On the night of January 11 and 12, 1978, storm force winds blowing right down the North Sea coinciding with some of the highest tides of the winter resulted in severe flooding and damage down the East Coast of England and in the Thames Estuary. Lifeboat station shore works did not escape and it was night of vigil for Michael Pennell, at that time inspector of lifeboats for the Eastern Division, which suffered the main onslaught.

THE LOG FOR THAT WILD NIGHT, kept by Mike Pennell, DI (£) began when, just after he had arrived home, he switched on the radio . . .

Wednesday, January 11 1755 BBC local news: 'Storm force northerly winds in the North Sea are expected to cause high tides on the Lincolnshire and Norfolk coasts tonight; danger levels may be reached in low-lying areas.' Within a quarter of an hour the telephone began to ring and reports began to come in from the coast. First it was Skegness, the most northerly station in the division, where the flooding tide was already approaching high water . . .

1810 Gorleston Coastguard (CG) RHQ: Skegness lifeboat on service to a Greek ship in the Wash. Lifeboat now returning to station but it is unlikely that she can be recovered because of water level on sea front.

1830 Skegness station honorary secretary (SHS): Confirms water now above promenade level—dangerous for lifeboat to approach; she will lie off until after high water at 2000.

Wind north east strong gale to storm, force 9 to 10.

As high water progressed down the coast, so did the danger zone . . .

1837 Gorleston CG: Gorleston lifeboat launched to escort local fishing vessel to harbour. Wind northerly, storm force 10.

1840 Wells SHS: Whole town preparing for flooding. Beach area and lifeboat house already in- accessible. Will advise when full situation is known.

1900 Sheringham SHS and Cromer SHS: Both lifeboats off service.

Water above promenade at Sheringham—no access. Cromer pier awash and dangerous to consider access.

1915 Gorleston CG Station officer: Red flares reported off Stiffkey, Norfolk.

Because of the weather and lifeboat situation, more definite information being sought before diversion of Skegness or Gorleston lifeboats considered.

Apart from the reports coming in, there were outgoing calls to be made as DI(E) checked the situation at all lifeboat stations at risk and reported in to Central Operations/'Information Room at headquarters, Poole, where the duty officer was standing by to mobilise any back-up help needed . . .

1930 Gorleston CG: Aircraft already making a search off Yorkshire coast will divert and drop flares in sea area off Stiffkey.

2050 Wells SHS: High water now. Quay area flooded to depth of some three feet. Major breach in Beach Road sea wall feared. Unlikely that a check of the lifeboat can be obtained until daylight.

2040 Harwich coxswain: Lifeboat removed to safer moorings at Felixstowe; will remain aboard throughout night.

2115 Gorleston CG station officer: General situation report. Confirm aircraft has illuminated area off Stiffkey with no result. No further sightings of flares; report assumed to be false alarm. Anticipated disposition of lifeboats discussed if emergency should arise. Lowestoft CG lookout evacuated because of weather.

2130 Southwold 1LB SHS: Boathouse under surveillance; high tide not expected to cause serious damage.

2135 Thames CG: General situation report. No damage reported yet.

We are indebted to the Meteorological Office for these weather charts and to Jack Armstrong of Southampton Weather Centre for the following notes: On the night of January 11,112, we experienced one of the really violent storms which occur in these latitudes in winter. This was an instance during which 2230 Gorleston CG and Skegness SHS: Skegness lifeboat now beaching.

Tide falling.

2300 Skegness SHS: No damage.

Boat rehoused.

2325 Thames CG: Wind north north east, force 9. Sheerness lifeboat a relatively warm depression moving from the west into Ireland began to engage a very cold Polar outbreak. What appears to be a fairly innocuous situation early on the llth had, within 18 hours, resulted in a roaring northerly storm. The tidal surge in the North Sea was the highest for 25 years launching to take sick man off vessel at Southend anchorage.

2330 Sheringham SHS: Boathouse access via promenade impossible arourid high water. Damage to house?'and tractor shed suspected.

2345 Cramer SHS: Boathouse inacces- and there was very widespread damage Gust speeds in excess of 70 knots were commonplace but the strongest gusts were recorded on the coasts of North East England where Whitby Coastguard and St Abb's Head both registered 82 knots.

sible; pier badly damaged. Lifeboat off service as boathouse doors fouling launching way. Full report to follow at daylight.

Thursday, January 12 0145 Divisional inspector of Coastguard: Lowestoft lifeboat launched to 'mayday' off Lowestoft. Position and details of casualty uncertain.

Wind north by east violent storm, force 11.

0230 Gorleston CG: Gorleston lifeboat launched to help search for sinking vessel. Caister volunteer lifeboat also assisting. No radio contact with vessel since 0142.

0450 Gorleston CG: Search continuing.

Nothing found yet. Fixed wing aircraft helping.

0730 Margate SHS: Margate pier collapsed in storms. Boathouse isolated and severely damaged.

0800 District surveyor of lifeboats (East), Herbert Larter, at Margate: Asked by DI(E) to report state of Kent lifeboat stations to headquarters at Poole while DI himself set out for North Norfolk.

The night's events recorded in this (continued on page 124).