“ The Radium “

        24^th September 1923

 In the thick weather that prevailed off the East Coast on 24^th September, a number of vessels were in distress. One of these vessels was the “Radium”, of Trieste, a vessel of 2000 tons register, on a voyage from Newcastle to Venice.

The ship left the Tyne at about 2 p.m. on Friday 23^rd and encountered rough weather and thick fog. Navigation was most difficult and the vessel was assumed to have been driven off her course. She was carrying 5000 tons of coal and had a crew of 28. She struck the ground 50 yards from the base of the towering cliffs at “New Roll Up” near Bempton.

S.O.S. messages were sent out, and were picked up along the coast. One was received at Flamborough, and the Life Saving Apparatus Company was called out from Speeton and Flamborough. The vessel was very difficult to locate in the darkness and fog, but with great expedition, the rocket apparatus was put into position, and a line was shot across the deck of the vessel. The crew and their belongings were rescued by “breeches buoy”, and after much difficult persuasion the Captain of the “Radium”, Savo Nickovic, was at last hauled to safety over the cliff top.

 The vessel could not be seen from the cliff top, only the top of the funnel being visible.

Soon after the she struck, the boiler-house and engine room were flooded, and at high tide the waves were washing over her. In addition to the Life Saving Apparatus Company, The North Landing Lifeboat was launched , and stood by for some time, ready to render any assistance needed. The crew of the “Radium” were taken to Flamborough, and then to Hull, where they were looked after by the Italian Consul. The vessel was a total loss, and the crew attributed their rescue to their “lucky” black ships cats “ Lily “& “Booby “. These cats unfortunately were left on board the vessel to perish.

 The wreck lies @ at Gps Ref: TA 201 – 738 and her boilers can be seen breaking the surf from “New Roll Up” cliff top near the R.S.P.B. centre at Bempton. Through binoculars a ships propeller can be seen on the shore at low tides.

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