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Station History
A station was established in Eastbourne in 1822, two years before the Royal National Lifeboat Institution itself was founded. The first boat was provided by Mr John Fuller MP of Rose Hill, Sussex. When he died in 1833 he left the boat "To the inhabitants of Eastbourne". She was built in Eastbourne by Mr Simpson, was 25ft long and pulling ten oars. 1822 Eastbournes first Lifeboat.
At Eastbourne is the first permanent lifeboat museum, being opened in 1937. It is housed in what was originally a lifeboat house and was used as such for 26 years. It was built in 1898 as the William Terriss Memorial Lifeboat House in memory of the famous actor, out of a fund raised by the Daily Telegraph. 1840 Silver Medal awarded to Lieut H Blair RN for the rescue by Manby Apparatus of four men from a French Lugger that was wrecked at Birling Gap, on 3 July 1840 in a severe gale. 1843 Silver Medal awarded to Lieut J A Gilson RN for the rescue of four seamen by boat from the Schooner L 'Unione Fortunata wrecked near Beachy Head on 28 January 1843. 1845 The South Holland Society for Saving the Shipwrecked presented each member of the crew with a Silver Medal and diploma in English for a service to a Dutch East¬Indiaman in December, in which the lifeboat rescued the master and nine seamen. 1863 Eastbournes second lifeboat "The Mary Stirling". Gift of Mr J Stirling Donald of Cheltenham 1880 Whilst the new lifeboat was being drawn through the streets a small boy, Ernest Best, had his foot so badly crushed that it had to be amputated. The donor of the lifeboat undertook to pay all medical expenses. The Committee of Management placed £50 to the boy's credit. 1881 Eastbournes second lifeboat "The William and Mary ".
1899 Eastbourne's third lifeboat "The James Stevens No 6". (ON 427) 1899 - 1905
1890 Bell placed on the coxswain's house for summoning crew. 1895 Gas service provided.
Corrugated iron lifeboat house constructed at the Fishing Station at a cost of £400 to 1903 Mortar supplied to No 1 station as bell could not always be heard.
The James Stevens no6 1905 Eastbournes Fourth Lifeboat "The Olive".
STATION TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM 1919-1921 1915 During the war, arrangements were made for co-operation with local motor boats; 1921 Eastbournes third lifeboat "The James Stevens No 6". Eastbournes Fourth lifeboat "Priscilla Macbean".
This was the first ceremony at which a motor lifeboat has been launched from a carriage, as in the case of rowing and sailing lifeboats. The greater part of the boats cost has been met by a legacy from the late Mr Edward Macbean of Glasgow.
1926 Bowman Harry Hendy died of epilepsy stated to be due to exposure on service. He was a widower with two children who received the appropriate pension until they were 16. 1927 Eastbournes fith lifeboat "The L P and St. Helen". (Self-righting)
1928 Centenary Vellum awarded. 1929 Eastbournes sixth lifeboat "The Jane Holland". (Self-righting)
The lifeboat Jane Holland was one of the 19 lifeboats that took part in the evacuation
Back row from left to right left to right ? Hurd. Bert Annington. Tom Allchorn. Mike Hardy. Will Prodger. Steamboat Allchorn.Ned Sayers. Bill Boniface. Middle row from left to right left to right Fred Allchorn. Harry Sayers. Sharkey Sayers.Not known. not known. not known. Front row from left to right left to right Front row? Allchorn. not known. Not known. Fred Allchorn.
Bronze Medals awarded to two members of the crew, Thomas Allchorn and Alec Huggett who went aboard the burning steamer Bamhill on 20/21 March 1940 to rescue the master after the lifeboat had previously taken off 28 of the crew. The Bamhill, when in the Channel, approximately six miles off Beachy Head, had been attacked by German aircraft; a bomb had struck her amidships and set her on fire. Aftermath of the Action
1949 Eastbournes seventh lifeboat "The Beryl Tollemache" (Beach)
Eastbourne lifeboat Watson class ON 859 "Beryl Tollemache" (1949 - 1977) Crew members seem to be wearing both orange and yellow clothing and Beaufort lifejackets.
Picture of crew during the 1960s from left to right Ron Wheeler. Alan Pitcher. RNLI Inspector. Councilor Baker.Derrick Huggett. Eddie Knight. John Buckland. Graham Cole. Denzil Philips. Ken Morley. RNLI Inspector.
Christmas supplies for the Royal Sovereign Lightship picture donated by Dr D. Lewis. 4th November 1952 The Coastguard reported that an injured seaman from a Dutch ship neede 1955 The Bronze Second-Service Clasp awarded to Coxswain Allchorn for the rescue of 16 from the wreck of the ss Germania and the rescue of four from the salvage boats Moonbeam and Endeavour on 6 May 1955. The Maud Smith award for the bravest act of life-saving by a member of a lifeboat crew was awarded to Coxswain Allchorn for the Germania rescue.
SS Germania aground off Beachy Head. SS Germania taken from Beachy Head with the Wlliam Allchorn pleasure boat 4th June 1955. The wreck of a Sunderland Flying Boat which crash landed in the sea off Eastbourne 4 crew were killed - 9 saved by RAF launches and pleasure craft, 1 saved by Lifeboat (ON 859 Beryl Tollemache).
Please read the story of a survivor of the Sunderland Flying Boat Click here
1961
Eastbourne Lifeboat Crew 1961 Back row left to right, Jack Huggett. John Bassett(Coxswain). Derek Huggett. Neville Dean. Jim hall. Front row left to right, Eddy Knight. Alan Pitcher. Ken Cranbourne. Dick Stadwick. Tom knight. 1st May, 1963 Aghios Georgios II. was beached at Pevensey Bay 30 April 1963.
Reported Blaze to Coastguards An Eastbourne Coastguard told the Gazette that at 2.48pm a Mr Beckley, of Pevensey Bay, reported spotting a ship on fire in the channel. There were flames on the fo'c'sle. The Coastguard informed Eastbourne and Hastings lifeboats and suggested immediate launch-ing. A helicoptor was called from No22 Squadron, RAF Tang-mere, but after standing by it was found not to be needed. The vessel was blazing fore and aft four miles south of Pevensey Bay. The Eastbourne lifeboat launched at 3.5pm. When it arrived at the stricken vessel the crew had abandoned ship and Eastbourne lifeboatmen picked up the Greek deaman from the ships small lifeboats. ( report taken from Eastbourne Gazette)
photo's donated by J. Flude of Willingdon.
1964 D class lifeboat sent to station in May.
The Thank of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Coxswain J Bassett for 1968 Sunday October 20th. During the evening a number of explosions were heard out at sea. Minutes later two maroons were fired calling the lifeboat crew to the station. The Beryl Tollemache launched with Derek Hugget the Coxswain at the helm. The casualty was the Sitikund a fifteen and a half thousand ton Norwegian tanker, three explosions had ripped a large hole in the aft section of the hull. The Sitikund started to list to the starboard side, this made launching the port side lifeboats. Many boats went to the rescue of the casualty including French fishing boats and HMS "Mohawk" a Royal Navy Frigate. Thirty one survivors were taken off by the fishing boats and then transferred to HMS "Mohawk". Three crew members had perished in the fire. The Master and seven crew members stayed on the tanker to fight the fire, The Tug "Meeching" towed the burning ship escorted by the Eastbourne and Newhaven lifeboats, it was eventually beached just off the Hollywell.
Picture from Lifeboat Museum
1971 A 150th Anniversary Vellum awarded. 1977 Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No 32) (Beach)
Eastbournes eighth lifeboat "The Duke of Kent". was named by the Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI, on 3 July. (Rother Class).
Photo donated by J. Flude
Photo donated by J. Flude
1983 Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum was accorded to crew member John D Cooper, in recognition of his meritorious action when on 11 May 1983, in a south westerly gale and a rough sea, he entered the water to right a capsized sailing dinghy, helped a woman and two children to re-board her, and when the dinghy capsized again swam beneath the sail with complete disregard for his safety to release a child who had become entangled in the halyards. Framed Letters of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution, the Duke of Athol, awarded to Helmsman Paul Metcalfe and crewmember lan Stringer for the part they played in this service. Bronze Medal awarded to the Helmsman lan Stringer, in recognition of the leadership and strength of purpose displayed by him when the lifeboat rescued three men, 1990 A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Michael Vernon, was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Graham Cole for the support he gave with the lifeboat Duke of Kent on 23 June, to the crew of the inshore lifeboat who were in difficulties whilst on service to a car which had been driven over the cliffs east of Beachy Head Lighthouse. 1992 9th November. The Duke Of Kent was launched to assist the yacht Gulmaid with one man on board, The yacht had been anchored in various positions off Eastbourne over the last 24 hours. The Coastguard called for the lifeboat to launch after a large wave had knocked the boat over and she had lost her anchor, with no anchor the yacht started to drift towards the shore. David Corke the lifeboat Coxswain managed after several attempts to get alongside so the yachtsman could be transfered. Minutes later the yacht was washed ashore near to the lifeboat station.
1993 The All Weather Lifeboat moved to Sovereign Harbour. Eastbournes ninth lifeboat "The Royal Thames" (Mersey Class) was named by Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent in a special ceremony that took place at Sovereign Harbour Marina on Monday 6th September. The Royal Thames was provided by funds raised as a result of an appeal to members of the Royal Thames Yacht Club together with the proceeds of a local appeal in Eastbourne, a generous anonymous gift and other gifts and legacies
Motor Vessel "Tern" The Royal Thames was launched to assist the Tern, which was taking in water eleven miles south east of Sovereign Harbour, (With heavy seas and a westerly gale with gusts up to 50 knots). The Hastings ALB joined in taking station on one side of the casualty and the Eastbourne ALB on the other side. When the ALB arrived at the scene the Tern's cargo had shifted, the fo'c'sle was underwater and her decks and hatches were awash. A large container ship was standing by and trying to provide a lee for the stricken vessel. Four of the crew were taken off by helicopter. After eight hours the Tern eventualy ran aground off Bexhill.
1994 New crew facilities completed at Sovereign Harbour. 1995 Work was carried out on the main boathouse in order to house the station's D class lifeboat. Following completion of this work, the previous ILB boathouse was removed. 1997 Silver Medal awarded to the helmsman of the D class lifeboat, lan Stringer, in recognition of the leadership and strength of purpose displayed by him when the lifeboat rescued, at great risk in very strong tidal conditions and turbulent sea, a man clinging to Eastbourne pier on 8 April 1997. The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum awarded to crew member Gary Mead and Mr Tom Hobdel, Letters of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution to crew members Mark Chessell, Dawn Mead and to Auxiliary Coastguard Stuart McNabb in recognition of their meritorious actions during this service. 2000 Two inshore lifeboats were used in rescue work during the floods in Lewes and Uckfield.
2001 10th February At approximately midnight on the high tide the yacht Going Concern had been driven up the beach to the high water mark. The crew and Coastguard then approached the DLA J Banfield to ask for lifeboat assistance as the crew were going to re-board to attempt to re-float her on the next days lunchtime tide, but as she was laying beam on, assistance from seaward would be needed. Consultation between Duty Officer Ops TDI/E and DLA and it was agreed to launch. The crew assembled at 1145 on the 11th and a short sea trial was undertaken after the fitting of new props. We arrived on scene at 1212; the ILB was in attendance to assist in passing a line to the casualty. At 1225 the crew aboard the casualty informed us that she was starting to lift so at 1226 our towline was passed to them via the ILB. When made fast to his bridle and winches we took up a steady strain as the water flowed the forward securing lines from the casualty to the shore fastenings were let go the bow then came to seaward. We carried on with a steady strain for a further 15 minutes re-positioning ourselves on a couple of occasions. She then slowly slid off the beach and in to deeper water. Before we pulled them much further we requested they check for ingress of water to which they reported they were taking on a small amount, but at the moment their pump was coping. We made our salvage pump ready in case they also reported they were unsure about propulsion, so I informed them that we would tow them straight into the harbour. The Lifting hoist was jacked up ready to lift them straight out of the water when they were through the lock. We towed them into the harbour and up to the lock, they were then happy to motor the short distance into the lock.
2003 Silver Medal awarded to Coxswain Mark Sawyer and Bronze Medal to Mechanic Dan Guy in recognition of their courage and skill when the crew of two of the yacht Paper chase was saved on 20 October 2002. The disabled yacht was in very shallow water at the entrance to Sovereign Harbour. It was dark, the seas were very rough and the south-easterly winds were Force 8 and waves were breaking over the lifeboat as the two people were rescued. Mechanic Dan Guy was washed into the sea, but held onto the man he was assisting. Coxswain Mark Sawyer received an award from the James Michael Bower Endowment Fund for this service as the only recipient of an RNLI Silver Medal for Gallantry during 2003. The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society awarded Coxswain Sawyer the Emile Robins Award for 2002/3 for this service. This award goes to the Master/Coxswain of a British vessel who incurs the greatest peril in rescuing survivors at sea. To read the RNLI report on this callout click here
PAPERCHASE the next day Member of harbour crew securing boat to the beach RNLI press photo call Mark and Dan with their medals 2003 The new station D class lifeboat 0605 Joan and Ted Wiseman 50 was placed on service on 15 August. 8th January 2007
Three Crew members of the Eastbourne Inshore Lifeboat received a certificate of appreciation from the RNLI for a dramatic rescue in choppy seas on the 18th July 2006. Helmsman David Needham, Crew Members Andy Chatton and Ian Patterson were invited to the Mayor’s parlour to receive their certificates from the Mayor of Eastbourne. The photograph of the presentation shows (from left to right) Mr Arthur Perry of Perriwinkles Seafood Stall who alerted the Coastguard, Andy Chatton, Inshore Lifeboat Crew Member, Councilor Colin Belsey, the Mayor of Eastbourne, Dexter Jones who received an award for keeping one of the youths afloat, Ian Patterson, Inshore Lifeboat crew member, Dan Guy received the Certificate on behalf of David Needham, the Helmsman of the Inshore Lifeboat.
Launches Medals - 22 MEDAL RECORD Ten medals - one Gold, four Silver and five Bronze, the last was voted in 2003.
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