Lifeboat
Rimmington Being Launched 1869
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During it’s Victorian
heyday, Sidmouth was home to an RNLI Station, situated across the road
from the current Lifeboat station. The Engraved keystone can still be
seen today, having been incorporated into the new block of flats built
on the site. From 1869 to 1912 the Lifeboats “Rimmington”,
followed by the “William & Francis” saved a total of 38
lives.
The crews had never really
been busy and following a decline of general activities in and around
Sidmouth, it was felt that the RNLI could no longer justify the
Sidmouth Lifeboat station and in 1912 the service was withdrawn.
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In 1881 the Duke
& Duchess of Edinburgh arrived off Sidmouth in HMS Lively, in
order that his Royal Highness might land & inspect the Coastguard
Station. Proceeding in a steam pinnace towards the shore, it was
struck by a sea, which nearly capsized it. The Lifeboat “Rimmington”,
which had been readied for inspection, was at once launched and
proceeded alongside the pinnace, where the Duke & Duchess were
taken onboard and landed safely ashore.
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Lifeboat
Rimmington In Fore Street
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Crew Of The Sidmouth Lifeboat Circa 1880
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Pictured to
the left are the crew of the Sidmouth Lifeboat. Standard protective
equipment of the time consisted of oil skins, woollen jumpers, and
cork lifejackets. The cork lifejackets were developed by Captain Ward,
an RNLI Inspector, to give the crews buoyancy and weather protected
during rescues.
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As the picture to
the right shows, recovering the lifeboats “Rimmington” and
“William & Francis” was a major operation. Many of the
townsfolk turned out to assist in launching & recovering the
Lifeboat.
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Lifeboat
William & Francis Being
Recovered
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Lifeboat
Storm Outside Sidmouth Sailing Club
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Following
the departure of the RNLI from Sidmouth, lifeboat cover was provided
by the RNLI lifeboats at Exmouth and Lyme Regis. In the mid sixties
leisure activities were increasing in Sidmouth, resulting in more
people using Sidmouth’s beaches. In 1968 Students from the local
secondary school formed a surf life saving organisation, that was to
become the Sidmouth Lifeboat Service of today. Founder members
included Keith Roberts and Alan Phillips, who is today’s Hon Sec.
Initially
beach patrols were run, covering Jacobs Ladder beach during the weekends
in summer time. The first HQ was located at the Clock Tower above Jacob
Ladder Beach. In 1972 the level of cover provided was greatly increased
following the purchase of a prototype 16ft Atlantic Rigid Inflatable (
RIB ), for running day time patrols and surf rescue. The lifeboat had a
40hp outboard engine and was used to cover Sidmouth & Jacobs Ladder
Beaches. The Coastguard then provided extra training & a radio so
that they could liaise and contact the crew.
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In the late
1970’s the level of cover was increase to include evenings and
eventually through the purchase of a pager system, to 24 hour cover.
In 1982 Sidmouth Inshore Rescue Service became a declared rescue
facility with the Coastguard and made available for callouts 24 / 7.
The Lifeboat “Storm” was purchased & dedicated in 1985 the
Rev. Richard Sigrist. The Lifeboat was named by crewmember Robin Coop,
after his 11 year old daughter.
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Lifeboat
Spirit Of Sidmouth off Sidmouth
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1991
saw the arrival of a bigger and more capable lifeboat. “Spirit Of
Sidmouth” was a 5m Humber lifeboat, that hosted a number of
improvements over the previous lifeboats. Powered by twin 40 hp
Mariner engines and carrying GPS navigation, fixed base radio and a
full first aid compliment, “Spirit Of Sidmouth” was the first of
the modern type of lifeboat at Sidmouth Inshore Rescue Service.
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In April 1996
Lifeboat “Spirit Of Sidmouth” with crew members Alan Stevenson,
Ian Weedon & Sue Cooper rescued 4 people cut off by the tide at
night. Due to the shallow water and numerous rocks, Coxswain Alan
& Ian entered the water and walked the lifeboat over the rocks to
the casualties. Alan & Ian assisted the people to the lifeboat and
assisted them onboard. The Royal Lifesaving Society awarded the crew
their commendation for this rescue.
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In
1999 the Atlantic 21 lifeboat “Sidmouth Herald” came on station.
The new lifeboat necessitated the building of a new Lifeboat Station
and the design and construction of a new drive on drive off launching
system. A heavily ballasted and marinised Renault tractor, complete
with launching trailer was designed and constructed by then crew
member Barrie Whittock.
Lifeboat
“Sidmouth Herald” was powered by twin 60hp mariner engines, giving a
range of 90mn / 2.5 hr at top speed. Other features included self
righting capability, GPS Chartplotter for improved navigation &
Night Vision Equipment
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Lifeboat
Sidmouth Herald off Sidmouth
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On 3rd March
2004 “Sidmouth Herald” with crew members Simon Sparrow, Chris
Bass, Phil Shepperd & Mike Vittles assisted in the rescue of a
person that had fallen 150 down cliffs at Peak Hill. Using night
vision equipment, flares and searchlights, the crew located the person
trapped on the cliffs and guided Beer CRT team to his location. The
person was winched up the cliff face and flown to hospital by
Coastguard helicopter. The crew received the Chief Coastguards
Commendation for this rescue
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