few persons making their way to and fro. Suddenly a vessel was observed with her lights burning and making straight for the shore, and to the dismay of those who were looking on she was lifted on the top of a huge wave and hurled to the Beach broadside on within a score yards of the wall, and not far off one of the protecting groynes. Then arose the cries and shouts of men, and figures could be seen swarming to rigging, the mast meanwhile swaying to and fro as the vessel was lifted and buffeted by the waves. Dr. H. M. Evans who lives not far off the scene of the disaster had left his house for the purpose of going to the Hospital, when he was appraised of the disaster and he at once, with praiseworthy promptitude, went back to his house and telephoned the Coastguard. Putting a flask of brandy in to his pocket, he at once hurried to the scene of the wreck to render help should his service be required. By this time the crowd had assumed huge proportions, and latter there must have been two or three thousand people on the Upper Esplanade. Eyes were strained in the direction of the doomed vessel and the calls for the help that could not be rendered sent a thrill of horror through the spectators. Then shouts arose that a boat was on the beach, two forms were seen to literally tumble out of it. Willing bands were stretched out, and they were safe, then another was seen struggling in the breakers, and a second later he was flung onto the shingle. He was speedily rescued, in a terribly exhausted condition, and to all appearances lifeless. Mr. A. G. Boyd, whose work amongst the fishermen is so well known, and who lives on the Upper Esplanade, was amongst those who were near the Beach, and he with help, took the poor fellow to the Esplanade above, and there Dr. Evans gave him brandy, and directed removal to his home. Here the Doctor, Mrs Evans and Mr. Boyd did all they could for him. He was laid in front of a blazing fire rubbed, given stimulants, then wrapped in blankets and put to bed. Beyond being bruised and exhausted, be was little the worse for his terrible experience. His Name was Fred Pipe aged 17 a native of Burgh St Peter, in Norfolk, and later on, as will be seen he was able to give a succinct account of what really happened.

THE ROCKET APPARATUS

As soon as possible after receiving the summons; the rocket apparatus manned by the Coastguard, under Chief Officer Johnson was galloped to the Esplanade, and preparations were quickly made. Five lines in succession were fired over the wreck from which cries and shrieks were still coming, but owing to the fact that the masts had gone by the board and that the vessel lifted about with every role of the furious breakers ,it was impossible to get communication. A cart was despatched for more lines but in the meantime the Defender seemed to be completely under water, the heart breaking cries had ceased, and nothing could be but the sides of the vessel, gleaming in the electric light of the Esplanade lamps, as the water ran off her. The two men who had got ashore in the boat were William Barley and Alfred Coleman. The latter was mate, and lives in East street, Beach Lowestoft. He was seen late at night, but refused to say anything of the occurrence. Both these men were driven home by Mr.T.W. Westgate.

WHAT OF THE LIFEBOAT

As time went on and it became 8 o'clock, over an hour after the vessel struck there was considerable enquiry about the lifeboat. Why had she not come out? A few minutes later, however the summoning rocket was fired, and this attracted an enormous addition to the huge crowds on the Esplanade. The lifesaving craft under Coxswain J. Mewse) was towed out by the tug Lowestoft, as it was impossible to sail out in the teeth of the Wind. She was taken down abreast of the wreck, but owing to the fact that this lay in shallow water, there was no chance of getting near, even had there been any of the crew alive, for by this time probably they had all been drowned. After remaining for some time the lifeboat returned to the harbour.

A SURVIVOR'S NARRATlVE

The "Lowestoft Journal" representative was the only pressman to have an interview with Henry Pipe, the lad who swam ashore. He was found lying in blankets before a blazing fire at Dr. Evans house. He was sufficiently recovered to tell about what had happened although he did so in sentences broken evidently by thoughts of his terrible experience, his marvellous escape, and the dreadful fate that had over taken six of his comrades. He said that the Defender, which was owned by Mr. Fred Sterry of 22 Reeve Street, who also sailed as skipper, had been out since Saturday, and was returning to Lowestoft on Tuesday evening. Owing to the darkness the Pakefield light was not sighted, and when the vessel turned for the Pakefield Gat she was considerably out of her course, and bumped over the Barnard Sand. This caused the Defender to leak, and the pump was manned and kept going. The water gained quickly, however, and the skipper saw there was nothing but to run the vessel ashore. But she became unmanageable, and instead of going on what might be called a safe beach, she drove in front of the wind right opposite the Empire Hotel, within a short distance of the sea wall and near the groynes. "What happened then?" the lad was asked Well, he said, the boat was gone out, and two or three got into her. They reached the shore all right, so I'm told. Where were they?-William Barley and James Donnington I think. (In this Pipe made a mistake, which was excusable under the circumstances. It was Alfred Coleman, the mate, who was with Barley- not Donnington, who was drowned.) What did you do?-I and another named Henry Stannard started to swim ashore and was thown up on to the Beach. What became of Stannard?-I don't know. I never saw him. He must have drowned. Pipe had nothing more to say, and bidding "Good-night" to him, and to Mr. Boyd and Dr. Evans, the "Journal" representative, left once more for the scene of the wreck, greatly impressed by the kindness and care which were being shown by the worthy doctor to the shipwrecked man.

THE SAVED AND THE LOST

The following are the names of the six men who have been drowned:-

Fred Sterry, skipper and owner, Reeve Street, married with children
Henry Hall, hawseman, North Beach, married.
Henry Stannard, a lad Police Station Road.
Robert Ayres, the boy North Beach
Donald Kerridge, Wenhaston, single
James Donnington Earl Street, Beach

The survivors are:-
William Barley, of Lowestoft, married.
AIfred Coleman, Whapload Road, married.
Fred Piper, of Burgh St Peter, single.

AFTER THE WRECK

The morning after the wreck was beatifully fine and throngs went down to the scene of therein after. The Defender had been turned completely over, and had been hurled close up against the sea wall. All around her floating in the surf, were her nets and on the wall at the foot of the cliff were bowels, timbers and other things that had been secured. Crowds visited the scene during the day, and there was but one feeling of sadness at the disaster, and of sympathy for those left behind.

BODY RECOVERED

Early in the morning when P.C. Norman was on duty near the wreck, he discerned a body in the water, under the stanchions of the boat. With assistance he secured it and had it conveyed to the Mortuary. The body was fearfully battered, but the tattoo marks on the hand in was subsequently identified as that of Henry George Hall, one of the crew of the wrecked vessel, who had lived at 13 Stanford Street Lowestoft.

A SINGULAR COINCIDENCE

It is a curious coincidence the father of Mr. Fred Sterry, the drowned skipper and owner of the Defender, was lost off Lowestoft on the same date, November 4th in 1863 in the Lowestoft drifter William Clifford.

THE INQUEST - SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

STARTLING EVIDENCE

The inquest on the body of Henry George Hall was held at the Police Court on Thursday morning, by the County Coroner (Mr. C.W.Chaston ) His age was given as 32, and his address, 13 Stanford Street Lowestoft.

Mr. Arnold Chamberlin, solicitor, had been retained to represent the East Suffolk Boatowner's Protection Society, and the widow of Mr.F Sterry, owner and skipper of the wrecked vessel, being entrusted by Mr.A.B. Capps, secretary of the society.

As Mr.Chamberlain was detained in the Police Court, various questions were put by Mr. A.B.Capps. Mr James Saddeen was foreman of the jury.

THE CORONERS SYMPATHY

The Coroner, in opening the inquiry said - We all, I am very sure, deeply deplore the sad calamity which has suddenly converted the gladness at the prospect of a good fishing season into sorrow and gloom. The event of last Tuesday night is one of a very terrible nature. By it six of our fellow mortals have lost their lives. We all I am sure, deeply sympathise with the widows and others of the families of the deceased in their terrible bereavement. I feel with reference to the official part of the case that at this stage I need not make many remarks. It is one which will require very careful investigation and your finding will embrace not only the actual cause of death, but it will be necessary to go into the surrounding circumstances, and to know if all practicable was done by the rocket apparatus and lifeboat. Other matters will be brought in all of which will require full and careful consideration at your hands. I am sure you will give such consideration and arrive at such a conclusion as will give satisfaction. Mr. Chamberlin will appear for the Boatowners Protection Association and for the widow of the skipper, and evidence will be called in order that all the various circumstances may be enquired into.

IDENTIFlCATION

Mrs Charlotte Burgess living at Inkerman Cottages, Beach, Lowestoft, identified the body as that of her bother, Henry George Hall, aged 32 who lived at 13, Stanford Street. He was one of the crew of the fishing boat Defender. She recognised the body by the tattoo marks "H.H" on the back of the right hand, and by an earring in the left ear. His life was not insured. He was only in a lodge.

THE MATES EVIDENCE