On December 29th 1917 the SS Peregrine of London ran aground on the Long Sand Head off Walton-on-the-Naze in a force nine gale. She was carrying 59 passengers, including children, and 33 crew. The James Stevens No 14 motorised lifeboat from Walton carried out an epic rescue lasting some 14 hours. All passengers and crew (plus 2 cats I believe) were taken to safety. With an easterly gale, sleet and snow and darkness conditions were perilous. In my painting the JS 14 and crew are making their second approach as dawn is breaking. The Peregrine, its back broken, sits on the wreck of the Iris. In the background patrol vessel stands by; this is the pleasure paddle-steamer Clacton Belle.
The account of the remarkable story is best read in Walton and Frinton Lifeboat by local reseacher and historian John Steer, who guided me through the details of the event.