Lifeboats were first stationed here in 1855, by the Marquess of Londonderry, and in 1856, by the Fishermans Friendly Society. A lifeboat station operated by the RNLI replaced both in 1870.[1][2]
Seaham lifeboat station was closed in 1979, when faster lifeboats were placed at flanking stations.[1]
History
Construction of Seaham harbour was started in 1828 by landowner Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, in order to ship out coal from nearby Rainton. He provided a lifeboat in 1855, and a boathouse was constructed at the south end of Terrace Beach. A second lifeboat was provided in 1856, out of funds raised by the Seaham fishermen, named Friend of All Nations. Both received equipment grants and lifebelts from the RNLI. No records have been found of any service carried out.[3]
A request was made to the RNLI in 1870 for the provision of a lifeboat for Seaham, which was accepted. A 33-foot 10-oared self-righting 'pulling and sailing' (P&S) lifeboat (one with oars and sails), was ordered from Woolfe & Son of Shadwell, and a boathouse, costing £189-2s-11d, was constructed on the east side of Lighthouse cliff, the land provided by George Vane-Tempest, 5th Marquess of Londonderry. The lifeboat and launch carriage had cost £388-7s-6d, and was funded by a gift of £400 to the RNLI, raised by the needlework of four sisters. The boat arrived in Seaham on 1 September 1870, and at a ceremony attended by several thousand people, the boat was named Sisters Carter of Harrogate.[2][4]
When the Lady Ann was wrecked against the Seaham harbour north pier wall, with huge waves crashing over the top, the lifeboat wasn't launched, but the lifeboatmen rescued 3 crew using ropes. Despite courageous efforts by John Marshall Jnr., who climbed aboard the wreck, they were unable to save the Master. John Marshall Jnr. was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal.[5][6]
In 1908, construction began of a new boathouse and deep-water slipway on the outer wall of South Dock, along with an extra pier for protection. Completed in 1909, the boathouse and slipway cost £3,744-18s-7d. A 42-foot lifeboat, the Bradford (ON 350) was placed on station in 1909. Although an older boat from 1893, she had been fitted with an engine in 1906, and for a short time, Seaham operated two lifeboats.[2]
In 1911, a 38ft Watson-class motor lifeboat Elliot Galer (ON 602) was placed on service, and both No.1 station lifeboat Skynner (ON 155), and No.2 station lifeboat Bradford (ON 350) were withdrawn. The No.2 boathouse and slipway became the No.1 station.[1] The Elliot Galer would rescue 15 from The Stewarts's Court on 21 August 1918, after it had been torpedoed by German submarine UB-112.[7]
Seaham Lifeboat Memorial
In 1950, Seaham got a new lifeboat. The George Elmy (ON 873) was a non-self righting Liverpool-class lifeboat, and would come to be launched 26 times, and rescued 20 lives. On service to the fishing boat Economy on 17 November 1962, and having rescued the 5 crewmen on board, she capsized on the return to Seaham harbour. All 5 lifeboatmen, and 4 crew of the Economy were lost, including a nine-year-old boy.[8]
After a couple of relief boats were placed on station following the disaster, Seaham would receive a new lifeboat in 1963, a self-righting Oakley lifeboat The Will and Fanny Kirby (ON 972). She would go on to be launched 46 times, and save the lives of 66 people. On 11 November 1973, 18 Anglers were rescued off the North Pier, having been cut off. Coxswain Arthur Farrinton was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal.[2][9]
The Will and Fanny Kirby (ON 972)
The Will and Fanny Kirby had a top speed of 8½-knots. In 1977, a 15-knot Waveney-class lifeboat 44-018 The Scout (ON 1044) was placed at Hartlepool, and with an 18-knot Arun-class scheduled for Tynemouth the following year, it was decided to close Seaham Lifeboat Station in 1979.[1][2]
In the 109 years since 1870, the Seaham lifeboat was launched 137 times, and saved the lives of 289 people. The Will and Fanny Kirby would be stationed at Flamborough in 1983. The 1855 boathouse had been demolished, although there is still the pathway to the beach. The remains of the 1909 boathouse and slipway can still be seen. The 1870 boathouse now forms part of the East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre, and houses the George Elmy (ON 873) lifeboat, which is fully restored.[1][10]
In memory of those lost whilst serving Seaham lifeboat.[2]
Liverpool-class lifeboat George Elmy (ON 873), a non-self-righting lifeboat, capsized after rescuing the crew of the fishing boat Economy on 17 November 1962:
Lifeboat Crewmen:
John Miller, Coxswain
Frederick Gippert, Second Coxswain
James Farrington, Bowman
Arthur Leonard Brown, Motor Mechanic
Arthur Brown, crew member
and remembering the lost crew members of the Economy:
↑ Thought to be a 40-foot lifeboat, built by Hawksworth of Torquay, provided by the Seaham Fishermen's Friendly Society
↑ 33-foot 10-oared Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Woolfe &Son, of Shadwell.
↑ 34-foot 10-oared Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Watkins & Co, of Blackwall, London.
↑ 42-foot Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, formerly at Ramsgate, with motor conversion in 1906, and 1907 upgrade.
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