Chapel Lifeboat Station

Chapel Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station, which was located at the village of Chapel St Leonards in the county of Lincolnshire. A lifeboat was first stationed here by the RNLI in 1870.

Chapel Lifeboat Station (Closed)
General information
Type	RNLI Lifeboat Station
Town or city	Chapel St Leonards, Lincolnshire
Country	England
Coordinates	53°13′25.6″N 0°20′17.4″E / 53.223778°N 0.338167°E / 53.223778; 0.338167
Opened	1870
Closed	1898
Owner	Royal National Lifeboat Institution

After only 14 launches in 28 years, the station was closed in 1898.^[1]

History

In April 1870, the RNLI decided to create a new lifeboat station at Chapel St Leonards. A new boathouse was constructed at The Pullover, at a cost of £158, and a carriage was provided, costing £93-12s-0d. An order had been placed with Forrestt of Limehouse, London for a 30-foot Self-righting lifeboat, which cost £235-10s-0d, funded by Lady Jane Barbara Bourchier (1810–1884) of Hampton Court Palace,^[2] and was named Godsend at a ceremony on 22 July 1870 attended by over 10000 people. Edward Grunnill was appointed Coxswain.^[3]

Godsend was replaced in 1876 with another 30-foot self-righting lifeboat, built by Woolfe of Shadwell, costing £275. Funded by Miss Jennie Landseer, the lifeboat was named Landseer, in memory of her late brother and acclaimed artist Sir Edwin Landseer, RA (1802–1873).^[3]

Twelve years later, a third and final boat was provided to Chapel. A 31-foot self-righting boat, constructed by Hansen, and costing £288. She was funded, along with a second boat for Sutton Lifeboat Station, from the legacy of Miss Caroline Berrey, and was named John Alexander Berrey at a ceremony on 25 May 1888.^[3]

In October 1888, Matthew Grunnill was appointed Coxswain, following the retirement of his father Edward Grunnill. Matthew would later serve as crew and then Coxswain of Skegness lifeboat.^[4]

14 people owed their lives to the Chapel lifeboat. However, with very few services recorded, Chapel lifeboat having launched only 14 times in 28 years, it was decided to close the station in 1898. John Alexander Berrey (ON 217) became a reserve lifeboat, and was used for demonstrations.^[1] The Chapel boathouse still remains, and is currently a shop.

Chapel lifeboats

ON^[a]	Name	In service^[5]	Class	Comments
−	Godsend	1870−1876	30-foot Self-righting (P&S)	^[Note 1]
−	Landseer	1876−1888	30-foot Self-righting (P&S)	^[Note 2]
217	John Alexander Berrey	1888−1898	31-foot Self-righting (P&S)	^[Note 3]

1. ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.

See also

• List of RNLI stations
• List of former RNLI stations
• Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats

Notes

1. 30-foot Self-righting lifeboat, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London
2. 30-foot self-righting lifeboat, built by Woolfe of Shadwell
3. 31-foot self-righting boat, constructed by Hansen

References

1. Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
2. Parker, Sarah E. (2005). Grace & Favour - Historic Royal Palaces. Historic Royal Palaces. p. 42. ISBN 1873993552. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
3. Morris, Jeff (April 1989). The Story of the Mablethorpe and North Lincolnshire Lifeboats (1st ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. p. 14.
4. Davies, Joan. "Skegness Lifeboat Station 1825 to 1982". RNLI. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
5. Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2021). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2021. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 2–120.

External links