Sinking of the Princess Victoria and East Coast Flooding in 1953

A week-end of appalling disaster began with the sinking of the ferry boat "Princess Victoria" off the Irish coast, only 44 survived out of 172 passengers and crew. Some of the people fortunate enough to have been picked up, tell the story of the tragedy. Britain was shocked by the news which was soon followed by the calamity of Britain's East Coast. A story of great loss of life and fearful destruction unfolded itself - the greatest disaster of its kind that the country had ever known. Aerial shots show the extent of the havoc caused, closer examination reveals the misery and bravery of the victims. Canvey Island suffered worst of all. When the protecting wall was breached, the water came swirling through in a tremendous torrent, smashing homes and sweeping all before it. Most of the damage was done and the lives lost (over a hundred, it is feared) in this first rush of the flood.

Aerial of flooded countryside. Night shots of Donaghadee harbour - lifeboat returned in half light, dead bodies on deck, survivors coming ashore. Interiors - two men seated in front of fire. Exterior - two survivors give their account - 1st Quiston, 2nd Nelson, 3rd Yeomans. MS Harbour - lifeboat crew pose before camera. Coxswain Hugh Nelson gives his account of the sinking of the "Princess Victoria". Aerial of sea over seawall. Mablethorpe, piled up wreckage, cars almost covered by sand. Sand several feet high around houses. Troops arrive in DUKW. Troops placing sandbags in position. GV Lough Cinema - interior Lough Town Hall, refugees being cared for. CU types - Salvation Army etc. CU old lady. Kings Lynn - Army on the scene - American Airman Reese Leming wading about in water among wreckage. Aerials of Great Yarmouth shows station. Ground shots of flooded streets of Whitstable, wrecked public house, and general damage along the front. Margate - Pier badly damaged, also harbour with lighthouse completely destroyed. Aerials of Sheerness Dockyard showing frigate on its side, and general damage. Aerial of fun-fair at Southend completely flooded. Aerials of Foulness Island almost completely flooded. Aerial of village church. GV Foulness. Aerials of cattle huddled together surrounded by water. Aerials of Canvey Island showing the immense flooding. Rescue workers - Mr Geoffrey Prout giving his account of the flooding. Various other shots of flooded areas. Various shots of rescue workers. Shots of dead bodies covered with sacking.

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