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Aberdovey Lifeboat Station

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Coordinates: 52°32′35″N 4°02′44″W / 52.54319°N 4.04565°W / 52.54319; -4.04565
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Aberdovey Lifeboat Station
Welsh: Gorsaf Bad Achub Aberdyfi
Aberdovey Lifeboat Station
Aberdovey Lifeboat Station is located in Wales
Aberdovey Lifeboat Station
Aberdovey, Gwynedd
General information
TypeRNLI Lifeboat Station
AddressGlandovey Terrace,
Town or cityAberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0EB
CountryWales, UK
Coordinates52°32′35″N 4°02′44″W / 52.54319°N 4.04565°W / 52.54319; -4.04565
Opened1837, RNLI 1853
Owner Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Website
Aberdovey RNLI Lifeboat Station

Aberdovey Lifeboat Station (Welsh: Gorsaf Bad Achub Aberdyfi) is located in the coastal village of Aberdyfi, on the north bank of the River Dyfi estuary, on Cardigan Bay, in the county of Gwynedd, West Wales.

A lifeboat was first placed at Aberdovey in 1837. Management of the station was transferred to the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS) in 1853. The RNIPLS became the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1854.[1]

Since 2016, the station has operated a B-class (Atlantic 85) inshore lifeboat, RNLB Hugh Miles (B-896), launched by tractor.[2]

This station is classed as an RNLI "Discover" lifeboat station, which welcomes visitors normally during the summer months.

History

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The first Aberdyfi lifeboat was bought in 1837. The RNLI took over the station in 1853 and in 1858 built a new boathouse for the lifeboat and carriage. A tragedy occurred in 1862 when crew member Owen Owen, aged 33, died as a result of a capsize on exercise.[1]

In February 1863 David Williams was awarded an RNLI Silver Medal for putting out to the stranded brig Friends and his crew were voted £8 reward by the Institution. In September the same year the RNLI voted to reward the crew of the lifeboat £4-10s-0d for rescuing six crew of the stranded barque William Bromham.[3]

In 1886 a plot was bought for £150 and a new boathouse built for £320.[1][4]

There was a second tragedy in 1898 when crew member John Price, aged 72, lost his life trying to save people after a boating accident.[4] His dependants were awarded £50 compensation by the RNLI's Committee of Management.[1]

A slipway for the lifeboat was built at a cost of £300 in 1903 to enable the lifeboat to be launched into the river. The station closed in 1931, but was reopened in 1963 at the Outward Bound Sea School as an inshore station supplied with a D-class lifeboat, which in 1974 was replaced by an Atlantic 21-class B-class lifeboat.[1][4]

A new boathouse was built in 1991 to house the Atlantic 21 and its launching tractor, a shop and crew facilities, and in 1995 an upper floor was built to provide a crew room, galley and store.[4]

From 1998 to 2016, the station operated an Atlantic 75-class inshore lifeboat, RNLB Sandwell Lifeline (B-758), launched by tractor, and making an average of 25 emergency launches a year.[4] She replaced B-559, which has transferred to the British Virgin Islands as a rescue craft.[1]

Station honours

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A number of awards have been made to recognise exemplary service.[1][4][5]

For the rescue of the crew of the brig Friends of Newport on 8 February 1863
Mr David Williams, of HM Customs, Honorary Secretary - 1863
For the rescue of 4 from the cabin cruiser Lady Jane on 10 August 1974
David William Williams, crew member - 1974
  • Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum
For the rescue of 4 from the cabin cruiser Lady Jane on 10 August 1974
Anthony Mills, Helmsman - 1974
Andrew Coghill, crew member - 1974
  • A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution
For his valuable services as a member of the crew from 1920 to 1931
Mr Ellis Williams, Bowman - 1972
David Eilian Williams - 2014QBH[6]

Roll of honour

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In memory of those lost whilst serving Aberdovey lifeboat.[1]

  • Lost when the lifeboat capsized on exercise, 8 December 1862
Owen Owen, crew member (33)
  • Died during a rescue after a boating accident, 1898
John Price, crew member (72)

Aberdovey lifeboats

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All-weather lifeboats

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ON[a] Name In service[7] Class Comments
Pre-178 Victoria 1837–1859 26-foot Palmer [Note 1]
Pre-344 Unnamed 1859–1865 30-foot Self-righting (P&S)
Pre-440 Royal Berkshire 1865–1886 32-foot Self-righting (P&S)
63 Thomas Niccolls Stratford 1886–1904 34-foot 1in Self-Righting (P&S)
534 William Brocksopp 1904–1921 35-foot Self-Righting (P&S)
476 George and Margaret 1921–1931 35-foot Self-Righting (P&S)
Station Closed in 1931
Pre ON numbers are unofficial numbers used by the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society to reference early lifeboats not included on the official RNLI list.

Inshore lifeboats

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Op. No.[b] Name In service[2] Class Comments
D-12 Unnamed 1963–1964 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-10 Unnamed 1965 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-19 Unnamed 1965–1967 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-138 Unnamed 1967 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-161 Unnamed 1968–1969 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-140 Unnamed 1969–1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-19 Unnamed 1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-46 Unnamed 1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-110 Unnamed 1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-140 Unnamed 1971–1974 D-class (RFD PB16)
B-514 Guide Friendship 1 1974–1983 Atlantic 21
B-559 Long Life 3 1983–1999 Atlantic 21
B-758 Sandwell Lifeline 1999–2016 Atlantic 75
B-896 Hugh Miles 2016- Atlantic 85 [8]
  1. ^ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Independent lifeboat under Harbour Authority control.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Aberdovey's station history". Aberdovey Lifeboat Station. RNLI. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
  3. ^ The Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle. Cambridge University Press. 1863. ISBN 9781108054546. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Aberdyfi Lifeboat". Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  5. ^ Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN 0-907605-89-3.
  6. ^ "Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The Gazette. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  7. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2021). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2021. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 2–120.
  8. ^ "Aberdyfi RNLI welcomes new lifeboat". Retrieved 7 December 2016.
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