Poolbeg Lifeboat Station was located near Pigeon House Fort, on the artificial peninsula of Poolbeg, reclaimed land which extends out from Ringsend, Dublin, into Dublin Bay, in the administrative region of Fingal, historically County Dublin, on the east coast of Ireland.[1]
A lifeboat was first stationed at Poolbeg in 1804 by the Ship's Insurance Co. Management of the station was transferred to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1862.[2]
The first lifeboat to be placed at Poolbeg was operated by the Ship's Insurance Co. from Pigeonhouse Fort from 1804 to 1825. In 1820, a second lifeboat, built by Clements and Brady of Dublin was stationed "at the entrance to the River Liffey", kept on the quay near a crane, and operated by the Ballast Corporation of Dublin.[3]
In early 1862, the Ballast Corporation made a request to the RNLI to take over the management of their three lifeboat stations, located at Howth, Kingstown and Poolbeg, which was agreed. An new unnamed fully equipped 30-foot Self-righting 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, one with oars and sails, was provided to Poolbeg, arriving on station in March 1862. A new carriage for transportation was also provided, along with a new boathouse. The Ballast Corporation agreed to contribute £50 of the annual cost of the station.[2][4]
On the morning of 29 October 1865, the Poolbeg lifeboat was launched to the aid of the schoonerEmma of Barrow-in-Furness, driven ashore at South Bull Sand, whilst on passage from Ardrossan to Newport, Wales. In a SSE gale, and with considerable difficulty, the crew of six were rescued.[5][6]
During an ENE gale on the night of 28 October 1880, the schoonerRobert Brown of Warrenpoint was driven ashore near Pigeonhouse Fort. Two of the four crew were swept away and drowned, but the other two men were seen lashed to the rigging at daybreak by the coastguard. With the normal Poolbeg lifeboat crew absent on training, a replacement crew of local fishermen, seamen and soldiers from the fort was assembled. Launching over a beach strewn with debris and boulders, the crew fought to reach the vessel in extreme conditions, but after 30 minutes, successfully rescued the two men. Five RNLI Medals were awarded, with acting coxswain Lt. J. A. W. O.Neill Torrens being awarded the RNLI Gold Medal.[7][8]
In 1884, the lifeboat was moored afloat in Pigeonhouse Fort basin, after the sea undermined the lifeboat house, rendering it unsafe. In 1907, a new corrugated boathouse and slipway was constructed at the entrance to the basin by Mr Langley of Dublin, at a cost of £430-15s-0d.[3]
Poolbeg would receive a unique new lifeboat in 1938. The 28-foot Harbour-class motor-powered lifeboat was the only one of its type, designed for close shore work within an estuary, and was effectively the first Inshore-lifeboat of the RNLI. The new boat cost £1,893, and was funded from the legacy of the late Mrs. Helen Blake, of Handcross, Sussex. The official lifeboat naming ceremony was postponed due to the outbreak of World War II, but the boat was duly named Helen Blake (ON 809).[9]
The Helen Blake was launched at 22:35 on the 28 August 1954, following reports of 2 men in a small yacht shouting for help near the North Bull Lighthouse. Arriving on scene, they found the yacht Libera tied fast, and two men clinging to the lighthouse ladder. Both men were rescued, and the yacht towed ashore.[10]
Helen Blake (ON 809)
Poolbeg Lifeboat Station was closed in 1959. It was decided that the motor-powered lifeboats stationed at Dún Laoghaire to the south, and Howth to the north, could now easily cover the area, and the need for a lifeboat at Poolbeg had diminished. It had been four years since the last call in 1955. Between 1862 and 1959, the Poolbeg lifeboat was launched 53 times, and saved 59 people. The Helen Blake was sold from service, but was later fully restored, and is now on display in the RNLI Heritage Collection at Chatham Historic Dockyard.[2][3][11]
↑ 29-foot 1in x 6-foot 6in Whaleboat, built by J. Atkinson, costing £392.
↑ 30-foot x 7-foot 3in Whaleboat, built by Thames Ironworks, costing £593.
↑ 28-foot x 8-foot Harbour-class, with a single 20-hp Hyland petrol-engine, built by Groves and Guttridge of Cowes, costing £1,893.
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References
↑ "Dublin - Sheet 19". Maps. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
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