History
On Thursday 15 April 1909, a flotilla of three lifeboats departed London Docks at 08:50, bound for three Scottish lifeboat stations, each the choice of the respective crew. The John A. Hay (ON 561) bound for Stromness, with the John Ryburn (ON 565) in tow, bound for Stronsay, were two of the first three purpose-built motor-powered RNLI lifeboats, each with a single engine, but still with sails. The third, Sarah Austin (ON 585), in the tow of the Stronsay boat, was a "traditional" 40-foot Watson 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, with sails and 12 oars, bound for Thurso. With stops scheduled for several ports up the coast, enduring a whole range of weather and sea conditions, and the Stronsay boat needing a new engine bearing at Tynemouth, the three boats made Thurso at 13:00 on Friday 30 April. [2] [3]
After a 2-hour rest, both Orkney boats set out again, with the Stromness boat arriving home at 20:00. The Stronsay boat was still having engine problems, and put back to Thurso for repairs. The RNLI reported that the John Ryburn departed the following day, and with a tow from the SS St Ola, arrived at Stromness on 1 May, before heading to Stronsay, arriving home 17 days after departing London, although conflicting reports indicate that the boat remained in Thurso for 15 days awaiting parts, before heading home. [2] [3]
The wait for a lifeboat at Stronsay had been some time coming, as it was at a meeting of the RNLI committee of management nearly 5 years earlier on 14 July 1904, following a visit and report by the Deputy Chief Inspector of Lifeboats, that it was resolved to place a lifeboat at Papa Sound on Stronsay Island. [4]
The official naming ceremony had been planned to be held on the trip home, but this was postponed due to the delays, and with consideration to the boat already needing a repaint. On 28 September 1909, a naming ceremony was held at the Corn Slip at Kirkwall, in front of a large crowd. Funded from the bequest of the late William McCunn of Largs, the lifeboat, costing £2770-9s-5d, was named John Ryburn (ON 565), as per the request of the donor. [5]
From the outset, the boat had been plagued with engine problems. By 7 October 1909, the boat was back at Kirkwall, having the engine repaired once again, when the Full-rigged ship Edenmore was wrecked on Papa Sound. The lifeboat was summoned back from Kirkwall, and was towed back to Stronsay without engine, by the Aberdeen trawler Ben Aden. Meanwhile, the Stronsay lifeboatmen set out in a local boat, and the 25 crew, now in the ships boats, were assisted to the shore. A set of binoculars were awarded to Capt. James Merson of the Ben Aden for his efforts to assist. [6] [7]
When the lifeboat first arrived at Stronsay, she was moored afloat. In 1911, a concrete slipway was constructed with a boathouse on top, at a cost of £3050. Ryburn Cottage costing £300 was constructed in 1912 to house the lifeboat mechanic. [8]
In the early hours of 10 February 1912, the fishing boat Crimond of Aberdeen, with nine crew aboard, ran ashore on the Holms of Ire. Four of the five crew perished attempting to get ashore in the ships boat. The lifeboat set out, arriving two hours later, but then had to lay off until daybreak. With great skill, the lifeboat was brought alongside, and the remaining four crew were rescued. [9]
Engine problems still persisted. In September 1913, the engine was removed in Stromness, and the boat returned to Stronsay as a 'Pulling and Sailing' lifeboat. She returned to Stromness in May 1914 for a new 40-hp Tylor motor, costing £375, finally returning to Stronsay on 31 October 1914. [8]
With all engine problems finally resolved, the outbreak of World War 1 would see the premature closure of Stronsay Lifeboat Station. Men were called away as the war progressed, and just six years after the arrival of the lifeboat, with insufficient crew available, the station was temporarily closed on 12 July 1915. The station was closed permanently in 1920, when there were still insufficient numbers to crew the boat. The John Ryburn was transferred to Peterhead, and later to Broughty Ferry. Ryburn cottage was sold in 1937, and the lifeboat house was dismantled and sold in 1949. Only the concrete slipway remains to this day. [8]
Finally, after a gap of over 20 years, and after several lost fishing boats, it was decided to re-establish the station at Stronsay. The 45ft 6in Watson-class lifeboat Edward Z. Dresden (ON 707) was placed at Stronsay in 1952. Soon followed the larger 52-foot Barnett-class lifeboat John Gellatly Hyndman (ON 923) in 1955, which served at Stronsay until 1972, when the station was closed once again.
