One of the region's most unusual - and charming attractions - is marking its 160th anniversary, with a special ceremony this weekend.

The Southwold Sailors' Reading Room, on the town's seafront, opened in 1864 as a place for fishermen and mariners to read, to keep them out of pubs and to instil Christian ideals.

Eastern Daily Press: Inside the Sailors' Reading Room in Southwold in yester-year.Inside the Sailors' Reading Room in Southwold in yester-year. (Image: Archant © 2007)

It remains open and is now a registered museum, with maritime objects on display telling the story of Southwold's connection to the sea.

Eastern Daily Press: The Sailors' Reading Room in Southwold in 1971.The Sailors' Reading Room in Southwold in 1971. (Image: Archant Library)

Outside the Grade II listed building is a memorial flagpole dedicated to one of the town's most celebrated seafarers, Captain David Simpson, who died, aged 69, when he went down with his merchant ship, SS Empire Merlin, after it was torpedoed by a German U-boat in the early hours of August 1940.

Eastern Daily Press: The memorial flagpole will be rededicated. Picture: Southwold Sailors' Reading RoomThe memorial flagpole will be rededicated. Picture: Southwold Sailors' Reading Room (Image: Southwold Sailors’ Reading Room)

The vessel was part of a convoy keeping Britain supplied when it was attacked in the North Atlantic, between Scotland and Iceland.

 

 

Only one sailor from its crew of 36 survived.

He swam in the dark for 45 minutes before he found a potato locker to cling to. He was later picked up by a warship.

Eastern Daily Press: The Empire Merlin under her former name West Isleta. Picture: Courtesy of www.uboat.net/The Empire Merlin under her former name West Isleta. Picture: Courtesy of www.uboat.net/ (Image: www.uboat.net/)

The Southwold flagpole has been refurbished and will be rededicated to Captain Simpson in the ceremony at 6pm on Saturday.

The sailor also served in the merchant navy in the First World War and as master of the SS Wandy attacked and sunk a U-boat, an action for which he was awarded the Lloyd's Medal.

Graham Denny, chairman of the reading room, said: "I am delighted that we are able to celebrate the refurbishment of the flagpole with a rededication service.

"This service will conclude with the hoisting of the Merchant Navy’s Red Ensign in recognition of Captain Simpson, to whom the flagpole is dedicated."

The reading room is open seven days a week to members and for the public to visit.