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Coordinates: 55°36′40.2″N 1°43′00.5″W / 55.611167°N 1.716806°W / 55.611167; -1.716806
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== History ==
== History ==
It was long thought that Bamburgh Castle lifeboat station was the First lifeboat station, dating from 1786, but that honour is now with [[Formby Lifeboat Station]], founded 10 years earlier. However, at the request of the "Crewe Trustees", a charitable organisation founded by Nathaniel Crewe, [[Bishop of Durham]] in 1704, a lifeboat constructed by [[Lionel Lukin]] was placed here in the late 1700s, where it served for many years.<ref name="FirstLifeboats">{{cite web |title=1785: The first lifeboats |url=https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/timeline/1785-the-first-lifeboats |publisher=RNLI |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref>
A local [[coble]] was modified to act as a lifeboat for Bamburgh Castle by [[Lionel Lukin]] in 1786. This was done at the request of a Dr Sharp and supported by the "Crewe Trustees", a charitable organisation founded by Nathaniel Crewe, [[Bishop of Durham]] in 1704.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cameron |first1=Ian |title=Riders of the Storm |date=2009 |publisher=Orion Books |isbn=978-0-7528-8344-1 |pages=15–16}}</ref><ref name="FirstLifeboats">{{cite web |title=1785: The first lifeboats |url=https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/timeline/1785-the-first-lifeboats |publisher=RNLI |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Lionel Lukin |magazine=Lifeboat |date=1934 |volume=29 |issue=319 |page=324 |url=https://lifeboatmagazinearchive.rnli.org/volume/29/319/lionel-lukin}}</ref><ref name="Crewe">{{cite web |title=Lord Crewe |url=https://www.lordcrewescharity.org.uk/our-history/lord-crewe/ |publisher=Lord Crewe's Charity |access-date=8 May 2024}}</ref> Because of this, it was long thought that Bamburgh Castle was the first lifeboat station in the country but more recent research puts that distinction with [[Formby Lifeboat Station]], founded 10 years earlier.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Yorke |first1=Barbara |last2=Yorke |first2=Reginald |title=Formby Lifeboat Station |magazine=Lifeboat |date=1981 |volume=47 |issue=475 |page=159 |url=https://lifeboatmagazinearchive.rnli.org/volume/47/475/formby-from-opposite-page}}</ref>


It was only in 1882, following several shipwrecks in the area, that requests were made to the RNLI to place a boat at Bamburgh, which was agreed. A site for a boathouse was chosen on The Wyndings, and constructed at a cost of £231. A 32-foot self-righting "pulling and sailing"" lifeboat (one with oars and sails), built by Woolfe of [[Shadwell]] and costing £282, was funded by the late Mr John Cuttell, of [[Holmfirth]], [[Yorkshire]], and named after the donor and his sister ''John and Betty Cuttell'' (ON 184) at a ceremony on 24 August 1882. A further £1000 was donated by Miss Cuttell for the upkeep of the Bamburgh Castle lifeboat in perpetuity. Two further lifeboats to serve at Banburgh were also named ''John and Betty Cuttell''.<ref name="NorthumberlandJM">{{cite book |last1=Morris |first1=Jeff |title=The Closed Lifeboat Stations of Northumberland |date=May 2000 |publisher=Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society |pages=14–15}}</ref>
It was only in 1882, following several shipwrecks in the area, that requests were made to the RNLI to place a boat at Bamburgh, which was agreed. A site for a boathouse was chosen on The Wyndings, and constructed at a cost of £231. A 32-foot self-righting "pulling and sailing"" lifeboat (one with oars and sails), built by Woolfe of [[Shadwell]] and costing £282, was funded by the late Mr John Cuttell, of [[Holmfirth]], [[Yorkshire]], and named after the donor and his sister ''John and Betty Cuttell'' (ON 184) at a ceremony on 24 August 1882. A further £1000 was donated by Miss Cuttell for the upkeep of the Bamburgh Castle lifeboat in perpetuity. Two further lifeboats to serve at Banburgh were also named ''John and Betty Cuttell''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Additional stations and new life-boats |magazine=Lifeboat |date=1882 |volume=11 |issue=116 |pages=655–659 |url=https://lifeboatmagazinearchive.rnli.org/volume/11/126/additional-stations-and-new-life-boats}}</ref><ref name="NorthumberlandJM">{{cite book |last1=Morris |first1=Jeff |title=The Closed Lifeboat Stations of Northumberland |date=May 2000 |publisher=Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society |pages=14–15}}</ref>


In 1885, the ''John and Betty Cuttell'' (ON 184) was transferred to [[Whitby Lifeboat Station|Upgang]] lifeboat station near [[Whitby]], renamed ''Joseph Sykes'', and Bamburgh received another 32-foot self-righting lifeboat built by Woolfe, a slightly older boat built in 1879, previously named ''City of Manchester'' at [[Ferryside Lifeboat Station]]. She was called out twice over the next 4 years, but each time another lifeboat, {{Lbs|Boulmer}}, and then {{Lbs|Holy Island}}, effected a rescue.<ref name="NorthumberlandJM"/>
In 1885, the ''John and Betty Cuttell'' (ON 184) was transferred to [[Whitby Lifeboat Station|Upgang]] lifeboat station near [[Whitby]], renamed ''Joseph Sykes'', and Bamburgh received another 32-foot self-righting lifeboat built by Woolfe, a slightly older boat built in 1879, previously named ''City of Manchester'' at [[Ferryside Lifeboat Station]].


She was called out twice over the next 4 years, both calls in March 1888, firstly to the ''Marshall'' of [[Thurso]]<ref name=Times060388>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Latest Shipping Intelligence |date=6 March 1888 |issue=32326 |page=10 |column=D }}</ref> on 4 March 1888, the crew being rescued by the {{Lbs|Boulmer}} lifeboat.
A third and final lifeboat would be provided to Banburgh in 1889. This time, it was a 34-foot self-righting lifeboat, again constructed by Woolfe, costing £426, and again named ''John and Betty Cuttell'' (ON 247). The boat was only launched once, with the rescue eventually carried out by the [[Seahouses Lifeboat Station|North Sunderland lifeboat]], and was called but stood down a further three times.<ref name="NorthumberlandJM"/>


The second call-out, on 15 March 1888, resulted in an inquiry being held after the crew failed to launch to the ''Albion'' of Brevig,<ref name=Times170388a>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Disasters At Sea |date=17 March 1888 |issue=32336 |page=13 |column=F }}</ref> which was wrecked with the loss of 7 of 10 crew, 3 reaching shore themselves.<ref name="Morpeth">{{cite news|title=The Charge Against the Bamburgh Lifeboatmen|work=The Morpeth Herald|date=31 March 1888|page=6}}</ref> This inquiry, held by the RNLI's district inspector at the Victoria Hotel in Bamburgh, pointed to the reasons for the lifeboat stations closure several years later. The crew were acquitted of wasting inordinate time before launching, and then for failing to man the lifeboat. In defence it was said that the location was extremely difficult to launch from, with both men and the wheeled lifeboat carriage getting stuck in the flat sand. Also it was noted that the location had caused a difficulty in recruiting crew, with the local men tending to relocate frequently for work, the crew was instead situated in North Sunderland and conveyed to Bamburgh upon the alarm being raised.<ref name="Morpeth" /><ref>{{cite news|title=The Recent Fatal Shipwreck Near Bamburgh|work=The Newcastle Courant|date=20 April 1888|page=3}}</ref>
⚫
With a record of just three launches and no lives saved over a 15 year period, and apparently with sufficient lifeboat cover in the area, the Bamburgh Castle lifeboat station was closed in 1897. The boathouse still remains, and is used as a Holiday Let.<ref name="LBES"/>

A third and final lifeboat would be provided to Bamburgh in 1889. This time, it was a 34-foot self-righting lifeboat, again constructed by Woolfe, costing £426, and again named ''John and Betty Cuttell'' (ON 247). The boat was only launched once, along with the [[Seahouses Lifeboat Station|North Sunderland lifeboat]] ''Thomas Berwick'', on 4 April 1891, to the ''Ornen'', aground at Greehill Rocks. Both lifeboats were beaten by the conditions, and failed to reach the vessel. The following day, with calmer conditions, a rescue was carried out by the North Sunderland lifeboat.<ref name="Robsons">{{cite journal |last1=Norris |first1=M |title=Life-Boat Families. The Robsons of North Sunderland |journal=The Lifeboat |date=September 1935 |volume=29 |issue=323 |url=https://lifeboatmagazinearchive.rnli.org/volume/29/323/life-boat-families-the-robsons-of-north-sunderland |access-date=3 May 2024}}</ref> The ''John and Betty Cuttell'' was called, but stood down, a further three times.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Additional stations and new life-boats |magazine=Lifeboat |date=1889 |volume=14 |issue=153 |pages=192–194 |url=https://lifeboatmagazinearchive.rnli.org/volume/14/153/additional-stations-and-new-life-boats}}</ref><ref name="NorthumberlandJM"/>

⚫
With a record of just three launches and no lives saved over a 15 year period, primarily due to difficult launching conditions, the Bamburgh Castle lifeboat station was closed in 1897. The boathouse still remains, and is used as a Holiday Let.<ref name="LBES"/><ref>{{Cite book|last=Howarth |first=Patrick |title=The Life-boat Story |year=1957 |publisher=Routledge}}</ref>

In 2021, car mechanic Chris Mason set off on his own personal challenge to visit every lifeboat station in the UK and Ireland, raising money for the RNLI on the way. He started his trip at the former station at Bamburgh Castle.<ref name="MasonC">{{cite news |title=Northumberland mechanic starts RNLI station tour to thank crews |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-59695006 |access-date=3 May 2024 |publisher=BBC |date=20 December 2021}}</ref>


== Bamburgh Castle lifeboats ==
== Bamburgh Castle lifeboats ==
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==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of RNLI stations]]
* [[List of former RNLI stations]]
* [[List of former RNLI stations]]
* [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats]]
* [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats]]
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{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


⚫
[[Category:Lifeboat stations in Northumberland]]
==External links==
[[Category:Bamburgh]]

[[Category:Royal National Lifeboat Institution]]
[[Category:Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats]]
⚫
[[Category:Lifeboat stations in England]]

Latest revision as of 12:48, 31 May 2024

Bamburgh Castle Lifeboat Station (Closed)
Bamburgh Castle Lifeboat House.
Bamburgh Castle Lifeboat Station is located in Northumberland
Bamburgh Castle Lifeboat Station
Northumberland and Bamburgh location
General information
TypeRNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationThe Boat House
AddressThe Wynding
Town or cityBamburgh, Northumberland
CountryEngland
Coordinates55°36′40.2″N 1°43′00.5″W / 55.611167°N 1.716806°W / 55.611167; -1.716806
Opened1882
Closed1897
Owner Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Bamburgh Castle Lifeboat Station is a former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station, which was located at the village of Bamburgh in the county of Northumberland. A lifeboat was first stationed here by the RNLI in 1882.

The station was closed in 1897.[1]

History[edit]

A local coble was modified to act as a lifeboat for Bamburgh Castle by Lionel Lukin in 1786. This was done at the request of a Dr Sharp and supported by the "Crewe Trustees", a charitable organisation founded by Nathaniel Crewe, Bishop of Durham in 1704.[2][3][4][5] Because of this, it was long thought that Bamburgh Castle was the first lifeboat station in the country but more recent research puts that distinction with Formby Lifeboat Station, founded 10 years earlier.[6]

It was only in 1882, following several shipwrecks in the area, that requests were made to the RNLI to place a boat at Bamburgh, which was agreed. A site for a boathouse was chosen on The Wyndings, and constructed at a cost of £231. A 32-foot self-righting "pulling and sailing"" lifeboat (one with oars and sails), built by Woolfe of Shadwell and costing £282, was funded by the late Mr John Cuttell, of Holmfirth, Yorkshire, and named after the donor and his sister John and Betty Cuttell (ON 184) at a ceremony on 24 August 1882. A further £1000 was donated by Miss Cuttell for the upkeep of the Bamburgh Castle lifeboat in perpetuity. Two further lifeboats to serve at Banburgh were also named John and Betty Cuttell.[7][8]

In 1885, the John and Betty Cuttell (ON 184) was transferred to Upgang lifeboat station near Whitby, renamed Joseph Sykes, and Bamburgh received another 32-foot self-righting lifeboat built by Woolfe, a slightly older boat built in 1879, previously named City of Manchester at Ferryside Lifeboat Station.

She was called out twice over the next 4 years, both calls in March 1888, firstly to the Marshall of Thurso[9] on 4 March 1888, the crew being rescued by the Boulmer lifeboat.

The second call-out, on 15 March 1888, resulted in an inquiry being held after the crew failed to launch to the Albion of Brevig,[10] which was wrecked with the loss of 7 of 10 crew, 3 reaching shore themselves.[11] This inquiry, held by the RNLI's district inspector at the Victoria Hotel in Bamburgh, pointed to the reasons for the lifeboat stations closure several years later. The crew were acquitted of wasting inordinate time before launching, and then for failing to man the lifeboat. In defence it was said that the location was extremely difficult to launch from, with both men and the wheeled lifeboat carriage getting stuck in the flat sand. Also it was noted that the location had caused a difficulty in recruiting crew, with the local men tending to relocate frequently for work, the crew was instead situated in North Sunderland and conveyed to Bamburgh upon the alarm being raised.[11][12]

A third and final lifeboat would be provided to Bamburgh in 1889. This time, it was a 34-foot self-righting lifeboat, again constructed by Woolfe, costing £426, and again named John and Betty Cuttell (ON 247). The boat was only launched once, along with the North Sunderland lifeboat Thomas Berwick, on 4 April 1891, to the Ornen, aground at Greehill Rocks. Both lifeboats were beaten by the conditions, and failed to reach the vessel. The following day, with calmer conditions, a rescue was carried out by the North Sunderland lifeboat.[13] The John and Betty Cuttell was called, but stood down, a further three times.[14][8]

With a record of just three launches and no lives saved over a 15 year period, primarily due to difficult launching conditions, the Bamburgh Castle lifeboat station was closed in 1897. The boathouse still remains, and is used as a Holiday Let.[1][15]

In 2021, car mechanic Chris Mason set off on his own personal challenge to visit every lifeboat station in the UK and Ireland, raising money for the RNLI on the way. He started his trip at the former station at Bamburgh Castle.[16]

Bamburgh Castle lifeboats[edit]

ON[a] Name In service[17] Class Comments
184 John and Betty Cuttell 1882−1885 32-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 1]
– John and Betty Cuttell 1885−1889 32-foot Self-righting (P&S) Previously the City of Manchester at Ferryside
[Note 2]
247 John and Betty Cuttell 1889−1897 34-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 3]
  1. ^ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ 32-foot Self-righting lifeboat, built by Woolfe of Shadwell
  2. ^ 32-foot Self-righting lifeboat, built by Woolfe of Shadwell
  3. ^ 34-foot Self-righting lifeboat, built by Woolfe of Shadwell

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
  2. ^ Cameron, Ian (2009). Riders of the Storm. Orion Books. pp. 15–16. ISBN 978-0-7528-8344-1.
  3. ^ "1785: The first lifeboats". RNLI. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Lionel Lukin". Lifeboat. Vol. 29, no. 319. 1934. p. 324.
  5. ^ "Lord Crewe". Lord Crewe's Charity. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  6. ^ Yorke, Barbara; Yorke, Reginald (1981). "Formby Lifeboat Station". Lifeboat. Vol. 47, no. 475. p. 159.
  7. ^ "Additional stations and new life-boats". Lifeboat. Vol. 11, no. 116. 1882. pp. 655–659.
  8. ^ a b Morris, Jeff (May 2000). The Closed Lifeboat Stations of Northumberland. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 14–15.
  9. ^ "Latest Shipping Intelligence". The Times. No. 32326. London. 6 March 1888. col D, p. 10.
  10. ^ "Disasters At Sea". The Times. No. 32336. London. 17 March 1888. col F, p. 13.
  11. ^ a b "The Charge Against the Bamburgh Lifeboatmen". The Morpeth Herald. 31 March 1888. p. 6.
  12. ^ "The Recent Fatal Shipwreck Near Bamburgh". The Newcastle Courant. 20 April 1888. p. 3.
  13. ^ Norris, M (September 1935). "Life-Boat Families. The Robsons of North Sunderland". The Lifeboat. 29 (323). Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Additional stations and new life-boats". Lifeboat. Vol. 14, no. 153. 1889. pp. 192–194.
  15. ^ Howarth, Patrick (1957). The Life-boat Story. Routledge.
  16. ^ "Northumberland mechanic starts RNLI station tour to thank crews". BBC. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  17. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2021). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2021. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 2–120.
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