Porth Ruffydd Lifeboat Station

Last updated

Porth Ruffydd Lifeboat Station
Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg
Porth Ruffydd - geograph.org.uk - 5699006.jpg
Porth Ruffydd
Isle of Anglesey UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Porth Ruffydd, Anglesey
General information
StatusClosed
Type RNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationPorth Ruffydd
Town or city Holyhead, Anglesey, LL65 2LT
Country Wales
Coordinates 53°17′09.5″N4°40′32.3″W / 53.285972°N 4.675639°W / 53.285972; -4.675639
Opened1891
Closed1904
Website
https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/beaumaris-lifeboat-station

Porth Ruffydd Lifeboat Station was located at Porth Ruffydd on Holy Island, west of the port of Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey, Wales.

Contents

A lifeboat was first stationed here by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1891. [1]

After 14 service launches, but with no lives saved, the station was closed in 1904. [1]

History

In poor conditions on 17 December 1889, the Barque Tenby Castle ran aground on rocks at Penrhos Point, on the western side of Holy Island. The Volunteer Life Brigade was dispatched to travel 3 miles overland from Holyhead. The Holyhead lifeboat was launched, but needed to travel the 6 miles or more around the north of Holy Island. On arrival on scene, the brigade were unable to reach the vessel. John O Williams, Chief Officer of HM Coastguard, and Holyhead lifeboat Honorary Secretary, sent a man to also raise the Rhoscolyn lifeboat, 5 miles away. [2] [3]

However, after several trips with the use of a small boat, the brigade managed to save 3 men. By the time the Holyhead lifeboat arrived, the vessel had sunk. They picked up one man, who later died. In all, 11 of the 14 crew of the Tenby Castle were lost. Five of the brigade received the RNLI Silver Medal for their brave efforts. [4]

As a result, it was decided to open a lifeboat station at nearby Porth Ruffydd. A 34-foot 10-oared self-righting pulling and sailing (P&S) lifeboat (one with oars and sails), costing £436, was ordered from Watkins & Co., and a boathouse, costing a further £1,320, was constructed at the head of the small cove. A special fund had been raised by a Mr and Mrs Norbury of Bowden, and this covered the entire cost. Such was the remote location of the station, the station was managed by Holyhead lifeboat station, as if the boat was required, many of the crew would be Holyhead men. [5]

At a ceremony in Holyhead on 6 August 1891, Mrs Norbury named the lifeboat Norbury (ON 297). [1]

The Porth Ruffydd lifeboat was first called on the 19 November 1893 to the SS Theresa, but it turned out she was not required. On 12 October 1894, the lifeboat was called to aid the Norwegian vessel Eugenie aground on Ramon Rocks, and after some assistance. she was refloated. [5]

With few service calls, and now with a steam-powered lifeboat based at Holyhead, able to cover the distance far quicker than before, [6] it was decided to close the Porth Ruffydd Station in 1904. The Norbury (ON 297), the only lifeboat to serve at Porth Ruffydd, was broken up. [1] The boathouse survived until 1997, when it was demolished. [7] Only the steps down to the old station remain, as pictured.

Porth Ruffydd lifeboat

ON [lower-alpha 1] NameIn service [8] ClassComments
297Norbury1891–190434-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 1]
  1. ↑ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 34-foot 10-oared Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Watkins & Co.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walmer Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station on the East coast of England in the UK

Walmer Lifeboat Station is located on The Strand on Walmer promenade, in the county of Kent.

<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">Pwllheli Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station in Gwynedd, Wales

Pwllheli Lifeboat Station is located in the town of Pwllheli, which sits on the Llŷn Peninsula, in the historic county of Gwynedd, Wales.

<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">Moelfre Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station in Anglesey, Wales

Moelfre Lifeboat Station is located in the village of Moelfre, on the north east coast of Anglesey, Wales.

<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">Ramsey Lifeboat Station</span> RNLI lifeboat station on the Isle of Man

Ramsey Lifeboat Station is located in the town of Ramsey in the Isle of Man. A lifeboat was first stationed here by the Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS) in 1829.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cresswell Lifeboat Station</span> Former lifeboat station in Northumberland, England

Cresswell Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station, which was located at the village of Cresswell in the county of Northumberland. A lifeboat was first stationed here by the RNLI in 1875.

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

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.

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

Rhosneigr Lifeboat Station was located in the village of Rhosneigr on the west coast of the Isle of Anglesey, Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhoscolyn Lifeboat Station</span> Former lifeboat station in 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bull Bay Lifeboat Station</span> Former lifeboat station in Anglesey, Wales

Bull Bay Lifeboat Station was located at Bull Bay, near the town of Amlwch, on the north coast of Anglesey, Wales.

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

Cemlyn Lifeboat Station was located on the west side of Cemlyn Bay, near the village of Cemlyn, on the north coast of Anglesey, Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cemaes Lifeboat Station</span> Former lifeboat station in 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llanddwyn Lifeboat Station</span> Former lifeboat station in 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitburn Lifeboat Station</span> Former lifeboat station in County Durham, England

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hendon Beach Lifeboat Station</span> Former lifeboat station in Tyne and Wear, England

Hendon Beach Lifeboat Station was located on the coast between the Wearside and Grangetown areas of Sunderland, in the county of Tyne and Wear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mornington Lifeboat Station</span> Former lifeboat station in County Meath, Ireland

Mornington Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station in the village of Mornington, on the south side of the River Boyne estuary, near Drogheda in County Meath, Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llanddulas Lifeboat Station</span> Former lifeboat station in Conwy County Borough, Wales

Llanddulas Lifeboat Station was in the village of Llanddulas, located between Colwyn Bay and Rhyl, in Conwy, on the north coast of Wales.

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

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
  2. ↑ "SV Tenby Castle". Wrecksite. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  3. ↑ "Tenby Castle". National Monuments Record of Wales. Coflein. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  4. ↑ Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN   0-907605-89-3.
  5. 1 2 Morris, Jeff (July 1986). The Closed Lifeboat Stations of Anglesey. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. p. 14.
  6. ↑ "Steam Powered Lifeboats". Maritime Archaeology Trust. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  7. ↑ Holden, Chris (16 January 2024). The Essential Underwater Guide to North Wales Volume One (Revisited) Part Two: Trywn Porth Dinllaen to South Stack. Calgo Publications. p. 224. ISBN   978-0-9545066-4-3 . Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  8. ↑ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2021). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2021. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 2–120.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.