On 29 July 1929 , Mercedes Gleitze became the first woman to swim The Wash , completing the crossing on her third attempt . Originally aiming for Hunstanton , she finally came ashore at Heacham after battling strong tides for over 13 hours . Heacham was severely affected by the North Sea flood of 1953 , when nine people died after the sea broke through . In early 2013 , an exhibition of the North Sea Flood was held at St Mary 's Church , with contributions from Heacham infant and junior schools and from other villagers
North Sea flood of 1953
North Sea flood of 1953
Heacham