Dramatics at Dungeness RNLI as Station Stages Final Telling of Tragic Sinking
Dungeness RNLI’s boathouse was transformed into a theatre earlier this month for the final performance of Alison Raymond’s play ‘The Sinking of the Northfleet’.
The finale was the completion of a home counties tour by the Walteazers folk theatre company, which told the tale of the ‘Northfleet’ a Blackwall frigate* which sank three miles off the Dungeness coast on the night of 22 January 1873, after being struck by a Spanish steamer whilst she was at anchor. Going down within half an hour of being hit, 293 lives were lost in the tragedy with only 86 survivors rescued.
Cut to 2023 and the 150th anniversary of the tragedy and the dramatic story of the ‘Northfleet’ returns home to Dungeness in the style of a ‘thrilling courtroom drama’, which featured a combination of music and dance to tell the harrowing tale. The plays creator Alison Raymond said, ‘Our objective was to mark the anniversary and tell a good story at the same time’.
The production also aimed to raise money for the RNLI. The Walteazers drama group takes no profits from their own shows, raising money through a combination of donations and ticket sales for multiple charities. The grand finale at Dungeness RNLI raised £301.48, bringing the tour total to £1309.48 to help support the RNLI’s 24/7 life-saving service.
The performance wasn’t without its own drama as two of the cast were forced to pull out due to Covid related setbacks, but the show still went on in style.
RNLI volunteer Jon Morgan, part of the boat crew for Dungeness’s Shannon class lifeboat the Morrel, said: ‘It was a great performance and very apt that the last show of the tour was at Dungeness. I wasn’t expecting the music and singing but it was outstanding’!
Throughout the performance the Morrel was still ready to be called upon. With the lifeboat moved onto the apron outside, the volunteer crew enjoyed the performance but remained ever ready to launch if requested.
For more information on fundraising to support the RNLI in saving lives at sea please visit: https://rnli.org/support-us/raise-money
Notes to editors
· Dungeness lifeboat station has been operating since 1826, during which time it has won over 16 medals for its life-saving services. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/dungeness-lifeboat-station
· *A Blackwall frigate is the colloquial name of a three-masted fully rigged ship built between the 1830s and 70s at Blackwall Yard on the River Thames.
· The Shannon class lifeboats are the latest class of all-weather lifeboats to join the RNLI fleet. To learn more about the Shannon class lifeboat go to: https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeboats-and-stations/our-lifeboat-fleet/shannon-class-lifeboat
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