LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Our Laddie

MAY 28TH. - WALTON AND FRINTON, ESSEX. At 5.15 A.M. a message was received from Gunfleet Lighthouse through the coastguard that a vessel had gone aground on the Gunfleet Sands. A moderate N.N.W. breeze was blowing, with a slight sea. The vessel was kept under observation and at 6.25 A.M. red flares were seen. The reserve motor life-boat Mary and John Meiklam of Gladswood, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 6.55 A.M.

She found the yacht Our Laddie, of London, with thirteen people on board, four of them women. The yacht was on a pleasure cruise from Southend-on-Sea. The life-boat took all the passengers on board, except two men who stayed with the crew. Two life-boatmen boarded the yacht and the life-boat towed her clear of the sands and anchored abreast of Walton Pier. There she landed nine of the passengers, who were exhausted.

She then towed the yacht into Harwich Harbour and returned to Walton at 2.20 P.M.- Rewards, £7 11s. 6d.