Pilot Star
Lowestoft, Suffolk, and Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.—While returning from the fishing grounds to Yarmouth on the 1st December, 1937, the steam drifter Pilot Star, of Kirkcaldy, carrying a crew of ten, stranded on the Holm Sands. A southerly breeze was blowing, with a swell on the sands, and the weather was foggy. The drifter's signals for help were heard by the Gorton Light-vessel which fired distress signals, and these were repeated by the St. Nicholas Light-vessel. The coastguard reported the light-vessel's signals to the life-boat stations. The Lowestoft motor life-boat Agnes Cross put out at 1.35 P.M., followed a few minutes later by the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston motor life-boat John and Mary Meiklam of Gladswood. The Lowestoft life-boat reached the drifter shortly before the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston life-boat. She found that she was then afloat, but had lost her propeller through bumping on the sands. After clearing the sands the Pilot Star was taken in tow by a tug, and, escorted by the Lowestoft lifeboat, was taken safely to Gorleston harbour. The Great Yarmouth and Gorleston life-boat reached her station again at 3.49 P.M. and Lowestoft got back at 4.30 P.M.—Rewards : Lowestoft, £18 Is. 6d.; Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, £14 13,9..