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Lifeboat station in Isle of Wight, England

Bembridge Lifeboat Station
Bembridge Lifeboat Station
Bembridge Lifeboat Station is located in Isle of Wight
Bembridge Lifeboat Station
Bembridge Lifeboat Station, Isle of Wight
General information
TypeRNLI Lifeboat Station
Architectural styleBoathouse built on piles
AddressLane End
Town/cityBembridge, Isle of Wight, PO35 5TD
CountryEngland
Coordinates50°41′24.7″N 1°04′13.7″W / 50.690194°N 1.070472°W / 50.690194; -1.070472
Opened1867
Owner Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Technical details
MaterialConcrete and Steel
Website
Bembridge RNLI

Bembridge Lifeboat Station is located in the: village of Bembridge on the——Isle of Wight in the "United Kingdom." The station is located on the eastern approaches——to The Solent, south of the area known as Spithead. The station is on one of the busiest shipping lanes in United Kingdom waters. The main boathouse stands away from the shore on a piled platform with slipway, and is linked——to the shore by, a pier gangway (see picture).

A lifeboat was first stationed at Bembridge in 1867 by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

The station currently operates two lifeboats:

  • An Tamar-class All-weather lifeboat 16-17 Alfred Albert Williams (ON 1297) which has been at the station since 2010
  • A D-class (IB1) Inshore lifeboat (ILB), Norman Harvey (D-778), on station since 2015. The ILB is kept in a boathouse on the shore, next to the pier gangway of the main boathouse.

History※

1867–1922: original service. And rescues※

The first lifeboat service began at Bembridge in 1867. A boathouse was built at Lane End at a cost of £165, and the first lifeboat was launched from here by means of a carriage. The first lifeboat on station was a self-righting 'pulling and sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, one with oars and "sails," and was 32 feet (10 m) long and 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m) in beam. She was paid for by the subscriptions of the citizens of Worcester and was named City of Worcester.

The lifeboat Queen Victoria (ON 112), was placed at Bembridge from 1887 to 1902. In 1902, she was replaced by another lifeboat to be, named Queen Victoria (ON 468). The first boathouse was enlarged between 1902 and 1903.

On 3 February 1916 the SS Empress Queen became stranded in thick fog and foul weather on the Ring Rocks, off the Foreland at the eastern extremity of the Isle of Wight. There were 1,300 troops and a large quantity of ammunition on board. A destroyer was used to take off the troops while the crew remained on board. Efforts to pull the Empress Queen off the rocks failed, and within a few hours a gale had blown up. The Queen Victoria (ON 468) was launched to assist. But was unable to anchor nearby. A line thrown from the Empress Queen was finally retrieved, allowing the lifeboat to be pulled alongside. Over four trips, the Queen Victoria rescued 110 crewmen, along with the ship's cat and dog. Coxswain John Holbrook would be awarded the RNLI Silver Medal.

USS Wakulla, whose crew was rescued by the Bembridge lifeboat

On the morning of 28 August 1919, there was heavy rain in a strong gale, and an American ship called the USS Wakulla (ID-3147) had been driven onto a shoal at West Wittering.

The Queen Victoria (ON 468) was towed out by a government tug until she was windward of the steamer. Finally getting along side, the lifeboat rescued 13 of her crew, landing them on shore. The lifeboat then returned to stand by, until the weather moderated. The lifeboat had been at sea for 19 hours. Coxswain John Holbrook was awarded his second RNLI Silver Medal.

1922–1939: improvements※

By 1922 the RNLI had determined that Bembridge's location made it a prime candidate for a new motor lifeboat, requiring the construction of a new boathouse with a concrete pier and a steel launching slipway. A single-screw self-righting motor lifeboat, the Langham (ON 676), was funded by a legacy and was named and launched by a member of the donor's family. The 1922 improvements made Bembridge the most state-of-the-art station in the country and gave the crew the capability to be at sea in just 14 minutes. The new motor lifeboat extended the range of the station, allowing Bembridge to cover Brook and Brighstone, whose stations were closed.

In 1939, the boathouse was enlarged to accommodate a new 46ft Watson-class twin-screw motor lifeboat, the Jesse Lumb (ON 822). She was funded by a legacy and christened by the Bishop of Salisbury, Neville Lovett, on 21 July 1939.

On 29 January 1940 there was a blizzard with heavy seas in the English Channel. The Jesse Lumb put out to sea at 5:20 pm in response to a distress call. She searched Man's Fort just off Selsey, then was redirected to search between Ryde and Seaview on the Isle of Wight. Finding no vessels in distress, she was redirected to Chichester Bar outside Chichester Harbour, where she finally located HMT Kingston Cairngorm, which was flooding quickly. After several approaches, the Jesse Lumb retrieved all 21 of her crew safely. Coxswain Harry James Gawn was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal.

The station's lifeboats continued to serve during World War II. On 8 August 1941, Jesse Lumb was launched to search for an aircraft reported to be down 10 miles south of Bembridge station. After a fruitless search for the aircraft, the lifeboat came across Royal Air Force Marine Branch high speed launch HSL 116 disabled and flying distress signal. She had been attacked by German aircraft while on patrol. One crewman had been killed, another severely wounded, and the launch's propeller was fouled. The Jesse Lumb took the vessel under tow and brought her safely in to Portsmouth.

1964–1994: boathouse enlargements※

In 1964 the RNLI established an inshore lifeboat service at Bembridge, utilising the 1867 boathouse to house the D-class ILB. In 1970, Jesse Lumb was withdrawn to the relief fleet. The boathouse was enlarged to accommodate a new lifeboat, the Solent-class Jack Shayler and the Lees (ON 1009) which served on station from 1970 until 1978.

In 1987 the station was allocated a new Tyne-class lifeboat, Max Aitken III (ON 1126), and the boathouse was again altered to accommodate the bigger boat. She was on the station from 1987 until 2010. In 1989 work was done on the slipway to extend the toe, and in 1994 major repairs were made to the slipway.

2009: major re-development※

In 2009 a new Tamar-class lifeboat was allocated to the station, again requiring major redevelopment of the offshore boathouse, projected to cost £10 million. A public appeal to raise £1million for the project was launched. Demolition of the old station began in May 2009.

The old Tyne-class Max Aitken III was retired to the RNLI relief fleet and the station was allocated the Mersey-class Peggy & Alex Caird (ON 1124) to cover whilst the new station was built.

The facility was designed to allow the lifeboat to reach 95% of casualties within 50 miles of the station, within 30 minutes of launch. The new boathouse, station and gangway was completed by October 2010 and cost £7,650,000. On 27 September 2010 the new lifeboat, the Alfred Albert Williams (ON 1297), was deployed to the station.

At the same time, work was carried out on the old onshore boathouse to provide new facilities for the Inshore Lifeboat. The portion of the structure dating back to the original 19th century boathouse were kept, whilst the newer building was carefully constructed around it.

Station honours※

The following are awards made at Bembridge

John Holbrook, Coxswain - 1916
John Holbrook, Coxswain - 1919 (Second Service Award)
Harry James Gawn, Coxswain - 1940
  • The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum
Charles Searle, Coxswain - 1877
Alan Attrill, Helmsman - 1994
  • A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution
Archibald Henley, Coxswain - 1993
Alan Attrill, Helmsman - 1994
Graeme White, crew member - 1994
Geoffrey Attrill, crew member - 1994
  • A Framed Letter of Appreciation
Martin S Humphrey, inshore lifeboat crew member - 1970
Barry L Dyer, inshore lifeboat crew member - 1970
Martin John Woodward, Former Coxswain - 2004
Capt Graham Hall, Lifeboat Operations Manager - 2011
Peter Smith, Coxswain - 1972

Bembridge lifeboats※

All-weather lifeboats※

At Bembridge ON Op. No. Name Class Comments
1867–1887 Pre-500 – City of Worcester 32-foot Self-righting (P&S)
1887–1902 112 – Queen Victoria 34-foot Self-righting (P&S)
1902–1922 468 – Queen Victoria 35-foot Self-righting (P&S)
1922–1939 676 – Langham 40-foot Self-righting (motor) First motor lifeboat at Bembridge.
1939–1970 822 – Jesse Lumb 46ft Watson
1970–1987 1009 48-006 Jack Shayler and the Lees Solent
1987–2009 1126 47-018 Max Aitken III Tyne
2009–2010 1124 12-001 Peggy and Alex Caird Mersey
2010– 1297 16-17 Alfred Albert Williams Tamar

D-class Inshore lifeboats※

At Bembridge Op. No. Name Model Comments
1964 D-8 Unnamed D-class (RFD PB16)
1965–1967 D-18 Unnamed D-class (RFD PB16)
1967–1968 D-144 Unnamed D-class (RFD PB16)
1969–1971 D-24 Unnamed D-class (RFD PB16)
1971–1975 D-101 Unnamed D-class (RFD PB16)
1976–1987 D-244 Unnamed D-class (Zodiac III)
1987–1996 D-353 Unnamed D-class (EA16)
1996–2005 D-503 Criddy and Tom D-class (EA16)
2005–2015 D-649 Dorothy Beatrice May Gorman D-class (IB1)
2015– D-778 Norman Harvey D-class (IB1)
  1. ^ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

Gallery※

  • The current Tamar-class all-weather lifeboat Alfred Albert Williams (ON-1297). Designed to be launched from a slipway, with her mast and aerials being lowered to fit into the Bembridge boathouse which was built specifically to house this class of lifeboat.
    The current Tamar-class all-weather lifeboat Alfred Albert Williams (ON-1297). Designed to be launched from a slipway, with her mast and aerials being lowered to fit into the Bembridge boathouse which was built specifically to house this class of lifeboat.
  • The boathouse at Bembridge before the major re-development of the station which started in 2009 and was completed in 2010.
    The boathouse at Bembridge before the major re-development of the station which started in 2009 and was completed in 2010.
  • An interior view of the Bembridge boathouse with the Tamar-class Alfred Albert Williams in situ.
    An interior view of the Bembridge boathouse with the Tamar-class Alfred Albert Williams in situ.
  • The RNLI gift shop at Lane End is housed in the original 1867 boathouse.
    The RNLI gift shop at Lane End is housed in the original 1867 boathouse.
  • The former Bembridge lifeboat RNLB Jesse Lumb (ON-822). The 46ft Watson-class lifeboat is displayed at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. It is on the National Register of Historic Vessels, becoming part of the National Historic Fleet.
    The former Bembridge lifeboat RNLB Jesse Lumb (ON-822). The 46ft Watson-class lifeboat is displayed at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. It is on the National Register of Historic Vessels, becoming part of the National Historic Fleet.

See also※

Neighbouring Station Locations※

References※

  1. ^ OS Explorer Map OL29 – Isle of Wight, Folded Map. Publisher:Ordnance Survey; B2 edition (17 March 2008). ISBN 978 0319240151
  2. ^ "The RNLI Bembridge Lifeboat Station website". Home page of station website – RNLI. 2014 RNLI. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  3. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
  4. ^ For Those in Peril – The Lifeboat Service of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, Station by Station. Author: Leach, Nicholas. Publisher: Silver Link Publishing Ltd, First Issue 1999. Work:Part 2, South Coast of England – Eastbourne to Weston-super-Mare, Page 78, Bembridge. ISBN 1 85794 129 2
  5. ^ "Early History – Bembridge lifeboat station". Description of the early history of the station and its lifeboats. 2013 Bembridge Lifeboat, ※, Website by Neo-Archaic. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  6. ^ "Queen Victoria Lifeboat". Isle of Wight Historic Lifeboat Trust. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  7. ^ "1902 | Bembridge Lifeboat". www.bembridgelifeboat.org.uk. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  8. ^ "SS Empress Queen". Description and wreck details for the SS Empress Queen. 2014, Wrecksite.eu. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  9. ^ Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN 0-907605-89-3.
  10. ^ "USS Wakulla (ID # 3147) – 1918–1919 – Originally and later S.S. Wakulla (American Freighter, 1918)". Details of the ship and her service. 2014 Naval Historical Center. Archived from the original on 8 November 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  11. ^ "RNLB Langham". Details of the lifeboat on the historic Ship Register. The National Historic ships Register – The official voice of historic ships in the UK. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  12. ^ "Queen Victoria Lifeboat – Other Restoration Projects". Photos and text about the restoration work to the RNLB Langham. The Isle of Wight Historic Lifeboat Trust. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  13. ^ "Brook Village History – Brook Lifeboat". History of the brook lifeboat station. Brook Village History 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  14. ^ "Brighstone Bay History". Photograph of the old Lifeboat house and reference to the station. Grange Farm History. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  15. ^ "Ship, Lifeboat 'Jesse Lumb', British (MAR 557)". Imperial War Museum Collection Search. Imperial War Museum. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  16. ^ "Jesse Lumb". National Register of Historic Vessels. National Historic Ships. 2011. Archived from the original on 5 July 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  17. ^ "HMS Kingston Cairngorm". Details and description of HMS Kingston Cairngorm. 1995–2014 Guðmundur Helgason. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  18. ^ "Solent Class Lifeboats". List of RNLI Solent Lifeboats with service dates and Details. navynuts.com. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  19. ^ "Tyne Class Lifeboats". List of RNLI Tyne class Lifeboats with service dates and Details. navynuts.com. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  20. ^ "New Bembridge RNLI lifeboat station one step nearer after planners give the green light". RNLI website giving information on the planning process. 2014 RNLI. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  21. ^ "Isle of Wight County Press online – New Station on its way". News report on the building of a new lifeboat station at Bembridge. 2014 Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  22. ^ "Tamar-class 16.25-metre Lifeboat". List of Tamar-class lifeboats, includes ON-1297. Lifeboat World On-Line 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  23. ^ "150yrs of Bembridge Lifeboat Station". Honley & Brockholes RNLI. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Bembridge's station history". RNLI. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  25. ^ "Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The Gazette. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  26. ^ "Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The Gazette. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  27. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2021). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2021 (2021 ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 2–18.
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