“The great sea floods of 1953”

The story of the great sea flood as it affected the Suffolk Coast is long: although comparatively short in duration, it left tragedy, destruction and damage in its wake, which will leave its mark for several years to come. In writing a full account, I find myself a little handicapped, for my concern and responsibility at the time was directed towards the land and I had little first hand knowledge of what went on in the flooded coastal towns.

This record will therefore be largely concerned with the countryside events of which I had immediate experience; but first let me pay tribute to the heroism of many greatly fatigued men and women in all walks of life who tirelessly assisted in the rescue of those who were trapped and marooned. The deeds of some have been recorded; the deeds of many will be remembered, and of others will never be told.

During the evening of Friday, January 30th, a fresh strong wind was blowing in the north with a tendency to north east and it was strong enough to make the rivermen see to their moorings on the Deben. By the morning of the 31st, the wind had swung round to north west and was strong. At noon, I took myself to the Bull on Market Hill, Woodbridge and the wind was blowing hard straight through the front door. Over big and small pots, everyone was discussing the gale and the foreboding of its quarter. Those who lived near the coast or rivers were guessing the possibilities if the wind should continue, for it was a period of peak spring tides at the full moon.

After lunch I had planned to carry a gun over Cross farm for a wild [Page 70] high wind appealed to me as an afternoon for shooting over some turnips, in which the pigeons were particularly interested. I found my hide flat! In the teeth of a roaring gale, I tried to rebuild it but it was impossible to make a job of cover for as fast as a layer of bracken was woven into the network of large branches, it was blown away.