Torquay Lifeboat Station
Encyclopedia
Torquay Lifeboat Station was the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution
(RNLI) search and rescue operations at Torquay
, Devon
in England from 1876 until 1923. A second lifeboat was kept at the harbour from 1917 until 1928.
at Brixham
in 1866 but ten years later they opened a second station on Torbay. The boathouse
was built at the Ladies Bathing Cove (Beacon Cove) on a site donated by Sir Lawrence Palk and the lifeboat arrived on 22 May 1876. Brixham was equipped with a motor lifeboat in 1922 which could cover a larger sea area in more extreme conditions. Changes in the shape of the beach at the Ladies Bathing Cove were also making it difficult to launch the lifeboat, so on 31 March 1923 the station was closed The boathouse was later used as a café but was demolished in 1975.
The managing director of local shipping company Whiteways and Ball presented the Torquay Harbour Lifesaving Boat to the RNLI in 1917 on the understanding that it would be kept operational even if the lifeboat station at the Ladies Bathing Cove closed. For the first year it of its operation it was kept on davits on Beacon Quay but from 1918 it was kept afloat in the harbour until 1928.
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of Great Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as on selected inland waterways....
(RNLI) search and rescue operations at Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
in England from 1876 until 1923. A second lifeboat was kept at the harbour from 1917 until 1928.
History
The RNLI had stationed a lifeboatLifeboat (rescue)
A rescue lifeboat is a boat rescue craft which is used to attend a vessel in distress, or its survivors, to rescue crewmen and passengers. It can be hand pulled, sail powered or powered by an engine...
at Brixham
Torbay Lifeboat Station
Torbay Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution search and rescue operations at Brixham, Devon in England. Brixham Lifeboat Station was opened in 1866 but since 1924 it has been known as 'Torbay'...
in 1866 but ten years later they opened a second station on Torbay. The boathouse
Boathouse
A boathouse is a building especially designed for the storage of boats, normally smaller craft for sports or leisure use. These are typically located on open water, such as on a river. Often the boats stored are rowing boats...
was built at the Ladies Bathing Cove (Beacon Cove) on a site donated by Sir Lawrence Palk and the lifeboat arrived on 22 May 1876. Brixham was equipped with a motor lifeboat in 1922 which could cover a larger sea area in more extreme conditions. Changes in the shape of the beach at the Ladies Bathing Cove were also making it difficult to launch the lifeboat, so on 31 March 1923 the station was closed The boathouse was later used as a café but was demolished in 1975.
The managing director of local shipping company Whiteways and Ball presented the Torquay Harbour Lifesaving Boat to the RNLI in 1917 on the understanding that it would be kept operational even if the lifeboat station at the Ladies Bathing Cove closed. For the first year it of its operation it was kept on davits on Beacon Quay but from 1918 it was kept afloat in the harbour until 1928.
Description
The boathouse was built in a decorative style at the back of the Ladies Bathing Cove under the cliff. Above the double opening doors was a bay window that give views of operations. On the long side of the building nearest the sea was a large shelter with three dormer windows above.Lifeboats
'ON' is the RNLI's sequential Official Number.| ON | Name | Built | At Torquay | Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Brundrett | 1876 | 1876–1889 | |||
| James and Eliza Woodall | 1889 | 1889–1902 | Peake | ||
| 487 | Wighton | 1902 | 1902–1923 | Sold and later used as yacht Cavalla | |
| Torquay Harbour Lifesaving Boat | 1918? | 1918–1928 | – | Kept at the harbour | |