According to an article in the Sheerness Times (Sat 23rd Dec 1922): On Sunday shortly after 11.30AM (17 Dec 1922) the fully laden Norwegian Steamer (cargo ship) "The Gyp" collided with Ferry Bridge completely destroying a buttress and isolating Sheppey from the mainland. (The destruction of the buttress meant that the bridge was unable to close).
Despite being assisted by 2 steam tugs some how The Gyp lost control and hit the buttress with considerable force. (The Gyp was fully laden with wood pulp (4.5K tonnes) loaded at Port St Lawrence, Canada and was destined for Lloyds paper mills via Ridham Docks).
She was for some time wedged between the sides of the bridge and took away not only the whole of the 6ft by 40ft buttress but 10ft of the fixed railway, before she was safely removed with thankfully relatively little damage to the ship and crew alike and was cleared to continue her journey.
Sheppey was isolated from the mainland for over 10 weeks. There are many interesting articles about the hardships this caused and how the Islanders overcame this.
Such was the importance and severity of this "disaster" the Sheerness Times ran the article with a photograph (credited to J Griffiths).
Further several series of postcards were created (see above for an example of one created by J Griffiths) and in March of the following year the Sheerness Times produced a keepsake photographic supplement. (Photographs were again by the local photographer "J Griffiths" aka John James Griffiths)
