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Frances Artley of Speeton died in the Lloyd Cottage
hospital at Bridlington as the result of an accidental fall on the beach at
Speeton.
Oct 23rd. Weather very dry. Horses
sleeping out.
Nov 3 & 4th. Sowing Wheat.
Nov 4th. This afternoon Herbert Moon
& Arthur Blewes were walking on the beach when they found a curious looking
object composed of wood & iron with a drum attached on which was a coil of
wire. Moon decided to remove some of the wire but on touching it was surprised
to see it burst into flame. Supposing it to be some kind of an infernal German
machine they ran for their lives. After running some distance and finding the
machine did not explode they stopped and found that it was still blazing.
Apparently at this they decided to leave well alone and go home. Thus ended
scene one. The next scene commenced later when the machine was found in the
water at dark blazing furiously. The soldiers in the village were sent down to
the cliff & had the pleasure of spending the night there watching it. At
two a.m. on the fifth it was still burning & the soldiers fetched the
Lieutenant from Reighton also to look at it. Filey coastguard are said to have
telephoned to Speeton to inquire if a ship was ashore. In the morning the
mystery was explained. The machine had been lost by minesweepers engaged in
trawling for submarines & was attached to their special net used for this
purpose. By a special arrangement when a submarine was caught in the net the
machine burst into flame thus indicating it’s presence. After the machine had
burnt itself out it was again washed ashore & brought up to the C.G.
station. |
