Wikipedia

Harwich Lifeboat Station

Harwich Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in the town of Harwich in the English county of Essex.[1] The station is positioned on the southern side at the mouth of the River Orwell estuary. The station serves a particularly busy section of coastline with Harwich being a very busy ferry terminal.[2] Across the estuary is the Port of Felixstowe which is the United Kingdom's busiest container port.[3]

Harwich Lifeboat Station
Harwich Lifeboat Station.
Harwich Lifeboat Station is located in Essex
Harwich Lifeboat Station
Harwich, Essex
General information
TypeRNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationHarwich Lifeboat Station
AddressThe Quay
Town or cityHarwich, Essex, CO12 3HH
CountryEngland
Coordinates51°56′55.01″N 1°17′13.56″E / 51.9486139°N 1.2871000°E / 51.9486139; 1.2871000
Owner Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Website
Harwich RNLI lifeboat station

History

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1821: first station

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The first lifeboat at Harwich was called Braybrooke, and it was first stationed there in 1821.[2] It was named in honour of Richard Griffin, 2nd Baron Braybrooke, Lord Lieutenant of Essex.[4] The lifeboat was financed by the Essex Lifeboat Association, but no funds were available for a boathouse, so the Braybrooke was moored in the harbour.[citation needed] On the Suffolk side of the estuary at Landguard Fort there was a second lifeboat, the Orwell, which was eventually sold and converted to a yacht.[citation needed] The Harwich lifeboat had ceased operations by 1825, and the Braybrooke's fate is unknown.[2]

1875–1917: second station and closure

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After the passenger steamship SS Deutschland was wrecked on Kentish Knock on 6 December 1875, it was decided that another lifeboat was needed at Harwich. A new boathouse was built at Timberfields in 1876 and a lifeboat called Springwell arrived in January 1876.[4] The New lifeboat was 35 feet long by 9 feet wide and was self-righting. The Springwell remained at Harwich from 1876 until 1881 and was credited with saving the lives of 61 people, 23 of which had been saved during the launch to the barque Pasithea of Liverpool on 16 February 1883.[citation needed]

In 1889 the RNLI obtained its first steam-powered lifeboat, the Duke of Northumberland, which was sent to Harwich in 1890. The station with Springwell became known as Harwich No. 1 station, whilst the mooring near Halfpenny Pier where the Duke of Northumberland was kept afloat became the No. 2 station.[2][4] In 1892, the Duke of Northumberland was sent to New Brighton on Merseyside. It was replaced in 1894 by another steam lifeboat, the City of Glasgow.[citation needed]

In 1902 the No. 1 station lifeboat Springwell, the second boat to bear that name, was scrapped. In 1904 station No. 1 was given another Watson-class lifeboat, Ann Fawcett. In the years leading up to World War I, Harwich was used for the testing of new motor lifeboats which were sent to other stations.[5] In 1912 the Ann Fawcett was withdrawn from service once again leaving the City of Glasgow the only lifeboat on station.[6]

By the breakout of the First World War in 1914, the City of Glasgow, the second to bear this name, was the only lifeboat at Harwich. In 1917 the Admiralty commandeered the lifeboat for patrol duties.[6] Harwich Lifeboat Station was closed, leaving the area to be covered by Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station to the north and Walton and Frinton Lifeboat Station to the south.[7]

1960s–1980: reopening and European Gateway incident

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Harwich Lifeboat Station did not reopen until 1965, when increased traffic to the Harwich ferry as well as the Port of Felixstowe across the estuary necessitated more lifeboats in the area. A 16 ft inshore inflatable lifeboat boat was stationed for the summers of 1965 and 1966.[2] In September 1967, a 44 ft Waveney-class lifeboat, Margaret Graham, was sent to Harwich.[2][6] After a successful two-year trial period, the Margaret Graham was made a permanent fixture at Harwich, where she remained until being replaced by the John Fison in 1980.[6]

The most notable incident attended by a Harwich station lifeboat was the European Gateway incident of 19 December 1982. The roll-on roll-off car ferry European Gateway was leaving Felixstowe for Zeebrugge when it collided with the train ferry Speedlink Vanguard approaching Harwich Harbour. The bow of the Speedlink Vanguard struck the European Gateway amidship, and she quickly capsized to the point where only half the starboard side of the vessel was above the water. Numerous lifeboats and tugs responded to the scene and began rescuing passengers from the European Gateway within minutes. The Speedlink Vanguard launched her own lifeboat to assist. Within an hour all passengers but six had been rescued.[8] By the time the John Fison arrived, all that remained was to search for the bodies. The John Fison recovered two bodies, three others were located by other boats, and one remained unaccounted for.[9]

1997–2003: new station

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The Harwich Lifeboat Albert Brown (ON 1202)
 
Harwich Severn-class and Ro-Ro Ferry

In 1997, Harwich acquired 17-03 Albert Brown, a Severn-class fast lifeboat built by Green Marine in 1995.[10] She is 17 meters long, 5.5 meters wide with a depth of 1.38 meters, with a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 250 nautical miles.[11] The Albert Brown was financed with bequest from Victoria Brown to commemorate her husband Albert Brown, and christened by Terry Waite CBE on 25 May 1997.[6]

In 2002, Harwich acquired the Sure and Steadfast (B-789), an B-class (Atlantic 75) second generation rigid inflatable boat (RIB).[12] She was named on 18 May 2003 after the motto of the Boys' Brigade in recognition of the fund raising efforts for the RNLI by that organization.[13]

In 2003, funds were secured for a new boathouse and facilities, at a cost of £1.25 million.[14]

On 21 May 2018, the new Atlantic 85-class lifeboat Tierney Harvey & Sonny Reid (B-907) arrived in the town to a warm welcome from crowds and supporters. She was funded by The John & Elizabeth Memorial Trust, which was set up in 1998.[15]

As of 2024, 17-03 Albert Brown and Tierney Harvey & Sonny Reid (B-907) are on service at Harwich.[16]

Harwich Lifeboat Museum

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The 1876 boathouse at Timberfields was opened by the Harwich Society as a lifeboat museum in 1994.[17] The centrepiece is Oakley-class motor lifeboat Valentine Wyndham Quinn which had been stationed at Clacton-on-Sea from 1968 until 1984. After further service in Ireland[18] it was displayed at Cromer for a while. Being rather larger than the 'pulling and sailing' lifeboat that the building had been designed for, the lifeboat had to be partly dismantled to fit through the doors.[17]

Harwich lifeboats

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Harwich No.1 Station

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ON[a] Name In service [16] Class Comments
– Braybrooke 1821−1825 Norfolk and Suffolk
Pre-611 Springwell 1876−1881 35 ft Self-Righting (P&S) [19]
317 Springwell II 1881−1902 45 ft Self-Righting (P&S)
206 Reserve No.3 1890−1891 38 ft 2in Self-righting (P&S)
517 Ann Fawcett 1904−1912 43ft Watson (P&S)
Pre ON numbers are unofficial numbers used by the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society to reference early lifeboats not included on the official RNLI list.

Harwich No.2 lifeboat station

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ON[a] Name In service [16] Class Comments
231 Duke of Northumberland 1890−1892 Steam
362 City of Glasgow 1894−1897 Steam
362 City of Glasgow 1898−1901 Steam
446 City of Glasgow 1901−1917 Steam

Harwich lifeboat station

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All-Weather Lifeboats

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ON[a] Op. No.[b] Name In service [16] Class Comments
1004 44-005 Margaret Graham 1967−1980 Waveney
1060 44-020 John Fison 1980−1996 Waveney
1202 17-03 Albert Brown [20] 1996− Severn

Inshore lifeboats

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Op. No.[b] Name In service [16] Class Comments
D-71 Unnamed 1965−1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-14 Unnamed 1968 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-201 Unnamed 1971 D-class (Avon S650)
D-201 Unnamed 1973 D-class (Avon S650)
D-206 Unnamed 1974−1975 D-class (Zodiac III)
D-240 Unnamed 1976−1978 D-class (Zodiac III)
D-225 Unnamed 1977−1978 D-class (Zodiac III)
B-526 Unnamed 1978−1987 B-class (Atlantic 75)
B-571 British Diver II 1987−2002 B-class (Atlantic 75)
B-789 Sure and Steadfast 2002−2018 B-class (Atlantic 75) [13]
B-907 Tierney Harvey & Sonny Reid 2018− B-class (Atlantic 85) [15]
  1. ^ a b c ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. ^ a b Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

Station honours

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The following are awards made at Harwich[21][22]

Samuel Wordley - 1829
William Mudd - 1829
William Jennings, Master of the smack Spy - 1832
William Newson, Master of the smack Alfred - 1855
William Lewis, Master of the smack Tryall - 1856
Thomas King, Master of the smack Paragon - 1862
Thomas Adams, Master Mariner - 1862
Henry Bacon, - 1862
Benjamin Lambeth - 1862
John Lambert - 1862
Robert Scarlett - 1862
George Wyatt - 1862
all of the smack Volunteer
John Carrington, Master of the Steam Tug Liverpool - 1876
William Britton, Second Coxswain - 1881
Captain St Vincent Nepean RN, the Institution's District Inspector - 1881
William Tyrrell, Coxswain - 1893
Petty Officer Kenneth Verdun Lee, Coxswain - 1983
Seaman Barry James Warner - 1983
of the Trinity House pilot vessel Valour
Second Officer Michael Anthony Wright - 1983
Seaman Thomas Edward Wakelin - 1983
of the Trinity House pilot vessel Patrol
  • A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution
R Ramplin, Helmsman - 1981
P Dawson, crew member - 1981
P Brand, crew member - 1981
Captain J Lukes - 1983
A Taylor - 1983
D Webb - 1983
of the tugs Sauria, Alfred and Ganges
Mr George Lawn, lorry driver - 1983
P Burwood, Coxswain Mechanic - 1985
L Smith, Second Coxswain - 1985
K Brand, crew member - 1985
D Gilders, crew member - 1985
E Clifton, crew member - 1985
D Gilders, Second Coxswain Assistant Mechanic - 1987
K Brand, Emergency Mechanic - 1987
P Dawson, crew member - 1987
P Smith, crew member - 1987
R Barton, crew member - 1987
Captain R Shaw, Honorary Secretary, crew member - 1987
Mr H Bell, Branch Chairman, crew member - 1987
Paul Smith, Second Coxswain - 2001
  • A Letter of Thanks signed by the Deputy Director
Masters of the tug Gray Delta - 1983
Masters of the tug Gary Gray - 1983
Captain H H McGibney of the European Gateway - 1983
  • 11 Medals, awarded by The Hospitaliers Sauveteurs Bretons
Coxswain and Crew of the steam lifeboat - 1908
Captain Roderick Willis Shaw, Honorary Lifeboat Operations Manager - 2013[23][24]

Geographic location of neighbouring stations

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Harwich Lifeboat Station". The Official Harwich RNLI website. RNLI web site. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Beilby, Alec (1992). Heroes All!: The Story of the RNLI. Patrick Stephens Ltd. pp. 157–158. ISBN 978-0-85429-866-2 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ Journal of Commerce: THE JOC TOP 50 WORLD CONTAINER PORTS
  4. ^ a b c Wreck and Rescue on the Essex Coast - The wreck and rescue series. Author: Malster, Robert.Publisher: D.B.Barton; First edition. Hardback 168 pages. Edition: October 1968. ISBN 978 0851530000
  5. ^ A chronological history of the Fishguard lifeboat at the RNLI website Archived 2012-05-23 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 30 September 2013
  6. ^ a b c d e "Our Station History | Harwich Lifeboat Station| The Royal National Lifeboat Institution - Saving Lives at Sea". harwichlifeboat.org.uk. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Harwich's station history". RNLI. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  8. ^ "European Gateway Disaster Memorial Planned". BBC News – Suffolk. BBC © 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  9. ^ Beilby 1992, pp. 158–159.
  10. ^ "Lifeboats built like Racehorse's". ProBoat online. Professional BoatBuilder Association, © Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  11. ^ "Severn -Technical specifications". Lifeboats – Severn Class. Royal National Lifeboat Association, © Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  12. ^ "Atlantic 75 B-class - Technical specifications". Lifeboats – Atlantic 75 Class. Royal National Lifeboat Association, © Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  13. ^ a b "2000 – Lifeboats". The Boys Brigade. Retrieved 18 May 2003.
  14. ^ "Harwich Lifeboat Station". Station Description page. R.N.L.I. at Harwich.org. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  15. ^ a b "Harwich RNLI officially names its new B-class lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  16. ^ a b c d e Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
  17. ^ a b "Lifeboat Museum". The Harwich Society. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  18. ^ Denton, Tony (2009). Handbook 2009. The Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. pp. 24–25.
  19. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2021). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2021 (2021 ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 2–18.
  20. ^ "25 years of saving lives for Harwich RNLI's Albert Brown". RNLI. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Harwich's station history". RNLI. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  22. ^ Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN 0907605893.
  23. ^ "Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The Gazette. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  24. ^ "Veteran seaman picks up MBE from Buckingham Palace". Harwich and Manningtree Standard. 3 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
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