At the same time, from a viewpoint below sea level, I was looking across Sudbourne Marshes towards Aldeburgh, a couple of miles away to the northeast. I could see the hulls of boats on moorings at Slaughden Quay over the top of the river wall – normally all you can see from here is the tops of masts. 
Beyond the Martello Tower, on the other side of the shingle bank, waves could be seen breaking at a surreal height as the tide continued to flood south down the North Sea outside.

At Orford, where HW is a couple of hours earlier than Snape, the River Ore had already covered the quay and was lapping at the flood boards in the Watch House door. In Orford SC’s dinghy park local members were trying to retrieve an assortment of dinghies that were in danger of floating off their trollies as the water rose inch by inch up the river wall steps.

At Slaughden Quay there was a similar situation at Aldeburgh YC, Upsons’ boatyard was under nine inches of water. The road leading from the High

Street was closed to prevent sightseers and vehicles accessing the shingle bank, which had the North Sea battering it from one side and the river rising over the saltings and lapping at its base on the other.  Nearby the river wall was breached causing some flooding of the Aldeburgh Town Marshes but elsewhere the walls all held, much to the relief of the local farmers who had moved sheep and cattle off their marshland grazing to higher ground as a precaution. 

The previous night’s high tide had not really ‘got away’ and that, combined with the North Sea surge caused by strong north-westerlies, meant that the Rivers Ore and Alde, and many other nearby rivers, were at unprecedented levels.

Some householders in Snape, Aldeburgh, Orford and Shingle Street were advised to leave their homes but most stayed put, moved stuff upstairs and arranged sandbags in strategic places. At a house near Orford Quay, a ladder was placed outside to the first floor, with a rubber dinghy and outboard ready at the bottom rung.

In the event this method of escape was not put to the test but as we stood on the quayside at Snape near the top of the tide, watching the Alde come within inches of topping the river wall, we had an inkling of how it must have been in 1953.

Sea defences, communications and weather predictions may have been improved, but here on the East Coast when a North Sea surge and spring tides combine there is still very little we can do except put on our wellies, watch the water rise and feel rather helpless.

Jan Harber

Author of East Coast Rivers Cruising Companion, New Revised Edition and the forthcoming East Coast Rivers Cruising Companion, 19^th Edition.