Torbay Lifeboat Station
Encyclopedia
Torbay Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution
(RNLI) search and rescue operations at Brixham
, Devon
in England. Brixham Lifeboat Station was opened in 1866 but since 1924 it has been known as 'Torbay'. Since 2005 it has operated a all weather lifeboat
(ALB) and an inshore lifeboat (ILB).
and in the harbours at Brixham and Torquay
. During the night the wind changed direction and increased in strength. The Lifeboat China was brought by road to Torquay and rescued eleven men from two ships but at least 30 ships were wrecked and 70 people died in that storm. Afterwards the RNLI was asked to provide a lifeboat at Brixham. It proved difficult to find a site for a boathouse
so the City of Exeter was at first kept at Bolton Cross and taken to the harbour on a carriage. At first it was kept under a tarpaulin but a boathouse was built for it later. In 1873 a new boathouse and slipway was built near the breakwater
so that the boat could be launched straight into the harbour. The old boathouse was used as a fire station for many years but was demolished and the site used for a new post office.
In 1875 another lifeboat station was opened on Torbay, this time at Torquay. In 1917 it was decided by the RNLI to rename 'Brixham Lifeboat Station' as 'Brixham and Paignton Lifeboat Station'. Five years later its 'pulling and sailing' lifeboat was replaced by a new motor lifeboat. This could cover a larger area and operate in more severe weather so Torquay Lifeboat Station
was closed the following year. In 1924 the station at Brixham was renamed as Torbay Lifeboat Station. A larger motor lifeboat was sent to Torbay in September 1930. This was too large to be kept in the boathouse so it was moored in the harbour near the slipway. The boathouse was retained as a workshop but during World War II
part of it was dismantled to make it easier for the Royal Navy
to reach a new large slipway which was built over the old lifeboat slipway. The RNLI built a small pier in 1950 for the boarding boat that was used to ferry crews out to the lifeboat.
An inshore lifeboat was sent to Torbay for the summer of 1964. It proved a useful addition to the station and so became a permanent feature. Until 1969 the ILB was an inflatable Inshore Rescue Boat (later known as the ), but after that rigid A Class ILBs were kept moored in the harbour. Since January 1987 a modern D Class has been Torbay's ILB. A portable building was provided as a temporary boathouse for the ILB but in 1990 work was undertaken on the boathouse to house the ILB and improve the crew facilities. Further improvements were made in 2007 and at the same time a new pontoon was provided for the all-weather lifeboat.
The lifeboat station was granted the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Torbay on 29 April 1988.
of the Torbay Lifeboat in October 1932. On the evening of 30 December 1935 he took the Lifeboat Gorge Shee through a gale to help the Satanicle, a French trawler that was 15 miles (24.1 km) east of Start Point
. After two and a half hours the lifeboat reached the sinking boat, guided by the searchlight of an American steamer. Three of the crew had been taken off by another boat but it took careful manoeuvring of the lifeboat to rescue the one person left aboard. The fishing boat was often hidden from the lifeboat crew by the size of the waves and they collided a couple of times. Battling back into the wind the return journey to Brixham took five hours. For his courage and superb seamanship Mogridge was awarded an RNLI bronze medal.
On 23 January 1937 the SS English Trader ran aground on the Checkstone Ledge near the mouth of the River Dart
. The lifeboat sailed from Brixham at 5:25 that morning and stood by while tugs tried to pull the casualty off the shore. The lifeboat was refuelled at Kingswear
but at 6 o’clock on the morning of 24 January the captain of the stricken vessel asked the lifeboat to take the crew off. During this time a strong gale had blown up and 15 feet (4.6 m) waves were now breaking right over the beached ship. Mogridge brought the lifeboat under the stern and alongside to take off the ship's 32 crew and also 20 people from the tugs that had gone aboard to help. He then reversed the lifeboat out to safety. After landing the rescued men at Dartmouth
the lifeboat returned to Brixham, gaining its home mooring at 12:15, nearly 31 hours after casting off. The RNLI awarded Mogridge a second bronze medal for his outstanding courage and superb seamanship.
The George Shee put to sea in the afternoon of 9 December 1939 to the aid of the disabled Channel Pride, a fishing boat that was racing for home as a gale blew up. They had dropped anchor just 200 yards (182.9 m) from the cliffs near the River Dart. The lifeboat found the small boat with the help of a fire lit on the cliff top. It came right alongside and the two fishermen jumped on board, by which time the storm had blown the boats within 20 feet (6.1 m) of the shore. Mogridge was subsequently awarded an RNLI silver medal for his tremendous courage and outstanding seamanship on this occasion.
The 16 December 1939 saw another gale blowing in Torbay and the schooner Henrietta ran aground off Dartmouth. When Mogridge and his crew arrived they found the sailing ship rolling heavily. He managed to come alongside and it took just three minutes for the seven crew members to be brought on board the George Shee. The boat rolled over onto the lifeboat and caused a 12 feet (3.7 m) gash along her side. Mogridge was awarded a second silver medal, and bronze medals were given to William Pillar, his deputy, Richard Harris, the mechanic, and Frederick Sanders, the lifeboat's bowman.
William Mogridge retired from his position of coxswain in January 1942 and was succeeded by Frederick Sanders.
On New Year's Day 1915 the Torbay Lifeboat's second coxswain, William Pillar, was out fishing in his sailing boat Provident when he went to the aid of the and rescued 71 men. For this outstanding gallantry he was awarded the Albert Medal
by His Majesty King George V
.
It was in the early hours of 17 December 1944 that the George Shee put to sea after two vessels were reported aground between Paignton and Torquay. The tug Empire Alfred was 50 yards (45.7 m) from the shore but the waves were breaking 400 yards (365.8 m) from the beach so the lifeboat could only approach with extreme caution. It took half an hour to get the 14 crew off the tug, during which time the lifeboat often touched the bottom. They then turned to the second boat, Yard Craft 345 but ran aground before reaching it. The lifeboat forced itself free in reverse. After landing the people rescued from the tug at Brixham they returned for another attempt. Many lifeboats struggled to find full crews during World War II
and on this occasion the Torbay crew was two short so the Assistant Mechanic had to join the crew on deck while the Motor Mechanic Richard Harris operated both engines on his own, sometimes waist deep in water. The five people on the craft were taken on board the lifeboat and back to Brixham. Harris was awarded an RNLI bronze medal, and coxswain Frederick Sanders received his second silver medal.
Henry Thomas became coxswain on 1 February 1951 and within a year had been awarded a bronze medal. It was on the evening of 30 January 1952 that he took the lifeboat out into a severe gale to search for the source of a white flashing light in Torbay. After searching for an hour and a half the army tug Trieste which had lost power with eleven men on board. After some difficulty in getting alongside the drifting tug they were all rescued although several of them were suffering from extreme seasickness. Thomas went one better and received a silver medal for a rescue on 7 December 1959 when a 120 feet (36.6 m) long unpowered barge loaded with large steel pipes was cast adrift from its tug. The one man and a dog were rescued but a second man was swept off a rope and drowned. Also recognised for his work that night was Richard Harris who was awarded another bronze medal.
The MV Northwind was dragging her anchor in Torbay in a severe gale and heavy seas on the morning of 22 December 1984. By the time the Princess Alexandra of Kent had reached her she was aground between Paignton and Torquay. Although all the crew were taken off to the shore by Her Majesty's Coastguard
, at one point it looked as though this would not be possible and the lifeboat crew worked hard in difficult conditions to get alongside the stricken vessel. This work saw Richard Harris receive his fourth bronze medal, and coxswain Harold a silver medal.
The 18 feet (5.5 m) wooden ILB put to sea on 5 October 1973 in response to a report of a woman in the water during a storm. Motor Mechanic Barry Pike spotted her and dived into the water while Coxswain Kenneth Gibbs used all his skill to prevent the lifeboat crushing the two people in the water. Pike was washed ashore but returned and eventually brought the woman ashore, although she was found to be dead. He was awarded a silver medal for his courage and determination and also the Ralph Glister Award for the most meritorious service of the year by a member of the crew of an inshore lifeboat. Gibbs received his own bronze medal for his tremendous courage and excellent seamanship during a rescue that he lead in the all-weather lifeboat on 16 December that year. On that occasion a sole crewman of the fishing boat Petit Michel was saved 38 miles (61.2 km) out at sea in a Force 9 storm
.
1976 was another year of outstanding rescues by the lifeboat crews at Torbay. On 23 August the lifeboat went to rescue 14 people and a dog who had been cast ashore when their speedboat was wrecked south of Dartmouth. Lifeboatman John Drew was awarded a bronze medal for swimming ashore with a line so that lifejackets could be transferred ashore and the survivors brought off the beach. During the course of an hour he had to swim out to the lifeboat seven times. Then on 6 December the lifeboat was called to the aid of the MV Lyrma after its steering gear had failed in a Force 10 storm. On this occasion it was under the command of Second Coxswain Keith Bower. The casualty was trying to face into the wind by using its engines alone. The storm was causing it to rise 30 feet (9.1 m) on the waves; an attempt to get the crew off with a helicopter was unsuccessful. The lifeboat had to avoid being crushed under the ship – at one point the larger ship smashed the guard rails that prevent the lifeboat crew being washed overboard when on deck. Despite this they eventually managed to get eight of the casualty's crew on board and picked up the two people who had managed to get into a life raft. For this outstanding seamanship and tremendous courage a gold medal was awarded to Keith Bower, and bronze medals were given to Mechanic Steven Bower (his brother), Assistant Mechanic William Hunkin, and crew members Michael Mills, Nicholas Davies, Richard Brown and John Drew (his second medal in a year).
Two years later saw two more medal rescues at Torbay. Firstly, on 19 February 1978 when the pilot boat Leslie H found itself unable to steer in a Force 9 storm. Two men were taken off and the pilot boat towed back towards Brixham but a 35 feet (10.7 m) wave knocked the Edward Bridges right over so that her propellers and keel were out of the water. Her self-righting design proved itself and she was soon back upright, but lifeboatman John Ashford was missing. The lifeboat's coxswain, John Dyer, flicked the tow line across to the man overboard and he caught it and was pulled back on board. The captain was later taken off the pilot boat and the tow abandoned. For his courage, seamanship and leadership, Dyer was awarded a bronze medal. On December 2 Arthur Curnow, who had only been appointed coxswain three weeks earlier, took the lifeboat out in the early morning to the trawler Fairway which had broken down. Six people were rescued in a tricky operation in heavy seas. The new coxswain was awarded a bronze medal for this work.
On 13 January 2008 20 people were saved from the MV Ice Prince – 8 by the lifeboat and 12 by a Coastguard helicopter. They were operating in Force 9 winds and the stricken vessel was leaning at 45˚; the lifeboat had to approach it about 50 times to save those lives. Coxswain Mark Criddle received a silver medal in recognition of his courage, skill and determination.
at Torbay has an operating range of 250 nautical miles (463 km) and a top speed of 25 knots (49 km/h). Adjacent all-weather lifeboats are at Exmouth Lifeboat Station
to the north, and Salcombe Lifeboat Station
to the south. ILBs are also stationed at to the north and to the south.
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of Great Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as on selected inland waterways....
(RNLI) search and rescue operations at Brixham
Brixham
Brixham is a small fishing town and civil parish in the county of Devon, in the south-west of England. Brixham is at the southern end of Torbay, across the bay from Torquay, and is a fishing port. Fishing and tourism are its major industries. At the time of the 2001 census it had a population of...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
in England. Brixham Lifeboat Station was opened in 1866 but since 1924 it has been known as 'Torbay'. Since 2005 it has operated a all weather lifeboat
Lifeboat (rescue)
A rescue lifeboat is a boat rescue craft which is used to attend a vessel in distress, or its survivors, to rescue crewmen and passengers. It can be hand pulled, sail powered or powered by an engine...
(ALB) and an inshore lifeboat (ILB).
History
During the evening of 10 January 1866 a severe storm blew up and at least 74 vessels sought refuge again in TorbayTorbay
Torbay is an east-facing bay and natural harbour, at the western most end of Lyme Bay in the south-west of England, situated roughly midway between the cities of Exeter and Plymouth. Part of the ceremonial county of Devon, Torbay was made a unitary authority on 1 April 1998...
and in the harbours at Brixham and Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
. During the night the wind changed direction and increased in strength. The Lifeboat China was brought by road to Torquay and rescued eleven men from two ships but at least 30 ships were wrecked and 70 people died in that storm. Afterwards the RNLI was asked to provide a lifeboat at Brixham. It proved difficult to find a site for a boathouse
Boathouse
A boathouse is a building especially designed for the storage of boats, normally smaller craft for sports or leisure use. These are typically located on open water, such as on a river. Often the boats stored are rowing boats...
so the City of Exeter was at first kept at Bolton Cross and taken to the harbour on a carriage. At first it was kept under a tarpaulin but a boathouse was built for it later. In 1873 a new boathouse and slipway was built near the breakwater
Breakwater
Breakwater may refer to:* Breakwater , a structure for protecting a beach or harbour* Breakwater, Victoria, a suburb of Geelong, Victoria, Australia* Breakwater , a funk and soul band from the 1970s...
so that the boat could be launched straight into the harbour. The old boathouse was used as a fire station for many years but was demolished and the site used for a new post office.
In 1875 another lifeboat station was opened on Torbay, this time at Torquay. In 1917 it was decided by the RNLI to rename 'Brixham Lifeboat Station' as 'Brixham and Paignton Lifeboat Station'. Five years later its 'pulling and sailing' lifeboat was replaced by a new motor lifeboat. This could cover a larger area and operate in more severe weather so Torquay Lifeboat Station
Torquay Lifeboat Station
Torquay Lifeboat Station was the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution search and rescue operations at Torquay, Devon in England from 1876 until 1923. A second lifeboat was kept at the harbour from 1917 until 1928.-History:...
was closed the following year. In 1924 the station at Brixham was renamed as Torbay Lifeboat Station. A larger motor lifeboat was sent to Torbay in September 1930. This was too large to be kept in the boathouse so it was moored in the harbour near the slipway. The boathouse was retained as a workshop but during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
part of it was dismantled to make it easier for the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
to reach a new large slipway which was built over the old lifeboat slipway. The RNLI built a small pier in 1950 for the boarding boat that was used to ferry crews out to the lifeboat.
An inshore lifeboat was sent to Torbay for the summer of 1964. It proved a useful addition to the station and so became a permanent feature. Until 1969 the ILB was an inflatable Inshore Rescue Boat (later known as the ), but after that rigid A Class ILBs were kept moored in the harbour. Since January 1987 a modern D Class has been Torbay's ILB. A portable building was provided as a temporary boathouse for the ILB but in 1990 work was undertaken on the boathouse to house the ILB and improve the crew facilities. Further improvements were made in 2007 and at the same time a new pontoon was provided for the all-weather lifeboat.
The lifeboat station was granted the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Torbay on 29 April 1988.
William Mogridge
William A Mogridge was appointed as CoxswainCoxswain
The coxswain is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The etymology of the word gives us a literal meaning of "boat servant" since it comes from cox, a coxboat or other small vessel kept aboard a ship, and swain, which can be rendered as boy, in authority. ...
of the Torbay Lifeboat in October 1932. On the evening of 30 December 1935 he took the Lifeboat Gorge Shee through a gale to help the Satanicle, a French trawler that was 15 miles (24.1 km) east of Start Point
Start Point
Start Point may refer to:*Start Point, Devon, in England*Start Point, Cornwall in Cornwall, England*Start Point, Livingston Island on Livingston Island*Start Point, Sanday, in the Orkney Islands, Scotland...
. After two and a half hours the lifeboat reached the sinking boat, guided by the searchlight of an American steamer. Three of the crew had been taken off by another boat but it took careful manoeuvring of the lifeboat to rescue the one person left aboard. The fishing boat was often hidden from the lifeboat crew by the size of the waves and they collided a couple of times. Battling back into the wind the return journey to Brixham took five hours. For his courage and superb seamanship Mogridge was awarded an RNLI bronze medal.
On 23 January 1937 the SS English Trader ran aground on the Checkstone Ledge near the mouth of the River Dart
River Dart
The River Dart is a river in Devon, England which rises high on Dartmoor, and releases to the sea at Dartmouth. Its valley and surrounding area is a place of great natural beauty.-Watercourse:...
. The lifeboat sailed from Brixham at 5:25 that morning and stood by while tugs tried to pull the casualty off the shore. The lifeboat was refuelled at Kingswear
Kingswear
Kingswear is a village and civil parish in the South Hams area of the English county of Devon. The village is located on the east bank of the tidal River Dart, close to the river's mouth and opposite the small town of Dartmouth...
but at 6 o’clock on the morning of 24 January the captain of the stricken vessel asked the lifeboat to take the crew off. During this time a strong gale had blown up and 15 feet (4.6 m) waves were now breaking right over the beached ship. Mogridge brought the lifeboat under the stern and alongside to take off the ship's 32 crew and also 20 people from the tugs that had gone aboard to help. He then reversed the lifeboat out to safety. After landing the rescued men at Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Devon
Dartmouth is a town and civil parish in the English county of Devon. It is a tourist destination set on the banks of the estuary of the River Dart, which is a long narrow tidal ria that runs inland as far as Totnes...
the lifeboat returned to Brixham, gaining its home mooring at 12:15, nearly 31 hours after casting off. The RNLI awarded Mogridge a second bronze medal for his outstanding courage and superb seamanship.
The George Shee put to sea in the afternoon of 9 December 1939 to the aid of the disabled Channel Pride, a fishing boat that was racing for home as a gale blew up. They had dropped anchor just 200 yards (182.9 m) from the cliffs near the River Dart. The lifeboat found the small boat with the help of a fire lit on the cliff top. It came right alongside and the two fishermen jumped on board, by which time the storm had blown the boats within 20 feet (6.1 m) of the shore. Mogridge was subsequently awarded an RNLI silver medal for his tremendous courage and outstanding seamanship on this occasion.
The 16 December 1939 saw another gale blowing in Torbay and the schooner Henrietta ran aground off Dartmouth. When Mogridge and his crew arrived they found the sailing ship rolling heavily. He managed to come alongside and it took just three minutes for the seven crew members to be brought on board the George Shee. The boat rolled over onto the lifeboat and caused a 12 feet (3.7 m) gash along her side. Mogridge was awarded a second silver medal, and bronze medals were given to William Pillar, his deputy, Richard Harris, the mechanic, and Frederick Sanders, the lifeboat's bowman.
William Mogridge retired from his position of coxswain in January 1942 and was succeeded by Frederick Sanders.
Other service awards
William Mogridge's four medals are exceptional but many other Torbay lifeboat crews have been recognised for their work. These are just some of the most notable examples.On New Year's Day 1915 the Torbay Lifeboat's second coxswain, William Pillar, was out fishing in his sailing boat Provident when he went to the aid of the and rescued 71 men. For this outstanding gallantry he was awarded the Albert Medal
Albert Medal (lifesaving)
The Albert Medal for Lifesaving was a British medal awarded to recognise the saving of life. It has since been replaced by the George Cross.The Albert Medal was first instituted by a Royal Warrant on 7 March 1866 and discontinued in 1971 with the last two awards promulgated in the London Gazette of...
by His Majesty King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
.
It was in the early hours of 17 December 1944 that the George Shee put to sea after two vessels were reported aground between Paignton and Torquay. The tug Empire Alfred was 50 yards (45.7 m) from the shore but the waves were breaking 400 yards (365.8 m) from the beach so the lifeboat could only approach with extreme caution. It took half an hour to get the 14 crew off the tug, during which time the lifeboat often touched the bottom. They then turned to the second boat, Yard Craft 345 but ran aground before reaching it. The lifeboat forced itself free in reverse. After landing the people rescued from the tug at Brixham they returned for another attempt. Many lifeboats struggled to find full crews during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and on this occasion the Torbay crew was two short so the Assistant Mechanic had to join the crew on deck while the Motor Mechanic Richard Harris operated both engines on his own, sometimes waist deep in water. The five people on the craft were taken on board the lifeboat and back to Brixham. Harris was awarded an RNLI bronze medal, and coxswain Frederick Sanders received his second silver medal.
Henry Thomas became coxswain on 1 February 1951 and within a year had been awarded a bronze medal. It was on the evening of 30 January 1952 that he took the lifeboat out into a severe gale to search for the source of a white flashing light in Torbay. After searching for an hour and a half the army tug Trieste which had lost power with eleven men on board. After some difficulty in getting alongside the drifting tug they were all rescued although several of them were suffering from extreme seasickness. Thomas went one better and received a silver medal for a rescue on 7 December 1959 when a 120 feet (36.6 m) long unpowered barge loaded with large steel pipes was cast adrift from its tug. The one man and a dog were rescued but a second man was swept off a rope and drowned. Also recognised for his work that night was Richard Harris who was awarded another bronze medal.
The MV Northwind was dragging her anchor in Torbay in a severe gale and heavy seas on the morning of 22 December 1984. By the time the Princess Alexandra of Kent had reached her she was aground between Paignton and Torquay. Although all the crew were taken off to the shore by Her Majesty's Coastguard
Her Majesty's Coastguard
Her Majesty's Coastguard is the service of the government of the United Kingdom concerned with co-ordinating air-sea rescue.HM Coastguard is a section of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of all civilian maritime Search and Rescue within the UK...
, at one point it looked as though this would not be possible and the lifeboat crew worked hard in difficult conditions to get alongside the stricken vessel. This work saw Richard Harris receive his fourth bronze medal, and coxswain Harold a silver medal.
The 18 feet (5.5 m) wooden ILB put to sea on 5 October 1973 in response to a report of a woman in the water during a storm. Motor Mechanic Barry Pike spotted her and dived into the water while Coxswain Kenneth Gibbs used all his skill to prevent the lifeboat crushing the two people in the water. Pike was washed ashore but returned and eventually brought the woman ashore, although she was found to be dead. He was awarded a silver medal for his courage and determination and also the Ralph Glister Award for the most meritorious service of the year by a member of the crew of an inshore lifeboat. Gibbs received his own bronze medal for his tremendous courage and excellent seamanship during a rescue that he lead in the all-weather lifeboat on 16 December that year. On that occasion a sole crewman of the fishing boat Petit Michel was saved 38 miles (61.2 km) out at sea in a Force 9 storm
Beaufort scale
The Beaufort Scale is an empirical measure that relates wind speed to observed conditions at sea or on land. Its full name is the Beaufort Wind Force Scale.-History:...
.
1976 was another year of outstanding rescues by the lifeboat crews at Torbay. On 23 August the lifeboat went to rescue 14 people and a dog who had been cast ashore when their speedboat was wrecked south of Dartmouth. Lifeboatman John Drew was awarded a bronze medal for swimming ashore with a line so that lifejackets could be transferred ashore and the survivors brought off the beach. During the course of an hour he had to swim out to the lifeboat seven times. Then on 6 December the lifeboat was called to the aid of the MV Lyrma after its steering gear had failed in a Force 10 storm. On this occasion it was under the command of Second Coxswain Keith Bower. The casualty was trying to face into the wind by using its engines alone. The storm was causing it to rise 30 feet (9.1 m) on the waves; an attempt to get the crew off with a helicopter was unsuccessful. The lifeboat had to avoid being crushed under the ship – at one point the larger ship smashed the guard rails that prevent the lifeboat crew being washed overboard when on deck. Despite this they eventually managed to get eight of the casualty's crew on board and picked up the two people who had managed to get into a life raft. For this outstanding seamanship and tremendous courage a gold medal was awarded to Keith Bower, and bronze medals were given to Mechanic Steven Bower (his brother), Assistant Mechanic William Hunkin, and crew members Michael Mills, Nicholas Davies, Richard Brown and John Drew (his second medal in a year).
Two years later saw two more medal rescues at Torbay. Firstly, on 19 February 1978 when the pilot boat Leslie H found itself unable to steer in a Force 9 storm. Two men were taken off and the pilot boat towed back towards Brixham but a 35 feet (10.7 m) wave knocked the Edward Bridges right over so that her propellers and keel were out of the water. Her self-righting design proved itself and she was soon back upright, but lifeboatman John Ashford was missing. The lifeboat's coxswain, John Dyer, flicked the tow line across to the man overboard and he caught it and was pulled back on board. The captain was later taken off the pilot boat and the tow abandoned. For his courage, seamanship and leadership, Dyer was awarded a bronze medal. On December 2 Arthur Curnow, who had only been appointed coxswain three weeks earlier, took the lifeboat out in the early morning to the trawler Fairway which had broken down. Six people were rescued in a tricky operation in heavy seas. The new coxswain was awarded a bronze medal for this work.
On 13 January 2008 20 people were saved from the MV Ice Prince – 8 by the lifeboat and 12 by a Coastguard helicopter. They were operating in Force 9 winds and the stricken vessel was leaning at 45˚; the lifeboat had to approach it about 50 times to save those lives. Coxswain Mark Criddle received a silver medal in recognition of his courage, skill and determination.
Area of operation
The RNLI aims to reach any casualty up to 50 miles (80.5 km) from its stations, and within two hours in good weather. To do this the Severn class lifeboatSevern class lifeboat
At long, the Severn class lifeboat is the largest lifeboat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution . Introduced to service in 1996, the class is named after the River Severn, the longest river in Great Britain...
at Torbay has an operating range of 250 nautical miles (463 km) and a top speed of 25 knots (49 km/h). Adjacent all-weather lifeboats are at Exmouth Lifeboat Station
Exmouth Lifeboat Station
Exmouth Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution search and rescue operations at Exmouth, Devon, England. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1803 and the present station was opened in 2009...
to the north, and Salcombe Lifeboat Station
Salcombe Lifeboat Station
Salcombe Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution search and rescue operations at Salcombe, Devon in England. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1869. The Salcombe Lifeboat has twice capsized, in 1916 with the loss of 13 lives, and in 1983 with no loss of...
to the south. ILBs are also stationed at to the north and to the south.
Current fleet
17-28 Alex and Christina White (RNLI Official Number 1255, on station 2001) D-651 John William Hurst (on station 2005)Former lifeboats
'ON' is the RNLI's sequential Official Number; 'Op. No.' is the operational number painted onto the boat.Pulling and sailing lifeboats
| ON | Name | Built | At Torbay | Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Exeter | 1866 | 1866–1885 | |||
| Brian Bates | 1885 | 1885–1894 | Peake | ||
| Betsey Newbon | ? | 1894–1896 | Peake | ||
| 395 | Betsey Newbon | 1896 | 1896–1922 | Peake | Sold in 1922 and then used as yacht Zingari but has since been wrecked. |
Motor lifeboats
| ON | Op. No. | Name | Built | At Torbay | Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 672 | – | Alfred and Clara Heath | 1922 | 1922–1930 | Moved to Salcombe Lifeboat Station Salcombe Lifeboat Station Salcombe Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution search and rescue operations at Salcombe, Devon in England. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1869. The Salcombe Lifeboat has twice capsized, in 1916 with the loss of 13 lives, and in 1983 with no loss of... . In 2004 it was reported working as a yacht at Gibraltar Gibraltar Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region... . |
|
| 734 | – | George Shee | 1930 | 1930–1958 | Sold for further use as a lifeboat in Guatemala Guatemala Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast... . |
|
| 945 | – | Princess Alexandra of Kent | 1958 | 1958–1975 | Barnett | Sold and converted to a cabin cruiser Princess. Reported in use at North Shields North Shields North Shields is a town on the north bank of the River Tyne, in the metropolitan borough of North Tyneside, in North East England... in 2008. |
| 1037 | 54-03 | Edward Bridges (C.S. No. 37) | 1974 | 1975–1994 | Now on display at the Chatham Historic Dockyard Chatham Historic Dockyard Chatham Historic Dockyard is a maritime museum on part of the site of the former royal/naval dockyard at Chatham in Kent, England.Chatham Dockyard covered 400 acres and was one of the Royal Navy's main facilities for several hundred years until it was closed in 1984. After closure the dockyard was... . |
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| 1086 | 52-25 | AJR & LG Uridge | 1983 | 1994–1995 | Arun | Sold in 2003 for further use as lifeboat Hebe at Kemi Kemi Kemi is a town and municipality of Finland. It is located very near the city of Tornio. It was founded in 1869 by royal decree, because of its proximity to a deep water harbour.... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... . |
| 1076 | 52-12 | Marie Winstone | 1981 | 1995–2001 | Arun | Previously stationed at . Sold in 2002 for further use as lifeboat Torbay in Kaskinen Kaskinen Kaskinen is a town and municipality of Finland. It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Ostrobothnia region. The population of Kaskinen is and the municipality covers an area of of which is inland water . The population density is... , Finland. |
Inshore lifeboats
| Op. No. | Name | At Torbay | Class | Type | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRB 23 | – | 1964 | D | IRB D class lifeboat The D class lifeboat EA16 is a class of inflatable boat formally operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution of the United Kingdom and Ireland. It has been replace by the D class lifeboat -Utilization:... |
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| IRB 27 | – | 1965 | D | IRB | |
| IRB 25 | – | 1966 | D | IRB | |
| IRB 49 | – | 1967 | D | IRB | |
| IRB 55 | – | 1967–1970 | D | IRB | |
| A-2 | – | 1969–1975 | A | Originally operational number 18-03. | |
| A-512 | – | 1975–1987 | A | ||
| D-286 | – | 1987–1988 | D | EA16 D class lifeboat The D class lifeboat EA16 is a class of inflatable boat formally operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution of the United Kingdom and Ireland. It has been replace by the D class lifeboat -Utilization:... |
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| D-354 | Alfred George Martin | 1988–1996 | D | EA16 | |
| D-504 | Spirit of the RPC | 1996-2005 | D | EA16 | |