The tragic incident that unfolded on Aberavon beach on August 20, 1959, remains etched in the memories of those who witnessed the heart-wrenching events that claimed the lives of two young children. The lively beach, bustling with holidaymakers on a scorching hot day, turned into a scene of sorrow when eight-year-old Keith Williams and 10-year-old Sandra Chamberlain lost their lives while playing on the SS Brodland and SS Ethelwalda shipwrecks just 200 yards away from the promenade.
Colin Walters, who was a teenager at the time, vividly recalls the harrowing incident that unfolded that day. He described the tragic event as “absolutely awful” and the memory of it remains as clear as if it happened yesterday. Despite not witnessing the incident directly, he could see the commotion and gathered crowd around the children. The tragic incident spurred action, leading to the removal of the shipwrecks in 1961 after they had claimed multiple lives over the decades.
The shipwrecks, SS Brodland and SS Ethelwalda, had been on Aberavon beach for around four decades before the 1959 tragedy. The SS Ethelwalda met its fate in 1911, carrying a cargo of pit-props as it entered Port Talbot’s docks. Fast forward two years to 1913, the SS Brodland faced a similar fate as it was driven ashore near the North Pier in Aberavon during a fierce gale, carrying 2,500 tonnes of Welsh coal bound for southern Chile. Tragically, the wrecks claimed more lives when four young boys examined them in 1932, further highlighting the danger they posed.
Following the 1959 incident, an inquest led to the removal of the shipwrecks to prevent further tragedies. Despite initial efforts in 1961 to clear the wrecks, a partial removal led to a re-appearance of the wrecks in 1974. It wasn’t until 1976 that a more extensive removal operation took place, making the beach safer for visitors. The legacy of the shipwrecks lives on in the RNLI lifeboat station established on the seafront, with an anchor from the SS Brodland displayed as a poignant reminder of the lives lost.
Years after the tragedy, local residents like Harry Worth and Robbie Harris played crucial roles in preserving the memory of the shipwrecks and honoring the lives lost. The anchor of the SS Brodland was moved to the RNLI lifeboat station in 2000, with a plaque commemorating the lives saved following the 1913 wreck. The community’s efforts to remember the victims and ensure the safety of future beachgoers reflect a commitment to honouring the past while looking towards a safer future on Aberavon beach.