A lifeboat was stationed here by the Anglesey Association for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck in 1828. Management was transferred to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1855.[1]
The Anglesey Association for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck was founded by the Rev. James and Mrs Frances Williams in 1828. They had witnessed the loss of 140 lives from the wreck of the vessel Alert in 1823, and spent the following five years raising funds and gaining support.[2]
With the help of the Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, they managed to purchase a lifeboat for Cemlyn. A 25-foot 8in 5-oar non-self-righting lifeboat costing £160 was constructed by Harton, arriving on 3 November 1828. The Rev. Owen Williams, James' son, was appointed Coxswain.[3]
When the steamshipLeeds hit Harry Furlong Rocks, the Cemlyn lifeboat was launched, but another steamship Commerce had come to her aid. The majority of passengers transferred between ship in small boats, but one boat got away, unable to reach land or the Commerce. In dangerous conditions, the Cemlyn lifeboat managed to rescue the three men on board. For this service, Coxswain Owen Lloyd Williams was awarded the Silver Medal.[4][5]
On 18 December 1845, The barqueFrankland, on passage from Bahia, BraziltoLiverpool, was driven ashore and wrecked at Cemaes Bay. For their gallantry in rescuing 18 crew, Silver Medals were awarded to crew members Robert Griffiths, Richard Owen and Owen Highland.[4][6]
In 1853, this lifeboat was transferred to Rhoscolyn, and Lifeboat No.4 was brought to Cemlyn from Moelfre, a 26-foot non-self-righting boat built by Harton. This lifeboat would launch nine times, and rescue 18, during her 12-year period on service. In 1855, the Anglesey Association transferred all their lifeboat to the management of the RNLI.[1]
By 1872, raising a crew at Cemlyn was getting so difficult, that the RNLI decided to close the station, and open a new one a few miles along the coast at Cemaes. The Cemlyn boat, by now the Sophia, a 30-foot self-righting pulling and sailing (P&S) lifeboat (one with oars and sails), built by Forrestt at a cost of £133-6s-3d, and on station since 1865, was transferred to Cemaes. However, within just a few years, sufficient experienced men moved to Cemlyn that it was requested that the station be reopened. A new boathouse was constructed, and a 32-foot self-righting (P&S) lifeboat arrived in October 1877. Provided by the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds (Ashton Unity), the boat was named Good Shepherd.[3]
Four further lifeboats would serve at Cemlyn, but calls became fewer. Between 1904 and 1919, the lifeboat was called just seven times, and no lives were saved. In 1919, it was decided to close Cemlyn Lifeboat station.[3]
Cemlyn Lifeboat Memorial
The last boat on station, Sir John (ON 408) was transferred to the relief fleet, before being sold in 1926.[1]
Very little evidence remains of any boathouse at Cemlyn, just part of a launchway.[7]
In 1978, a memorial was erected near the site of the former lifeboat station, to commemorate both the 150th anniversary of Cemlyn Lifeboat Station, the first one on Anglesey, and the founders, Rev. James and Mrs Frances Williams.
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.
Moelfre Lifeboat Station is located in the village of Moelfre, on the north east coast of Anglesey, 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.
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.
Thurso Lifeboat Station is located at Scrabster Harbour, in the NE corner of Scotland, near the town of Thurso, Highland, in the historic county of Caithness. A lifeboat was first stationed here by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in 1860.
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.
Sutton Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station, which was located at the village of Sutton-on-Sea, in the county of Lincolnshire. A lifeboat was first stationed here by the Lincolnshire Coast Shipwreck Association (LCSA) in 1844, although it was preceded by a station at Huttoft from 1835. It was handed over to the RNLI in 1864.
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.
Hauxley Lifeboat Station was located in the village of Hauxley, in the county of Northumberland.
Boulmer Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station, which was located at the village of Boulmer in the county of Northumberland.
Tynemouth Lifeboat Station is located on the River Tyne, at Fish Quay, North Shields, in the county of Tyne and Wear.
Cullercoats Lifeboat Station is located on the north side of Cullercoats Harbour, in the town of Cullercoats, North Tyneside, in the county of Tyne and Wear.
Seahouses Lifeboat Station is located in the village of Seahouses, 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.
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.
Whitburn Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station, which was located in the village of Whitburn, in the county of Tyne and Wear.
Wicklow Lifeboat Station is located at East Pier in the county town of Wicklow, County Wicklow, a harbour town at the mouth of the River Vartry, on the east coast of Ireland.
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