Padstow lifeboat
Encyclopedia
Padstow lifeboat Station is based at Trevose Head
west of Padstow
. The current coxswain is Alan Tarby. The current lifeboat is a Tamar class
boat called "Spirit of Padstow".
station was known as the number 1 station from 1899-1938 and the number 2 station from 1938-1962.
Station closed 1962
Station closed 1967
Trevose Head
Trevose Head is a headland on the Atlantic coast of north Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated approximately west of Padstow. The South West Coast Path runs around the whole promontory and is within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Trevose Head Heritage Coast...
west of Padstow
Padstow
Padstow is a town, civil parish and fishing port on the north coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The town is situated on the west bank of the River Camel estuary approximately five miles northwest of Wadebridge, ten miles northwest of Bodmin and ten miles northeast of Newquay...
. The current coxswain is Alan Tarby. The current lifeboat is a Tamar class
Tamar class lifeboat
Tamar class lifeboats are all-weather lifeboats operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland...
boat called "Spirit of Padstow".
Hawker's Cove Station
The Hawker's CoveHawker's Cove, Cornwall
Hawker's Cove is a small coastal settlement in north Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated one-and-a-half miles north of Padstow on the west side of the River Camel estuary....
station was known as the number 1 station from 1899-1938 and the number 2 station from 1938-1962.
- Mariners Friend (Owned by Padstow Harbour Association) 1827-1856
- Albert Edward 1856-1864
- 2nd Albert Edward 1864-1883
- Arab 1883-1900
- 2nd Arab 1900-1931
- John and Sarah Eliza Stych 1931-1938
- J.H.W 1938-1947
- Stanhope Smart 1947-1951
- Bassett Green 1951-1962
Station closed 1962
Lifeboats kept on a mooring in the Camel Estuary
This was known as the number 2 station from 1899 - 1938 then the number 1 station from 1938-1962- James Stevens No. 4 1899-1900
- Edmund Harvey 1901-1929
- Helen Peele (Tug) 1901-1929
- Princess Mary 1929-1952
- Joseph Hiram Chadwick 1952-1967
Station closed 1967
Trevose Head Lifeboat Station
- James and Catherine MacFarlane 1967-1984
- James Burrough 1984-2006
- Spirit of Padstow 2006-
Important dates
- 4 January 1827 - The first lifeboat Mariners Friend was built by the Padstow Harbour Association and kept at Hawker's CoveHawker's Cove, CornwallHawker's Cove is a small coastal settlement in north Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated one-and-a-half miles north of Padstow on the west side of the River Camel estuary....
. - 11 November 1829 - The first boathouse was built for the lifeboat by Padstow Harbour Association.
- 22 December 1855 - Padstow branch of the RNLI was formed.
- 25 July 1856 - The arrival of the Albert Edward
- 1863 - New boathouse built to take larger lifeboat.
- December 1864 - Stone slipway added to boathouse.
- 6 February 1867 - Five crewmen drowned (See Padstow Lifeboat disasters).
- 15 August 1883 - Arrival of the Arab.
- 4 September 1883 - Carriage house for lifeboat built in Trethillick Lane.
- 21 February 1899 - Arrival of the James Stevens No 4 (a new steam lifeboat).
- 11 April 1900 - Both lifeboats lost and eight crewmen drowned (See Padstow Lifeboat disasters).
- 29 August 1901 - Arrival of the 2nd Arab.
- 12 September 1901 - Arrival of the Edmund Harvey and steam tug Helen Peele.
- 10 August 1917 - AdmiraltyAdmiraltyThe Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
commandeered Helen Peele for the duration of World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. - April 1929 - Arrival of the Princess Mary.
- 1 June 1931 - Arrival of the John and Sarah Eliza Stych the station’s first motor lifeboat.
- 1931 A new boathouse and roller slipway were built at Hawker's CoveHawker's Cove, CornwallHawker's Cove is a small coastal settlement in north Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated one-and-a-half miles north of Padstow on the west side of the River Camel estuary....
for a second motor lifeboat (No.2). - 8 February 1938 - Station numbers change over.
- 1 December 1947 - Arrival of the J.H.W from Lytham St Anne's
- 14 August 1951 - Arrival of the Bassett Green.
- 30 November 1952 - Arrival of the James Hiram Chadwick.
- 22 May 1962 - The No.2 station closed because of silting.
- 20 October 1967 - No 1 Station closed
- 20 October 1967 - A new boathouse and 240 ft slipway were opened at Trevose HeadTrevose HeadTrevose Head is a headland on the Atlantic coast of north Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated approximately west of Padstow. The South West Coast Path runs around the whole promontory and is within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Trevose Head Heritage Coast...
. - 20 October 1967 - Arrival of the James and Catherine MacFarlane.
- 1984 - The boathouse was adapted for the station’s Tyne class lifeboatTyne class lifeboatTyne class lifeboats were designed to serve the shores of the UK and Ireland as a part of the RNLI fleet. They are named after the River Tyne in north-east England....
the James Burrough. - 18 December 1984 - Arrival of the James Burrough.
- 1991 - Major repairs were carried out to the substructures of both the boathouse and slipway.
- 24 July 1993 - Alan C. Tarby appointed CoxswainCoxswainThe coxswain is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The etymology of the word gives us a literal meaning of "boat servant" since it comes from cox, a coxboat or other small vessel kept aboard a ship, and swain, which can be rendered as boy, in authority. ...
. - August 2006 - The new boathouse and slipway at Trevose HeadTrevose HeadTrevose Head is a headland on the Atlantic coast of north Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated approximately west of Padstow. The South West Coast Path runs around the whole promontory and is within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Trevose Head Heritage Coast...
is opened. - August 2006 - The arrival of the Spirit of Padstow.
Awards and honours
- 1911 - A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain William H Baker for rescuing the Master of the ship Angèle.
- 1928 - A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain William J Baker for rescuing 18 crew of the steamerSteamboatA steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
. - 1929 - A Bronze Medal was awarded to Joseph Atkinson, Master of the steam tug Helen Peele for rescuing five crew from the wrecked fishing vessel Our Girlie on 27 November 1928
- 1945 - A Silver Medal was awarded to Second Motor Mechanic William Orchard for rescuing seven people from the steamer Sjofna on 23 November 1944. He also received the Maud Smith Award for the bravest act of life-saving in 1944.
- 1946 - A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain John T Murt for rescuing 10 crew from the steamer Kedah.
- 1966 - A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain Gordon Elliott and Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on VellumVellumVellum is mammal skin prepared for writing or printing on, to produce single pages, scrolls, codices or books. It is generally smooth and durable, although there are great variations depending on preparation, the quality of the skin and the type of animal used...
to the crew for rescuing two men from the fishing vessel Deo Gratias that was in difficulties in a gale gusting to violent storm on 23 November 1965. - 1976 - Special framed certificates were presented to the CoxswainCoxswainThe coxswain is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The etymology of the word gives us a literal meaning of "boat servant" since it comes from cox, a coxboat or other small vessel kept aboard a ship, and swain, which can be rendered as boy, in authority. ...
and crew after the lifeboat was severely damaged by a heavy sea causing injuries to the coxswainCoxswainThe coxswain is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The etymology of the word gives us a literal meaning of "boat servant" since it comes from cox, a coxboat or other small vessel kept aboard a ship, and swain, which can be rendered as boy, in authority. ...
and some of the crew on 7 December. - 1977 - Silver Medals were awarded to Coxswain Anthony Warnock and Second Coxswain/Assistant Mechanic Trevor England for saving two crew and a dog from the yachtYachtA yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
Calcutta Princess which was in difficulties close to rocks off Dinas Head. The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on VellumVellumVellum is mammal skin prepared for writing or printing on, to produce single pages, scrolls, codices or books. It is generally smooth and durable, although there are great variations depending on preparation, the quality of the skin and the type of animal used...
were awarded to the other members of the lifeboat crew. - 1979 A special framed certificate was awarded to the Coxswain and crew for several services to numerous yachts in difficulties during the Fastnet Race on 14/15 August.
- 1979 - A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain Trevor England when the lifeboat stood by the Greek freighterCargo shipA cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade...
Skopelos Sky in difficulty off Trevose HeadTrevose HeadTrevose Head is a headland on the Atlantic coast of north Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated approximately west of Padstow. The South West Coast Path runs around the whole promontory and is within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Trevose Head Heritage Coast...
in a westerly hurricane and phenomenal seas on 15 December. Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on VellumVellumVellum is mammal skin prepared for writing or printing on, to produce single pages, scrolls, codices or books. It is generally smooth and durable, although there are great variations depending on preparation, the quality of the skin and the type of animal used...
were awarded to the crew and slipway helpers who were at times up to their necks in the sea getting the lifeboat back on her slipway. The winchman was presented with a Vellum Service Certificate. - 1 January 1988 - H.E.Murt awarded a BEMBritish Empire MedalThe Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service, usually known as the British Empire Medal , is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown...
- 1989 - A Framed Letter of Thanks was sent to the Coxswain and crew after the lifeboat stood by the cargo vessel Secil Japan which had grounded on rocks in Deadman's Cove.
- 11 June 1992 - Trevor R England awarded a BEMBritish Empire MedalThe Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service, usually known as the British Empire Medal , is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown...
.
Padstow Lifeboat disasters
- 6 February 1867 - During a service to the Georgiana five of the lifeboat crew drowned after the lifeboat capsized–Daniel Shea, William Intross, Thomas Varco, Andrew Truscott and Michael Crennel. A memorial to the men who died can be seen in St. Petroc's church, Padstow (just on the right as you go through the door).
- 11 April 1900 - With a strong WSW wind blowing, the ketch Peace and Plenty of LowestoftLowestoftLowestoft is a town in the English county of Suffolk. The town is on the North Sea coast and is the most easterly point of the United Kingdom. It is north-east of London, north-east of Ipswich and south-east of Norwich...
, struck on the Greenaway Rocks. Five of her crew were rescued by the Trebetherick Rocket Brigade and three were drowned. Meanwhile at 18:30hrs the pulling lifeboat Arab was launched and when about 40 yards from the Peace and Plenty anchored in order to veer down on her. While at anchor the Arab was struck by a tremendous sea which buried the lifeboat, washed eight of her crew overboard and broke all 10 of her oars. The lifeboat was wrecked on the rocks but the crew got ashore safely. The steam lifeboat James Stevens No. 4 then launched and, as she was leaving the harbour, she was caught by a heavy swell and capsized. Eight of her crew of eleven were drowned–Coxswain David Grubb, John W. Bate, James Grubb, E Kane, JS Martin, JB Old, J Stephens and S East. A memorial to the men can be seen in Padstow Cemetery.