An Account of the Melancholy Accident Which Happened to a Southwold Fishing Boat

 

Οn Saturday, October 11th, a very high wind from the S. S. E. rose suddenly and continued to blow for some hours. In the village of Pakefield, its violence was so great, that it threw down a chimney, which fell amongst some children, who, however, with a slight injury to one of them, almost miraculously escaped. The strength of the wind occasioned a great swell in the sea, and obliged the fishing-boat, whose melancholy loss it is now my object to record, with others overtaken in the storm, to pass the night in reaching in and out from land. During the violence of the storm, this boat was so well kept to the wind, that it only shipped a little light water. It had on board, ten men, namely, Nathaniel Colby, the master, Samuel Hook, and Philip Adams, of Kirkley; Randal Colby, of Pakefield; W. Proctor, of Wrentham; W. Manning, of Raydon, D. Gray, of Frostenden; and R. Howlett, of Lowestoft; besides John Cooper, and James Aldridge [both survived the tragedy], and the two children [Nathaniel Colby, Jr., 14 and William Colby, 8] of the master. Just about mid-day, they came in betwixt the Reach and the Hasborough Sand. All the men were then upon deck, and the two children below. About this time, the master being at the helm, one of the children who was standing in the cabin cap, heard his father say, “Hold fast boys, here comes a dreadful sea." At this moment, an enormous wave broke upon the boat's quarter and carried away the mainmast, binnacle, all the rigging in the hinder part of the vessel, and all the men, except the two last named, who escaped, by being jammed between the cross piece and the deck. The boy was knocked down into the cabin by the force of the water. He soon, however, came again upon deck, but he looked in vain for his father and the crew. Only two survived, the rest he saw no more. The attention of those that remained, was soon roused by the danger of their situation. They soon discovered, immediately before them, the breakers upon the Hasborough Sand. With a small foresail that remained, they managed, however, to turn the boat about and avoid the breakers. They were then drifted for about two hours, when they met with a French fishing boat, the crew of which treated them with great kindness, and the next day put the boys ashore at Yarmouth.

These are the details of a melancholy accident, which has deprived, at least, fourteen children of their parents and supporters, three women of their husbands, besides many families of their brothers and friends. It was suddenly announced to those who resided in the parishes of Pakefield and Kirkley, by the return of the two children. The grief of all the parties connected with the poor sufferers, may be well imagined. They had, however, much to be thankful for, in the kindness of many friends and neighbours, who did all in their power to calm their feelings, and to point out to them the hand of God, who had caused the affliction, and who could alone give the best consolation.

A subscription was, a few days after, entered into, to afford some assistance to the families of the deceased; and it is hoped, by this fund, by the small earnings of the children, and assistance from other quarters, that they will be kept from absolute want.

Those lost on the fishing boat:

Nathaniel Colby, 49, Ship Master (left wife, Susanna Pritty and 7 children)

Samuel Hook, 43, (left wife, Sarah Barwood and 6 children)

Randal Colby, 23

Philip Adams, 17

W. Proctor, Wrentham

W. Manning, Raydon

D. Gray, Frostenden

R. Howlett, Lowestoft

 

Survivors included:

John Cooper

James Aldridge

Nathaniel Colby, Jr. 14 and William Colby, 8 (sons of Nathaniel Colby)

________________________________________________

FOOTNOTE:

Haisborough Sands (or Haisboro Sands or Haisbro Sands) is a sandbank off the coast of Norfolk, England at Happisburgh. The shoal is 10 miles (16 km) long and 1 mile (1.6 km) wide and lies parallel to the north-east coast of Norfolk. The shoal is marked to the northwest by north by the Haisbro Light Buoy, North cardinal. To
the southeast by south is a light buoy South cardinal, and to the west by Mid Haisbro light buoy starboard hand. In 1995 there were three drying patches recorded to the north-northeast and east-southeast of the Mid Haisbro light buoy. Except at slack water their positions are indicated by tidal eddies particularly on the northwest, and in slight or moderate seas the swell breaks on the shallower parts of the banks. There are several foul patches on the southern part of the shoal. Over the years this shoal has claimed many ships.

 

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