On the evening of 9th January, 1924, the fishing smack Irene, of Lowestoft, ran ashore near the South Pier in a rough sea when homeward bound from the fishing-grounds with a load of fish. The Motor Life-boat went out and, with some difficulty, took off the five men of the crew and the ship's cat. Next day the Irene was refloated and brought into harbour.

Eighteen months later, on 27th June of this year, the Irene was leaving the harbour on her way to the fishing ground, in a strong N.N.E. wind with a heavy sea, when, in tacking, she was thrown on to the North Beach. Her position was dangerous, and at three in : the afternoon the Life-boat was launched.

The four men on board the smack wouldnot leave her at first, but as by four o'clock she was full of water, they were taken off, the service being witnessed by crowds of people on the shore. This time the Irene was less fortunate. She could not be refloated and became a total wreck..