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CloseCoastguard Disaster at Wells
24 February 1898
On Febrary 24 1898, the gunboat Alarm anchored off Wells to bring a few trivial stores for the coastguard. The coastguard's cutter set off with five men but was capsized and all five were drowned. Next morning the commander of the gunboat, not knowing what had happened, sent one of his boats with six men to bring the stores ashore. This too was capsized and all the crew drowned.
The lifeboat Baltic then went out to the gunboat and was able to prevent another and larger one of their boats being sent. The lifeboat was out all night.
A monument to those who lost their lives was erected on Wells Quay, besides the Harbour Office, in 1998, 100 years after the tragedy.
Exercise Launches
Our next scheduled exercise launches are shown below. You are welcome to come and watch the lifeboats launch on the beach at the front of the lifeboat house... but please ensure you keep well to one side and that children are supervised. Exercises may be cancelled or rescheduled at short notice due to operational reasons.
Please take care near building works for the new lifeboat station.
Saturday 18 Jun 2022 08:30
ILB attending Norfolk Superhero Challenge
Tuesday 28 Jun 2022 18:00
Regular exercise
Saturday 9 Jul 2022 14:30
ILB attending Newfoundland Dogs
Thursday 14 Jul 2022 18:00
Regular exercise
Thursday 28 Jul 2022 18:00
Regular exercise
Thursday 11 Aug 2022 18:00
Regular exercise
Sunday 28 Aug 2022 18:30
Annual Lifeboat Service
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