The day was unusually fine till the afternoon. Some of the gossips often visit the East Cliff churchyard. From that eminence they watch the wide sweep of sea visible to the north and east. These people called attention to a sudden show of mares'-tails high in the sky to the north-west. The wind was then blowing from the south-west in the mild degree which is best described as a 'light breeze.'

The coastguard on duty at once reported this. Also, one old fisherman, who for more than half a century has kept watch on weather signs from the East Cliff, foretold in an emphatic manner the coming of a sudden storm. The sunset was very beautiful and grand in its masses of splendidly-coloured clouds. A considerable number of people gathered on the walk along the cliff in the old churchyard to enjoy the beauty.