Sunderland Lifeboat Station

Sunderland Lifeboat Station
North Dock Marina Lifeboat Station
Sunderland Lifeboat Station is located in Tyne and Wear
Sunderland Lifeboat Station
Tyne and Wear
General information
TypeRNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationSunderland Lifeboat Station
AddressMarine Activity Centre, North Dock
Town or citySunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR6 0PW
CountryUK
Coordinates54°55′10.1″N 1°22′03.8″W / 54.919472°N 1.367722°W / 54.919472; -1.367722
Opened1800
1865 & 1871 RNLI
Owner Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Website
https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/sunderland-lifeboat-station

Sunderland Lifeboat Station has two locations in the port city of Sunderland, which sits at the mouth of the River Wear, in the county of Tyne and Wear.

A lifeboat was first stationed here in 1800 by the Sunderland Lifeboat Committee, followed by a succession of privately operated lifeboats. Overall control of all Sunderland lifeboats finally passed to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1871.[1]

The station at North Dock Marina currently operates both Inshore lifeboats; the B-class (Atlantic 85) Wolseley (B-817) since 2007, and a D-class (IB1) Thee Andy Cantle (D-879) since 2023.[2]

History[edit]

The history of lifeboats and stations at Sunderland is the most complicated and confusing of any of the 238 RNLI stations. Starting in 1800, it is thought there have been 13 different stations, and 35 lifeboats, along with station name and number changes. The history below is the best that can be gained at present, although research continues...

Inspired by the rescue efforts made to the vessel Ajax, wrecked on her maiden voyage just north of Sunderland harbour, Lord Dundas set about raising funds to provide a lifeboat at Sunderland. Thus was created the Sunderland Lifeboat Committee, who in 1800 placed a 27-foot non-self-righting lifeboat on the north side of the docks at Roker.[3]

The Sunderland Lifeboat Committee boat is believed to be the first of a number of privately run lifeboats at Sunderland. Lifeboats were placed at various locations around the docks at Sunderland, from Roker down to Hendon Dock, by the following organisations:

  • Sunderland Lifeboat Committee
  • Sunderland Harbour Authority
  • Sunderland Shipowners Association
  • Sunderland Seamen's Lifeboat Association
  • Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

There is only a record of one lifeboat being supplied by the Sunderland Lifeboat Committee, and the two boats of the Sunderland Harbour Authority placed at South Side No.1 station seem to have served their time, but were never replaced. No further details of these three boats are available.[1]

Joseph Hodgson a carver of Sunderland, was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal on 3 January 1856 for his service to lifesaving over a period of 12 years, personally rescuing 10 people, and assisting in other lifeboat services. Two years later, William Davison was similarly awarded for his service as Coxswain on Sunderland lifeboats.[4][5]

In 1865, the two lifeboats managed by the Sunderland Seamen's Lifeboat Association were in need of replacement, and the RNLI were requested to take over the management of the two boats, which was agreed. Both boats were withdrawn, with just one, the Duke of Wellington, being replaced with the Florence Nightingale (ON 185) at South Pier Station.[2]

The South Side No.2 station, at the southern end of Sunderland Docks, near Hendon House, was opened by the Sunderland Shipowners Association (SSA) in 1850, but had to be closed in 1864, due to development work to create Hendon Dock. This would be the start of the South Outlet station. The SSA would then create another new North Side No.2 station on the north side of the docks in 1866, relocating the lifeboat from North Side No.1. A new slightly larger boat was provided there, later to be named Goodwill.[1]

However, in 1871, the SSA requested that the RNLI take over their stations too, which again was duly agreed. Both lifeboats at the North side stations remained on service, the stations becoming named No.1 and No.2, (with the station already under the RNLI at South Pier becoming No.3). The lifeboat at South Outlet was replaced on 6 February 1872 by the John Foulston. A new boathouse and slipway were constructed near Hendon Dock by Hirst & Son, costing £624, with the station being named No.4.[2]

The No.1 station lifeboat was renamed Goodwill in 1873, and transferred to the No.2 station. She was replaced by the Good Templar, so named from funds raised by the Independent order of Good Templars. On 23 October, Good Templar was launched to the Altona, holed on the Beacon Rocks. Managing to rescue all 14 aboard the vessel, the lifeboat was then also badly damaged on the rocks. All 27 aboard the lifeboat made it ashore, but the lifeboat was withdrawn from service.[6]

The Goodwill would be renamed again in 1882, to Mary, but was withdrawn in 1887, with the No.2 station closed. As a result, No.3 station became No.2, and No.4 became No.3, but this is not recorded in the station list below, to prevent confusion. The No.1 station was later renamed 'Roker', with the other two stations once again being South Pier and South Outlet.[1]

South Pier lifeboat Junius (ON 324) was launched to the steamship Jacinth of Dundee, holed on the Beacon Rocks on 2 Mar 1897. In gale force conditions, all 11 crew were rescued.[7]

RNLB 14-21 MacQuarie

A new 'North Dock' station, with roller-slipway, was constructed in 1900 to the south west side of the North Dock at a cost of £1,100. This was to house a new boat, George Woodfindin (ON 450), which arrived on 22 October 1900. With this new boat on service, the Roker and South Pier stations were closed on 30 October 1900.[1]

South Outlet lifeboat remained on service, but on 25 July 1905, the boathouse would be devastated by fire, the boat saved only due to the prompt actions of Honorary Secretary W. J. Oliver. He was rewarded with an RNLI Aneroid Barometer.[8]

A motor lifeboat would be placed at Sunderland in 1911. The J. McConnell Hussey (ON 343) had been a 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, one with sails and oars, but had subsequently been fitted with an engine. Previously on station at Newhaven and Tynemouth, the lifeboat was placed at moorings in the harbour. The arrival of a motor lifeboat prompted the closure of the South Outlet station in 1912, but only 2 years later, the J. McConnell Hussey was found to be unfit for service, and withdrawn. After many years with numerous lifeboats, Sunderland now had just one, the George Woodfindin, still at North Dock.[2]

On 21 January 1913, the Orion of Flensburg departed South Dock, only to have her rudder and propellers torn off on White Shell Rocks. The George Woodfindin would rescue all 19 crew. The remains of the wreck were visible at low tide for the next 70 years.[9]

George Woodfindin would transfer across to a new design boathouse, that had been constructed near the South Side Ferry Landing in 1916. It used a pulley system, where the boat would sit on a cradle, and be lifted up and down to the water, employed due to the varying heights of the tide. Only two boathouses of this design were constructed by the RNLI, the other being at Buckie. It would be another two years before a replacement motor lifeboat was placed at Sunderland, the Henry Vernon (ON 613), arriving in February 1918.[10]

In 1935, another new lifeboat station was constructed, and was located at the north end of the south side pier on reclaimed land, near the current Pilot Lookout Tower. The boathouse was built to house a new larger lifeboat, a 46ft Watson-class also named Henry Vernon (ON 778), It had a deep-water roller-slipway, and was situated close to the harbour entrance. It would remain in use for the next 55 years, the remains of which can still be seen today.[1]

Sunderland former ILB Station, Roker

The station would move back across to the north side in 1990, with the arrival of a Waveney-class lifeboat in 1990, 44-017 Wavy Line (ON 1043), which was moored afloat at North Dock Marina, followed by a Trent-class lifeboat 14-21 MacQuarie (ON 1225) in 1997.[2]

A base for the D-class Inshore boat was built on Marine Walk in Roker in 1998. In 2004, the All-weather Trent-class lifeboat was withdrawn, and replaced with a B-class (Atlantic 75) fast Inshore boat. New crew facilities and a boathouse for both ILBs, with launch davit, was constructed at North Dock Marina in 2008, with lifeguards and the souvenir shop now occupying the Marine Walk building.[2]

Station honours[edit]

The following are awards made at Sunderland[4][5]

Joseph Hodgson, Carver - 1856
William Davison, Coxswain - 1858
Ralph Thompson, Coxswain - 1891
  • The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum
William J. Oliver, Honorary Secretary - 1916
Michael Tighe, Helmsman - 1984
  • Vellum Service Certificate
Alan Dixon - 1984
  • A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution
Anthony Lee, Coxswain - 1987
Gerry McGill - 1995
Ian Donkin - 1995
David Graham - 1995
  • A Collective Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution
Michael Cowe, Helmsman - 1998
Martin Barry, crew member - 1998
Brian Clark-Barkness, crew member - 1998
  • Testimonial on Vellum, Awarded by the Royal Humane Society
Grant Smith - 1990
  • Commendation, Awarded by the Chief Constable of Northumbria
Roger Cook, Helsman - 1996
Martin Robbie, crew member - 1996
Tony Dixon - 1996
Two Police Constables - 1996
  • Testimonial Resuscitation Certificate, Awarded by the Royal Humane Society
Ernest Laws, Second Coxswain - 1999
Brian Clark-Barkness, crew member - 1999
David Graham, crew member - 1999

Sunderland lifeboats[edit]

North Side No.1 / No.1 Station / Roker[edit]

54°55′13.0″N 1°21′51.6″W / 54.920278°N 1.364333°W / 54.920278; -1.364333

ON[a] Name In service[11] Type Comments
– Unnamed (North) 1800–1818 27-foot 6in Non-Self-Righting Greathead-type [Note 1]
(Sunderland Lifeboat Assoc.)
Transferred to Whitburn in 1818.
– Unnamed (North) 1831–1851+ 27-foot 6in Non-Self-Righting North Country. [Note 2]
(Sunderland Harbour Auth.)
Pre-339 Unnamed 1859–1866 29-foot 6in Self-Righting North Country (P&S) [Note 3]
(Sunderland Shipowners Assoc.)
Transferred to No.2 Station (North Side) in 1866.
Pre-450 Unnamed,
Goodwill (1873–) 		1866–1873 30-foot 3in Self-Righting North Country (P&S) [Note 4]
(Sunderland Shipowners Assoc.)
Transferred to No.2 Station (North Side) in 1873.
Pre-573 Good Templar 1873–1875 33-foot Self-Righting (P&S) [Note 5]
Damaged and withdrawn from service in 1875
Pre-612 Good Templar 1876–1889 30-foot Self-Righting (P&S) [Note 6]
254 William Hedley 1889–1900 31-foot Self-Righting (P&S) [Note 7]

Station Closed in 1900

South Side (No.1)[edit]

54°54′49.3″N 1°21′33.6″W / 54.913694°N 1.359333°W / 54.913694; -1.359333

ON[a] Name In service[11] Type Comments
– Unknown 1808–1843 Non-Self-Righting lifeboat [Note 8]
(Sunderland Harbour Auth.).
– Unknown 1819–1851 21-foot Non-Self-Righting North Country [Note 9]
(Sunderland Harbour Auth.).

Station closed ~1851

South Side (No.2)[edit]

54°54′11.8″N 1°21′44.2″W / 54.903278°N 1.362278°W / 54.903278; -1.362278

ON[a] Name In service[11] Type Comments
Pre-228 Unknown 1850–1864 34-foot Non-Self-Righting North Country [Note 10]
(Sunderland Shipowners Assoc.).
Lifeboat transferred to South Outlet in 1864.

Station closed in 1864 when Hendon Dock was constructed.

Harbour Moorings (1856)[edit]

ON[a] Name In service[11] Type Comments
– Unknown 1856–1865 40-foot Self-Righting (P&S) lifeboat [Note 11]
(Sunderland Seamen's Lifeboat Assoc.).

Lifeboat transferred to RNLI in 1865, withdrawn.

North Side No.2 / No. 2 Station[edit]

54°55′04.9″N 1°21′47.9″W / 54.918028°N 1.363306°W / 54.918028; -1.363306

ON[a] Name In service[11] Type Comments
Pre-339 Unnamed 1866–1873 29-foot 6in Self-Righting North Country (P&S) [Note 12]
(Sunderland Shipowners Assoc.)
Pre-450 Goodwill (1873–),
Mary (1882–) 		1873–1887 30-foot 3in Self-Righting North Country (P&S) [Note 13]

Station closed in 1887

South Pier / No.3 Station[edit]

54°54′54.4″N 1°21′39.6″W / 54.915111°N 1.361000°W / 54.915111; -1.361000

ON[a] Name In service[11] Type Comments
– Duke of Wellington 1858–1865 28-foot Self-Righting (P&S) [Note 14]
(Sunderland Seamen's Lifeboat Assoc.).
Lifeboat transferred to RNLI in 1865, replaced.
185 Florence Nightingale 1865–1892 33-foot Self-Righting (P&S) [Note 15]
324 Junius 1892–1900 34-foot Self-Righting (P&S) [Note 16]

Station Closed in 1900

South Outlet / No.4 Station[edit]

54°54′13.0″N 1°21′26.9″W / 54.903611°N 1.357472°W / 54.903611; -1.357472

ON[a] Name In service[11] Type Comments
Pre-228 Unknown 1864–1871 34-foot Non-Self-Righting North Country [Note 17]
(Sunderland Shipowners Assoc.)
1864, transferred from South Side (No.2)
1871, transferred to RNLI, replaced.
Pre-562 John Foulston 1871–1887 36-foot Self-Righting (P&S) [Note 18]
115 Caroline Clagett 1887–1894 33-foot Self-Righting (P&S) [Note 19]
368 Richard and Nellie Hodges 1894–1908 38-foot Self-Righting (P&S) [Note 20]
Station Closed June 1908–September 1908
365 Nancy Newbon 1908–1912 38-foot Self-Righting (P&S) [Note 21]

Station Closed in 1912

North Dock[edit]

54°55′04.0″N 1°21′57.2″W / 54.917778°N 1.365889°W / 54.917778; -1.365889

ON[a] Name In service[11] Type Comments
450 George Woodfindin 1900–1916 37-foot Self-Righting (P&S) [Note 22]
Lifeboat transferred to Ferry Landing Station in 1916.

Station Closed in 1916

Harbour Moorings (1911)[edit]

ON[a] Name In service[11] Type Comments
343 J. McConnell Hussey 1911–1914 38-foot Self-Righting (Motor) [Note 23]

Lifeboat found to be unfit for service and withdrawn in 1914.

Ferry Landing[edit]

54°54′48.4″N 1°21′58.7″W / 54.913444°N 1.366306°W / 54.913444; -1.366306

ON[a] Name In service[11] Type Comments
450 George Woodfindin 1916–1918 37-foot Self-Righting (P&S) [Note 24]
613 Henry Vernon 1918–1935 40-foot Self-Righting (motor) [Note 25]

Station closed in 1935

South Side[edit]

54°54′56.0″N 1°21′47.6″W / 54.915556°N 1.363222°W / 54.915556; -1.363222

ON[a] Name In service[11] Class Comments
778 Henry Vernon 1935–1963 46ft Watson
969 William Myers and Sarah Jane Myers 1963–1990 47ft Watson

Station closed in 1990.

Roker ILB Station[edit]

54°55′13.9″N 1°21′51.9″W / 54.920528°N 1.364417°W / 54.920528; -1.364417

Op. No.[b] Name In service[2] Class Comments
D-94 Unnamed 1966–1976 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-217 Unnamed 1977–1987 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-329 BBC Radio Newcastle I 1987–1994 D-class (EA16) One of two boats funded by the Lifesaver Appeal on BBC Radio Newcastle in 1986[12]
D-470 Landlubber 1994–2003 D-class (EA16)

North Dock Marina[edit]

54°55′10.1″N 1°22′03.8″W / 54.919472°N 1.367722°W / 54.919472; -1.367722

All-weather lifeboats[edit]

ON[a] Op. No.[b] Name In service[2] Class Comments
1043 44-017 Wavy Line 1990–1997 Waveney
1225 14-21 MacQuarie 1997–2004 Trent All-weather lifeboat withdrawn in 2004

Inshore lifeboats[edit]

Op. No.[b] Name In service[2] Class Comments
B-705 Vera Skilton 2004 B-class (Atlantic 75)
B-762 Jack & Joyce Burcombe 2004–2007 B-class (Atlantic 75)
B-817 Wolseley 2007– B-class (Atlantic 85) [13]
D-608 Helen and Ian Tytler 2003–2011 D-class (IB1)
D-747 My Jo 2011–2023 D-class (IB1) [14]
D-879 Thee Andy Cantle 2023– D-class (IB1) [15]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. ^ a b c Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.
Pre ON numbers are unofficial numbers used by the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society to reference early lifeboats not included on the official RNLI list.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ 27-foot 6in non-self-righting Greathead-type lifeboat, built by William Wake of Monkwearmouth, costing £185-0s-10½d.
  2. ^ 27-foot 6in non-self-righting North Country type lifeboat, built by William Wake Jnr, of Bishopwearmouth.
  3. ^ 29-foot 6in Self-Righting North Country (P&S) lifeboat, built by Wake.
  4. ^ 30-foot 3in Self-righting North Country (P&S) lifeboat, built by Wake.
  5. ^ 33-foot 10-oared Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, costing £278.
  6. ^ 30-foot 8-oared Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat,,built by Woolfe of Shadwell, costing £275.
  7. ^ 31-foot 10-oared Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, costing £301.
  8. ^ Non-Self-Righting lifeboat, likely built by William Wake.
  9. ^ 21-foot 10-oared non-self-righting North Country lifeboat, built by William Wake.
  10. ^ 34-foot 14-oared non-self-righting North Country type, built by Thomas and son, costing £130.
  11. ^ 40-foot Self-Righting (P&S) lifeboat, built locally to a design by Hawkesworth of Torquay.
  12. ^ 29-foot 6in Self-Righting North Country (P&S) lifeboat, built by Wake.
  13. ^ 30-foot 3in Self-Righting North Country (P&S) lifeboat, built by Wake.
  14. ^ 28-foot 6-Oar Self-Righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Mr. T. C. Clarkson, formerly at Dover
  15. ^ 33-foot Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Woolfe of Shadwell, costing £150.
  16. ^ 34-foot Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Waterman, costing £333.
  17. ^ 34-foot 14-oared non-self-righting North Country type, built by Thomas and son, costing £130.
  18. ^ 36-foot 12-oaredSelf-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Forrestt costing £356.
  19. ^ 33-foot 12-oared Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Forrestt, costing £448.
  20. ^ 38-foot 12-oared Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Forrestt, costing £547.
  21. ^ 38-foot 12-oared Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, previously at Mullion Cove.
  22. ^ 37-foot 10-oared Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Thames Ironworks, at a cost of £1,018.
  23. ^ 38-foot Self-righting (motor) lifeboat, previously at Tynemouth.
  24. ^ 37-foot 10-oared Self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Thames Ironworks, at a cost of £1,018.
  25. ^ 40-foot Self-righting (motor) lifeboat.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Morris, Jeff (December 1999). Sunderland Lifeboats (1800–2000). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 1–30.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
  3. ^ "Shipwrecks". Caledonian Mercury. No. 12216. 6 January 1800.
  4. ^ a b Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN 0-907605-89-3.
  5. ^ a b "Sunderland's Station history". RNLI. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  6. ^ "The Screw Steamer Altona". The Lifeboat. 9 (99). February 1876. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Sunderland, Jacinth". Sitelines. Tyne and Wear's Historic Environment Record. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Mr. W. J. Oliver, Honorary Secretary of the Sunderland Branch". The Lifeboat. 26 (286). March 1926. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  9. ^ Cordner, Chris (14 March 2024). "The German wreck which was a Sunderland tourist attraction for 70 years". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  10. ^ Morris, Jeff (February 1990). The Story of the Buckie Lifeboats. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 1–26.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2021). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2021. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 2–120.
  12. ^ "Ceremonies". RNLI.
  13. ^ "Wolseley comes to RNLI's rescue". Heating and Ventilating Review. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Sunderland lifeboats named in honour of Marjorie Gallon". BBC. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  15. ^ Nicholson, Paul (11 July 2023). "New lifeboat named after former volunteer goes on service at Sunderland RNLI". RNLI. Retrieved 27 May 2024.

External links[edit]

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