THE DIARY OF WILLIAM SELLERS

1,915
Jan 1^st. A large fleet of minesweeping trawlers came right close inshore today. Mr. Coe a Speeton coastguard drowned in the Channel owing to the ship on which he was serving ‘the Formidable’ being sunk by a German torpedo.
6^th. Fire at Mrs. Coe’s at the C.G. station, the sitting room suite & some blankets & linen were destroyed.
17^th. Severe Northerly gale. The vessel on Filey Brigg has broken up completely. The beach at Reighton & Speeton covered with broken wood & rolls of paper.
23^rd. Wheat was sold at Bridlington today at 55/- per qtr.
30^th. Weather wet. No second ploughing started
Feb 14^th. Easterly gale. Big steamer ashore under Buckton Hall cliff. L.S.A. left just after six. The vessel was laid broadside on to the cliff. Owing to the fact that she had no cargo and was flat bottomed she had driven quite close to the cliff. The crew of nineteen were able to leave during the day. The vessel is named the Blakemoor of London and was going to Newcastle for coal.
15^th. Very big tide during the night. The wrecked vessel has driven up nearer to the cliff, the bow is not more than six yards from the cliff. The Blakemoor was built in 1902, her gross tonnage is 3,748 tons, her load 6,000 tons.
26^th. The members of the L.S.A. received £2. 9. 8 each for services rendered at the wreck of the Blakemoor. Three assistants got 16/6 each. A German mine has washed up behind Filey Brigg.
25^th. Wm Walton of Speeton accidentally shot dead at Buckton Hall
while tenting crows.
27^th. Weather still wet and stormy.
Second ploughings on most farms are still not begun.

Owing to the war horses have gone up in price, ten to fifteen pounds each.
Beef is also dear, 10/- per stone.
Farm labourers wages have been advanced to £1 per week on most farms in the district.