3-021-004 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Ship and Crew Saved", by G. H. Andrews, in the exhibition of the Society of Painters in Water-Colours, 1868. Engraving of a drawing depicting '...admirably-expressed effects of wind and wave action...the artist represents the entrance to Yarmouth harbour, with a steam-tug and salvage-boats conducting into port an east country ship that has been driven by stress of weather upon the sands...a system is organised and in constant efficient operation for relieving ships that get upon the numerous sands ranging along those coasts. Companies of "beachmen"...owning boats...specially adapted for the purpose, hold themselves in readiness at any moment of the day or night to go off to ships in distress or wanting assistance...A watch is incessantly maintained at all the stations; and the moment a ship is observed to be in a difficulty or to signal for help, a rush is made by such boats' crews as think they have a chance of first reaching her, it being a rule...that the first boat which gets alongside the ship has the whole gain accruing from the "salvage" of the venture - that is, provided one boat's crew be sufficient for effecting the purpose required'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.