Saving lives at sea since 1802
“The No 2 lifeboat with a crew of 13 capsized after having rescued 14 men and two women from the Barge Lebu of Liverpool in a heavy gale. Unfortunately in the darkness four members of the crew and seven of the rescued seamen were drowned. Committee of Management voted £400 to the local fund for the relief of the dependants. The lifeboat crew were John Campbell, Thomas Clucas, George Elliot and Thomas Kelly.”
The Annual Commemorative Service to honour the memory of Sir William Hillary, the founder of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution
A reception has been held this evening to mark the retirement of long serving lifeboat volunteer Neal Corran.
Having joined Douglas lifeboat in 1973 serving first as shore crew, Neal became a boat crew member in 1974, moving on to become Second Coxswain in 1985, and then taking over as Coxswain on the retirement of his elder brother, the late Robert Corran MBE, in 2003 before retiring himself earlier this year.
Douglas lifeboat Patron, His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Richard Gozney KCMG CVO, accompanied by Lady Gozney, presented Neal with his RNLI Certificate of Service. Also in attendance were, His Worshipful the Mayor of Douglas, Mr Councillor Jon Joughin, J.P. with the Mayoress, Mrs. Angela Joughin, and the Chief Minister, the Hon. Howard Quayle MHK.
The opportunity was also taken to present Donald Bottomley with a RNLI Certificate of Service. Donald had been a volunteer crewman on the Douglas life boat since 2000 until his retirement also earlier this year.
After this morning’s excitement of the last slipway launch, a time of reflection on the life of our Founder, and the great legacy he has left in the RNLI.
We are grateful to film maker Geoff Court of Gaijin Aerial for donating his time and creative talents in the production of this great record of Sunday’s visit by Ramsey, Peel, and Port St Mary RNLI lifeboats for the last slipway launch of our Tyne class lifeboat, 47-032 RNLB Sir William Hillary.
Deputy Launching Authority, Mary Corran, widow of the late Robert Corran MBE long time coxswain of Douglas lifeboat, swings the hammer to send SWH on its way.
Boats, crews, and dignitaries at the last slipway launch of RNLB Sir William Hillary
The Douglas RNLI all-weather lifeboat, Sir William Hillary, is to have its last slipway launch at 11am on Sunday, 7 January, next year.
First stationed at Douglas on the 25 November 1988, the Tyne class lifeboat has served for 29 years and is one of just two of this class of lifeboat still in service with the RNLI.
The replacement Shannon is scheduled to arrive once its berthing facility has been constructed.
Given the time the construction is likely to take Douglas RNLI will receive a Mersey class lifeboat in the interim to replace the ageing Sir William Hillary.
To allow the necessary modifications to be made to the Douglas lifeboat station slipway to accommodate the Mersey class lifeboat, Sir William Hillary will continue to maintain its lifesaving service afloat from the Douglas harbour’s Liner Berth.
A Mersey class lifeboat is also to be berthed at Douglas so the volunteer crew can familiarise themselves with this newer type of lifeboat. On completion of this familiarisation and the necessary modifications to the station slipway, the Mersey lifeboat will take over the lifesaving services for Douglas at which point the Sir William Hillary will be retired.
Speaking about the final slipway launch, Douglas RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘After 29 years of service, it will be with a sense of pride and nostalgia that our volunteers and supporters will watch our lifeboat launch for a final time from the slipway. We will however, take great comfort from knowing the Sir William Hillary will be with us for a short time longer as we await the arrival of our new Mersey class lifeboat.’
That same Sunday in the afternoon the Annual Commemorative Service to honour the memory of Sir William Hillary, the founder of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, will be held St George’s Church, Douglas at 3.00pm. After the service His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Richard Gozney KCMG CVO, will lay a wreath on the tomb of Sir William & Lady Hillary in St George’s Churchyard.
Prior to Sunday’s events, on the Saturday Douglas lifeboat station are planning to hold an Open Day to give the public an opportunity to inspect the Sir William Hillary at close quarters.
Built in 1924 to house the station’s first motor lifeboat RNLB “Manchester and Salford” which served from 1924 until 1946, to be replaced by RNLB “Millie Walton”
Navigation by radar training with cabin windows covered over.
Having joined the crew for last Sunday morning’s exercise Douglas Mayor, Mr Councillor John Skinner JP, and the Mayoress, Mrs. Gill Skinner very kindly invited the crew to visit them at Douglas Borough Council Town Hall this evening.
