AN attempt to launch a new, 28-foot Broads-type motor cruiser in the River Witham, at Boston on June 23, 1958, ended in disaster when the mobile crane being used to lower it into the water overturned.

The cruiser Moonflight struck the top of the river wall, overturned into the water and sank, leaving little more than the keel visible.

The crane driver was somersaulted out of his cabin and fell on to his head and was taken to hospital where he was detained for shock.

A number of stitches were inserted into the head wound he sustained.

The Moonflight had been fitted out at the Tower Road (Boston) premises of Mr. S.T. Belton, prominent Lincolnshire farmer and racehorse owner, and was to have been given its initial water test by Alan Belton.

He was driving the lorry which had been towing when the accident happened, he jumped from the cabin of his vehicle and escaped unhurt.

The accident occurred about 8.15pm and hundreds of people gathered at the scene near the Grand Sluice Bridge to watch attempts using a heavier crane and bulldozer to right the upturned mobile crane.

A big cheer went up about 11pm when at last the attempt succeeded.

The accident happened where a marked camber in the unmetalled bankside roadway.

Had the overturned mobile crane been only a foot or two nearer the water course, the damage would have been far greater and it was likely that the towing lorry would have been overturned into the river.