Calling PISL

The story of the long operation to re-float the St. Pierre Eglise.

The film shots show the trawler stranded on the beach at Waxham. There are shots of fish lying on the beach and of the crew on board dumping the catch over the side of the trawler. People stand and watch. There are shots, including close up shots, of the trawler turned on her side following another gale. The salvors stand talking. Following the departure of the original salvage crew, there are shots of the crowd, including a police officer, on the beach. Caister boatmen carry timber down to the wreck and build and attach hatches to the side. The employees of Messrs WA Van Der Tak inspect the vessel and bring out equipment across [planks placed on the sand. They set up the pumps and these are filmed at work. Men in oil skins are filmed working on the wreckage. Attempts to dig a dock alongside the wreck show men using any means from a bulldozer to a shovel. They also use a mechanical digger. There are further shots of men aboard the wreck and of the crew on the dunes removing their oilskins. There are shots of the Meermin at sea and of men approaching the vessel in a rowing boat. Pumping continues and tackle is fastened prior to efforts to right the wreck. Most of the efforts righting and moving the vessel, including towing her away, happened at night. Very little is visible from the night shots. The St Pierre Eglise is filmed in harbour at Yarmouth. The crew work on board to prepare her for towing back to France. The final shots are of her being towed out of Yarmouth and the salvage vessels leaving port.

Featured Events

Attempts to salvage the St. Pierre Eglise, stranded at Waxham, 13th Feb. to 16th April, 1955.Calling PISL.

Intertitles

Waxham, Norfolk. Sunday Feb. 13th 1955. At 5. 30 am during a squall the French trawler St Pierre Eglise stranded. On the 14 - 15 - 16th efforts to refloat her were unsuccessful . Then to lighten her the entire catch was dumped. A salvage coy contracted to refloat her. A No Cure No Pay agreement. They started on the 21st by pumping water into the hold. Wind and heavy seas during the night of the 23rd put her on beam ends. A No Cure No Pay Agreement. Only 6 years old and insured value of ?40,000. A No Cure No Pay Agreement. Payment on the Standard Lloyds Agreement is payment only if the salvage is successfully completed. The salvors & owners came into financial disagreement. They packed up and left on Feb. 24th. Feb. 26th to Mar 15th. While waiting for another salvage coy, Caister boatmen put on some hatches. Calling PISL. On Mar 14th Messrs WA Van Den Tak's Bergingsbedrif NV Rotterdam undertook the salvage. A No Cure No Pay Agreement. Their salvage vessels Dolfijn & Meermin arrived at Yarmouth. Pumps and stores were taken to Waxham by lorry and landrover. Their crew travelling daily. By Mar 26th the hull is sealed. She floated on her side at high water that night. Mar 27th. Mar 28th & 29th efforts to dig a dock to right her into. Mar 29th. Unsuccessful due to heavy seas. Apr. 2nd. Apr. 4th. A good weather forecast. The Meermin came to the wreck. Pumping a dock continues day and night with 6 and 10 sand pumps. Apr. 5th. A good forecast. The Dolfijn came to assist. Calling PISL. Pumping continues. Pumping sand from deck. Tackle is set up to right her. Pumping continues. Righted to 45o by high water. Apr. 7th. She is moved some 30 yards. Pumping a dock continues day and night with 6 and 10 sand pumps. Apr. 8th. A good forecast & a good flow at high water. The St. Pierre Eglise is towed away. A No Cure No Pay Agreement. Apr. 9th. The prize safe in harbour. The salvors celebrate at the Star Hotel. Lacons Ales. The right sort. Apr. 10th. Apr. 16th. The St. Pierre Eglise is towed to France & the Dolfijn returns to Rotterdam. For towage or salvage assistance. Call PISL.

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Great Yarmouth