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
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.
