Whitby Lifeboat Station

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Whitby Lifeboat Station
Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg
Whitby RNLI Lifeboat Station 11 June 2023.jpg
Whitby Lifeboat Station, 11 June 2023
North Yorkshire UK relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Whitby, North Yorkshire
General information
Type RNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationMarket Place, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4DD, England
Coordinates 54°29′17″N0°36′47″W / 54.4881°N 0.6130°W / 54.4881; -0.6130
Opened
  • 1802
  • 1861 RNLI
Owner Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Website
Whitby RNLI Lifeboat Station

Whitby Lifeboat Station is located at Market Place, on the east side of the River Esk in Whitby, a seaside town and port in North Yorkshire, England. It is one of eight lifeboat stations situated along the Yorkshire coast. [1]

Contents

Whitby has had a lifeboat station since 1802, with management of the station transferring to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1861. In its 200 plus year history, Whitby has had seven different lifeboat stations (although not all operated at the same time). An eighth lifeboat station was located at Upgang, just up the coast from Whitby, and whilst it was considered separate from Whitby, it was crewed by Whitby lifeboat men. [2]

Shannon-class lifeboat 13-49 Lois Ivan (ON 1356), June 2023 Whitby RNLI Shannon class lifeboat 13-49 Lois Ivan (ON 1356) June 2023.jpg
Shannon-class lifeboat 13-49 Lois Ivan (ON 1356), June 2023

The station currently operates two lifeboats; a 13-metre (43 ft) Shannon-class All-weather lifeboat (ALB), 13-49 Lois Ivan (ON 1356), on station since 2023, and the smaller D-class (IB1) Inshore lifeboat (ILB), Warter Priory (D-810), on station since 2017. [3]

History

The first lifeboat to be stationed at Whitby was in 1802 on the west side of the river. [4] This had been paid for by a combination of local finance and an offer from Lloyd's of London, who contributed £50 of the £160 needed for a lifeboat. [5] A 30-foot 10-oared lifeboat was constructed by Henry Greathead of South Shields, at a cost of £160, arriving in Whitby on 15 September 1802. The boat was kept on a carriage, in a boathouse near the West Pier. [6]

By 1817, the Greathead lifeboat was reported as being unserviceable. No more details are available, until 1822, when two new lifeboats were placed at Whitby. A 26-foot 6in long 10-oared boat was constructed by Wake of Sunderland to replace the Greathead boat. It was kept in the same boathouse, and called "West Side Lifeboat". A No.2 station was created with the second boat, a 26-foot 10-oared lifeboat, constructed by local boatbuilder Christopher Gale, and launched from davits on Tate Hill Pier, where a boathouse was built out for protection. The boat was known as the "East Side Lifeboat". [6]

By 1859, the "West Side Lifeboat" was found to be rotten, and a new 30-foot boat was ordered from local boatbuilder Francis Falkingbridge, costing £130, and delivered in September 1860. This boat would be involved in the 1861 disaster as documented later. [6]

The lifeboat disaster of 1861, when twelve of the lifeboatmen died, prompted a local fund-raising effort for their widows and children. This eventually raised over £8,000, but the trustees of the fund thought that supplying the money to the widows and orphans might give them ideas above their station, so a memorial was paid for instead, to be installed in the parish Church of St Mary in the town. [7]

At a meeting of the RNLI committee of management on Thursday 7 March 1861, it was resolved to grant £50 to the Whitby Widow and Orphan fund. It was also noted that the local lifeboat committee at Whitby had decided to become a branch of the Institution, and to accept the offer of a new 32 ft (9.8 m) self-righting 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, with carriage. The Inspector of Lifeboats was invited to Whitby, and made arrangements for the complete re-organisation of the establishment. [8]

A map showing the locations of both RNLI and independent lifeboat stations in Yorkshire Lifeboat Stations Yorkshire.svg
A map showing the locations of both RNLI and independent lifeboat stations in Yorkshire

By the end of the 1865, Whitby had three lifeboats under the command of the harbour master. [9] One of these was the Upgang Lifeboat, which was housed at a newly created station on a stretch of beach at Upgang, 1 mile (2 km) along the coast west towards Sandsend. [10] The station had been created as in certain conditions, launching the Whitby harbour boats had proven extremely difficult. [6] The RNLI always regarded Upgang as being a different lifeboat station, despite its proximity to Whitby, [11] and the fact it was crewed by men from the Whitby station. [12]

In 1881, a ship foundered during a heavy snowstorm in Robin Hood's Bay. The lifeboat stationed in that village was deemed to be unseaworthy and so a telegraph was sent to launch the Whitby lifeboat, the Robert Whitworth. Due to the heavy seas, this had to be taken over land through blizzards and snowdrifts. A similar situation occurred in April 1834, when the lifeboat from Whitby was carried overland to Robin Hood's bay to rescue two women in difficulty. [13]

The sinking of the Rohilla in 1914 was attended by six lifeboats in all, but with all the other 'oar-powered' lifeboats struggling with the conditions, the rescue was only completed with the arrival of the motor-powered lifeboat from Tynemouth. After this, most RNLI crews were persuaded about the efficacy of using motorised boats over ones with oars; previously, many crews were suspicious of motorised lifeboats. [14]

The Whitby lifeboat No.2 lifeboat John Fielden (ON 379) was badly damaged during the Rohilla rescue, and was subsequently withdrawn. Galvanised by the promise of a motor-powered lifeboat, local fundraising for a new lifeboat raised the considerable sum of £1,668-16s-4d. A sum of £1000 had been received by the Institution from the bequest of Miss Margaret Harker-Smith in 1914, but a proviso in her will allowed her trustees to apply a further sum, towards providing a lifeboat on the Yorkshire coast. The executors of her estate granted an additional sum of £6000. [15]

At a ceremony held at 15:00 on Saturday 28 June 1919, coincidentally the same day as the signing of the Treaty of Versailles formally ending World War I, the new East Side motor-lifeboat house was formally opened. The building was funded by Mrs Humble, dedicated to the memory of her son, Lieut. F. H. G. Trumble, R.N, who was killed in action aboard HMS Warwick (D25) whilst off Ostend on 10 May 1918. Then followed the naming ceremony of the new 40 ft (12 m) self-righting (motor) lifeboat. A bottle of wine was broken over the bow, with the lifeboat duly named Margaret Harker-Smith (ON 667), after which the boat was launched down the slipway for demonstration. [15]

The Lifeboat Museum, Whitby The Lifeboat Museum, Whitby - geograph.org.uk - 1173651.jpg
The Lifeboat Museum, Whitby

Despite the arrival of a motor-powered lifeboat, Whitby would retained a pulling and sailing lifeboat until 1957. The last one on station, Robert and Ellen Robson (ON 667), was the last rowing boat in operation by the RNLI. [16] This boat is now on display in the RNLI museum in Whitby. [17]

Following a surge in water-based leisure activity, the D-class (RFD PB16) Inshore lifeboat (D-84) was placed at Whitby in 1966, used for close inshore rescue work, inaccessible to the All-weather lifeboats. [18]

On 7 September 2007, the Duchess of Kent formally opened the new £1million lifeboat station in Whitby. [19] The new station was built on the site of the old motor lifeboat station (built in 1918 and in use since 1919), which had become life-expired, known to the crews as the "Tin Shed". Whilst the new lifeboat station was being constructed, the old West Side lifeboat station on Pier Road, now the museum, was resurrected as the lifeboat house for one year from 2006 to 2007. [20]

In 2023, after serving Whitby for 27 years, the Trent-class All-weather lifeboat 14-14 George and Mary Webb (ON 1212) was transferred to the training fleet. A new Shannon-class All-weather lifeboat, 13-49 Lois Ivan (ON 1356), arrived in Whitby on 11 June 2023. [21] [22]

Locations

The various lifeboat stations in Whitby are detailed as follows, located on the West or East side of the River Esk. [23]

NameDatesSideLocationNotes
Whitby No.11802–1847WestWest Pier.Closed when the Khyber Pass was cut in the town, so the lifeboat house was moved further inland. [note 1] [24] [25]
Whitby No.21822–1863EastOn Davits, Tate Hill (East) Pier. [26]
Whitby No.11847–1895WestPier RoadDemolished, and rebuilt to house No.1 and No.2 lifeboats, 1895.
Whitby No.21863–1895WestWooden boathouse at the foot of the Khyber Pass.
Upgang 1865–1919WestLocated just over 1 mile (1.6 km) west of Whitby Harbour.After closure, the Upgang lifeboat William Riley of Birmingham and Leamington (ON 594) was transferred to Whitby No.2.
Whitby No.1 (until 1934)
Whitby No.2		1895–1957WestPier RoadNo.1 lifeboat withdrawn in 1934. No.2 lifeboat withdrawn in November 1957.
Building re-opened on 26 July 1958 as the Whitby Lifeboat Museum. [27] [28]
Whitby (Motor)1919–2006EastMarket place.Closed and demolished in 2006.
Whitby2007–EastMarket place.Built on the site of the former 1919 Motor lifeboat station. [29]

Notable incidents

Between 1802 (when the first lifeboat was launched at Whitby) and 2009, 24 lifeboat crew members were lost from Whitby. Their names are commemorated in the RNLI memorial at Poole in Dorset. A news report in 2022 stated that in its more than 200-year history, the Whitby lifeboat had been launched over 2,900 times, and saved over 1,230 people. [30]

Lifeboat disaster (1841)

On 6 October 1841, the east-side lifeboat was on her way to the rescue of two yawls foundering in Whitby Bay. The lifeboat capsized and four lifeboatmen lost their lives. [25] [29]

Henry Freeman (lifeboatman) Attribution: Frank Meadow Sutcliffe and The Sutcliffe Gallery Henry Freeman (lifeboatman).jpg
Henry Freeman (lifeboatman)
Attribution: Frank Meadow Sutcliffe and The Sutcliffe Gallery

Lifeboat disaster (1861)

On 9 February 1861, a severe storm struck the east coast of England which resulted in 200 ships being wrecked. The crew had already been out and responded to five ships in distress, when responding to the sixth, a huge wave capsized their vessel. [31] The only survivor of the incident was Henry Freeman, the only member of the crew wearing a cork lifejacket; the other twelve crew, all of who drowned, were wearing their traditional ballast filled lifebelts. [note 2]

Agenoria (1877)

The schooner Agenoria which was transporting coal from Hartlepool to Whitby ran aground just outside Whitby harbour on 10 January 1877. The Whitby lifeboat Harriott Forteath launched to try and effect a rescue. [32] During the swell, she capsized and all but one of her 12 crew were thrown into the water. One swam ashore, seven got back into the vessel, but three members of the RNLI crew drowned, with their bodies washing up on the beaches around Whitby in the following days. [33] [34]

The Visitor (1881)

The brig Visitor foundered in the bay of Robin Hood's Bay in November 1881, and after the hold was flooded with 5 feet (1.5 m) of water, the crew abandoned ship into their lifeboat. [35] The Robin Hood's Bay RNLI lifeboat station had been closed in 1855, and the unofficial lifeboat in the village was deemed "unseaworthy" [note 3] and so a telegraph was sent to launch the Whitby Lifeboat. The seas were too rough to launch from Whitby and row around the coastline, so a decision was made to haul Robert Whitworth the 6 miles (9.7 km) overland to Robin Hood's Bay through blizzards and snow drifts, some as deep as 7 feet (2.1 m). This took two hours to achieve using the combined strength of 18 horses and 200 men. [36] When the lifeboat and crew arrived, they launched the boat and spent 90 minutes in effecting a rescue of the people still stranded at sea. All survived and a commemorative plaque now memorialises the rescue in the village of Robin Hood's Bay.

The events of The Visitor prompted the RNLI to re-open the lifeboat station at Robin Hoods Bay (until 1931). [37]

SS Rohilla (1914)

Rohilla was launched in 1906 for the British India Steam Navigation Company. She was pressed into war service in 1914 as HMHS Rohilla (His Majesties Hospital Ship). Whilst sailing from the Firth of Forth to Dunkirk to evacuate wounded soldiers, she ran aground on Saltwick Nab reef, which is just south of Whitby Harbour. Despite being only a short distance from the shore, high seas and gale force winds created atrocious conditions for any prospect of a rescue from the shore. One of Whitby's RNLI lifeboats Robert and Mary Ellis (ON 588) attempted to close on the wreck but was forced back by the high waves. Another of Whitby's lifeboats the John Fielden (ON 379) was dragged across the rocky scar to a point adjacent to the wrecked ship and made two successful rescues bringing 35 people to the safety of the shore, however the damage to her hull prevented and further attempts.

An audacious plan to haul the Upgang lifeboat William Riley of Birmingham and Leamington (ON 594) overland to opposite the Rohilla and then lower it by hand down the 200-foot (61 m) cliff was successful however the mountainous sea conditions prevented her launch. [38] [39]

A lifeboat from Scarborough was towed to the scene of the tragedy but they too were thwarted by the storm conditions, they did however stay on the scene throughout the night set to make another attempt at first light which was still pushed back and the lifeboat was towed back to Scarborough.

In all, six lifeboats were launched to try and rescue the 234 people on board over the course of three days. During the grounding of the vessel, she broke her back and several attempts were made to safely remove those onboard. In all, 89 people died in the sinking. Of the six lifeboats launched, only two were motorboats, and because of the perilous waves, only one of the motorboats, the Henry Vernon (ON 613) which had travelled down the coast from Tynemouth was able to get close to what remained of the ship rescuing the last 50 souls. This tragedy was one of the pivotal points that was to see the RNLI introduce motor lifeboats spelling the end for the traditional rowing boat. [14] [40]

Ruswarp flood (1931)

The Whitby Lifeboat was again taken overland to the village of Ruswarp (further upstream of Whitby on the River Esk) in September 1931 due to extreme flooding. The flooding had washed away several bridges and the lifeboat was needed to rescue people from their houses. [41] Despite the narrowness of the walls on the roads and the extreme current, the lifeboat crew (in No. 2 Lifeboat) managed to rescue five people. [42] [43]

Admiral Von Tromp (1976)

On 30 September 1976, the trawler, Admiral Von Tromp, ran aground on Saltwick Bay rocks, much as the Rohilla had done 62 years earlier. The trawler had set sail from Scarborough the day before and was going fishing in an area some 45 nautical miles (83 km; 52 mi) north-east of Scarborough. Why the boat ran aground some 90 degrees off of her pre-planned course has never been fully explained as the man at the helm of the ship drowned that night. The Whitby Lifeboat was launched and made several attempts to get the men off the stricken boat, but to no avail, even though at one point, the two boats were touching. Eventually, the flooding of the ship led the men to taking to open water from which three were washed ashore, with the skipper of the boat being rescued by the inshore lifeboat from the sea. Two of the trawler men died. At a resultant inquiry, a nautical surveyor stated that even if the boat had been left to its own devices, she would not have been taken upon the rocks by the tide. Two of the RNLI crewmen were awarded RNLI medals, one silver and one bronze, for the mission. [44] [45]

Station honours

The following are awards made at Whitby [46] [47]

John Robert Harland, crew member – 1946 [48]
Lt. John Lingard, RN, H.M. Coastguard, Robin Hood's Bay – 1829
Lt. Richard Jones, RN, H.M. Coastguard, Whitby – 1830
Lt. Richard Jones, RN, H.M. Coastguard, Whitby – 1831 (Second-Service award)
Lt. George Sherras Brittain, RN, H.M. Coastguard, Whitby – 1838
Thomas Langlands, Coxswain – 1914
Lt. George Sherras Brittain, RN, H.M. Coastguard, Whitby – 1837
John Storr, fisherman of Whitby – 1853
Henry Freeman, crew member – 1861
Thomas Robinson, seaman – 1861
William T. Quigley, Chief Officer, H.M. Coastguard, Whitby – 1868
Henry Freeman, Coxswain – 1880 (Second-Service clasp)
Thomas Langlands, Coxswain Superintendent – 1906
Richard Eglon, Second Coxswain – 1914
George Peart – 1914
John William Storry, Fisherman – 1924
James Murfield, Coxswain – 1939
James Philpot, Motor Mechanic – 1940
John Robert Harland, crew member – 1946
Robert William Allen, Coxswain – 1977
John Richard Dryden, Second Coxswain – 1939
James Philpot, Mechanic – 1939
James Murfield, Coxswain – 1940
John Richard Dryden, Acting Second Coxswain – 1940 (post.)
Christopher Wale, Acting Bowman – 1940 (post.)
William Dryden, Assistant Mechanic – 1940
Matthew Leadley Winspear, crew member – 1940
John William Cuthbeth Walker, crew member – 1940
Harry Murfield, Coxswain – 1946
Eric Charles Taylor, Coxswain – 1954
William Harland, Coxswain – 1970
Michael Raymond Coates, Helm – 1975
Brian William Hodgson, Helm – 1975
Richard Martin Kildale Robinson, Helm – 1977
Peter Neville Thomson, Coxswain Mechanic – 1988
Nicholas Simon Botham, Helm – 1988
John Pearson, Helm – 1993
David Wharton, crew member – 1975
Barry Mason, crew member – 1975
Michael Raymond Coates, crew member – 1977
Brian William Hodgson, crew member – 1977
John Robert Harland, crew member – 1946
The Helm and crew – 1975
Richard M. K. Robinson, Helm – 1977
David A. Wharton, crew member – 1977
Tony Easton, crew member – 1977
John Robert Dryden – 1940
Norman Russell – 1940
John Robert Harland, crew member – 1946
W. Dryden, Mechanic – 1958
Five crew members of the Mary Ann Hepworth – 1939
W. Harland, Coxswain – 1966
John Anderson – 1968
Peter Neville Thomas – 1968
David Frampton – 1970
Robert Allen – 1970
D. Wharton, crew member – 1975
Peter N. Thomson, Second Coxswain/Motor Mechanic – 1977
Dennis D. Carrick, Assistant Mechanic – 1977
Howard Bedford, crew member – 1977
Raymond Dent, crew member – 1977
Thomas Hansel, crew member – 1977
David A. Wharton, crew member – 1977
Anthony Easton, crew member – 1977
Michael Coates, Helm – 1977
Brian Hodgson, crew member – 1977
Anthony Easton, crew member – 1977
Peter Thomson, Coxswain Mechanic – 1982
Nick Bentley – 1993
Glenn Goodberry (Ronald Rundle Goodberry) – 1993
Keith Elliott, Second Coxswain – 2000
Peter N. Thomson, Coxswain Mechanic – 1993
Keith Stuart, Second Coxswain Assistant Mechanic – 1993
Michael Russell, crew member – 1993
Nicholas Botham, crew member – 1993
Adrian Blackburn, crew member – 1993
Howard Fields, crew member – 1993
Daniel Wordsworth, lifeguard – 2011
Calum Norman – 2011
Keith Stuart, Coxswain – 2000
John Pearson, Helm – 2003
Whitby Lifeboat Station – 2008
Hugh Ramsden, Helm – 2011
Peter Neville Thomson – 1993 [49]
Neil Andrew Williamson, Curator, RNLI Whitby Lifeboat Museum and Launching Authority – 2024KBH [50]

Roll of honour

In memory of those lost whilst serving Whitby lifeboat. [29]

Lost when the East Side lifeboat capsized whilst on service, 6 October 1841

J. Pattinson
R. Storr
R. Walker
J. Wilson
C. Collins
J. Dixon
I. Dobson
R. Harland
M. Leadley
R. Leadley
G. Martin
H. Philpot
J. Storr
W. Storr
W. Tyreman
W. Walker
Samuel Lacey, Coxswain (48)
Richard Gatenby, crew member
John Thompson, crew member (28)
James Pounder, Second Coxswain (45)
James Harland, Shore Signalman (37)
John Richard Dryden, Acting Second Coxswain (61)
Christopher Wale, Acting Bowman (61)
David Harland, Former Coxswain (61)

Whitby lifeboats

No.1 Station

ON [a] NameBuiltOn station [51] ClassComments [52] [53]
–Unnamed18021802–1817 Greathead [note 4]
–"West Side Lifeboat"18221822–185926-foot 6in North Country [note 5]
Later in service with Whitby fishermen (1861–1889)
–Unnamed18601860–186130-foot North Country [note 6]
Given to Whitby fishermen, renamed Fishermens Friend, condemned 1872.
Pre-383Lucy18611861–1870 32-foot Peake Self-righting (P&S) [note 7]
Pre-538Lucy18691870–187132-foot Prowse Self-righting (P&S) [note 8]
Renamed Robert Whitworth in 1871
Pre-538Robert Whitworth18691871–188132-foot Prowse Self-righting (P&S)Renamed Harriett Forteath, at Whitby No. 2 Station in 1881.
180Robert and Mary Ellis18811881–190834-foot Self-righting (P&S) [note 9]
588Robert and Mary Ellis19081908–193435-foot Self-righting (P&S) [note 10]
Station Closed, 1934
Pre ON numbers are unofficial numbers used by the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society to reference early lifeboats not included on the official RNLI list.

No.2 Station

ON [a] NameBuiltOn station [54] ClassComments [52]
Pre-082"East Side Lifeboat"18221822–186326-foot North Country [note 11]
Named Petrel in 1863.
Pre-082Petrel18221863–187126-foot North CountryRenamed Gertrude in 1871.
Pre-082Gertrude18221871–187226-foot North Country
Pre-413Harriott Forteath18641872–1880 30-foot Self-righting (P&S) [note 12]
Previously Dorinda and Barbara at Theddlethorpe.
Pre-464Harriott Forteath18661880–188132-foot Self-righting (P&S) [note 13]
Previously Civil Service at Wexford.
Pre-538Harriott Forteath18691881–188732-foot Self-righting (P&S) [note 14]
Previously Robert Whitworth at Whitby No.1
114Christopher18871887–189534-foot Self-righting (P&S) [note 15]
379John Fielden18951895–191434-foot Self-righting (P&S) [note 16]
Damaged beyond repair during the SS Rohilla rescue effort. Despite rescuing several people, the John Fielden broke in two on the rocks of Saltwick Nab. [55]
455Forester19001914–191934-foot Rubie Self-righting (P&S) [note 17]
Reserve lifeboat No.4, previously at Tynemouth.
594William Riley of Birmingham and Leamington19091919–193134-foot Rubie Self-righting (P&S) [note 18]
Previously at Upgang, but allocated to Whitby after only two rescues. Fully restored, used for display purposes. On 4 March 2024, the boat was displayed alongside a brand new Shannon-class lifeboat, outside Westminster Abbey at the RNLI 200 service. [56] [57]
580Jacob and Rachel Vallentine19071931–193834-foot Rubie Self-righting (P&S) [note 19]
Previously at Happisburgh and Palling.
522Jacob and Rachel Vallentine19041938–194734-foot Rubie Self-righting (P&S) [note 20]
Previously Richard at Donna Nook.
669Robert and Ellen Robson19181947–195734-foot Rubie Self-righting (P&S) [note 21] [16] [58]
Previously at Tramore and Aberdeen.
Station Closed, 1957

Upgang Station (1865–1919)

For lifeboats stationed at Upgang, please see Upgang Lifeboat Station

Motor lifeboats

ON [a] Op. No. [b] NameBuiltOn station [59] ClassComments
667–Margaret Harker-Smith19181919–193840-foot Self-righting (motor) [note 22] [60]
808–Mary Ann Hepworth19381938–1974 41-foot Watson Sold 1974. Later used as a pleasure cruiser on the River Esk. [61]
103344-012The White Rose of Yorkshire19741974–1988 Waveney Transferred to Invergordon in 1988.
113147-023City of Sheffield19881988–1996 Tyne
121214-14George and Mary Webb19951996–2023 Trent
135613-49Lois Ivan20232023– Shannon Arrived on station 11 June 2023. [30] [62] [63]

Inshore lifeboats

Op. No. [b] NameOn station [64] ClassComments
D-84Unnamed1966–1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-193Unnamed1971–1977 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-260Gwynaeth1977–1987 D-class (Zodiac III)
D-369Unnamed1988–1997 D-class (EA16)
D-521OEM Stone II1997–2007 D-class (EA16)
D-503Criddy and Tom2005–2007 D-class (EA16)
D-512Jane Ann II2007 D-class (EA16)
D-674OEM Stone III2007–2017 D-class (IB1) Named by The Duchess of Kent at the re-opening of Whitby's new lifeboat station in 2007.
D-810Warter Priory2017– D-class (IB1) [65]
  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.

Notes

  1. ↑ The Khyber Pass was cut out of the West Cliff at the behest of George Hudson who built the Royal Crescent at the top of the cliff. The road curves 180 degrees and rises up the hill before curving another 180 degrees back on itself to access the cliff top.
  2. ↑ The story is that the captain of the lifeboat, Jon Storr, had given the new type lifebelt to Henry Freeman as he was the youngest crew member. The other crew members wore their traditional life belts filled with ballast. The new life jacket had been sent out to all local lifeboat stations by the RNLI in an effort to persuade them to become part of a nationally supported organisation which it would be hoped would be better resourced and staffed.
  3. ↑ Some reports described the boat as being rotten.
  4. ↑ 30-foot (10-oared) non-self-righting lifeboat, built by Henry Greathead of South Shields, costing £160.
  5. ↑ 26-foot 6in x 9-foot 3in (10-oared) North Country non-self-righting lifeboat, built by Wake of Sunderland, costing £100.
  6. ↑ 30-foot x 8-foot 9in North Country non-self-righting lifeboat, built by Francis Falkingbridge of Whitby.
  7. ↑ 32-foot x 7-foot 10in Peake-class self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Mr A. W. Jaffray of London, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London, costing £196.
  8. ↑ 32-foot x 7-foot 7in Prowse-class self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London, costing £248.
  9. ↑ 34-foot x 8-foot (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Miss M. A. Ellis of Moorgate, Yorkshire, built by Woolfe of Shadwell, London, costing £363.
  10. ↑ 35-foot x 8-foot 6in (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, gift of the late Mrs Ellis of Harrogate, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £887.
  11. ↑ 26-foot 6in x 9-foot 3in (10-oared) North Country non-self-righting lifeboat, built by Christopher Gale of Whitby.
  12. ↑ 30-foot x 7-foot 3in (8-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Miss Forteath of Nottingham, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London, costing £216 when new.
  13. ↑ 32-foot x 7-foot 6in (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Miss Forteath of Nottingham, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London, costing £242 when new.
  14. ↑ 34-foot x 7-foot 6in (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, an anonymous gift, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London, costing £325.
  15. ↑ 34-foot x 7-foot 6in (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, an anonymous gift, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London, costing £325.
  16. ↑ 34-foot x 7-foot 9in (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, gift of Mr J. A. Fielden of London, built by Waterman of Cremyll, Cornwall, costing £305.
  17. ↑ 34-foot x 8-foot (10-oared) Dungeness-class (Rubie) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, gift of the Ancient Order of Foresters, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £712.
  18. ↑ 34-foot x 8-foot (10-oared) Dungeness-class (Rubie) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Mr Riley of Leamington, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £722.
  19. ↑ 34-foot x 8-foot (10-oared) Dungeness-class (Rubie) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Mr S. Vallentine of Brixton, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £730.
  20. ↑ 34-foot x 8-foot (10-oared) Dungeness-class (Rubie) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Mr S. Vallentine of Brixton, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £665 when new.
  21. ↑ 34-foot x 8-foot (10-oared) Dungeness-class (Rubie) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Mr R. Robson, built by S. E. Saunders of Cowes, costing £966 when new.
  22. ↑ 40-foot x 10-foot 6in self-righting (motor) lifeboat, legacy of Miss M. H. Smith, built by S. E. Saunders of Cowes, costing £5,023.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Mayday… Ride For The Lifeboats!". northernlifemagazine.co.uk. 7 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "Whitby's lifeboats". rnli.org. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
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  4. ↑ "Nostalgia on Tuesday: Brave Tradition". The Yorkshire Post. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  5. ↑ Chrystal 2012, p. 42.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Morris, Jeff (January 1989). The Story of the Whitby Lifeboats. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 1–26.
  7. ↑ Taylor, John Russell (2014). The second wave: British drama for the seventies (2 ed.). London: Routledge. p. 122. ISBN   9780415727907.
  8. ↑ "Summary of the Meetings of the Committee". The Lifeboat. IV (41): 486. 1 July 1861. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  9. ↑ "Genuki: WHITBY: Geographical and Historical information from the year 1890., Yorkshire (North Riding)". www.genuki.org.uk. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  10. ↑ Dibdin & Ayling 1894, p. 183.
  11. ↑ "Annual Report". The Lifeboat. 11 (116). Poole: RNLI: 21. May 1880. ISSN   0024-3086.
  12. ↑ Leach 2018, p. 116.
  13. ↑ Lloyd, Chris (28 August 1999). "Come hell or high snowdrift, we'll save their souls". Northern Echo. ProQuest   328877089.
  14. 1 2 Potts, Lauren (30 October 2014). "Three-day WW1 sea rescue remembered". BBC News. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  15. 1 2 "Launching Ceremony at Whitby". The Lifeboat. XXIII (267): 302–308. September 1919. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  16. 1 2 "Museum resumes its role as a lifesaver after nearly 50 years". The Yorkshire Post. 20 September 2005. ProQuest   335230525.
  17. ↑ Lavery, Brian (2005). The island nation: a history of Britain and the sea. London: Conway Maritime. p. 165. ISBN   1844860167.
  18. ↑ Barnard, Ashley (5 July 2016). "Lifeboat crew members past and present meet for 50th anniversary event for celebrate 50 years of Whitby's inshore lifeboat". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  19. ↑ Foster, Mark (7 September 2007). "Duchess declares lifeboat station open". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
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  23. ↑ "Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey, Yorkshire to Lincolnshire; Whitby to Reighton" (PDF). historicengland.org. English Heritage. p. 35. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  24. ↑ "Point 9 – Royal Crescent". BBC News. 29 September 2006. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  25. 1 2 White 1993, p. 81.
  26. ↑ "Tate Hill Pier, Whitby, North Yorkshire | Educational Images". Historic England. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  27. ↑ "Whitby Lifeboat Museum – Visit Our RNLI Museums". rnli.org. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  28. ↑ "Major award for Whitby lifeboat museum's Pete". The Whitby Gazette. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
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  30. 1 2 "Whitby: New lifeboat to carry the names of 10,000 people". BBC News. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  31. ↑ "Lifeboatman who survived against the odds – thanks to his new lifejacket". The Northern Echo. 9 February 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  32. ↑ Stanway, Kate (1909). Britannia's Calendar of Heroes. London: G Allen & Sons. p. 13. OCLC   5957418.
  33. ↑ "Shipping Casualties and Loss of Life". The Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle. No. 4,634. Col E. 13 January 1877. p. 8. OCLC   173729645.
  34. ↑ "The Whitby Lifeboat Accident". The Leeds Mercury. No. 12,095. Col F. 15 January 1877. p. 3. OCLC   751697369.
  35. ↑ Historic England. "Visitor (1368757)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  36. ↑ Wilson, Natalya (16 January 2013). "Author tells fascinating history of lifeboats". York Press. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  37. ↑ Leach 2018, p. 121.
  38. ↑ "The lifeboat heroes of World War one who saved over 200 lives | RNLI". rnli.org. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  39. ↑ "Lifeboat rescue mission". BBC News. 2 October 2008. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  40. ↑ Simons, Paul (30 October 2014). "Weather eye: the hospital ship Rohilla" . The Times. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  41. ↑ Chrystal 2012, p. IV.
  42. ↑ "Five Lives Rescued in the Floods". The Lifeboat. 28 (308). Poole: RNLI: 373–304. Autumn 1977. ISSN   0024-3086.
  43. ↑ Chrystal 2012, p. 44.
  44. ↑ "Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre | Admiral Von Tromp, mysterious sinking". www.scarboroughsmaritimeheritage.org.uk. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  45. ↑ Newton, Grace (1 April 2018). "Nobody knows why this shipwreck on the Yorkshire coast ran aground". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  46. ↑ "Whitby's station history". RNLI. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  47. ↑ Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN   0907605893.
  48. ↑ "The Silver Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea". The Gazette (37624): 3215. 25 June 1946. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  49. ↑ "Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The Gazette. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  50. ↑ "British Empire Medal (Civil Division)". The Gazette. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  51. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 8–39.
  52. 1 2 Farr, Grahame; Morris, Jeff (1992). List of British Lifeboats Part 1 & 2 (Second ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 1–88.
  53. ↑ "Whitby Lifeboat Station Boat History". www.whitbylifeboat.co.uk. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
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  55. ↑ "Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre | Rohilla rescue 1914 – Saltwick Bay, Whitby". www.scarboroughsmaritimeheritage.org.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  56. ↑ "William Riley of Birmingham and Leamington". First World War Vessels. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  57. ↑ "Westminster Abbey marks the 200th anniversary of the RNLI". Westminster Abbey. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  58. ↑ "Name Robert and Ellen Robson". National Historic Ships. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
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  60. ↑ Morris, Jeff (2008). List of British Lifeboats Part 3 (Third ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. p. 3.
  61. ↑ Cook 2013, p. 14.
  62. ↑ Mitchinson, James, ed. (5 April 2023). "Target is reached for lifeboat tributes". The Yorkshire Post. p. 7. ISSN   0963-1496.
  63. ↑ Ryan, Emma (12 June 2023). "The timely arrival of resort's new life-saver". The Yorkshire Post. p. 3. ISSN   0963-1496.
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  65. ↑ Foster, Mark (11 July 2017). "Duchess of Kent names Whitby's new inshore lifeboat". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 3 February 2024.

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