2-982-521 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Nathaniel Colby, Coxswain of the Pakefield Life-boat, 1858. 'During the heavy gale which raged along the east coast...a large barque, the Zemira, was seen to strike on the Newcombe Sand, opposite Pakefield...the Pakefield men, with their usual readiness to devote their own lives to rescue others, launched the life-boat, and, regardless of their own safety, these brave men embarked with such speed that in half an hour from the "call" they were on their way to the wreck...Owing to the persevering efforts of the gallant crew eight men were saved from a watery grave...the Secretary to the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade...[said] "...their Lordships, to mark their appreciation of the conduct of Colby in particular, have determined to present him with a silver medal"...Mr. N. Colby...said he did not think that ever a Pakefield man went off imagining that he should gain so much by doing so. He was always willing at any time, whether it blew "high or low," to go off and save life; and he believed every man at Pakefield was willing to do the same...On the day in question they launched their boat without any hope of reward; their only object was to save life, which he was happy to state they had to a considerable extent accomplished...(Applause)'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.