3-082-224 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Loss of the North German Lloyd steam-ship "Elbe": the Lowestoft fishing-smack "Wildflower," which rescued survivors from the "Elbe" Disaster, 1895. '...the Elbe came into collision forty-seven miles south-west from Haaks light-ship off Lowestoft with another steamer, and in twenty minutes foundered. The Elbe...carried 199 passengers and a crew of 149...There were only twenty survivors from this terrible disaster...There was a heavy sea at the time, and one of the boats was quickly swamped. Each of the other two was filled directly, amid great excitement, with twenty persons, but only one boat survived the storm. This was picked up by a Lowestoft smack, the Wildflower, and reached Lowestoft safely in the afternoon. No tidings have come to hand concerning the fate of the other boat. The men of the Wildflower were attracted by the signals of waving clothes and sails, and with courage and kindness rescued this remnant of survivors...The heroism of the men of the Wildflower, headed by the skipper Wright, has been speedily recognised. The Mayor of Lowestoft has issued a letter stating that he will receive contributions "with the view of making a tangible acknowledgment to each of the men for their gallant and humane services".' From "Illustrated London News", 1895.