On the 9th August 1888 a steamer tug called Victoria, laden with passengers left Great Yarmouth for a day trip to Cromer. At that time Cromer had no pier so Victoria’s passengers had to be landed by means of a small boat. After a pleasant stay and a look around Cromer, the Victoria’s passengers re-assembled on the beach for their return journey.

The Victoria’s engines were started and the boat began its return journey back to Great Yarmouth. Several hundred yards out the steamer hit something, and began to take in water fast. Local fisherman who had observed what had happened, helped evacuate the passengers and they were taken back to Great Yarmouth by train.

It turned out that the Victoria had struck the tower of a church, which was submerged in Cromer’s waters. The steeple belonged to the church of St. Peters, of the village of Shipden. 
The forgotten village of Shipden had existed some seven hundred years ago. Unfortunately its fine jetties, houses and church were washed away during the 14th century.

It is said, that on days when the tide is exceptionally low, you can still see the remains of this steeple, but we have looked and have not been able to observe it for ourselves. It has also been said that after the Victoria’s disaster, and because of the hazard it caused to shipping, it was dynamited. But we are not sure if this is true.

However, on cold and stormy nights, so the residents of Cromer say, one can hear a strange booming sound coming from a seaward direction. This noise can be heard above the roar of the wind and the waves.  
A noise which sounds very much like a church bell ringing out for its parishioners, who never come.