The service currently operates a Whaly 500 rescue boat, with a unique fold-down bow for ease of casualty recovery, on station since 2021.[2]
Glasgow Humane Society is a registered charity (No. SC001178).[3]
History
Glasgow Humane Society was founded on 16 August 1790, and was one of many such Humane Societies established all over the world. In Glasgow, it was set up by members of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, after James Coulter left the sum of £200 to the college in 1787, to set up a society.[4]
Previously, in the eyes of the church, a person who attempted to take their own life, for example, by jumping into the river, was to end up in hell and suffer eternal damnation. A person who lives was a criminal. Regardless of whether they jumped or fell, it was unlikely that someone would come to their assistance. The Society was founded towards the end of the Age of Enlightenment, when science and intellect was taking over from religious beliefs, with a different view of people who ended up in the water.[4]
Glasgow Humane Society established the oldest continuing lifeboat service in the world.[5][6][7][8]
World life-saving championships 1900
On Saturday 21 to Monday 23 July 1900, as part of the Exposition Universelle (1900) in Paris, France, the World Life-saving Championships took place on the River Seine. The Glasgow Humane Society were invited to attend, representing Great Britain, the crew being George Geddes, James Aitken, trainer to Queen's Park F.C., and Gavin Meiklejohn, a waterman. The competition required the crew to row to someone in the water, retrieve them into the boat, and row back. A special symmetrical boat was constructed, designed by George Geddes, which has a seat down the middle of the boat, allowing easier rowing in either direction. With the unique boat, in front of a crowd of 12,000 paying spectators, the Glasgow crew won their event.[4][9][10]
Advice to councils, emergency services, universities and schools businesses, riverside users and general members of the public on safety and accident prevention on waterways.
Education of the public in water safety.
The society is contracted by the council to maintain the provision of lifebelts along the River Clyde, and to assist in 'search and locate' missions for missing people.[1]
Alongside Strathclyde Police, the Glasgow Humane Society introduced a GPS system for rescue equipment along the River Clyde. At every lifebelt and rescue ladder position there are signs with an identifying code that a caller can to provide to police, that allows the police command and control system to accurately pinpoint the caller's location.[11]
Police Scotland RIB & Glasgow Humane Society boat on the River Clyde
The Bennie, a lifeboat custom designed and constructed by GHS Officer Benjamin "Bennie" Parsonage in the 1950s, is on display in the Riverside Museum. The boat was donated to the museum in 2010, by Ben's son George, who had taken over the role of GHS Officer.[12]
Of all the Humane Societies around the world, Glasgow was the only one to permanently employ someone, the Officer of the Glasgow Humane Society. The Officer, carrying out the practical duties of prevention, rescue and, inevitably, recovery, became a very effective safety consultant, and provided the only dedicated water rescue service in the world when established.[4]
Although not an Officer, it wasn't unusual for family members to be involved in rescues. George Geddes took over from his father George in 1889, and in 1916, George Geddes Jnr., son of (1889) George Geddes, was awarded the Diploma of the Royal Humane Society Diploma, for placing his life in great danger during the rescue of a woman at Glasgow Green. Geddes Jnr. later drowned, whilst attempting a rescue on 11 November 1928.[13]
Benjamin Parsonage succeeded George Geddes in 1928, and went onto to serve for 51 years, until his death in 1979 from a heart attack. It is recorded that during that time, he saved over 1000 lives. It is also recorded that also during that time, he also recovered over 2000 bodies from the River Clyde.[14]
Former infantry soldier and later dog-handler, with the King's Own Scottish Borderers, and then 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, William Graham was appointed Officer in 2015, and is only the 11th person to hold the title since 1790.[1]
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