Photographs of the Trawler, whose crew had to be rescued twice!
By John Layton
On February 13th, 1955, at 5.30 am, in bad visibility, the Trawler 'St Pierre Eglise' of Boulogne was stranded at Waxham. The crew were rescued and brought to Yarmouth Shipwrecked Sailors Home.
Whilst attempting to refloat her on February 16th, the crew were again rescued, making this event unique, in the crew having to be rescued twice within three days, from the same shipwreck.
It is also on record as having the unenviable distinction of being stranded longer than any other vessel... the previous 'holder' being the steamer 'Ardle' in 1896/7, for 55 days...
The entire catch was dumped to lighten the vessel, and many locals scavenged the fish.
On February 23rd, wind and heavy seas put her on her beam ends, at which time it looked like it was the end of the vessel.
However, on March 16th, a Dutch salvage company commenced work and, on April 8th, she was brought into Great Yarmouth, where she was made seaworthy at Fellows Dockyard.
Trawler St Pierre Eglise on its side, with local onlookers
Gt Yarmouth Museums
St Pierre Eglise in background, with locals in forgeground, scavenging the fish
Gt Yarmouth Museums
St Pierre Eglise, with Dutch salvage vessel attempting to right it
Gt Yarmouth Museums
St Pierre Eglise being towed into Yarmouth
Gt Yarmouth Museums
Lifebelt from St Pierre Eglise, with information plaque, which stood outside the Shipwrecked Sailors Home
Gt Yarmouth Museums