Norfolk Newspapers -

Norfolk Chronicle

Extracts from December 26th 1812

Aldborough

A letter from Aldborough communicates the following particulars of the loss of the Alban:

"Aldborough Dec. 18. - I have to communicate the loss of the Alban, commanded by Lieut. Key. She was driven from her station on the Dutch coast by the present very heavy gale, and forced on shore here this morning, and is a complete wreck. I am extremely sorry to say, that out of a crew, consisting of 56 men, three women, and two children, only one woman, servant to Mrs. Key, and a young seaman, named Newton, are saved. The surgeon, Mr. J. Thompson, came on shore with some life in him, but he died immediately afterwards."

Gorleston

On Saturday last, a distressing accident occurred at Gorleston:- As nine pilots, who had been out to a vessel in the roads, were on their return, the aft part of the boat struck upon the bar, when the succeeding wave filled and sunk her; only one was saved. Another pilot, who perceived the accident, got into a boat to go to their assistance, but finding he could not proceed fast enough, he ran up the steps, crossed the pier, and went into the lower works, when, upon catching the hand of one of the unfortunate men, a wave took him off, and he was lost. The following are the names of the unfortunate sufferers:- Wm. Carver, Wm. Rooke, Samuel Mackerel, Wm. Annis, Thomas Smith, Wm. Mann, John Wigg, Thomas Stanyard, and P. Leggett (washed off the pier). Henry Salmon was saved. Eight of them were married, and have left 13 children.

The bar is now so bad, that a Humber keel, in attempting to enter the same day, struck upon it, by which she was whirled into the eddy on the south side, and is now on shore. Vessels have been detained these two weeks, and others are at anchor in the roads, not daring to cross it.

The Bee, John Bewitt master, from Hull for London, with potatoes, is ashore on the South beach.

Passed at the back of the sands, the Mercurius sloop, with convoy for the Baltic.

Sailed, the Desiree frigate, for Portsmouth; and Starling gun-brig, for the Nore.

See also Other Extracts from Norfolk Newspapers.

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Copyright © Pat Newby
October 2003