Tynemouth Lifeboat Station

Last updated

Tynemouth Lifeboat Station
Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg
Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat station - geograph.org.uk - 4111401.jpg
Tynemouth Lifeboat Station
Tyne and Wear UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Tyne and Wear
General information
Type RNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationTynemouth Lifeboat Station
AddressFish Quay
Town or city North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE30 1JA
CountryUK
Coordinates 55°00′32.7″N1°25′58.4″W / 55.009083°N 1.432889°W / 55.009083; -1.432889
Opened1789
1862 RNLI
Owner Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Website
Tynemouth RNLI Lifeboat Station

Tynemouth Lifeboat Station is located on the River Tyne, at Fish Quay, North Shields, in the county of Tyne and Wear.

Contents

A lifeboat was first stationed across the River Tyne in South Shields in 1789, with a second lifeboat placed in North Shields in 1798, both operated by the Tyne Lifeboat Institution (TLI).

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) currently operates a Severn-class lifeboat 17-34 Osier (ON 1263), on station since 2021, and a D-class (IB1) Inshore lifeboat Little Susie (D-829), on station since 2018. [1]

History

In the late 1700s, two lifeboats were operated at Tynemouth by the Tyne Lifeboat Institution (TLI), both built by Henry Greathead, to an amalgamated design of both Greathead and William Wouldhave. At the time, the mouth of the River Tyne was particularly treacherous in poor weather, many ships lost, but many lives saved. [2]

Safety would be radically improved in later years, with the construction of the North and South Tyne Piers, building starting in 1854, but only completed in 1910. [3]

The first lifeboat, known as Original, was wrecked in 1830. The Tyne Lifeboat Institution would not have the funds for a replacement until 1833. In 1832, a request for a lifeboat was placed by the Port of Newcastle Shipwreck Association with the Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS), who supplied a 26-foot Palmer-type non-self-righting lifeboat, arriving in October 1832, to be managed by the TLI. A new boathouse had been constructed at Prior's Haven. The boat was on service for 10 years, until it was badly damaged in 1842, and scrapped. [4]

The Tyne Institution would maintain their fleet of lifeboats, providing 2 new boats and a new boathouse at South Beach, South Shields, in 1841–2. On 4 December 1849, the Tyne Institution lifeboat Providence was launched to the aid to the brig Betsy, which had run ashore at Herd sands. It was whilst Providence was alongside the vessel, when the lifeboat capsized. The Tyne was launched, and picked up the three survivors still holding onto the Providence, and North Shields lifeboat Northumberland rescued the crew of the Betsy, plus one lifeboat man who had managed to get aboard, but 20 of the 24 crew of the Providence were lost. [5]

Tyne lifeboat on display in South Shields Tyne Lifeboat - geograph.org.uk - 197804.jpg
Tyne lifeboat on display in South Shields

It was as a result of this disaster that Algernon Percy, 4th Duke of Northumberland, of Alnwick Castle, president of the RNIPLS, set a competition for the design of a Self-righting lifeboat, which was won by James Beeching of Great Yarmouth. This design would become the basis for lifeboats for many years afterwards. [6]

In 1862, following a series of shipwrecks in and around Prior's Haven, it was suggested that the (now) RNLI should place a lifeboat at a new station at Prior's Haven. A new boathouse was constructed, and the Constance, a 33-foot self-righting 10-oared lifeboat, arrived in November 1862. The Prior, a TLI boat, was relocated from Prior's Haven to South Beach, South Shields. [5] [7]

Following the wreck of the Stanley in 1864, it was decided to place a second lifeboat at Tynemouth, with the RNLI building a new station at Black Middens. Both lifeboat services would operate alongside each other until the early 1900s, often responding to the same shipwreck, one or other standing by while a rescue was performed. However, in 1905, everything changed when the RNLI placed a motor-powered lifeboat at Tynemouth, followed soon after by the completion of the Piers. A motor lifeboat was far better placed to respond, and fewer rescues were required, with the mouth of the River Tyne now protected. The TLI would be renamed the Tyne Lifeboat Society (TLS) in 1905, maintaining the last of their lifeboats until the 1940s. The RNLI No.2 station was closed. [8] [2]

After some years with the motor lifeboat moored afloat, the RNLI took over a boathouse belonging to the War-office in 1921. It was located right next to the Tyne Lifeboat Society boathouse at Clifford's Fort. The lifeboat was mounted on a trolley, which could be winched up or down a trolley-way. In 1941, bombs dropped in a war-time air-raid destroyed the Tyne Lifeboat house, containing the James Young lifeboat, and the RNLI boathouse, containing the John Pymont (ON 824). [9] A replacement boathouse and slipway would be constructed at the same location in 1947.

To commemorate the centenary of the Tynemouth lifeboat station, a stained glass window, showing a picture of the Original lifeboat, was unveiled by Elizabeth Percy, Duchess of Northumberland at the Seamen's Chapel of Christ Church, North Shields on 16 September 1962. [10]

Severn-class lifeboat 17-20 Spirit of Northumberland (ON 1242) The Spirit of Northumberland, Tynemouth all weather lifeboat - geograph.org.uk - 5152260.jpg
Severn-class lifeboat 17-20 Spirit of Northumberland (ON 1242)

1965 would see the arrival of the first Tynemouth Inshore lifeboat, one of the earliest inshore D-class (RFD PB16) boats numbered D-12. When a new All-weather Arun-class lifeboat arrived in 1980, the boat would once again be moored afloat. A replacement station building, housing the Inshore lifeboat, launched with the use of a davit, and a mooring for the All-weather boat were provided in 1997. A 25-knot Severn-class lifeboat 17-20 Spirit of Northumberland (ON 1242) would be placed on service in 1999. After serving 22 years, she would be removed from service, and sent to the RNLI Headquarters at Poole, to be the second Severn-class boat to receive what is known as a SLEP upgrade (Severn Life Extension Programme), to allow a further 25 years of service. [11] [12]

The Tyne lifeboat of the Tyne Lifeboat Institution is restored and on display at South Shields. [13] The Bedford lifeboat of the Tyne Lifeboat Institution has been restored, and is in storage awaiting a suitable display location. [14]

Station honours

The following are awards made at Tynemouth [10] [15]

Capt. Herbert Edgar Burton – 1914
Robert Smith, Coxswain – 1914
The Tynemouth Lifeboat Crew – 1914
Henry Strachan, River Pilot – 1829
William Tully, Pilot – 1832
T. Thorp, storekeeper of the rockets – 1839
John Cunningham, Rocket Apparatus Superintendent – 1843
William Wheeler, Thames River Pilot – 1851
Lawrence Byrne, Chief Officer, H.M. Coastguard, – 1864
James Gilbert, Coxswain – 1886
James Gilbert, Coxswain – 1898 (Second-Service Clasp)
Capt. H. E. Burton – 1913
Coxswain Robert Smith – 1913
James S. Brownlee, Second Coxswain – 1914
Cdr. Basil Hall, RN, Lifeboat Inspector – 1914
Robert Smith, Coxswain – 1916 (Second-Service Clasp)
James S. Brownlee, Second Coxswain – 1916 (Second-Service Clasp)
John Hogg, Coxswain – 1986
Martin Kenny, Second Coxswain – 1986
John Watson, Motor Mechanic – 1986
Trevor Fryer, crew member – 1986
James Griffiths, crew member – 1986
David Lisle, crew member – 1986
John Norris, crew member – 1986
Coxswain – 1918
The Tynemouth Lifeboat Crew – 1918
The crew of the private lifeboat Tom Perry – 1918
Michael Campbell, Ordinary Seaman, RNVR – 1926
Edward Selby Davidson, Honorary Secretary of the Tynemouth Branch – 1941
George Lisle, Coxswain – 1941
Trevor Fryer, crew member – 1974
Frederick Arkley, crew member – 1974
Capt. John Hogg, Coxswain – 1986
Trevor Fryer, Helm – 1982
Martin Kenny, Coxswain – 1998
Kevin Mole, Helm – 2003
Michael Nugent, Coxswain – 2022
Kevin Mole, Mechanic - 1998
Geoffrey Cowan, Assistant Mechanic – 1998
Edwin Chapple, crew member – 1998
Michael Nugent, crew member – 1998
Dan Howe, crew member – 2022
Michael Brown, crew member – 2022
Rob Blake, crew member – 2022
Andrew King, crew member – 2022
Joe Smiles, crew member – 2022
Major H. E. Burton – 1916
Kenneth Smith, crew member – 1959
PC Robert Rutherford, crew member – 1959
Kenneth Middlemiss, Honorary Secretary – 1993 [16]

Roll of honour

In memory of those lost whilst serving Tynemouth lifeboat.

Launcelot Burn, Coxswain
John Bone,
John Burn (Snr),
John Burn (Jnr),
John Donkin,
Robert Donkin,
John Marshall,
Thomas Marshall,
James Matson,
John Phillips,
Ralph Phillips,
William Purvis,
Ralph Shotton,
William Smith,
George Tindall,
George Tinmouth,
James Wright,
John Wright,
Henry Young
James Young
James Grant, crew member
E.Robson, crew member
Robert Thirlaway Arkley, Customs Officer and Lifeboat crew member (16)
James Watson, crew member (21)
John Wheatley, crew member (21)

Tynemouth lifeboats

Tyne Lifeboat Institution

South Shields, Coble Landing

NameOn StationComments
Original1789–1830Built by Greathead.
Wrecked in 1830
Tyne1833–1887Built by J Oliver of South Shields
Providence1862–1872
Tom Perry1872–1938
Bedford1886–1937Built by Lancelot Lambert at the Lawe Building Yard. Fitted with an engine, 1935 [14]

North Shields, Clifford's Fort

NameOn StationComments
Northumberland1798–1842Built by Greathead
Northumberland1842–1884
James Young1884–1941Destroyed in a wartime air-raid, 1941

North Shields, Prior's Haven

NameOn StationComments
Unnamed1832–1842RNIPLS lifeboat, 26-foot Norfolk & Suffolk (P&S), managed by the TLI. [17]
Badly damaged, and scrapped in 1842.
Prior1842–1862Transferred to South Beach in 1862 on arrival of RNLB Constance

South Shields, South Beach

NameOn StationComments
Providence1841–1862
Prior1862–1878
Willie Wouldhave1878–1947Destroyed by arson, along with the boathouse, 1947

Royal National Lifeboat Institution

No.1 Station (Prior's Haven)

ON [a] NameBuiltOn Station [18] ClassComments
Pre-390Constance18621862–1864 33-foot Peake Self-righting (P&S) [Note 1]
Sent for repairs, 1864.
Pre-419Robert Whitworth18641864–186533-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 2]
Built for Bridlington, but first sent to Tynemouth on temporary cover.
Pre-390Constance18621865–187533-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 3]
Damaged beyond repair, 1875.
Pre-604 Charles Dibdin 18751875–188837-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 4]
204 Charles Dibdin 18881889–190537-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 5]

No.2 Station (Black Middens)

ON [a] NameBuiltOn Station [19] ClassComments
Pre-444Pomfret and Goole18651865–187232-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 6]
216Forester18711872–190033-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 7]
455Forester19001900–190534-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 8]
Pre ON numbers are unofficial numbers used by the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society to reference early lifeboats not included on the official RNLI list.

All-weather motor lifeboats (Clifford's Fort and Fish Quay)

ON [a] Op. No. [b] NameBuiltOn Station [20] ClassComments
343J. McConnell Hussey18921905–191138-foot Self-righting (Motor)Moored afloat
613Henry Vernon19101911–191840-foot Self-righting (motor)
646Henry Frederick Swan19171918–193940-foot Self-righting (motor)
824John Pymont19391939–1941 41-foot Watson Destroyed in a wartime air-raid, 1941
646Henry Frederick Swan19171941–194740-foot Self-righting (motor)
852Tynsider19471947–1979 46-foot 9in Watson
945Princess Alexandra of Kent19581979–1980 52-foot Barnett (Mk.2)
106152-13George and Olive Turner19791980–1999 Arun
124217-20Spirit of Northumberland19991999–2021 Severn
126317-34Osier20022021– Severn

Inshore lifeboats

Op. No. [b] NameOn Station [21] ClassComments
D-12Unnamed1965 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-49Unnamed1965–1966 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-50Unnamed1966–1968 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-144Unnamed1969–1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-172Unnamed1970–1981 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-280Unnamed1981–1989 D-class (Zodiac III)
D-385Unnamed1989–1998 D-class (EA16)
D-535The Cromer Smuggler1998–2008 D-class (EA16)
D-693Mark Noble2008–2018 D-class (IB1)
D-829Little Susie2018– D-class (IB1)
  1. 1 2 3 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. 33-foot x 7-foot 10in (10-oared) Peake-class self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London, costing £182.
  2. 33-foot x 8-foot (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London.
  3. 33-foot x 8-foot 1in (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London.
  4. 37-foot x 9-foot (12-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Woolfe of Shadwell
  5. 37-foot x 8-foot (12-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Henderson of Partick
  6. 32-foot x 7-foot 4in (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London, costing £248-5s.
  7. 33-foot x 8-foot (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London.
  8. 34-foot x 8-foot 4in (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London.

References

  1. Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2025). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. p. 127.
  2. 1 2 Morris, Jeff (May 1995). The History of the Tynemouth Lifeboats. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 1–54.
  3. "The Tyne's Piers". Port of Tyne. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  4. Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 2–3.
  5. 1 2 Landells, Steve. "The Story of the Tyne Lifeboat Institution and Volunteer Life Brigades". RNLI. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  6. "The Beeching Model". The Lifeboat. 33 (369). September 1854. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  7. "Launch of a New Life-Boat at Tynemouth". RNLI. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  8. Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 115.
  9. "Tynemouth Lifeboat Station". Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  10. 1 2 "Tynemouth's Station history". RNLI. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  11. Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 70.
  12. "Update: extending the life of our biggest lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  13. "The Tyne Lifeboat". Visit South Tyneside. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  14. 1 2 White, Andrew (21 May 2023). "South Shields lifeboat, the Bedford, restored by maritime trust". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  15. Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN   0907605893.
  16. "Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The Gazette. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  17. Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 2.
  18. Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 2–25.
  19. Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 10–35.
  20. Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 30–70.
  21. Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 86–99.