Lowestoft Lifeboat Station

Last updated

Lowestoft Lifeboat Station
Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg
Lowestoft Harbour Wall - geograph.org.uk - 560124.jpg
Lowestoft Lifeboat Station.
Suffolk UK relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
General information
Type RNLI Lifeboat Station
Location Lowestoft, Suffolk
Country England
Coordinates 52°28′18″N1°45′11″E / 52.47167°N 1.75306°E / 52.47167; 1.75306
Owner Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Lowestoft Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) operated lifeboat station in the town of Lowestoft in the English county of Suffolk. The station is located at the mouth of Lowestoft's outer harbour on the South pier. It is one of the oldest lifeboat stations in the United Kingdom, having been established in 1801.

Contents

History

The station was established in 1801, when a lifeboat built by Henry Greathead began operating from the town. In 1807 the station became the first to operate a sailing lifeboat, the Frances Anne, which operated until 1850 and saved over 300 lives. The RNLI took control of the station in 1855. [1]

A second station operated in the town between 1870 and 1912, whilst the South Broads Lifeboat Station, an inshore station, operated at Oulton Broad between 2001 and 2011. [2]

Station honours

Crews from Lowestoft have received 45 awards for gallantry, including 39 medals. The RNLI Gold Medal has been awarded twice. The first award was to Lieutenant R B Matthews RN in October 1827. Coxswain John Swan was the second recipient, for his actions during the rescue of the crew of the merchant ship SS Hopelyn, wrecked on North Scroby Sands in October 1922. [1] The lifeboat Michael Stephens took part in the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. [1]

The following are awards made at Lowestoft [3] [4]

John Thompson Swan - 1924 [5]
Lieut Robert Bates Matthews, RN - 1827
John Thompson Swan, Coxswain - 1922
Lieut John Crouchley Evison, RN - 1834
Lieut Richard Joachim, RN - 1836
Mr Francis Stannard, Master of the schooner Glenmoriston - 1853
Lieut Richard Joachim, RN - 1855 (Second-Service clasp)
Captain Richard Joachim, RN - 1857 (Third-Service clasp)
Robert Hook, Coxswain - 1859
Nathaniel Colby, crew member - 1859
Francis Smith, crew member - 1859
James Butcher, crew member - 1859
William Rose, crew member - 1859
Alfred Mewse, crew member - 1859
Thomas Liffen, crew member - 1859
Richard Butcher crew member - 1859
Captain Richard Joachim, RN - 1861 (Fourth-Service clasp)
Robert Hook, Coxswain - 1873 (Second-Service clasp)
Mr George Edward Hall, master of the fishing boat Trial - 1882
John Thompson Swan, Coxswain - 1914
John Thompson Swan, Coxswain - 1918 (Second-Service clasp)
Ralph A W Scott, Motor Mechanic - 1922
Albert Spurgeon, Coxswain - 1927
George Ayers, Second Coxswain - 1918
George William Ayers, crew member 1922 (Second-Service clasp)
John Rose, crew member 1922
H Allerton, crew member 1922
J Ayers, crew member 1922
W Butcher, crew member 1922
C Mewse, crew member 1922
Albert Spurgeon, crew member 1922
F Swan, crew member 1922
Albert Spurgeon, Coxswain - 1943 (Second-Service clasp)
Thomas Victor Knott, Coxswain/Mechanic - 1974
Peter Gibbons, Second Coxswain - 1974
Thomas Victor Knott, Coxswain/Mechanic - 1976 (Second-Service clasp)
John Catchpole, Coxswain - 1988
Shane Gordon Coleman, Coxswain and sole crew member of the Lowestoft Pilot boat,
(also Second Coxswain/Mechanic of the Lowestoft lifeboat) - 1990
John Catchpole, Coxswain - 1996 (Second-Service clasp)
John Catchpole, Coxswain - 1988
Shane Coleman, Second Coxswain/Mechanic - 1996
John Fox, Coxswain/Mechanic - 2010
Michael Knott 1976
John W Catchpole, Second Coxswain - 1981
Coxswain J Catchpole - 1989
Shane G Coleman, Second Coxswain/Mechanic - 1990
S Coleman, Second Coxswain/Mechanic - 1989
Crew of 1866 Lowestoft Lifeboat - 1893

Lowestoft lifeboats

Pulling and sailing lifeboats

On stationONNameClassLengthComments
1801–1802– Greathead
1807–1850–Frances Ann Norfolk and Suffolk 39 ft 0 in
(11.89 m)		Designed by Lionel Lukin, the forerunner of the Norfolk and Suffolk type. [6] [7]
1850–1876–Victoria Norfolk and Suffolk 42 ft 0 in
(12.80 m)		Number 1 lifeboat. Renamed Laetitia by 1874. [8]
1870–1886–George Norfolk and Suffolk 32 ft 0 in
(9.75 m)		Number 2 lifeboat. [9] [8]
1875–190522Samuel Plimsoll Norfolk and Suffolk 44 ft 4 in
(13.51 m)		Number 1 lifeboat. [10]
1886–189023The Two Sisters Norfolk and Suffolk 46 ft 3 in
(14.10 m)		Number 2 lifeboat. Originally in service at Pakefield with the name Sisters. [10]
1890–1892288Stock Exchange Norfolk and Suffolk 46 ft 0 in
(14.02 m)		Number 2 lifeboat. [11] [12]
1893–1912356Stock Exchange Norfolk and Suffolk 46 ft 0 in
(14.02 m)		Number 2 lifeboat. [13]
1905–1921543Kentwell Norfolk and Suffolk 46 ft 0 in
(14.02 m)		Number 1 lifeboat. [14]

Motor lifeboats

On stationONOp. No.NameClassComments
1921–1939663–Agnes Cross Norfolk and Suffolk Previously John and Mary Meiklam Of Gladswood at Gorleston. [15]
1939–1963838–Michael Stephens Watson Later stationed at Exmouth. Sold in 1976 and now used as a pleasure boat on the River Yealm. [16] [17]
1963–1986970–Frederick Edward Crick Watson [18]
1986–1987924–Archibald and Alexander M. Paterson Barnett [19]
1987–2014113247-020 Spirit of Lowestoft Tyne On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard since June 2019. [20]
2014–131213-05Patsy Knight Shannon [21] [22]
47-020 Spirit of Lowestoft Lowestoft Lifeboat Launched to a Medical Emergency aboard Tanker Ocean Crown, 13th June 2009.JPG
47-020 Spirit of Lowestoft

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI Lifeboat Station in Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat station, England

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat station is a RNLI base in Norfolk, England. There were originally two separate stations at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston – two coastal towns either side of the River Yare. These were merged in 1926.

<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">Ramsgate Lifeboat Station</span> Station located in the Port of Ramsgate in Kent

Ramsgate Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in the Port of Ramsgate in the English county of Kent. The station is one of the oldest to operate in the British Isles and has launched to many notable services. Among the awards won by its crews over the years are 42 RNLI medals, including 2 gold, 39 silver and 1 bronze, the last being awarded in 2000.

<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">Angle Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station in Wales

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.

<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">Valentia Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI Lifeboat Station in County Kerry, Ireland

The Valentia Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located at Knightstown, Valentia Island, County Kerry, Ireland.

<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">Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI lifeboat station in Suffolk

Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station is an RNLI station located in the town of Aldeburgh in the English county of Suffolk.

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

Southwold Lifeboat Station is an RNLI operated lifeboat station located in the town of Southwold in the English county of Suffolk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dover Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI lifeboat station in Kent, England

Dover Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat station located in the town of Dover in the English county of Kent. The station first opened in 1837, coming under the RNLI’s control in 1855.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aberdeen Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station in Scotland

Aberdeen Lifeboat Station is located at the entrance to Victoria Dock, in the harbour city of Aberdeen, in the historic county of Aberdeenshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holyhead Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station in Anglesey, Wales

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">Saint Peter Port Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI lifeboat station on Guernsey

St Peter Port Lifeboat Station is located at St Peter Port, capital of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, and main port of the island of Guernsey, a self-governing British Crown Dependency and one of the Channel Islands.

<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">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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station in Scotland

Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station is located at the harbour town of Fraserburgh, in the NE corner of Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wick Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station in Scotland

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunmore East Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station in Ireland

Dunmore East Lifeboat Station is located on West Wharf, at the harbour of Dunmore East, County Waterford, on the south coast of Ireland.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lowestoft Lifeboat Station, Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
  2. ↑ RNLI closes South Broads lifeboat station at Oulton Broad, BBC news website, 2011-11-15. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
  3. ↑ "Lowestoft's station history". RNLI. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  4. ↑ Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN   0 907605 89 3.
  5. ↑ "Medal of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Gallantry" (PDF). London Gazette. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  6. ↑ "Sketch of the progress made in the construction of coast life-boats 1795-1900". Life-boat. Vol. 17, no. 195. 1905. pp. 551–554.
  7. ↑ Wake-Walker, Edward (2007). The Lifeboats Story. The History Press. p. 13. ISBN   978-0-7509-4858-6.
  8. 1 2 Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2021). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2021. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 2–18.
  9. ↑ "Additional stations and new life-boats". Life-boat. Vol. 7, no. 77. 1870. p. 509.
  10. 1 2 Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–5.
  11. ↑ "Additional stations and new life-boats". Life-boat. Vol. 14, no. 157. 1890. pp. 395–399.
  12. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 14–15.
  13. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 16–17.
  14. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 24–25.
  15. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 28–29.
  16. ↑ "Michael Stephens". Assoc. Dunkirk Little Ships. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  17. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 36–37.
  18. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 42–43.
  19. ↑ "Archibald & Alexander M Paterson". National Historic Ship Register. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  20. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 40–41.
  21. ↑ "Historic occasion is celebrated as Duke of Kent attends lifeboat naming ceremony in Lowestoft". The Lowestoft Journal. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  22. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2024, p. 57.