Peel Lifeboat Station

Peel Lifeboat Station
Peel Lifeboat Station
Peel Lifeboat Station is located in Isle of Man
Peel Lifeboat Station
Location within Isle of Man
General information
TypeRNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationThe Breakwater, Peel, IM5 1TG, Isle of Man
Coordinates54°13′37″N 4°41′52.5″W / 54.22694°N 4.697917°W / 54.22694; -4.697917
Opened
  • 1828–1843
  • 1885–present
Owner Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Website
Peel RNLI Lifeboat Station

Peel Lifeboat Station is located in the shadow of Peel Castle on St Patrick's Isle, in the city of Peel, on the west coast of the Isle of Man, a British Crown Dependency.

A lifeboat was first stationed at Peel by the Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS) in 1828.[1]

Re-established by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1885, the station currently operates an Shannon-class All-weather lifeboat, 13-35 Frank and Brenda Winter (ON 1342), on station since 2021.[2]

History

On the 28 May 1828, Sir William Hillary, President of the Isle of Man District Association of the Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, wrote to the associations headquarters in London, requesting that a lifeboat be placed at both Peel and Ramsey, which was duly agreed.[1]

A new boat was provided for Peel, a 26 ft (7.9 m) 6-oared Palmer-class lifeboat, built by Taylor of Blackwall, London, which cost £55, and arrived in Peel on 12 December 1828. Records show only one service, in 1831, to rescue the four crew of the sloop Jane. By 1836, for reasons unknown, the boat was recorded as wrecked.[1]

A replacement boat was commissioned with local boat-builder William Corlett, again a 26-foot "Palmer" inspired type boat. No services were ever recorded, and by 1843, this boat was also recorded as being unserviceable. With little funding available from the Institution in decline, there seemed to be no interest in maintaining a lifeboat in Peel, despite the large number of fishing boats operating there.[1]

In 1883, Spencer Walpole, Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, wrote to the (now) RNLI, to request that a lifeboat station be re-established at Peel, highlighting that the long range of coast from Port Erin to Ramsey was unprotected by any lifeboat. A new boathouse was built next to the castle in 1884 by Redcliffe and Anderson, at a cost of £485-9s-10d, and in 1885, a new 37 ft (11 m) 12-oared boat arrived, built by Woolfe of Shadwell, and costing £397. The lifeboat was towed to the Island from Liverpool by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company vessel Ellan Vannin. The lifeboat was funded from the legacy of Capt. John Monk, RN, of Neston, Wirral, a retired naval officer, who first saw action in the Napoleonic Wars. He bequeathed £500 to the RNLI "for the purpose of building a life boat". In a grand ceremony on 14 October 1885, which coincided with the opening of the new Royal Naval Reserve Artillery battery on Creg Malin, the lifeboat was named John Monk"[1][3]

The John Monk was withdrawn from service in 1895 having been condemned, and was broken up in 1896. A reserve lifeboat was stationed at Peel between 1895 and 1897. Unusually, the name of the boat was unrecorded, even though two services were recorded, to the schooner Lily Garton of Peel on 12 December 1895, and the smack Orion of Ramsey on 20 February 1897. The only two 37-foot reserve lifeboats in operation at the time, were the May (ON 196), and the William Erle (ON 296).[4][5]

After years of launching Peel lifeboats by hand, Peel received their first launch and recovery tractor, a Case LA (T41) in 1963.[6]

Following a coastal service review, the All-weather lifeboat was withdrawn in 1972, replaced with an A-class (McLachlan) Inshore lifeboat. A second McLachlan lifeboat followed, and then two B-class (Atlantic 21) lifeboats. In 1990, another coastal review determined that an All-weather boat would once again be placed at Peel, whilst Port Erin would receive an Atlantic 21 Inshore boat to replace their Rother-class All-weather lifeboat.[1]

Mersey-class All-weather lifeboat 12-22 Ruby Clery (ON 1181)

In 1992, Peel's new Mersey-class lifeboat arrived, costing £662,663, and was named 12-22 Ruby Clery (ON 1181), following a generous bequest from the late Miss R. A. Clery of St. John's Wood, London, a great-great-granddaughter of Sir William Hillary. The naming ceremony took place on 12 September 1992, and was carried out by Mrs Karin Bache Nordli, the daughter of the baby rescued off the St George in 1889 (see St George of Norway).[7]

The 1884 boathouse had to be demolished to make way for a new building for the Mersey lifeboat and tractor, but much of the original red sandstone was retained and re-used in the construction of the new building.[1]

Ruby Clery served Peel for the next 27 years, before being transferred first to Ramsey, and then onto Douglas. Peel received a new Shannon-class lifeboat in 2020, although it was 2021 before she was formally accepted on service, delays in training being caused with the COVID-19 pandemic. The boathouse once again required modifications, being extended on the North side, with larger access doors fitted, new workshop facilities, and a crew room mezzanine above the boat hall, with lookout windows.[8]

In the 2022 Birthday Honours, Frank Horne, former Peel Coxswain, and RNLI Sea Safety Manager, was awarded the MBE.[9]

On the morning of Sunday 13 April 2025, the station was visited by Ethan Perry, seeking advice about his new motorboat, and if in trouble, how to make a Mayday call. Unknown to everyone at the time, it was essential advice. That Mayday call would come the same day. Fortunately, the lifeboat was already in the water, out on exercise for crew training. Coxswain Mike Faragher made best speed to the location, where a boat was found partially submerged, with Ethan in the water, unconscious. The young man was recovered from the water, and CPR was carried out by several of the crew, until the lifeboat was back in Peel, and the casualty handed to the care of the paramedics. After several weeks in hospital, the man made a full recovery.[10][11]

St George of Norway

Figurehead "George" off the Norwegian vessel St George

On the 7 October 1889, a large fully-rigged ship was seen in trouble off Peel, badly damaged, with broken masts. The John Monk was launched into the full fury of the storm. It took a full two hours to reach the St. George, a Norwegian ship bound for Montevideo. Unable to get close, a Breeches buoy system was set up, and one by one, the Captain, his wife and baby, and 20 crew, were rescued.

The lifeboat hadn't reached Peel Harbour on the return trip, before the St George was driven ashore and wrecked. The survivors were landed on the quay to the cheers of a large assembled crowd.

For this service, Coxswain Charles Cain and the 15 lifeboat crew each received a Silver Medal from the Norwegian Government, and a Manx bible. The figurehead off the boat, "George", was recovered and has been proudly on display at Peel Lifeboat Station ever since.[12]

Station honours

The following are awards made at Peel[1][13]

  • Silver Medal, awarded by the Norwegian Government
  • Manx Bible, presented by John Bardsley Bishop of Sodor and Man[14]
    Charles Cain, Coxswain – 1890
    Angus Cain – 1890
    James Cain – 1890
    John Callister – 1890
    John Cook – 1890
    Caesar Gorry – 1890
    Henry Gorry – 1890
    John Gorry – 1890
    James Hughes – 1890
    John Hughes – 1890
    H. Kaighen – 1890
    Joseph McMurdoch – 1890
    William Quillam – 1890
    John Quirk – 1890
    John Sayle – 1890
    William Williamson – 1890
  • 'The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum'
    Charles Cain II, Coxswain – 1910
    Thomas Quirk – 1921
    John Kissack – 1921
    Patrick Gorry – 1926
    W. E. Gorry, Coxswain – 1970
    Edward Allen, Helm – 1980
    Brian Maddrell, Helm – 1980
    Frank Horne, crew member – 1995
  • Vellum Service Certificates
    John Keig – 1980
    Philip Quane – 1980
    Barry Horne – 1980
    James Coulson – 1980
    David Eames, Coxswain – 1995
    Paul Jones, Second Coxswain – 1995
    Paul Cain, Motor Mechanic – 1995
    Tim Crookhall, crew member – 1995
    John Hunter, crew member – 1995
    Colin Makin, crew member – 1995
    Andrew Quane, crew member – 1995
  • Commendation awarded by the Chief Executive of the Institution
    Mike Faragher, Coxswain – 2026
    Juan Owens, crew member – 2026
  • Medical Commendation awarded by the Institution
    Mike Faragher, Coxswain – 2026
    Jason Spooner, crew member – 2026
    Chloe Katie Spooner, crew member – 2026
    Will Senior, crew member – 2026
    Neil Moore, crew member – 2026
    Tony Elder, crew member – 2026

Peel lifeboats

Pulling and Sailing (P&S) lifeboats

ON[a] Name Built On station[1][15] Class Comments[15][16]
Pre-133 Unnamed 1828 1828–1836 26-foot Palmer [Note 1]
Wrecked in 1836.
Pre-173 Unnamed 1836 1836–c.1843 26-foot 'Palmer type' [Note 2]
Sold in 1843.
83 John Monk 1884 1885–1895 37-foot self-righting (P&S) [Note 3]
Broken up in 1896.
– Reserve Lifeboat – 1895–1897 – [Note 4]
396 Mayhew Medwin 1897 1897–1925 37-foot self-righting (P&S) [Note 5]
Sold in 1925.
634 Henry Kirk 1912 1925–1937 37-foot self-righting (P&S) [Note 6]
Previously at Port Erin. Sold in 1937. Renamed Peal o'Bells. Last reported at Southampton in 1948.
Pre ON numbers are unofficial numbers used by the Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society to reference early lifeboats not included on the official RNLI list.

Motor lifeboats

ON[a] Op.No.[b] Name Built On station[17] Class Comments
799 – Helen Sutton 1937 1937–1952 Liverpool
903 – Helena Harris - Manchester & District XXXI 1952 1952–1966 Liverpool
893 – Clara and Emily Barwell 1951 1966 Liverpool Relief lifeboat
903 – Helena Harris - Manchester & District XXXI 1952 1966–1972 Liverpool
All-weather lifeboat withdrawn 1972–1992
1181 12-22 Ruby Clery 1992 1992–2019 Mersey [18]
Transferred to Ramsey.
1187 12-28 Mary Margaret 1992 2019–2021 Mersey
1342 13-35 Frank and Brenda Winter 2019 2021– Shannon [19]
More post-service details can be found on the respective lifeboat class pages.

Inshore lifeboats

Op.No.[b] Name On station[20] Class Comments
A-506 Unnamed 1972 A-class (McLachlan) [Note 7]
A-507 Unnamed 1973–1976 A-class (McLachlan) [Note 8]
B-536 Unnamed 1976–1989 B-class (Atlantic 21)
B-575 John Batstone 1989–1992 B-class (Atlantic 21)
Inshore lifeboat withdrawn in 1992

Launch and recovery tractors

Op.No.[b] Reg. No. Type On station[21] Comments
T41 JXR 66 Case LA 1963–1970
T54 MJT 722P Case LA 1970–1973
T43 JXR 934 Case LA 1973–1978
TW07 MAN 49W Talus MB 764 County 1978–1988
TW06 BMN 476L Talus MB 764 County 1988–1992
T114 1222 MN Talus MB-H Crawler 1992–2004
T111 1222 MN Talus MB-H Crawler 2004–2019
T108 1222 MN Talus MB-H Crawler 2019–2021
SC-T22 1335 MAN SLARS (Clayton) 2020–
  1. 1 2 ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. 1 2 3 Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 26 ft 0 in (7.92 m) x 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) (6-oared) Palmer-class lifeboat, funded by the RNIPLS, built by Taylor of Blackwall, London, costing £55.
  2. ↑ 26 ft 0 in (7.92 m) x 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) (6-oared) Palmer-type lifeboat, funded from local subscription, built locally by William Corlett of Peel.
  3. ↑ 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m) x 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m) (12-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Capt. Monk, RN, built by Woolfe of Shadwell, London, costing £397.
  4. ↑ Unrecorded reserve lifeboat, on station for 2 years
  5. ↑ 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m) x 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Dr A. G. Medwin of London, built by Roberts of Mevagissey, costing £485.
  6. ↑ 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m) x 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Mr H. Kirk of Beeston, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,239 when new.
  7. ↑ Formerly 18-006 under ALB designation
  8. ↑ Formerly 18-007 under ALB designation

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Morris, Jeff (2003). Peel Lifeboats 1828-2003. pp. 1–46.
  2. ↑ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2026). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026. Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. p. 71.
  3. ↑ "Additional Stations and New Life-Boats". The Life-boat. XIII (139): 7–9. 1 February 1886. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  4. ↑ "Orion". The Lifeboat. XVI (186): 904–905. 1 November 1897. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  5. ↑ Farr & Morris 1992, pp. 41–42.
  6. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, p. 87.
  7. ↑ "Ceremonies". The Lifeboat. 52 (522): 308. Winter 1992. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  8. ↑ "Peel Lifeboat Station, Royal National Lifeboat Institution". NK Construction. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  9. 1 2 "Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The Gazette. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  10. ↑ Turton, Sam (14 September 2025). "Ethan Thanks Lifesaving RNLI Volunteers". Manx News. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "A Special Visit!". Facebook. Peel Lifeboat Station. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  12. ↑ Quilliam, Leslie (1990). The Lifeboats of Peel. Cashtal Books Ltd. pp. 1–100.
  13. ↑ "Peel's station history". RNLI. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  14. ↑ Davies, Joan (Spring 1980). "Lifeboat Stations of the Isle of Man" (PDF). The Lifeboat. XLVII (471). Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  15. 1 2 Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2025). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025. Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. pp. 2–41.
  16. ↑ Farr, Grahame; Morris, Jeff (1992). List of British Lifeboats Part 1 & 2 (Second ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. pp. 1–88.
  17. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 32–55.
  18. ↑ Kelly, Mal (30 May 2017). "Peel RNLI lifeboat Ruby Clery celebrates 25 years". RNLI. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  19. ↑ Hunter, Carol (20 October 2021). "The Isle of Man's first Shannon lifeboat goes into service". RNLI. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  20. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 62–63, 83–84.
  21. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 87, 89–90, 96.
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