REMEMBER THE HEROES
This memorial is to commemorate The brave men that lost their lives on the George Elmy lifeboat
This memorial is to commemorate the bravery of the five lifeboat men who lost their lives when, in the stormy seas on November 17th 1962, the Seaham lifeboat George Elmy capsized with the loss of it’s crew
This memorial is to commemorate The brave men that lost their liveson the George Elmy lifeboat
and all but one of the crew of the fishing cobble Economy, to whose aid the courageous men had gone:
GORDON BURRELL
GEORGE FIRTH
JOSEPH KENNEDY
DAVID BURRELL (aged 9)
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John, 15:13)
This memorial is to commemorate The brave men that lost their liveson the George Elmy lifeboat
Since the beginning of May we have been trying to return the George Elmy to Seaham.
Seaham Town Council were informed of the impending sale of the George Elmy and given every opportunity to purchase but failed to do so. With the backing of Seaham Heritage Group, (the earthbound arm of East-Durham.co.uk) and a loan from Tommy Smith, I decided to go ahead with the purchase of the lifeboat which had played such a huge if sad part in the history of our town.
On the 11th May I made contact with Mr Gerry Hillman of Ambenwood, Exmouth and agreed a price of one thousand nine hundred pounds for the supply and delivery of the George Elmy. This we thought a very good offer and proceeded with the purchase. The lifeboat was delivered to Seaham at 5.40 pm on Friday 15th of May, much to the delight of ourselves and the many Seaham people who turned out for the occasion.
With donations from Seaham Coast Guard, East Durham Heritage Group, expats from America and France plus donations left by members of the public of Seaham at Meat Mart and Brooks Fish shop in Church Street we have reached approximately 75% of our target.
Many thanks to the people of SEAHAM.
We have also held talks with Lisa Jordan, Regeneration Co-Coordinator; Lynsey Garraghan, Community Officer; Niall Benson, Heritage Coast Project Officer and Norman Conn, North Dock Development Officer. All of these people have given sound advice and help, for which we thank them very much.
Last but not least we owe a massive thank you to Seaham Harbour Dock Company for allowing us to have the use of the space to store the George Elmy.
This memorial is to commemorate The brave men that lost their liveson the George Elmy lifeboat
George Elmy Specifications
The George Elmy is now on the Historic Ships Register, as from 11th August 2009 Certificate number 2286.
The George ElmyA detailed engineering drawing here 1.6mb Adobe reader required . View Drawing.
Liverpool ClassLength 10.83 mBuilt 1949Tonnage: 8Builder: Groves & Gutteridge, Cowes, Isle of Wight. UK.If anyone has technical drawings / blueprints for this lifeboat the East Durham Heritage would like to hear from you… Info@east-durham.co.uk
Terrible images of the George Elmy wreck,
mouse over or click to read captions
RNLB George Elmy on the Chemical Beach, just off Dawdon colliery on the morning of Sunday 18th November 1962 after capsizing the previous night with the loss of nine lives.See "LIFEBOAT DISASTER" under SEAHAM/ HISTORIES.
RNLB George Elmy on the Chemical Beach 18/11/1962.
"George Elmy" on the Chemical Beach 18/11/1962.
Detail from previous photograph.
RNLB George Elmy on the Chemical Beach 18/11/1962.
"George Elmy" on the Chemical Beach 18/11/1962.
RNLB "George Elmy" memorial service at St John's Church Seaham.
The upturned "George Elmy" on Chemical Beach, just below centre of frame.
The George Elmy being inspected and examined at Boreham Wood, Herts Depot of the RNLI.Commander R A Gould OBE, RN, Supt- Engineer (wearing overcoat and trilby hat) making examination of lifeboat, 27/11/1962.
"George Elmy" on the Chemical Beach 18/11/1962.
Memorial to Seaham Lifeboat "George Elmy"Saturday, 17th November 1962 brought tragedy to Seaham.At 4-10 pm the George Elmy was launched to the rescue of the fishing boat "Economy", floundering off Dawdon Colliery in a gale getting up to force 8 with waves up to 12 feet high.At 4-15 pm they radioed that they had taken the 5 crew of the "Economy" safely on board. In the darkness, wind and torrential rain the George Elmy attempted to return to harbour, at 5-15 pm, about 30 yards from the South Pier she was capsized by two huge waves.The boat was not a self-righter, she remained upside down. Of the ten on board, 5 from the lifeboat and five from the "Economy" only Donald Burrell of the "Economy" survived.For a full account of this disastrous night see LIFEBOAT DISASTER under SEAHAM/HISTORY
Donald Burrell, the sole survivor of the George Elmy disaster.
Rebuilt and placed on station at Poole, with the boarding boat on her stern. The last time I saw her she was a fishing boat in Holyhead with a cabin built on her. Info and photograph from Bob Williams 2008.
The George Elmy at Boreham Wood, Herts Depot of the RNLI around 27/11/1962
The George Elmy at sea off the Isle of Wight after repairs in 1963.Photograph from Valerie Thorpe
RNLB George Elmy on the Chemical Beach 18/11/1962.
The unveiling of the memorial to the five lifeboatmen who lost their lives on the 17th November 1962 when the "George Elmy" capsized.Photograph 17th November 1994
The unveiling of the memorial to the five lifeboatmen who lost their lives on the 17th November 1962 when the "George Elmy" capsized.Photograph 17th November 1994
The unveiling of the memorial to the five lifeboatmen who lost their lives on the 17th November 1962 when the "George Elmy" capsized.Photograph 17th November 1994
RNLB George Elmy on the Chemical Beach 18/11/1962.
RNLB George Elmy on the Chemical Beach 18/11/1962.
RNLB George Elmy on the Chemical Beach 18/11/1962.
After a rebuild the George Elmy returns to Seaham Sunday the 23rd of June 2013 where it will remain for ever.
| We have started on a long journey with this project but with the help and support of the townspeople of Seaham we hope to have it completed before November 2012. Brian Scollen for East Durham Heritage Group |