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The Nornen: The Story of the Ship in the Sand

On the coast near Burnham-on-Sea lie the ghostly remains of a long-forgotten ship. In this drama documentary you can hear the story of The Nornen which ran aground 125 years ago.

Every day at low tide, when the sand and mud of the Bristol Channel are exposed to the elements, the Somerset coast gives up one of its secrets. On the coast near Burnham-on-Sea lie the ghostly remains of a long-forgotten ship, driven on to the mud flats at Berrow in a ferocious storm. The date was 3rd March 1897 and the stricken vessel was a 150ft Norwegian sailing ship called The Nornen. This week, 125 years on, the remnants of the rotting hull stick out from the sand like the ribs of a beached whale; they have become a coastal landmark and a part of West Country folklore. This drama/documentary uses the voices of Somerset actors, the views of local historians and specially-composed songs to tell the story of the Nornen, its terrifying final hours and the bravery of the men who fought to save the helpless crew from a watery grave.

Produced and presented by Luke Knight.

1 hour

Broadcasts

  • Fri 4 Mar 2022 18:00
  • Mon 2 May 2022 09:00