.

THE TALL FIVE

AND

HAISBOROUGH SANDS

Haisborough sands is situated eight miles off shore and runs parallel to Norfolk's north east coastline.  At ten miles in length and one mile in width the sands have proved fatal to hundreds of vessels over the centuries. On a low spring tide it is possible to stand in no more than a couple of feet of water at the sands shallowest point. In 1995 it was recorded that three area's of the sands were exposed during a very low spring tide. Between 1881 and 1911 the Sands, amongst numerous other vessels claimed five magnificent metal constructed tall ships, these being the North Wales (1881), Tay (1888), Optima (1905), Alf (1909) and the Walkure (1911). To date only three of these vessels have been located and identified, these being the Walkure, Optima and the North Wales.

The two remaining vessels, ie the Tay and Alf, as with the Optima, North Wales and the Walkure also stranded on the Sands. At present investigations are underway by Norfolk Wreck Research with the hope of locating and in turn identifying both of these vessels, ie the Alf and Tay.

Of note ... There are several publications that state the 1876 built iron Barque Ethel, built by S. P. Austin & Hunter of Sunderland  stranded and was in turn lost on Haisborough Sands. Research has shown that this vessel was in fact lost on the 2nd January 1904 when she ran ashore at Reef Head, South Australia and became a total loss.

Below ... The Iron Barque Ethel ashore at Reef Head, South Australia.

Below ... Links to the tall five

Located and identified by NWR in 2023

Identified by NWR in 2023