The RNLI decided in 1867, to open a new lifeboat station at Bull Bay. A new boathouse was commissioned, and in the November of that year, £400 for a new lifeboat was received from a Miss Holt, of Anglesey. An order was placed for a 32-foot 10-oared Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, (one with oars and sails), which arrived on station in March 1868.[2]
In dense fog on 9 March 1877, the Ocean linerDakota of the Liverpool and Great Western Steamship Company, ran ashore under the cliffs near East Mouse, on passage from Liverpool to New York with 530 passengers and crew. Fortunately conditions were calm, so many local boats, along with the Bull Bay lifeboat and Rocket Brigade, went to the aid of the vessel. 20 people were brought ashore in the lifeboat, which then stood by as all the other small boats ferried passengers and crew ashore. No lives were lost. The vessel broke in two the following day and was a total wreck.[3][4]
A new lifeboat was placed at Bull Bay in 1884. Costing £290, a 34-foot 10-oared self-righting lifeboat, built by Woolfe and Son, with a launch carriage costing a further £118. The boat was funded by Miss Curling of Camberwell, and was duly named Curling (ON 67).[2]
Coxswain John Hughes retired in 1890. He has served as coxswain since the station opened in 1868. In recognition of his many service calls, he was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal.[5]
In 1904, a new boathouse with roller-slipway was constructed over the shore, standing on steel piles, very much in the design of the one pictured at Douglas, IOM. Constructed at a cost of £2000, it was to house a new 38-foot non-self-righting Watson-class (P&S) lifeboat, which cost £993. The lifeboat, which would turn out to be the last one stationed at Bull Bay, was funded from the legacy of Miss Marianne Cullen of Nottingham, and was named James Cullen (ON 528)[1][2]
On 20 February 1915, the cargo ship S.S. Cambank of Cardiff was torpedoed and sunk off Point Lynas, Anglesey by Submarine U-30 of the Imperial German Navy. 4 of the 25 crew were lost, but the remaining 21 were picked up from the ships boat by Bull Bay lifeboat James Cullen.[6][7]
Bull Bay lifeboat had a good regular service record, the lifeboat being launched 41 times over a period of 58 years, and rescuing 63 lives. However, it was decided that the station would be closed, and the James Cullen was withdrawn in June 1926.[1][2]
The lifeboat was sold in 1926, later being renamed Vika, Meine Leibe and finally Pride of Anglesey, before being broken up in Rochester, Kent in 1996.[1]
The 1904 boathouse was removed, although the concrete pile footings can still be seen today.
The 1868 boathouse still stands. For many years it has been the home to the Bull Bay Yacht and Boat Club, but as of 2024, it is up for sale. A local group are hoping to raise enough funds for the purchase, to create a community hub.[8]
Bull Bay is a village and bay on the northern coast of Anglesey, Wales, close to Amlwch. Its Welsh name, Porth Llechog, means "sheltered bay". The English name is derived from Pwll y Tarw, which is located near the shore close to the bay.
Blyth Lifeboat Station is located at the Port and seaside town of Blyth, in the south east corner of the county of Northumberland, approx. 13 miles (21 km) north of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Angle Lifeboat Station is located near the village of Angle, on the southern side of the entrance to the Milford Haven Waterway in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Eyemouth Lifeboat Station is located at the harbour town of Eyemouth, in the Scottish Borders, Scotland.
Moelfre Lifeboat Station is located in the village of Moelfre, on the north east coast of Anglesey, Wales.
Arklow Lifeboat Station is located at South Quay in Arklow, County Wicklow, a harbour town at the mouth of the River Avoca, on the east coast of Ireland.
Palling Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station, which was located at the town of Palling in the county of Norfolk.
Donna Nook Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station, which was located north of the village of North Somercotes, in the East Lindsey district of the county of Lincolnshire.
Grimsby Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station, which was located at the Port of Grimsby, in the county of Lincolnshire. A lifeboat was first stationed here in 1882.
Wick Lifeboat Station is located at the harbour town and royal burgh of Wick, Highland, in the NE corner of Scotland, in the historic county of Caithness.
Ackergill Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station, located at Ackergill Harbour, Highland, in the NE corner of Scotland near the town of Wick, in the historic county of Caithness.
Alnmouth Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station, which was located at the village of Alnmouth, near the town of Alnwick, in the county of Northumberland.
Penmon Lifeboat Station was located at Penmon Point, north east of the town of Beaumaris, on the eastern tip of the Isle of Anglesey, Wales.
Rhoscolyn Lifeboat Station was located at Porth-y-Corwgl, near the village of Rhoscolyn, on the west coast of Holy Island, Anglesey, Wales.
Cemlyn Lifeboat Station was located on the west side of Cemlyn Bay, near the village of Cemlyn, on the north coast of Anglesey, Wales.
Cemaes Lifeboat Station was located in Porth yr Ogof cove, Trwyn yr Wylfa, on the west side of Cemaes Bay, near the fishing port village of Cemaes, on the north coast of Anglesey, Wales.
Llanddwyn Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat station, located on Ynys Llanddwyn, a small tidal island near the village of Newborough, Anglesey, on the south west coast of Anglesey, Wales.
Kingsdown Lifeboat Station was located on the shore off Wellington Parade, Kingsdown, a village situated at the north end of the White Cliffs of Dover, Kent.
Mornington Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station in the village of Mornington, on the south side of the River Boyne estuary, near Drogheda in County Meath, Ireland.
Llanddulas Lifeboat Station was in the village of Llanddulas, located between Colwyn Bay and Rhyl, in Conwy, on the north coast of Wales.
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