Cornwall lifeboat rescues in history: RNLI 200th annivesary

On the day the charity turns 200, the RNLI has revealed that its volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards across the south west have saved an incredible 16,028 lives during its two centuries of lifesaving. 

Since the charity was founded in 1824, its volunteer crews in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset West Dorset and the Channel Islands have launched the lifeboats 55,912 times, saving 14,967 lives. Meanwhile RNLI lifeguards across the region – who became part of the charity’s lifesaving service in 2001 – have responded to 176,585 incidents, saving 1,061 lives. 

In total, across the UK and Ireland, 146,452 lives have been saved by the RNLI – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years.

Newquay self righting class ON 509 Admiral Sir George Back being towed on carriage by horses, taken in 1933 (Image: RNLI)

Founded in a London tavern on March 4, 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks, the RNLI has continued saving lives at sea throughout the tests of its history, including tragic disasters, funding challenges and two World Wars. 

The charity has a strong presence in the south west with 33 lifeboat stations and 89 lifeguarded beaches during the summer season.

READ MORE: Meet the crew: Focus on Falmouth Lifeboat Station as RNLI marks 200th anniversay

Cornwall has been at the centre of some of the greatest moments of triumph in the charity’s history, including the largest rescue in RNLI history when the liner the Suevic ran aground off the coast of Cornwall in 1907, with 456 lives saved and not a single life lost.

Cornwall also saw the first RNLI gallantry medal for lifeguarding when, in 2003, Rod MacDonald was presented with the bravery award for a particularly challenging and selfless rescue of a bodyboarder in Newquay.

Shipwrecked men saved by Newquay lifeboat. (Image: RNLI)

At the same, it has seen great tragedy and heroism – not least by the Penlee crew of the Solomon Browne, who ultimately sacrificed their own lives when they launched in hurricane conditions on December 19, 1981, to go to the aid of the coaster ‘Union Star’ that had engine failure and was being swept towards the southern coast of Cornwall, near Mousehole.

Despite heroic attempts, both vessels hit the rocks; as a result both crews were lost, and although lifeboats from Falmouth and The Lizard spent more than 36 hours at sea searching for survivors or bodies, only 16 were ever recovered. It was the worst lifeboat disaster in history and stunned the country.

READ MORE: Penlee lifeboat disaster 40 years on: Remembering the crew of Solomon Browne

Two centuries have seen vast developments in the lifeboats and kit used by the charity’s lifesavers – from the early oar-powered vessels to today’s technology-packed lifeboats, which are now built in-house by the charity; and from the rudimentary cork lifejackets of the 1850s to the full protective kit each crew member is now issued with. 

St Ives station 831 Liverpool Motor class 'Caroline Oates Aver and William Maine' lifeboat on trailer with caterpillar tracks on beach - 1945 (Image: RNLI)

The RNLI’s lifesaving reach and remit has also developed over the course of 200 years. Today, it operates 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland, including four on the River Thames, and has seasonal lifeguards on over 240 lifeguarded beaches around the UK. It designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes.

While much has changed in 200 years, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries. 

Falmouth 1058 Arun 52-11 Elizabeth Ann (Image: RNLI)

RNLI chief executive Mark Dowie said: “For a charity to have survived 200 years based on the time and commitment of volunteers, and the sheer generosity of the public donating to fund it, is truly remarkable.

“It is through the courage and dedication of its incredible people that the RNLI has survived the tests of time, including tragic losses, funding challenges, two World Wars and, more recently, a global pandemic. 

“Today, we mark the bicentenary of the RNLI. We remember the achievements and commitment of all those who have been part of the RNLI family over the past two centuries; we celebrate the world-class lifesaving service we provide today, based on our 200 years of learning, expertise and innovation, and we hope to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters who will take the RNLI into its next century and beyond.”

Relief D-class inshore lifeboat John Wickens being launched through surf during a training exercise. Credit: Stephen Duncombe (Image: RNLI)

A Service of Thanksgiving to mark 200 years of the RNLI will take place at Westminster Abbey on 4 March 2024 at 11.30am. It will be attended by representatives from RNLI lifesaving communities around the UK and Ireland. 

Key years in RNLI history

1824

The RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary, witnessed the treacherous nature of the sea first-hand when living on the Isle of Man and he wanted to take action. His first appeal to the nation in 1823 did not have the desired result but, thankfully, he persevered and gained the support of several philanthropic members of society, who put their names to the charity at a meeting in the City of London Tavern on March 4, 1824. 

Twelve resolutions were passed at that meeting, the core of which still stand as part of the RNLI’s Charter 200 years later.

1861

The cork lifejacket became more widely adapted by lifeboat crews after Whitby lifeboat launched six times to rescue stricken vessels in a storm, but on their sixth launch a freak wave capsized the lifeboat; all but one of the crew were lost. The sole survivor was Henry Freeman, who survived because he was wearing the new design of cork lifejacket.

The Lizard lifeboat of 1907 the Admiral Sir George Back, with crew and survivors from the Suevic as they landed ashore at Polpeor Cove on the Lizard (Image: RNLI)

1886

When 27 lifeboat crew members from Southport and St Annes lost their lives while trying to rescue the crew of the Mexico, a public appeal was launched, driven by local man Charles Macara. Five years later, in 1891, £10,000 was raised in two weeks. Charles and his wife Marion organised the first Lifeboat Saturday. Bands, floats and lifeboats paraded through the streets of Manchester, followed by volunteers collecting money. More than £5,000 was taken on the day, which was the first recorded example of a charity street collection.

1914

More than 140 people were saved when the hospital steamship Rohilla was wrecked. The ship had been en route to Dunkirk to help wounded soldiers but was broken up when it ran aground on rocks near Whitby.  Five lifeboats battled terrible seas to reach the ship and a motor lifeboat - the first of its kind 0 from Tynemouth, took the last 50 people on board, proving its capabilities.

The Lizard lifeboat Watson Motor class ON 769 'Duke of York' on the beach, lots of people around, wearing Sunday best (Image: RNLI)

1914-1918

When the First World War broke out, many lifeboat volunteers were called away to fight. The average age of lifeboat crews at home increased to over 50. During that time, RNLI lifeboats launched 1,808 times, saving 5,332 lives. 

1939-1945

At the start of the Second World War, young lifeboat volunteers were called away again. By the end of the war, RNLI crews had saved 6,376 lives around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. 

In 1940, 19 RNLI lifeboats were used to evacuate troops from Dunkirk. Two had RNLI crews onboard, while the others were crewed by the Royal Navy. The lifeboats and their stand-in crews saved thousands of lives while being shelled and bombed for days.