The Seaham Lifeboat Disaster
| Author | James Devlin |
| Published date | 01 May 1968 |
| Date | 01 May 1968 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X6804100503 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
SERGEANT
JAMES
DEVLIN
Durham Constabulary
THE
SEADAM
LIFEBOAT
DISASTER
Seaham is a small mining town in county Durham, situated on
the coast with Sunderland to the north and Hartlepool to the
South.
It
is a picturesque port, completed in 1828. The approach
from seaward is protected by two curving sea walls which stretch
out and towards each other like a pincer movement, leaving a gap
for the colliers to come through into quieter waters.
The
town is
proud of its connexions with Lord Byron who was once in
residence - his home is now a hospital and his name is per-·
petuated by a leafy walk linking the A.19 road with the sea front.
Seaham is also famous in the political field, for it was here that
Ramsay MacDonald met his Waterloo at the hands of Manny
Shinwell.
The
miners love the sea and in' their spare time are notoriously
fond of fishing for crabs, lobsters, mackerel and codling. After a
day in the pit breathing in muck and coal dust they head out to
sea in fishing cobles, hoping for a catch. During the holiday
season the beach becomes alive with sunbathers and children play-
ing ducks and drakes with flat pebbles on the surface of the water.
It
is unthinkable that the sea should ever become their enemy.
Colliers steam into harbour to fill up at the staithes.
The
town did not always present this picture of happiness, how-
ever, for it was here that the soup kitchens had their origin. The
churchyard with its mass grave is a reminder to us all that these
people have paid a terrible price for coal. The people of Seaham
know the meaning of the
word"
disaster",
but in 1962 things
were different. The three pits were working, everybody was
happy and their lifeboat
was"
On Station". Tragedy, however,
was approaching swiftly. Seaham was going to be in the head-
lines throughout the world.
On the night of Saturday, November 17, 1962, the doors of
Seaham lifeboat house stood open waiting for the boat that was
never to return.
It
had
been launched that afternoon in an attempt
to rescue the crew of a fishing coble who were in difficulties in
mountainous seas. With mission completed it was returning to
port and was yards from safety .when it capsized. Observers on
the sea wall watched with horror as eight men and a boy perished
in the boiling sea.
The only survivor was a member of the coble crew who clung
to the doomed lifeboat as it was washed ashore at Dawdon
Colliery. From the cliff top
it
looked forlorn, lying upside down
Aday
1968 199
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