A 'new kaye' was authorised in 1439 to provide a safe harbour during bad weather on the north coast of Cornwall. The harbour was improved in 1836, resulting in the two main piers that encircle it today.[1] During the 1850s, three silver medals were awarded to people rescuing people from shipwrecks near Newquay.[2] A lifeboat house was built on Fore Street in 1860, the lifeboat being taken down the street to the beach when it was needed.[3]
Former boat house at Towan Head
A slipway was built at Towan Head in 1895[2] with an inclination of 1 in 2.5 (40%), one of the steepest slipways in the country.[3] A lifeboat station was also built on Towan Head in 1899 which enabled the lifeboat to be launched directly into the water.[3]
It was suggested in 1897 that Newquay should be provided with a steam-powered lifeboat, however it was decided that Padstow was the only Cornish lifeboat station that was suitable.[4]
The station was closed in 1934, by which time motor lifeboats at other stations could provide better coverage than the "pulling and sailing" lifeboat at Newquay powered by oars or sails. The station was reopened in 1940 to house a motor lifeboat during World War II, but closed permanently in 1945, after which the building was used by the local council.[3]
The RNLI started to station inshore lifeboats (ILBs) around Cornwall from 1964. These could provide quicker rescues for the increasing number of leisure craft that were being used.[5] A new lifeboat station opened on the harbour side at Newquay in June 1965. This housed a D-class ILB. In 1994 a larger station was built on the same site with space for a second ILB, a larger Atlantic 75-class which could reach casualties further from Newquay.[3]
Awards
Members of the lifeboat crew were awarded RNLI silver and bronze medals for a meritorious rescue of the SSOsten which ran aground in a storm on 17 December 1917.[2]
Members of Newquay's ILB crews have been recognised for their bravery several times. One received their "Thanks inscribed on vellum" in 1973. Other crew members were given the same in 1997, 2000 and 2010. Several crew members have also received a framed letter of thanks from the RNLI's chairman.[2]
Lifeboats
James Stevens No. 5 (1899–1917)
B-821 Gladys Mildred (from 2007 to 2023)
At Towan Head
ON is the Official Number used in RNLI records from 1884.
Wrecked when launched for a service on 17 December 1917.[2] The remains were found submerged near the Towan Head slipway in 2004.[9]
1917–1920
453
John William Dudley
1900
Self-Righter
Served at Rye Harbour, Sussex, until 1916. After its time at Newquay it worked at North Berwick in Scotland until 1923. Sold in 1926 and used s a yacht.[10]
1920–1934
509
Admiral Sir George Black
1903
Self-Righter
Had been stationed at The Lizard on the south coast of Cornwall until 1918. Sold in 1936 and used as a yacht.[11]
A motor lifeboat initially stationed at Cullercoats.[12] After service at Newquay it moved up the coast to Ilfracombe and then to Criccieth in Wales where it remained until 1961.[13]
Inshore lifeboats
Op. No. is the Operational Number shown on the boat.
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