The Coryton (shown above entering Cardiff from a previous voyage) had
returned from North Atlantic convoy to join up with a North Sea convoy heading southward,
to Hull. She left the convoy northeast of the Farne Islands when machine-gunned and attacked
by German bombers.
With a badly holed boat, the ship's master, Captain Evans, skillfully and successfully negotiated
the inside passage, between the Farnes and the mainland choosing to ground the boat in Budle Bay.
Holy Island lifeboat (Milburn) went to the rescue, and also the North Sunderland lifeboat. Initially
the captain and crew wouldn't leave the ship so the two lifeboats came back to Holy Island. Later that day
the weather conditions worsened and the two lifeboats went back to the steamer. The seas were starting to
break right over her by this time. Captain Evans decided that for safety his crew should leave the ship opting
to remain. The two lifeboats headed back to Holy Island 'Milburn' carrying 27 of the crew, the 'North Sunderland'
boat carrying 12.
Soon after a great storm arose and the boat began to break up, wrecked beyond recovery.. Sadly the
body of the captain was found next day washed ashore. He had two lifejackets on...
Information supplied by the late Mr.E.Douglas
Islander and local naval historian and kindly
updated by Captain Evan's son in July 2006.
