LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Empire Clara

FEBRUARY 26TH. - GREAT YARMOUTH AND GORLESTON, NORFOLK. At 1.32 in the morning the coastguard telephoned that a vessel was aground on the east side of Scroby Sands, but not showing distress signals, and at 2.20 the Gorleston motor lifeboat Louise Stephens was launched, in a light east-north-east wind with a moderate sea.

Before she reached the east side she found the tug Empire Clara aground on the west side of the sands, put a man aboard, and signalled for a tug. When the tug, the Richard Lee Barber, approached, she also grounded, but got clear, and the life-boat passed a rope from her to the Empire Clara.

It parted, but was reconnected. The Richard Lee Barber started to tow at 4.45, but without success. Fresh efforts were made ; the lifeboat sounded for deep water and gave advice ; and at 2.25 in the afternoon the Richard Lee Barber pulled the Empire Clara off and made for Great Yarmouth with her.

The life-boat arrived back at her station again at 3.30. - Property salvage case.