Angle Lifeboat Station

Last updated

Angle Lifeboat Station
RNLI Lifeboat house at Angle - geograph.org.uk - 429303.jpg
RNLI Lifeboat house, Angle
Wales relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Angle, Pembrokeshire
General information
Type RNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationPoint Angle, Pembrokeshire, UK
Country Wales, United Kingdom
Coordinates 51°41′08″N5°04′51″W / 51.68556°N 5.08083°W / 51.68556; -5.08083
Opened1868
Owner Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Angle Lifeboat Station, Angle, Pembrokeshire, Wales, first opened in 1868 [1] after a request from the local Coastguard for a lifeboat station to be opened within the Milford Haven Waterway. Originally called Milford Lifeboat Station, in 1892 the name was officially changed by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) committee. [2]

Contents

The station currently operates a Tamar-class lifeboat Mark Mason

History

The Lady Rank, Chapel Bay, Angle (2007) The Lady Rank Lifeboat in Chapel Bay near Angle.jpg
The Lady Rank, Chapel Bay, Angle (2007)

The station was established by the RNLI in 1868, although three RNLI silver medals had already been awarded for local rescues. A boat house and wooden slipway were built, the latter replaced by a stronger slipway in 1888. A new boathouse and roller slipway were built in 1927 and two years later the station took delivery of its first motor-lifeboat. [1]

In 1991 construction began of a new, larger, boathouse and slipway adjacent to the 1927 structure. Following completion in 1992, the old boathouse and slipway were demolished.

In the 1990s an inshore lifeboat station was established and in 1996 a D-class lifeboat, D-493 Isabella Mary began service at the station. The 1992 all-weather lifeboat station was adapted for the new, larger, Tamar class lifeboat, and in 2009 the station took delivery of the Tamar-class, 16-11 Mark Mason.

Station Honours

The Loch Shiel before 1894 Loch Shiel 1.jpg
The Loch Shiel before 1894

Twelve RNLI Medals have been awarded, seven silver and five bronze, including two second award clasps, and three medals before the station was established in 1868. [3]

The first rescue where the crew received medals was in 1894, with 27 [1] (some say 33) [4] people saved from the 1878-built Loch Shiel which had run onto rocks off Thorn Island. Two lifeboat crew members and the honorary secretary received RNLI silver medals. One of these crew members was Thomas Rees, who is buried in the churchyard at St Mary's. It was said that the lifeboat was unable to reach the stricken ship, but the lifeboat crew managed to get to it by climbing around Thorn Island and getting a rope to the ship.

The rescue is described as Wales' "Whisky Galore". The Loch Shiel was carrying goods from Scotland to Adelaide and included gunpowder, beer, [5] and 7,500 [6] (some say 7,000) [4] cases of Glasgow whisky. The cargo was partially recovered by the Customs, but some of the bottles are still amongst the wreck and are described as "undrinkable". [4] In 1999, bottles of beer from the wreck were auctioned for £1,000 per bottle. [6]

The next award was a bronze medal awarded to Coxswain James Watkins for rescuing 28 people on 26 November 1929 from the single-screw steamship Molesley which had been caught by a sudden wind change and a poor decision by its captain. [7] James Watkins went on to be awarded a silver medal for rescuing 6 people in 1944 from the motor boat Thor, and a year later another bronze medal for a difficult rescue of nine people from the steamer Walter L M Russ. [1] (This steamer had been seized from the Germans and sank on 15 July before it could be renamed the Empire Concourse.) [8] James Watkins finally retired in 1946 after 24 years service as coxswain and 13 years as second coxswain. [3]

More recently, Coxswain William John Rees Holmes has been awarded two bronze medals. The first was in 1977 when the tanker Donna Marike was thought to be about to explode and the lifeboat stood by her in December 1976. The second bronze medal was for rescuing three people from the fishing boat Cairnsmore on 1 December 1978. [1]

In 1997 a third coxswain, Jeremy R. Rees, and his crew were awarded another bronze medal for rescuing four people after their motor boat, Dale Princess, was blown on to cliffs on Skomer Island. The rescue was made in gale-force winds and stormy seas. [1]

The following are awards made to the crew of Angle Lifeboat Station [9]
Twelve medals have been awarded, 7 Silver and 5 Bronze.

Mr William Field - 1833
Mr Thomas Landells - 1850
John Large - 1861
R W Mirehouse, Honorary Secretary - 1894
E Bull, crew member - 1894
T Rees, crew member - 1894
James Watkins, Coxswain - 1944
James Watkins, Coxswain - 1929
James Watkins, Coxswain - 1945 (Second Service award)
William John Rees Holmes, Coxswain - 1973
William John Rees Holmes, Coxswain/Mechanic - 1979 (Second Service award)
Jeremy Richard Rees, Coxswain - 1997
Albert Rees, Mechanic - 1944
William John Rees Holmes, Coxswain/Mechanic - 1977
Coxswain and Crew - 1977 (Fastnet Race)
The crew of The Lady Rank - 1997
Michael John Eynon - 2000 [10]

Angle Lifeboats

All-weather lifeboats

Pulling and Sailing lifeboats

ON [lower-alpha 1] NameIn service [11] ClassComments
–Katherine1868–188833-foot 10 oared Self-Righting (P&S) [12]
223Henry Martin Harvey1888–190637-foot 12 oared Self-Righting (P&S)
46Reserve No.4A (or No.6)1906–191037-foot 12 oared Self-Righting (P&S)Formerly Charlotte at Porthoustock
438Reserve No.61915–191935-foot Self-Righting (P&S)Formerly James Stevens No. 11
434Henry Dundas1919–192738-foot Watson (P&S)
462Thomas Fielden1927–192940-foot Watson (P&S)

Steam lifeboat

ON [lower-alpha 1] NameIn service [11] ClassComments
420 James Stevens No. 3 1908–1915 Steam Damaged on rocks after breaking her moorings, withdrawn in 1915
Ex-Gorleston, Grimsby

Motor lifeboats

ON [lower-alpha 1] Op. No. [lower-alpha 2] NameIn service [11] ClassComments
713–Elizabeth Elson1929–1957 45ft 6in Watson
931–Richard Vernon & Mary Garforth of Leeds1957–1987 46ft 9in Watson
111447-011The Lady Rank1987–2008 Tyne
111247-010RFA Sir Galahad2008–2009 Tyne Ex-Tenby
129116-11Mark Mason2009– Tamar [13]

Inshore lifeboats

Op. No. [lower-alpha 2] NameIn service [11] ClassComments
D-336Unnamed1994–1996 D-class (EA16) Temporary assignment from the relief fleet,
D-493Isabella Mary1996–2004 D-class (EA16)
D-638Richard John Talbot Hillier2004–2015 D-class (IB1)
D-776Super G II2015–2020 D-class (IB1) Inshore boat withdrawn 2020. Service coverage by Boarding Boat (BB-695)
  1. 1 2 3 ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. 1 2 Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tenby Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station on the South coast of Wales

Tenby Lifeboat Station is a lifeboat station in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales that has been situated to the east of the town since 1852, three generations having been built; the original and updates in 1905 and 2005. The station currently houses two lifeboats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angle, Pembrokeshire</span> Human settlement in Wales

Angle is a village, parish and community on the southern side of the entrance to the Milford Haven Waterway in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The village school has closed, as has the village shop. There is a bus link to Pembroke railway station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cromer Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI Lifeboat Station in Norfolk, England

Cromer Lifeboat Station is an RNLI station located in the town of Cromer in the English county of Norfolk. The station operates two lifeboats – one for inshore work and the other for offshore work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Mumbles Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI Lifeboat Station in Wales, UK

The Mumbles Lifeboat Station opened in 1835 with a lifeboat that was funded and managed by Swansea Harbour Trustees and was known as Swansea Lifeboat Station. The station was taken over by the RNLI in 1863 and moved to Mumbles in 1866. The station only officially became The Mumbles Lifeboat Station in 1904.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southend-on-Sea Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station at Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England

The Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station is a lifeboat station at Southend-on-Sea in the English county of Essex, operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) since 1879.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weymouth Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station on the South coast of England, UK

Weymouth Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Weymouth in Dorset, England. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1869. Since 2002 it has operated a Severn-class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) and an Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat (ILB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salcombe Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station on the South coast of Devon in the UK

Salcombe Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Salcombe, Devon in England. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1869. The Salcombe Lifeboat has twice capsized, in 1916 with the loss of 13 lives, and in 1983 with no loss of life. Since 2008 the station has operated a Tamar-class all weather boat (ALB) and an Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat (ILB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI Lifeboat Station in Sennen Cove, United Kingdom

Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations for the sea around Land's End, Cornwall in the United Kingdom. The first lifeboat was stationed at Sennen Cove in 1853. Since 2009 it has operated a Tamar-class all weather boat (ALB) and a D-class (IB1) inshore lifeboat (ILB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Torbay Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station in Devon, England

Torbay Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Brixham, Devon in England. Brixham Lifeboat Station was opened in 1866 but since 1924 has been known as 'Torbay'. Since 2005 it has operated a Severn-class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) together with a D-class (IB1) inshore lifeboat (ILB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baltimore Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station on the South coast of Ireland

Baltimore Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution station situated in Baltimore, Ireland, and was established in 1919.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fishguard Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI Lifeboat Station in Wales, UK

Fishguard Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walton and Frinton Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI Lifeboat Station in Essex, England

Walton and Frinton Lifeboat Station is an RNLI station located in the town of Walton-on-the-Naze in the English county of Essex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bembridge Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI Lifeboat Station in Isle of Wight, England

Bembridge Lifeboat Station is an RNLI station located in the village of Bembridge on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoreham Harbour Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI Lifeboat Station in West Sussex, England

Shoreham Harbour Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in the town of Shoreham-by-Sea in the English county of West Sussex. It underwent extensive re-development in 2010 with a new purpose built boathall to accommodate its new Tamar-class all-weather lifeboat (AWB). It operates two lifeboats, the Tamar-class Enid Collett and the D-class (IB1) Inshore lifeboat Joan Woodland (D-784).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Davids Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI Lifeboat Station in Wales, UK

St Davids Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station. It was opened in 1869 and to date has been involved in saving over 360 lives at sea in more than 420 launches. The station operates both an all-weather (ALB) and an inshore (ILB) lifeboat.

Holyhead Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat station in the coastal town of Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales. It is one of the three oldest lifeboat stations situated on the North Wales coast, a disused building of which houses the Holyhead Maritime Museum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moelfre Lifeboat Station</span>

Moelfre Lifeboat Station is located in the village of Moelfre, Anglesey. A lifeboat was first stationed here in 1848 by the Anglesey Association for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barmouth Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI Lifeboat Station in Wales

Barmouth Lifeboat Station is located in Barmouth, a town at the mouth of the Afon Mawddach river in Gwynedd, Wales. A lifeboat was first stationed here by the Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS) in 1828.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barrow Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station in Cumbria, England

Barrow Lifeboat Station is located on Roa Island, near the town of Barrow in Furness, formerly part of Lancashire, but now in Westmorland and Furness. A lifeboat was first stationed here by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1864.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fleetwood Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station in Lancashire, England

Fleetwood Lifeboat Station is located on The Esplanade at the port of Fleetwood, a Lancashire town at the north end of The Fylde, situated at the mouth of the River Wyre.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 RNLI.org.uk: Angle History Archived 9 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine , RNLI.org, accessed 6 January 2021
  2. ↑ Angle Lifeboat Station website: Station history Archived 20 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  3. 1 2 "Angle Lifeboat Station:History RNLI website" . Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 letters, wrecksite.eu, accessed 30 August 2008
  5. ↑ Loch Shiel, Pembrokeshire wrecks
  6. 1 2 Diver sinks £1,000 pint, BBC, accessed 30 August 2008
  7. ↑ Wreck report for Molesley [usurped] , 19 August 1930, GB Board of Trade
  8. ↑ EMPIRE – C, mariners-l.co.uk
  9. ↑ "Angle's station history". RNLI. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  10. ↑ "Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The Gazette. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
  12. ↑ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2021). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2021 (2021 ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 2–18.
  13. ↑ "New £2.7M Tamar class RNLI lifeboat arrives in Angle". The Tenby Observer. Retrieved 20 March 2009.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.