Southwold Lifeboat Station

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Southwold Lifeboat Station
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Southwold Lifeboat Station.
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General information
Type RNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationFerry Road,, Southwold, Suffolk, IP18 6NB, England
Coordinates 52°18′54″N1°40′21″E / 52.31500°N 1.67250°E / 52.31500; 1.67250
Opened
  • 1841–1940
  • 1963–present
Owner Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Website
Southwold RNLI Lifeboat Station

Southwold Lifeboat Station is located at the end of Ferry Road at Southwold Harbour, on the north bank of the River Blyth, in the county of Suffolk, England. [1]

Contents

A lifeboat was first stationed at Southwold by the Southwold Lifeboat Society in 1841. Management of the station was transferred to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1854, the station in operation until its closure in 1940. The RNLI re-opened Southwold as an Inshore lifeboat station in 1963. [2]

The station currently operates an Atlantic 85-class Inshore lifeboat, Annie Tranmer (B-868), on station since 2013. [3]

History

In view of the number of wrecks occurring on the Barnard Sand, and between Walberswick and Dunwich, with no assistance available from the Lowestoft or Pakefield lifeboats, a meeting was convened at Southwold Town Hall on the 18 December 1840, to discuss the means to provide a lifeboat at Southwold. The Southwold Lifeboat Society was established, with Jas. Jermyn appointed secretary. Soon, the sum of £385-7s-2d was raised, and an order placed with Teasdell of Great Yarmouth. A 40-foot (12 m) 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, one with sails and (12) oars, arrived in Southwold in 1841, and was named Solebay. [4]

At 04:00 on 4 December 1848, the schooner Ury of Sunderland on passage to Dunkirk with a cargo of coal, ran aground on the Barnard Sands and was de-masted. The Captain and two crew were lost. Men from Kessingland were unable to launch their yawl, and a messenger was sent on horseback to Southwold. The lifeboat arrived after 30 minutes, and veering down, rescued one man. A second man refused to release his grip on the rigging, and so at great risk to himself, acting Coxswain John Fish ran up the broken mast, bringing the man to safety. Lloyd's of London committee rewarded the lifeboat crew with £19-10s, including £5 for John Fish, who was also awarded the RNLI Silver Medal. [4] [5] [6]

During the rescue to the William Cook of Great Yarmouth, which had struck the Outer Shoal on 11 January 1852 whilst on passage to Ramsgate from Hartlepool, the Solebay was badly damaged. A new 38-foot (12 m) self-righting lifeboat was ordered from James Beeching, arriving in 1852, and named Harriett. However, as time went by, the crew expressed increasing dissatisfaction with the new boat, indicating that they would prefer to use the old one, even in its declined state. [4]

With this dilemma, and with depleted funds, the Southwold Lifeboat Committee approached the RNLI for advice. At a meeting of the RNLI committee of management on 5 January 1854, it was agreed to take over the assets and liabilities of the station, and contribute £200 towards a new lifeboat, on the agreement that the local committee would order a boat, and find the remaining funds. A new 40-foot (12 m) Norfolk and Suffolk-class lifeboat arrived in 1855, again taking the name Harriett (ON 28). [4] [7] [8]

On the 27 February 1858, the lifeboat set out for exercise, with three observers aboard. In heavy surf, with all sails set, the lifeboat was pitched on its side. The masts broke when they hit the ground, and the boat fully capsized, pitching everyone into the water. All the lifeboat crew were recovered, but the three observers drowned. They were the only ones not wearing life-belts, and the Rev. Hodges was found later under the upturned boat, tangled in the gear. [9]

A No.2 station was established in August 1866, with the arrival of a smaller 33-foot (10 m) Peake-class self-righting lifeboat, giving the option of using a larger or smaller boat dependent on conditions. The lifeboat with its carriage was first transported to Halesworth free of charge by the Great Eastern railway company. From there, it was drawn on its carriage to Southwold, and paraded through the streets to the lifeboat station, where it was named Quiver No. 2, before being launched on demonstration to the assembled crowd. The lifeboat was one of three boats funded by the readers of The Quiver magazine. [10]

1920s onwards

The inauguration of a new 46-foot-6-inch (14.17 m) Norfolk and Suffolk-class motor-powered lifeboat took place at Southwold on 11 July 1926. The lifeboat was funded from the legacy of Miss Mary Scott, a lifelong supporter. During her time at Southwold, the boat would be launched 30 times, saving 23 lives. [11] [12]

At 13:15 on 30 May 1940, RNLI headquarters in London received an urgent telephone-call from the Minister of Shipping, to muster as many lifeboats at possible at Dover within 24 hours. In all, 19 lifeboats attended Dover, including the Mary Scott from Southwold, for what would be the Dunkirk evacuation. With a crew supplied by the Royal Navy, Mary Scott was towed to Dunkirk by the paddle steamer Emperor of India, together with two other small boats. Between them they took 160 men to their mother ship, then made a journey with 50 men to another transport vessel. When her engine broke down, Mary Scott was beached and abandoned at De Panne, east of Dunkirk, although she was later recovered, and returned to service with the RNLI. [13] [14]

However, as part of the Second World War defences, in preparation for invasion, a boom of floats and chains was installed across the Southwold harbour entrance. No boats could come in or go out, and Southwold Lifeboat Station was forced to close. It didn't reopen after the war. The Mary Scott was assigned to the relief fleet, operating until she was withdrawn from service in 1953. [9] [15]

1960s onwards

In 1963, in response to an increasing amount of water-based leisure activity, the RNLI began trials of small fast Inshore lifeboats, placed at various locations around the country. These were easily launched with just a few people, ideal to respond quickly to local emergencies. This quickly proved to be very successful. [16]

One of the first places chosen for a new Inshore lifeboats was Southwold. The Southwold lifeboat station was re-established in July 1963, with the arrival of a D-class (RFD PB16) Inshore lifeboat, the unnamed (D-6). At the time, Inshore lifeboats were placed on station just for the summer season, and many boats were moved around to different stations. Southwold is recorded as having five different D-class Inshore lifeboats between 1963 and 1973. [17]

Present day

The current boathouse was built in 1993 near the entrance to Southwold Harbour at the mouth of the River Blyth. [9] A winch and davit are used to launch the boat. These were repositioned in 2012 following essential repair work carried out to the harbour wall. [18] [19]

The station covers an area of approximately 25 miles (40 km). Neighbouring lifeboat stations are located at Lowestoft and Aldeburgh along the North Sea coast. [20] The Atlantic 85 is the third generation Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) in the B-class series. The lifeboat has a manually operated self-righting mechanism and can be beached in an emergency without sustaining damage to engines or steering gear. She is ideal for rescues close to shore and on the sandbanks along the coast at Southwold.

The lifeboat is operated by a crew of around 18 volunteers. Charity abseil events in 2009 and 2011 at Southwold lighthouse raised over £20,000 for the lifeboat. [21] [20]

Station honours

The following are awards made at Southwold. [9] [22]

John Fish, Acting Coxswain – 1849
Benjamin Herrington, Coxswain – 1854
William Waters, Second Coxswain – 1854
John Cragie, Acting Coxswain – 1859
Benjamin Herrington, Second Coxswain – 1859 (Second-Service clasp)
Edward William Goldsmith, Bricklayer – 1895
Thomas Henry Palmer, Fisherman – 1895
Alfred Took, Fisherman – 1895
John Cragie, Coxswain – 1895 (Second-Service clasp)
John Cragie, Coxswain – 1898 (Third-Service clasp)
James H. Gilings, Decorator – 1924
Frank Upcraft, Coxswain – 1927
Patrick Pile, crew member – 1972
Martin Helmer, crew member – 1972
Roger Edward Trigg, Helm – 1981
Jonathan Adnams, Helm – 1990
Marcus Gladwell, crew member – 1990
Paul Horsnell, crew member – 1990
S. May, Coxswain – 1911
J. P. A. Adnams, crewman – 1981
A. Chambers, skipper of the motor fishing vessel Broadside – 1981
J. P. A. Adnams, Helm – 1989
Roger Trigg, Helm – 1983
J. P. A. Adnams, Helm – 1990
E. R. Cooper, Honorary Secretary – 1905
S. May, Coxswain – 1905
C. Jarvis, Second Coxswain – 1905
the 16 other members of the crew – 1905
The lifeboat crew – 1912
Jonathan Patrick Adair Adnams, DLA – 2009NYH [23]

Roll of honour

In memory of those lost whilst serving Southwold lifeboat. [9]

George Ellis, observer
Rev. Robert Hodges, observer
John Ord, observer

Southwold lifeboats

No.1 station

ON [a] NameBuiltOn station [24] ClassComments [12]
–Solebay18411841–1855 40-foot Norfolk and Suffolk [Note 1]
Pre-246Harriett18521852–185538-foot Beeching Self-righting (P&S) [Note 2]
28Harriett18551855–1869 40-foot Norfolk and Suffolk [Note 3]
Renamed London Coal Exchange in 1869.
28London Coal Exchange18551869–1893 40-foot Norfolk and Suffolk [25]
353 Alfred Corry 18931893–1918 44-foot Norfolk and Suffolk [Note 4]
352Bolton18931918–1925 43-foot Norfolk and Suffolk [Note 5]
Previously at Kessingland.
691Mary Scott19251925–1940 46-foot 6in Norfolk and Suffolk (Motor) [Note 6] [13]
Station closed 1940 due to World War 2 requirements. [9]

No.2 station

ON [a] NameBuiltOn station [26] ClassComments [12]
Pre-454Quiver No. 218661866–1882 33-foot Peake Self-righting (P&S) [Note 7]
29Quiver No. 218711882–1897 30-foot Norfolk and Suffolk-class 'Surf-Boat' [Note 8]
Previously Dorinda and Barbara at Theddlethorpe.
405Rescue18971897–1920 32-foot Norfolk and Suffolk-class 'Surf-Boat' [Note 9]
Station closed, 1920

Inshore lifeboats

D-class

Op. No. [b] NameOn station [27] ClassComments
D-6Unnamed1963 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-25Unnamed1964 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-14Unnamed1965 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-36Unnamed1965–1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-191Unnamed1970–1973 D-class (RFD PB16)

B-class

Op. No. [b] NameOn station [28] ClassComments
B-518Sole Bay1973–1985 B-class (Atlantic 21)
B-562The Quiver1985–1998 B-class (Atlantic 21)
B-750Leslie Tranmer1998–2013 B-class (Atlantic 75)
B-868Annie Tranmer2013– B-class (Atlantic 85)
  1. 1 2 ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. 1 2 Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 40-foot x 11-foot (12-oared) Norfolk and Suffolk-class non-self-righting lifeboat, built by Wm. Teasdell of Great Yarmouth, costing £320.
  2. ↑ 38-foot x 10-foot (12-oared) Beeching self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, gift of Miss Sheriffe and Sir Edward Gooch, built by James Beeching of Great Yarmouth, costing £280.
  3. ↑ 40-foot x 11-foot 6in (10-oared) Norfolk and Suffolk-class non-self-righting lifeboat, built by Beeching of Great Yarmouth, and costing £200.
  4. ↑ 44-foot x 13-foot (12/14-oared) Norfolk and Suffolk-class non-self-righting lifeboat, legacy of Mr A. J. Corry of Putney, built by James Beeching of Great Yarmouth, costing £490.
  5. ↑ 43-foot x 12-foot 9in (12/14-oared) Norfolk and Suffolk-class non-self-righting lifeboat, gift of the Bolton LB fund, built by Chambers and Colby of Lowestoft, costing £639 when new.
  6. ↑ 46-foot 6in x 12-foot 9in Norfolk and Suffolk-class non-self-righting motor lifeboat, legacy of Miss M. Scott of Wanstead, with a single 80-hp Weyburn DE6 engine, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, costing £10,933.
  7. ↑ 33-foot x 8-foot (10-oared) Peake-class self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, gift of The Quiver magazine LB fund, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London, costing £293.
  8. ↑ 30-foot x 9-foot (12-oared) Norfolk and Suffolk-class non-self-righting 'Surf-Boat', funded by The Quiver magazine LB fund, built by James Beeching of Great Yarmouth, costing £145 when new.
  9. ↑ 32-foot x 9-foot (12-oared) Norfolk and Suffolk-class non-self-righting 'Surf-Boat', legacy of Mr J. B. Barkworth of Havant, built by Reynolds of Lowestoft, costing £402.

References

  1. ↑ OS Explorer Map 231 – Southwold & Bungay. ISBN   9780319238059.
  2. ↑ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2025). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. p. 117.
  3. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 84.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "The Southwold Life-Boats, 1840-1916. By Ernest R. Cooper, Hon Secretary". The Lifeboat. XXIII (262): 160–167. 1 February 1917. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  5. ↑ "Shipping Intelligence". Caledonian Mercury. No. 19839. Edinburgh. 7 December 1848.
  6. ↑ Cox 1998, p. 89.
  7. ↑ "Meetings of the Committee". The Lifeboat. I (11): 139. July 1854. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  8. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 18.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Southwold's station history". Southwold Lifeboat Station. RNLI. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  10. ↑ "Additional Stations and New Life-Boats". The Lifeboat. VI (63): 249. 1 January 1867. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  11. ↑ "Inaugural Ceremonies of Motor Life-Boats". The Lifeboat. XXVI (288): 309–311. November 1926. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 Farr, Grahame; Morris, Jeff (1992). List of British Lifeboats Part 1 & 2 (Second ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 1–88.
  13. 1 2 "Mary Scott". Assoc. Dunkirk Little Ships. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  14. ↑ Morris, Jeff (March 2004). The Closed Lifeboat Stations of Kent. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. p. 41.
  15. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 44, 117.
  16. ↑ "New Developments" (PDF). The Lifeboat. XXXVII (406): 553. December 1963. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  17. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 86–88.
  18. ↑ Lifeboat station faces closure, Eastern Daily Press, 2007-03-06. Retrieved 2013-01-04.
  19. ↑ Southwold lifeboat crew to move back to permanent base, Eastern Daily Press, 2012-09-26. Retrieved 2013-01-04.
  20. 1 2 Bernard’s Southwold lighthouse challenge, Lowestoft Journal, 2011-08-14. Retrieved 2013-01-04.
  21. ↑ Daring abseilers brave dizzying lighthouse heights, East Anglian Daily Times, 2011-08-15. Retrieved 2013-01-04.
  22. ↑ Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN   0907605893.
  23. ↑ "Ordinary Officer of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The Gazette. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  24. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 4–45.
  25. ↑ "List of Gift Lifeboats". The Lifeboat. VII (76): 353. 1 April 1870. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  26. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 10–33.
  27. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 86–89.
  28. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 80–84.