New Brighton Lifeboat Station
| New Brighton Lifeboat Station | |
|---|---|
 | |
 New Brighton Lifeboat Station | |
  Location within Merseyside | |
General information | |
| Type | RNLI Lifeboat Station |
| Location | Kings Parade, New Brighton, Wirral, Merseyside, CH45 2ND, England |
| Coordinates | 53°26′22.1″N 3°02′50.2″W / 53.439472°N 3.047278°W |
| Opened |
|
| Owner | Royal National Lifeboat Institution |
| Website | |
| New Brighton RNLI Lifeboat Station | |
New Brighton Lifeboat Station is located on Kings Parade in New Brighton, a town on the Wirral Peninsula in Merseyside.
A lifeboat was first stationed at Magazines village by the Liverpool Dock Trustees in 1827. Management of the station was transferred to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1863.[1]
The station currently operates a B-class (Atlantic 85) Inshore lifeboat, the Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No.51) (B-837), on station since 2009.[2]
History
In the 18th Century, vessels arriving in the Port of Liverpool were required to first deposit their gunpowder in the Gunpowder magazine, which was located in a secluded area on the Wirral, across the River Mersey from Liverpool. Over time, Magazine Village developed, and it was here that the Liverpool Dock Trustees placed one of their lifeboats in 1827, with a boathouse being constructed in 1828. The location was ideally situated to cover the mouth of the river. A second boat was stationed there in 1839.[3]
At a public meeting in 1862, it was discussed that a boat, located in the now increasingly populous area known as New Brighton, would be better positioned to effect a faster response into Liverpool Bay. The RNLI was approached, and agreed to provide a lifeboat station in New Brighton.[4]
With the previous lifeboats usually towed to the scene of shipwreck by a steamer, it was decided to provide the most stable lifeboat suited to being towed. An unusual 42 ft 0 in (12.80 m) Tubular-class lifeboat costing £230, designed by the late H. Richardson, and constructed of the best Charcoal iron, was commissioned from J. Hamilton Jr., of the Windsor Ironworks, Liverpool, who gave up all profits on its manufacture.[5]
On 24 January 1863, large crowds watched the lifeboat as she was drawn through the streets of Liverpool in grand procession, followed by the mayor and other dignitaries, men from the military and Naval reserve, accompanied by the music of various bands, and under the direction of Capt. H. T. Richardson, formerly of the Dragoon Guards, son of the inventor of this type of life-boat. The boat was then named Rescue, and launched on demonstration.[5]
Within 18 months, as the Liverpool Dock Trustees had found, it was necessary to place a second boat at New Brighton, and a No.2 station was started in July 1864. This boat too was unusual, as it was a 33-foot Iron boat rather than the usual wooden boats. She was named Willie and Arthur.[4]
By 1867, a boathouse had been constructed at a cost of £208, sited near the Pier at the end of Egerton Street.[6][7]
On the morning of 27 September 1875, both the RNLI New Brighton lifeboat and the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board lifeboat from Liverpool, were called to the aid of the ship Ellen Southard of Richmond, Maine, aground on Taylor's Bank. Arriving first, the Liverpool lifeboat rescued 17 people, but was then capsized, pitching everyone into the water. The New Brighton quickly picked up 20 people, but 11 were lost, including the Ship's Captain and wife, the local pilot, and 2 lifeboat crew. Each of the New Brighton crew, and the surviving crew of the Liverpool lifeboat, were subsequently awarded a gold medal by the United States government for their gallantry.[4]
In 1893, New Brighton received the Duke of Northumberland (ON 231), transferred from Holyhead to be the No.2 lifeboat. The boat was a 50-foot Steam-powered lifeboat, using Water-Jets as a means of propulsion, over 140 years before this type of technology was again utilised by the RNLI, in the present day Shannon-class lifeboats. When the boat was required to be returned to Holyhead, the RNLI commissioned another Steam-class lifeboat. Arriving on station in 1897, she was named Queen (ON 404) to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.[4]
The 60-foot Barnett-class lifeboat William and Kate Johnston (ON 682), replacement for Queen, was assigned to be the No.1 station boat in 1938.[8]
Both No.1 and No.2 station boats were retired in 1950, being replaced by just one boat, effectively closing the No.2 station. The 52-foot Barnett-class lifeboat Norman B. Corlett (ON 883) remained in service until 1973, when it was decided that the All-weather lifeboat would be withdrawn, and replaced with a fast Inshore B-class (Atlantic 21). With the Atlantic-class boat having to be stored 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the station until a new boathouse was built, a D-class (RFD PB16) lifeboat was also placed on service for 18 months.[4]
In response to the number of rescues required on the large expanse of mud and sand at the end of the Wirral Peninsular, the RNLI placed one of their seven Griffon Hoverwork Type 470TD Hovercraft on station in 2004. This Hovercraft was relocated to Hoylake in 2016.[9]
Notable rescues
The New Brighton Barnett-class lifeboat William and Kate Johnston (ON 682) was launched at 07:45 on 24 November 1928, into violent seas and gale force winds, gusting at times up to 100 mph (160 km/h), to the French steamer Emile Delmas of La Rochelle, dragging her anchors 4 miles (6.4 km) WNW of the Bar Lightship. With incredible seamanship and skill in extremely difficult conditions, Coxswain Robinson brought the lifeboat alongside, and 23 crew were rescued. The Captain refused to leave until after the vessel ran aground, by which time the lifeboat had been damaged.[4]
As the lifeboat made for home, a huge wave washed over the lifeboat, flooding the engine room, and two crew, George Carmody and Samuel Jones, were washed overboard, along with the Chief Engineer of the Emile Delmas. The Chief Engineer was lost, but the two lifeboat men regained the boat, which then limped back to New Brighton, arriving after a service lasting six hours. Silver and bronze gallantry medals were awarded by the RNLI. The owners of the Emile Delmas gifted 10,000 French francs to New Brighton Lifeboat Station, and the French government awarded gold medals to Coxswain George Robinson, and to the two lifeboat men washed overboard.[4]
Station honours
The following are awards made at New Brighton:[1][10]
- Gold Medal, awarded by the United States Government
- Each of New Brighton lifeboat crews – 1875
- Each of the survivors of the crew of the Liverpool lifeboat – 1875
- Gold Medal, awarded by the French Government
- George Robinson, Coxswain – 1928
- George James Carmody, crew member – 1928
- Samuel J. Jones, crew member – 1928
- RNIPLS Silver Medal
- Peter Cropper, Coxswain, Liverpool Lifeboat – 1851
- Thomas Evans, Coxswain, Magazine Lifeboat – 1851
- Joseph Formby, Coxswain, Formby Lifeboat – 1851
- RNLI Silver Medal
- Thomas Evans, Coxswain – 1863 (Second-Service clasp)
- Thomas Evans, Jnr – 1863
- William Evans – 1863
- Richard J. Thomas, Coxswain – 1870
- Hiram Linaker, crew member – 1877
- William Martin, Coxswain – 1894
- George Robinson, Coxswain – 1928
- William Henry Jones, Coxswain – 1938
- Edward Brown, Coxswain – 1974
- Robin Middleton, crew member – 1974
- Silver Medal, awarded by the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society
- J. W. Bray, Mechanic – 1946
- RNLI Bronze Medal
- John Rowland Nicholson, crew member – 1928
- George James Carmody, crew member – 1928
- Ralph B. Scott, crew member – 1928
- Wilfred Garbutt, crew member – 1928
- Samuel J. Jones, crew member – 1928
- William Liversage, crew member – 1928
- John H. Moore, crew member – 1928
- John Rowland Nicholson, Second Coxswain – 1938
- Wilfred Garbutt, Mechanic – 1938
- John E. Mason, Second Mechanic – 1938
- William Stephen Jones, Second Coxswain – 1947
- William Stephen Jones, Acting Coxswain – 1950 (Second-Service clasp)
- George Stonall, Coxswain – 1957
- Edward Beverley Brown, Helm – 1982
- The Ralph Glister Award 1987
for the most meritorious service carried out in a lifeboat under 10 metres- Anthony Clare, Helm – 1988
- Geoffrey Prince, crew member – 1988
- Anthony Jones, crew member – 1988
- 'The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum'
- Clifford Downing, crew member – 1974
- Alan Boult, crew member – 1974
- Ian Campbell, crew member – 1974
- Edward B. Brown, Helm – 1976
- Michael Jones, crew member – 1982
- Anthony Clare. Helm – 1988
- Michael Jones, crew member – 1994
- Tony Clare, crew member – 1994
- Michael Jones, Helm – 1995
- Michael Jones, Helm – 2000
- 'A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution'
- Geoffrey Prince, crew member – 1988
- Anthony Jones, crew member – 1988
- Neil Jones, crew member – 1994
- Barry Shillinglaw, crew member – 1994
- Tony Jones, shore helper – 1994
- Howard Jones, crew member – 1995
- Neil Jones, crew member – 1995
- Michael Haxby, crew member – 1995
- Richard Finlay, County Rescue Boat – 1995
- John Goodwin, County Rescue Boat – 1995
- Mark Bland, Helm – 2005
- Mark Harding, crew member – 2005
- Greg Morgan, crew member – 2005
- 'A Collective Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution'
- Barry Shillinglaw, crew member – 1980
- Paul Wright, crew member – 1980
- Howard Jones, crew member – 1980
- 'Collective Letter of Appreciation signed by the Director of the Institution'
- Eight shore helpers from the station – 1980
- 'A Letter of Appreciation signed by the Chief of Operations'
- Station Honorary Secretary – 1980
Roll of honour
In memory of those lost whilst serving at New Brighton:[4]
- Lost when washed overboard from the Stuart Hay, whilst searching for an unknown casualty vessel, 26 January 1883
- Charles Finlay
- Overcome by fumes, and died whilst on overnight watch duty on the Queen (ON 404), 29 November 1905
- Allan Dodd, crewman (36)
- John Jones, crewman (36)
- Suffered serious kidney damage after being thrown violently across the boat, aboard the Queen (ON 404), 18 December 1919, and died three years later on 12 October 1922.
- George Cross, Second Coxswain (40)
- Died later from the effects of exposure, after maintaining watch on the New Brighton landing stage, 17 November 1923.
- W. J. Liversage, Assistant Secretary (58)
- Drowned when the boarding boat capsized during recovery, after being swept away down river by a flood tide, 9 March 1925.
- Herbert Harrison, Second Mechanic (30)
- Collapsed and died whilst fishing, a few days after the medal winning service in extreme conditions to the Progress of Hoylake, and the schooner Loch Ranza Castle, 23 November 1938.
- J. Stonall, crewman (46)
- Drowned after falling from the boarding boat whilst trying to tie-up alongside, 6 March 1962
- Frank. K. Neilson, Second Mechanic (61)
Magazines lifeboats (Liverpool Dock Trustees)
Magazines No. 1
| Name | Built | On station[13] | Class | Comments[13] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed | 1827 | 1827−1830 | 26-foot 8in Liverpool | [Note 1] Transferred to Point of Air No. 1. |
| Unnamed | 1826 | 1830−1844 | 30-foot Liverpool | [Note 2] Previously at Point of Air No. 1. |
Magazines No. 2
| Name | Built | On station[13] | Class | Comments[13] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed | 1839 | 1839−1863 | 30-foot Liverpool | [Note 3] Broken up in 1863. |
New Brighton lifeboats (RNLI)
New Brighton / New Brighton (No.1) Station
| ON[a] | Name | Built | On station[14] | Class | Comments[14][15] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-387 | Rescue | 1862 | 1863−1866 | 42-foot Tubular (P&S) | Removed from service November 1866 for rebuild. Renamed Willie and Arthur and returned in 1867. |
| Pre-380 | Latimer | 1860 | 1866−1867 | 34-foot 6in Peake self-righting (P&S) | [Note 4] Relief lifeboat, previously at Newbiggin |
| Pre-387 | Willie and Arthur | 1862 | 1867−1876 | 40-foot 3in Tubular | |
| 71 | Willie and Arthur | 1876 | 1876−1890 | 45-foot Tubular (P&S) | Condemned in 1890. |
| 221 | Henry Richardson | 1888 | 1890−1892 1893–1898 |
43-foot Tubular (P&S) | Previously New Brighton No.2. New Brighton No. 1 from 1893. |
| 414 | Henry Richardson | 1898 | 1898−1919 | 43-foot Watson (P&S) | |
| 637 | Staughton | 1915 | 1919−1930 | 40-foot Watson (P&S) | |
| 550 | Anne Miles | 1905 | 1930−1936 | 43-foot Watson (P&S) | |
| 535 | Reserve No.7E | 1904 | 1936−1938 | 43-foot Watson (P&S) | |
| 682 | William and Kate Johnston | 1923 | 1938−1950 | 60-foot Barnett | Previously New Brighton No.2. |
| 883 | Norman B. Corlett | 1950 | 1950−1973 | 52-foot Barnett (Mk. I) | |
- All-weather lifeboat replaced with a B-class (Atlantic 21) Inshore lifeboat, 1973
- Pre ON numbers are unofficial numbers used by the Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society to reference early lifeboats not included on the official RNLI list.
- More post-service details can be found on the respective lifeboat class pages.
New Brighton (No.2) Station
| ON[a] | Name | Built | On station[16] | Class | Comments[16][17] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-406 | Willie and Arthur | 1863 | 1864−1867 | 33-foot self-righting (P&S) (Iron) | [Note 5] Previously China at Teignmouth. Transferred to Buddon Ness. |
| Pre-494 | Lily | 1867 | 1867−1878 | 32-foot Prowse self-righting (P&S) | [Note 6] Transferred to Kirkcudbright. |
| Pre-625 | Stuart Hay | 1878 | 1878−1888 | 40-foot Tubular (P&S) | |
| 221 | Henry Richardson | 1888 | 1888−1890 | 43-foot Tubular (P&S) | Became sole New Brighton lifeboat following withdrawal of ON 71 in 1890. |
| Station Closed 1890–1893 | |||||
| 231 | Duke of Northumberland | 1889 | 1893−1897 | 50-foot Steam | Previously at Harwich and Holyhead. Transferred to Holyhead. |
| 404 | Queen | 1897 | 1897−1923 | 55-foot Steam | Left station to take part in the 1924 Thames flotilla for the RNLI 100th Anniversary. |
| 682 | William and Kate Johnston | 1923 | 1923−1938 | 60-foot Barnett | Largest RNLI lifeboat at time of construction. |
| 812 | Edmund and Mary Robinson | 1938 | 1938−1950 | 41-foot Watson | |
- No.2 Station Closed 1950
- More post-service details can be found on the respective lifeboat class pages.
New Brighton (No.3) Station
| ON[a] | Name | Built | On station[18] | Class | Comments[18][19] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Unnamed | 1884 | 1884−1887 | 46-foot self-righting (P&S) | [Note 7] Later Edith at Fleetwood. |
- No.3 Station closed in 1887
Hovercraft
| Op.No.[b] | Name | On station[9] | Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H-005 | Hurley Spirit | 2004−2016 | H-class (Griffon Hoverwork 470TD) | Transferred to Hoylake. |
Inshore lifeboats
D class
| Op.No.[b] | Name | On station[20] | Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-42 | Unnamed | 1973–1974 | D-class (RFD PB16) | |
B class
| Op.No.[b] | Name | On station[21] | Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-509 | Unnamed | 1973–1981 | B-class (Atlantic 21) | |
| B-549 | Blenwatch | 1981–1996 | B-class (Atlantic 21) | |
| B-721 | Rock Light | 1996–2009 | B-class (Atlantic 75) | |
| B-837 | Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No.51) |
2009– | B-class (Atlantic 85) | [22] |
Launch and recovery tractors
| Op. No.[b] | Reg. No. | Type | On station[23] | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TW01 | XTK 150M | Talus MB-764 County | 1974–1987 | |
| TW14 | D659 TNT | Talus MB-764 County | 1987–1990 | |
| TW17 | H593 PUX | Talus MB-4H Hydrostatic (Mk1.5) | 1990–1995 | |
| TW16 | H610 SUJ | Talus MB-4H Hydrostatic (Mk1.5) | 1995–2001 | |
| TW46 | V938 EAW | Talus MB-4H Hydrostatic (Mk1.5) | 2001–2008 | |
| TW45 | T249 JNT | Talus MB-4H Hydrostatic (Mk1) | 2008–2016 | |
| TW20 | J125 WUJ | Talus MB-4H Hydrostatic (Mk2) | 2016– | |
See also
Notes
- ↑ 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m) x 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) Liverpool-class non-self-righting lifeboat, funded from Harbour Dues.
- ↑ 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m) x 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) (12-oared) Liverpool-class non-self-righting lifeboat, funded from Harbour Dues.
- ↑ 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m) x 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) (10-oared) Liverpool-class non-self-righting lifeboat, funded from Harbour Dues, built by Thomas Costain of Liverpool, costing £180.
- ↑ Modified 34 ft 6 in (10.52 m) x 8 ft 0 in (2.44 m) (12-oared) Peake-class self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, funded by The Duke of Northumberland, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London, costing £144.
- ↑ 33 ft 0 in (10.06 m) x 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) (Iron) lifeboat, funded by Mr J. Leather of Liverpool, built by Hepworth of Millwall, costing £351.
- ↑ 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m) x 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) (10-oared) Prowse-class self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, gift of Mr J. Leather of Liverpool, built by Woolfe of Shadwell, London, costing £248.
- ↑ 46 ft 0 in (14.02 m) x 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m) (12-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, funded by the RNLI, built by Woolfe of Shadwell, London, costing £583.
References
- 1 2 "New Brighton's station history". RNLI. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ↑ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2026). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026. Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. p. 66.
- ↑ "The Story of Magazine Village". historyofwallasey.co.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Morris, Jeff (January 1986). The Story of the New Brighton Lifeboats. Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. pp. 1–26.
- 1 2 "Additional Stations and New Life-Boats". The Life-boat. V (49): 305. 1 July 1863. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ "Cheshire Sheet VII". Maps. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ "Annual Report". The Life-boat. VI (68): 530. 1 April 1868. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 26–27.
- 1 2 Leonard & Denton 2026, p. 83.
- ↑ Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN 0907605893.
- ↑ "British Empire Medal (Civil Division)". The Gazette. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ↑ "Ordinary Member of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". London Gazette. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Farr, Grahame; Morris, Jeff (1992). List of British Life-boats Part 1 & 2 (Second ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. p. 1.
- 1 2 Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2025). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025. Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. pp. 8–53.
- ↑ Farr & Morris 1992, p. 37.
- 1 2 Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 8–49.
- ↑ Farr & Morris 1992, pp. 50, 52.
- 1 2 Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 4–5.
- ↑ Farr & Morris 1992, p. 73.
- ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, p. 69.
- ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 62–66.
- ↑ "Naming ceremony for New Brighton's new lifeboat". BBC News. 24 July 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 90–92.