It was obviously impossible to launch the boat from the beach in face of such a gale. The sea was sweeping right across the harbour and over the sea front. The wind had shifted a point north and was blowing harder thanever. By those who are acquainted with the Bristol Channel, with its tides, the position will be realized at once, and no one understood it better than the Lynmouth life-boatmen. at the height of a whole westerly gale and right on top of the spring tides, that a telegraph message was received from Porlock that a large vessel was flying distress signals in the bay,and that she was in imminent danger of running ashore. It is a story, above all, of the courage and determination of the men of the life-boat service, who were undismayed and undaunted even by seemingly hopeless odds. The story of the Lynmouth launch belongs to an epoch in life-boat history before the motor life-boat and the launching tractor had come, when, at the oars at sea, and at the drag-ropes on land, the service depended on the muscles of men-and on land, of women, too. They were George Richards, who joined the crew in 1882, became second coxswain in 1886, and coxswain in 1926, retiring in 1931 after forty-nine years of service in the life-boat William (Billy) Richards, who later became second-coxswain and who in1899 was only sixteen years old, this being his first service Richard Ridler (bowman), George Rawle, John Ward, William Jarvis, Charles Crick, Benedict Pennicott, David Crocombe, John Ridler, Thomas Pugsley, Richard Burgess, Richard Moore (Signalman) and on that night only a Mr E J Pedder the Lynmouth postmaster also sailed in Louisa. It took them 10| hours, but in the end they accomplished what must at the beginning have seemed impossible.Ĭoxswain Jack Crocombe was in charge on that night, and thirteen other members of the crew helped him. They had to dig down banks they had to knock down gateposts, they had to break down walls-and all in the middle of a fierce gale on a January night by the light of lamps which were continually blowing out. (Please note, official records indicate total crew 15) In order to launch the boat her crew and launchers took her for thirteen miles over Exmoor, climbing from sea-level to a height of over 1,400 feet. It was on the night of Thursday, the 12th of January, 1899, and the following morning, that there took place one of the most extraordinary life-boat launches on record-the launch of the Lynmouth life-boat to the full-rigged ship Forest Hall, of Liverpool, a ship of 1,900 tons, with twelve men & five apprentices on board. (Late Honorary Secretary of the Lynmouth Branch) Research by Dave Reynolds of Great British Entertainment Ltd December 2017. The building was destroyed in the August 1952 floods, during which, all the lifeboat records were lost. The Lynmouth lifeboat station was closed by the RNLI in 1944 after 75 years of service. LOUISA was in service 1887 to 1906 saving many lives and 11 vessels including the Forrest Hall. Pedder, the Lynmouth Postmaster (at that time and a member of the Lynmouth lifeboat committee), also sailed in the lifeboat. Richard Burgess, Charles Crick, David Crocombe, William (Bill) Jarvis, Bertram Pennicott, Thomas (Tom) Pugsley, George Rawle, William (Billy) Richards, John Ridler, John Ward.
However, this night he was to take his chances with the crew afloat. He let off the maroon to summon the crew under the command of the Coxswain and normally communicate with the lifeboat as long as she was visible. If the casualty (ship in distress) was in sight off the shore he would send and receive messages using flags or lights. The Signalman was responsible for all communications. The Bowman was responsible for throwing the ropes when the lifeboat went along side a vessel or came into dock. He would take over the steering when necessary, discuss any decisions that had to be made and would take command if the coxswain was incapacitated. The Second Coxswain worked in close co-operation with the coxswain. George Richards – 2nd Coxswain (1886 to 1926) Whatever he said would be done without question. He was responsible for locating the casualty in the quickest time possible and plan the most effective assistance. The Coxswain sat at the stern, steered the lifeboat and was in command. Jack Crocombe - Coxswain (Captain) (1886 to 1926)
LOUISALIFEBOAT CREW ON THE NIGHT OF 12/13TH JANUARY 1899
0 kommentar(er)
