Forester's
Centenary
and The Zor - 1955 |
The Zor, of Istanbul was carrying a
cargo of timber, which had shifted in the bad weather just off the Norfolk coast on the
18th of May. The Wells lifeboat, Cecil Paine, rescued several members of the crew but four
men decided to stay on board the listing steamer. Coxswain Cox was running low on fuel and
requested another lifeboat for assistance.
The Sheringham lifeboat was launched at 12.15 early on the 19th into a heavy swell, a
northerly gale was blowing as well as sleet and hail to contend with. The Forester's
Centenary arrived at the scene at six o'clock. Coxswain Henry Downtide West asked the
captain to abandon ship but he refused as he was hoping a tug would be able to tow them
when the weather had subsided. |
|
| But Downtide thought it wouldn't stay afloat for long and
stayed alongside, amongst the tons of timber that the sea was washing from the Zor's
decks. |
|
| It was about 8.30am when the tug finally managed to get a
line aboard the vessel but as soon as she began to tow, the Zor listed even more and it
was quite evident it couldn't be saved, the captain signalled that he wanted to abandon
ship. The crew had to ram the S.S. Zor to keep her steady while the crew slid down the
sinking vessel and onto the lifeboat. Less than ten minutes after the crew and her captain
had been rescued the Zor slowly began to sink. |
|
At 1.35pm the lifeboat returned to Sheringham with four
rescued survivors. Vellums were awarded to Coxswain William Cox of Wells and Coxswain
Henry West of Sheringham. Additional monetary rewards to the crew totalled £31 10s and
the helpers on shore, £16 18s. Our thanks to Molly West for photos and information.
|
 |
Youth Hostel, Sheringham
0870 770 6024 |
Thank you to everyone who has been using the Bottle &
Can recycling banks at the Youth Hostel. The money generated from the recycling goes into
a fund to help young people.
Please continue to use the Bottle & Can banks and help us raise more for disadvantaged
young people.
Adrian Dyde
email: sheringham@yha.org.uk |
|
|
| MEMORIES
OF A SHERINGHAM RESIDENT 1933 - 1950 (Part 1) |
| I first came to live in
Sheringham in 1933 when, it was what can only be described as a small 'cosy' seaside town
with about four thousand in population, including many retired people. For example ex bank
managers, ex army officers and a few titled people, etc. However during the summer season
the population increased somewhat with the in-flux of holidaymakers. There were six main
hotels, numerous guesthouses and most householders who had any rooms to spare provided
'apartments'. The holidaymakers provided work and income for many as well as trade for the
business people.The Grand Hotel dominated the sea front, an impressive looking building
with two big domes, one at each corner at the front of the building. It was reputed to
cater for fifty guests by sixty staff. The Sheringham Hotel, it had turrets on two of its
corners overlooking the 'Weybourne - Cromer Road' and to the golf links. Both these hotels
had ground floor ball rooms where, from the nearby roads anyone interested would stand and
watch the dancers, dancing the night away, all ladies arrayed in their long and beautiful
dresses and the men in their dinner suits, white shirts and black bow ties. The other
hotels were The Dormy, The Burlington, and The Bijou (now The Two Lifeboats) and
Southlands. Beaumaris was not a hotel at that time it was a guesthouse and at the opposite
side of the street to where it is now). The present Crown Inn is the third one. The
previous one was much smaller and much closer to the sea wall. (The first went into the
sea, I think). Some of these holidaymakers were driven from their own homes to Sheringham
in their own chauffeur driven cars. Of course the town was also served very well with
trains travelling to and from and through the then M&GN railway station (now the North
Norfolk Railway). There were always two taxis ready and waiting for passengers coming off
incoming trains, one taxi was owned and driven by a Mr Graver who lived in North Street,
the other one by Mr Stebbings who lived in Augusta Street. Eastern County buses also
served very regularly along the coast road daily and more than once a day. When the
railway gates were closed at the level crossing, it was a favourite place for dads to take
their toddlers to watch a train come in or go out of the station.A Sheringham
ResidentPaint, Thread & Wood exhibitionThe Quaker Meeting HouseI was absolutely
delighted to attend this exhibition, which had exhibits from artists who come from the
local area. It was full of bright and interesting things to look at, made from a variety
of materials. Artists included:Ann Roff, Douglas Fry, Gill Baguley, Carol Pennington,
Peter Goldsmith, Jane Miller, Peter Baldwin, Aubrey Hill, Rose Gilling, Carol Sagar, James
Bucknell, Margaret Shotton, Renee Ette, Jan Ashton, Rosemary Smith, Sheila Goldsmith,
Sally Martin, John Parsons and Barbara Clarke.Barbara ClarkeÕs medieval House was
beautiful and accurate to the time frame. The detail of the house was delightful to see.
An excellent exhibition. |
Paint, Thread & Wood Exhibition
The Quaker Meeting House |
I was absolutely delighted to attend this exhibition, which had exhibits from artists
who come from the local area. It was full of bright and interesting things to look
at, made from a variety of materials. Artists included:
Ann Roff, Douglas Fry, Gill Baguley, Carol Pennington, Peter Goldsmith, Jane Miller, Peter
Baldwin, Aubrey Hill, Rose Gilling, Carol Sagar, James Bucknall, Margaret Shotton, Renee
Ette, Jan Ashton, Rosemary Smith, Sheila Goldsmith, Sally Martin, John Parsons and Barbara
Clarke. Barbara Clarke's medieval house was beautiful and accurate to the time
frame. The detail of the house was delightful to see. An excellent exhibition |
|
|
