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The most dramatic post-war rescue by the Foresters'
Centenary was to save the crew of the S.S. Wimbledon on the 31st October 1956. The
Honorary Secretary, Brigadier Kent Lemon, known as Brig received a message from the
coastguard at 8.25am, that the steam collier Wimbledon was taking in water about 13 miles
NW of Cromer and requested assistance. The S.S. Sydenham confirmed that she was going to
her aid and two other ships. The Blythe and Eleanor Brook were also standing by. Eight
minutes later the Wimbledon radioed that her pumps could not control the rising water
level and that she planned to beach at Blakeney. The Sheringham Lifeboat crew were placed
on standby immediately but only ten minutes later, the Mate of the Wimbledon reported that
her Master had been washed overboard. The Master's body was picked up by the Eleanor
Brook. |
| The Foresters' Centenary was launched at 9:03am into a
very rough sea and headed for the casualty, about 4 miles NE of Blakeney at about 10.15am.
Meanwhile a helicopter, working beyond its normal operating conditions transferred a
doctor to the Eleanor Brook to attend to the body of the Master of the Wimbledon, who he
pronounced dead. On arrival at the Wimbledon, the Foresters' Centenary transferred eight
of the casualties eighteen crew to the Blythe, as the coxswain did not wish to risk their
lives in subsequent approaches to the casualty. Coxswain West radioed that the Lifeboat's
fuel supply was running low and the Wells Lifeboat was launched to Brook. |
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By 1.00pm the Wimbledon was settling lower in the water
with seas washing over the vessel up to her bridge. Coxswain West asked the Eleanor Brook
to persuade the Mate of the Wimbledon to abandon ship before it was too late. Nearly one
hour elapsed before the Mate decided to do so but by this time there was a full flood tide
and no shelter on either side of the ship from the force 8 NE gale blowing. With only the
aft part of the Wimbledon above water, the coxswain steered the Foresters' Centenary
alongside, ropes were attached and two of the crew were rescued, one of whom had sustained
a head injury. The ropes snapped and again the Lifeboat approached and made fast with new
ropes and rescued a further two men, before the ropes broke. Three men were rescued on the
third attempt before the ropes snapped and the Lifeboat was swept away. By this stage, no
ropes could withstand the power of the sea and coxswain was forced to drive the Lifeboat
onto the submerged deck of the Wimbledon and hold her in position with her single 35mph
engine. |
The Lifeboat motor mechanic continued to work the engine
controls under the small canopy as required by the coxswain even though he was often up to
his armpits in water. On this last approach, in which 2 metres of the Lifeboat's port
fender were ripped off, the last three men were rescued. When the Lifeboat slid off the
casualty, only the Wimbledon's funnel and part of the stern were above water, and shortly
after the vessel sank completely. The Mate and three of the crew were transferred to the
Sydenham but the remaining six survivors on the Foresters Centenary were so exausted that
they asked to be landed as soon as possible. The sea conditions at Sheringham were too
poor for the Lifeboat to return, especially since it would be dark before they arrived, so
the Lifeboat set course for Wells harbour which was reached by 4pm, and the remaining
survivors from the Wimbledon were landed. The Foresters' Centenary returned to Sheringham
four days later, when the sea conditions had improved and the damage sustained by the
Lifeboat during the rescue could be repaired. For the rescue of the eighteen men from the
Wimbledon, Coxswain H.E. Downtide West was awarded the RNLI's Silver Medal and Motor
Mechanic E.C. Craske the Bronze Medal, both for gallantry. The RNLI's Thanks on
Vellum were awarded to Acting second Coxswain H. Bishop, Acting Bowman A. Scotter,
Assistant Mechanic J.H. Bishop; members of the crew, D. Little, S. Little and R. West. A
letter of thanks was sent to the head launcher D. Cooper. Many thanks to Henry 'Joyful'
West B.E.M. for supplying this information.
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The 60th
Anniversary of the
formation of RAFA |
Sir Colin Turner, Kt., CBE., DFC,
The Thatched House, Balfour Road, West Runton, Norfolk NR26 9QJ
Dear Sir,
To mark this 60th Anniversary of the Association, the Branch has set itself to raise
£8000 during its Wings Week Campaign. Our first major activity will be collecting on
Cromer pier from the 25th-30th August. Then from the 8th-19th September with House to
House collection in Cromer, Holt, Sheringham and all the surrounding villages. Then
finally Street Collections will be held on Saturday 20th September.
We need the assistance of your readers and in particular former members of the RAF and
their families if we are to reach our target of £8000. Every £1.00 raised goes to
provide welfare assistance to present and former members of The Royal Air Force and their
families. If any of your readers are willing to help, will they please contact me on 01263
837 229 as soon as possible. On Sunday, 21st September, our Battle of Britain Service will
be held this year at St. Peter's Church, Sheringham commencing at 3:00pm. Donations to our
Wings Week Campaign should be made out to "RAFA Sheringham & District
Branch" and should be sent to me at the above address.
President |
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