Salcombe Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Salcombe, Devon in England. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1869. The Salcombe Lifeboat has twice capsized, in 1916 with the loss of 13 lives, and in 1983 with no loss of life. Since 2008 the station has operated a Tamar-class all weather boat (ALB) and an Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Salcombe lies near the mouth of the Kingsbridge Estuary. A little to the east is Prawle Point where, on 10 December 1868, thirteen people died in the wreck of the Gossamer. The following year saw the opening of a lifeboat station and slipway at South Sands. This is south of the town, but north of The Bar which makes navigation difficult for boats passing in and out of the estuary.[1] In 1922 the lifeboat was moved to moorings nearer the town.[2] The boathouse was later used as a store.[1]
The neighbouring stations at Brixham and Plymouth were equipped with motor lifeboats in 1922 and 1926 respectively. It was thought that this would allow them to cover larger areas and so Salcombe was closed in 1925.[3] The closure proved ill-advised and so a station was reopened at Salcombe in December 1930, itself equipped with a motor lifeboat. Crew facilities were placed in the Unity Building on the quay. This was refurbished in 1992 and now includes a museum and display area.[1]
In 1993 an ILB was stationed at Salcombe. A boathouse for this was built beside the existing crew facilities.[1] A new pontoon for the moored lifeboat was provided in 1994.[2]
The lifeboat William and Emma was launched on 27 October 1916 to go to the aid of the schooner Western Lass, ashore beyond Prawle Point. By the time the crew of fifteen had rowed to the wreck, the schooner's crew had been rescued to the shore by the coastguard. The lifeboat turned for home but, approaching South Sands, capsized near The Bar. Thirteen of the crew drowned.[4] The station was closed for a short while but reopened with a self-righter lifeboat and a new crew the following year.[5]
The Watson-class were not inherently self-righting but, after the capsize of the Fraserburgh Lifeboat in 1970, they were fitted with air bags that could be used to bring them back upright should they capsize.[6] This was put to the test when Baltic Exchange was aiding a dinghy which had overturned in a force 9 gale on 10 April 1983. The lifeboat capsized too, but the air bag automatically inflated. The crew rescued their one-member who was washed overboard and then put into Brixham, the dinghy crew having been winched off by helicopter.[7]
Service awards
The volunteer crews of the RNLI do not expect reward or recognition for their work, but the records include many rescues that have been recognised by letters, certificates and medals from the RNLI management. This list is just some of the most notable.
On 7 December 1939, a few months after the start of World War II, the Samuel and Marie Parkhouse went to the aid of the SS Louis Sheid. This had picked up 62 survivors from the SS Tajandoen which had been torpedoed by Günther Prien's U-47 but was now in trouble herself after hitting rocks near Thurlestone. It took the lifeboat crew two journeys to Hope Cove to land the survivors of the tordepoed ship, but the Louis Sheid's own crew eventually got ashore after it ran aground in Bigbury Bay.[8]Coxswain Edwin Distin (a survivor of the 1916 capsize) was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal for his seamanship during this rescue. The rest of the crew were awarded bronze medals.[2]
Four years later Distin was himself awarded a bronze medal when, on 4 December 1943, he rescued eleven people from a salvage craft off Start Point.[2]
On 8 January 1992, the Baltic Exchange II went to help the MV Janet C which was adrift without power near Start Point. The crew managed to get a line across and held the 1,200 long tons (1,200 t) coaster off the rocks for three hours until a tug was able to take over the tow. Coxswain/Mechanic Frank Smith was awarded a bronze medal for his courage, seamanship and determination during this service.[1]
Description
The main crew facilities are in a three-storey building on the waterfront of Union Street. Next door is a similarly constructed single-storey boathouse for the ILB with its own slipway.
Area of operation
The RNLI aims to reach any casualty up to 50 miles (80 km) from its stations, and within two hours in good weather. To do this the Tamar class lifeboat at Salcombe has an operating range of 250 nautical miles (460 km) and a top speed of 25 knots (46 km/h).[9] Adjacent lifeboats are at Plymouth Lifeboat Station to the west, and Torbay to the east; there is also an ILB at Dart Lifeboat Station in Dartmouth between Salcombe and Torbay.[10]
Current fleet
Tamar ALB 16-09 Baltic Exchange III (Official Number 1289, on station 2008),[11] kept afloat alongside.[10]
Atlantic 85 ILB B-905 Gladys Hilda Mustoe (on station 2018),[12] launched by hand down a slipway.[10]
Former lifeboats
Orinos, the former Salcombe Lifeboat Samuel and Marie Parkhouse, alongside a modern Severn class lifeboat.
'ON' is the RNLI's sequential Official Number; 'Op. No.' is the operational number painted onto the boat.
Barrett, Roger. The Salcombe Lifeboat Disaster - 27 October 1916. Salcombe RNLI. ISBN9780993420900
External links
Official station website
RNLI station information
January 28, 2023
salcombe, lifeboat, station, base, royal, national, lifeboat, institution, rnli, search, rescue, operations, salcombe, devon, england, first, lifeboat, stationed, town, 1869, salcombe, lifeboat, twice, capsized, 1916, with, loss, lives, 1983, with, loss, life,. Salcombe Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution RNLI search and rescue operations at Salcombe Devon in England The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1869 The Salcombe Lifeboat has twice capsized in 1916 with the loss of 13 lives and in 1983 with no loss of life Since 2008 the station has operated a Tamar class all weather boat ALB and an Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat ILB Salcombe Lifeboat StationSouth Sands Lifeboat StationSalcombeGeneral informationTypeRNLI Lifeboat StationLocationUnion Street TQ8 8BZCountryEnglandCoordinates50 14 19 N 3 46 00 W 50 2386 N 3 7668 W 50 2386 3 7668 Coordinates 50 14 19 N 3 46 00 W 50 2386 N 3 7668 W 50 2386 3 7668OpenedAt South Beach 1869Present station 1922OwnerRoyal National Lifeboat Institution Contents 1 History 1 1 Capsizes 1 2 Service awards 2 Description 3 Area of operation 4 Current fleet 5 Former lifeboats 5 1 Pulling and sailing lifeboats 5 2 Motor lifeboats 5 3 Inshore lifeboats 6 See also 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External linksHistory EditSalcombe lies near the mouth of the Kingsbridge Estuary A little to the east is Prawle Point where on 10 December 1868 thirteen people died in the wreck of the Gossamer The following year saw the opening of a lifeboat station and slipway at South Sands This is south of the town but north of The Bar which makes navigation difficult for boats passing in and out of the estuary 1 In 1922 the lifeboat was moved to moorings nearer the town 2 The boathouse was later used as a store 1 The neighbouring stations at Brixham and Plymouth were equipped with motor lifeboats in 1922 and 1926 respectively It was thought that this would allow them to cover larger areas and so Salcombe was closed in 1925 3 The closure proved ill advised and so a station was reopened at Salcombe in December 1930 itself equipped with a motor lifeboat Crew facilities were placed in the Unity Building on the quay This was refurbished in 1992 and now includes a museum and display area 1 In 1993 an ILB was stationed at Salcombe A boathouse for this was built beside the existing crew facilities 1 A new pontoon for the moored lifeboat was provided in 1994 2 Capsizes Edit Lifeboat William and Emma at the Thames Ironworks The lifeboat William and Emma was launched on 27 October 1916 to go to the aid of the schooner Western Lass ashore beyond Prawle Point By the time the crew of fifteen had rowed to the wreck the schooner s crew had been rescued to the shore by the coastguard The lifeboat turned for home but approaching South Sands capsized near The Bar Thirteen of the crew drowned 4 The station was closed for a short while but reopened with a self righter lifeboat and a new crew the following year 5 The Watson class were not inherently self righting but after the capsize of the Fraserburgh Lifeboat in 1970 they were fitted with air bags that could be used to bring them back upright should they capsize 6 This was put to the test when Baltic Exchange was aiding a dinghy which had overturned in a force 9 gale on 10 April 1983 The lifeboat capsized too but the air bag automatically inflated The crew rescued their one member who was washed overboard and then put into Brixham the dinghy crew having been winched off by helicopter 7 Service awards Edit The volunteer crews of the RNLI do not expect reward or recognition for their work but the records include many rescues that have been recognised by letters certificates and medals from the RNLI management This list is just some of the most notable On 7 December 1939 a few months after the start of World War II the Samuel and Marie Parkhouse went to the aid of the SS Louis Sheid This had picked up 62 survivors from the SS Tajandoen which had been torpedoed by Gunther Prien s U 47 but was now in trouble herself after hitting rocks near Thurlestone It took the lifeboat crew two journeys to Hope Cove to land the survivors of the tordepoed ship but the Louis Sheid s own crew eventually got ashore after it ran aground in Bigbury Bay 8 Coxswain Edwin Distin a survivor of the 1916 capsize was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal for his seamanship during this rescue The rest of the crew were awarded bronze medals 2 Four years later Distin was himself awarded a bronze medal when on 4 December 1943 he rescued eleven people from a salvage craft off Start Point 2 On 8 January 1992 the Baltic Exchange II went to help the MV Janet C which was adrift without power near Start Point The crew managed to get a line across and held the 1 200 long tons 1 200 t coaster off the rocks for three hours until a tug was able to take over the tow Coxswain Mechanic Frank Smith was awarded a bronze medal for his courage seamanship and determination during this service 1 Description EditThe main crew facilities are in a three storey building on the waterfront of Union Street Next door is a similarly constructed single storey boathouse for the ILB with its own slipway Area of operation EditThe RNLI aims to reach any casualty up to 50 miles 80 km from its stations and within two hours in good weather To do this the Tamar class lifeboat at Salcombe has an operating range of 250 nautical miles 460 km and a top speed of 25 knots 46 km h 9 Adjacent lifeboats are at Plymouth Lifeboat Station to the west and Torbay to the east there is also an ILB at Dart Lifeboat Station in Dartmouth between Salcombe and Torbay 10 Current fleet EditTamar ALB 16 09 Baltic Exchange III Official Number 1289 on station 2008 11 kept afloat alongside 10 Atlantic 85 ILB B 905 Gladys Hilda Mustoe on station 2018 12 launched by hand down a slipway 10 Former lifeboats Edit Orinos the former Salcombe Lifeboat Samuel and Marie Parkhouse alongside a modern Severn class lifeboat ON is the RNLI s sequential Official Number Op No is the operational number painted onto the boat Pulling and sailing lifeboats Edit List incomplete ON Name Built At Salcombe Class Comments524 William and Emma 1904 1904 1916 Liverpool Wrecked in service 5 13 449 Sarah Ann Holden 1900 1917 1925 Peake Originally at Johnshaven in Scotland 14 Motor lifeboats Edit The Baltic Exchange II at the RNLI Depot in Poole after withdrawal from service left beside a Mersey class boat ON Op No Name Built At Salcombe Class Comments672 Alfred and Clara Heath 1922 1930 1938 40ft Self righter Originally at Brixham later at St Peter Port then sold and converted into a yacht 15 805 Samuel and Marie Parkhouse 1938 1938 1962 46ft Watson Special design to cope with the shallow conditions on The Bar at Salcombe 8 Now in use as a pleasure boat named Oniros at Bursledon 16 964 The Baltic Exchange 1962 1962 1988 47ft Watson Reported in use as pleasure boat Baltic Air at Dover in 2008 7 17 1130 47 022 The Baltic Exchange II 1987 1987 2008 Tyne Sold to the Seychelles Coastguard 18 1289 16 09 The Baltic Exchange III 2008 2008 Present Tamar Still in serviceInshore lifeboats Edit Op No Name At Salcombe Class TypeB 755 19 Joan Bate 2003 2018 B Atlantic 75B 905 Gladys Hilda Mustoe 2018 Present B Atlantic 85See also EditList of RNLI stationsReferences Edit a b c d e Leach Nicholas 2009 Devon s Lifeboat Heritage Chacewater Twelveheads Press ISBN 978 0 906294 72 7 a b c d Station History Salcombe RNLI Archived from the original on 13 June 2011 Retrieved 9 December 2010 Denton Tony 2009 Handbook 2009 Shrewsbury Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society p 59 Morris Jonathan 27 October 2016 Salcombe lifeboat disaster How sand bar claimed 13 lives in 1916 BBC News Retrieved 29 October 2016 a b Leach Nicholas 2009 p 21 Kipling Ray Kipling Susannah 2006 Never Turn Back Stroud Sutton Publishing pp 81 83 ISBN 0 7509 4307 6 a b Leach Nicholas 2009 pp 24 25 a b Leach Nicholas 2009 p 22 Wake Walker Edward 2008 The Lifeboats Story Stroud Sutton Publishing pp 69 70 ISBN 978 0 7509 4858 6 a b c Denton Tony 2009 p 68 Denton Tony 2009 p 35 RNLI website Salcombe to get new lifeboat Denton Tony 2009 pp 6 7 Denton Tony 2009 pp 4 5 Denton Tony 2009 pp 12 13 Denton Tony 2009 pp 18 19 Leach Nicholas 2009 22 23 RNLI Tyne class fleet Erdington RNLI Archived from the original on 10 July 2011 Retrieved 14 December 2010 Denton Tony 2009 p 44Further reading EditBarrett Roger The Salcombe Lifeboat Disaster 27 October 1916 Salcombe RNLI ISBN 9780993420900External links EditOfficial station website RNLI station information Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Salcombe Lifeboat Station amp oldid 1122255028, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
