Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat Station

Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat Station is located on Hastings Avenue, in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea, on the Tendring peninsular, in the county of Essex. A lifeboat was first stationed at Clacton-on-Sea by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1878. The station currently operates a Shannon-class All-weather lifeboat, 13-52 Chris and Jo West (ON 1359), on station since 2025, and a D-class (IB1) Inshore lifeboat, Damar's Pride (D-849), on station since 2020. History In 1870, the hamlet of Clacton Beach had a population of just 12. Just 10 years later, following rapid development to create a Victorian seaside resort, the population was over 1300. It was during this time of expansion that the Commander of HM Coastguard at Harwich wrote to the RNLI in 1877, to suggest a lifeboat be placed at Clacton-on-Sea, which was duly agreed. On 6 September 1877, a meeting of the RNLI committee of management reported the "munificent" contribution of £4000 from the United Grand Lodge of Freemasons of England for the establishment of two lifeboat stations, to be maintained in perpetuity, in commemoration of the safe return from India, of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, H.R.H. Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. The two stations to be opened, would be at Clacton-on-Sea and Hope Cove. The new boat for Clacton would be named Albert Edward after the Prince, whilst the Hope Cove lifeboat would take the name of his wife, Alexander. Thanks were formally given to the Freemasons for their generosity. A boathouse was soon commissioned, and constructed on the corner of Carnarvon Road and Church Road. The RNLI would later erect a fence around the building "to keep out stray cattle". A 34-foot self-righting lifeboat was built by Woolfe boat-builders, costing £363. The boat arrived in Clacton on 13 March 1878. Robert Legerton was appointed Coxswain, with Mr. Frederick Nunn appointed Honorary Secretary. In a parade including Freemasons, Mayors and Councillors in July 1878, the lifeboat was pulled to the new lifeboat house, where after the service of dedication by the Grand Chaplain of the Freemasons, the boat was duly named Albert Edward, the first of three Clacton lifeboats to carry this name. After only 4 years, it was decided that a bigger boat was required at Clacton. The boathouse was extended, and to make launching easier, two slipways were constructed, one on each side of Clacton Pier. The new lifeboat was 39-foot long, and built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London. Costing £635, she was again funded by the Freemasons of England, and also named Albert Edward (ON 32). The boat was kept in the boathouse in the summer, and on the pier during the winter months, launching down either slipway according to conditions. A new lifeboat arrived in Clacton in 1929, a twin engined 45-foot 6in Watson-class lifeboat, named Edward Z Dresden (ON 707). She would serve Clacton until 1952. During this time, she would see service as one of the Little Ships of Dunkirk, and unusually, was crewed by her regular lifeboat crew for the trip. Damaged by gunfire, she was sent for repair after the Dunkirk evacuation, returning to be stationed at Brightlingsea, due to the demolition of the centre of Clacton Pier for wartime invasion preparations. Clacton received D-107, the first of their small high speed D-class (RFD PB16) Inshore Lifeboats (ILBs) in 1966. The station then received a second ILB, a larger twin engine B-class (Atlantic 21) in 1984, when it was announced that the All-weather lifeboat was being withdrawn, following difficulties encountered launching due to silt. The old lifeboat house on Clacton Pier was vacated in 2006, and a new boathouse was constructed at Hastings Avenue, just under 1 mi (1.6 km) to the west of the pier. This provided up-to-date crew facilities and storage, along with housing for both Inshore lifeboats and launch tractors. In October 2022, it was announced that the Atlantic 85 lifeboat would be withdrawn, and Clacton-on-Sea lifeboat station would once again receive an All-weather lifeboat, a new 25 knot Shannon-class lifeboat. The new boat arrived on 16 November 2024 to commence training, and went on service on 27 March 2025. Notable rescues On the 23 October 1881, the Albert Edward was called to the aid of the French vessel Madeline. Having been towed to the scene by the Steamer Consett, the lifeboat set anchor, and attempted to veer down to the Madeline, with no success. When the cable was cut, the lifeboat was swept onto the deck of the casualty boat, damaging the rudder. The lifeboat finally dropped alongside the vessel, and each of the 16 crew were rescued one by one. Coxswain Robert Legerton was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal. Legerton and Second Coxswain James Cross were also to receive Gold Medals, and the remaining 11 crew receiving Silver Medals, awarded by The French Government. On the 24th April 1914, the lifeboat Albert Edward (ON 463) was called out to the aid of Government Seaplane No.79, which was forced to ditch in the sea after engine trouble. The seaplane, subsequently towed to Harwich, was carrying the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill. Station honours The following are awards made at Clacton-on-Sea. Gold Medal, awarded by The French Government Robert Legerton, Coxswain – 1881 James Cross, Second Coxswain – 1881 RNIPLS Silver Medal William Wall Weekes, Master of the Fortitude – 1828 Robert Cleave, Master of the New Union – 1830 John Glover, Master of the Atalanta – 1843 Stephen Hurry, Master of the New Gypsy – 1843 John Powell, Master of the Lord Howe – 1843 RNLI Silver Medal Capt. William Lewis of Tyrall – 1855 Capt. John Lewis of Aurora’s Increase – 1855 Samuel James Robert Legerton, Coxswain – 1881 Samuel James Robert Legerton, Coxswain – 1884 (Second-Service clasp) Samuel James Robert Legerton, Coxswain – 1891 (Third-Service clasp) William Schofield, Coxswain – 1893 Maurice Nicholls, crew member – 1894 Robert Osborne, crew member – 1894 John Grier, crew member – 1894 Maurice Nicholls, crew member – 1899 (Second-Service clasp) Robert Osborne, crew member – 1899 (Second-Service clasp) George Grigson Snr, crew member – 1899 George James Grigson, Coxswain – 1914 George James Grigson, Coxswain – 1915 (Second-Service clasp) Jesse Lord Salmon, Second Coxswain – 1915 George James Grigson, Coxswain – 1918 (Third-Service clasp) Charles Raymond Ellis, Coxswain – 1940 Silver Medal, awarded by The French Government Each of the remaining 11 members of Clacton-on-Sea lifeboat crew – 1881 Silver Medal, awarded by The King of Denmark William Schofield, Coxswain – 1894 RNLI Bronze Medal Jesse Lord Salmon, Second Coxswain – 1918 David Howard Wells, Helm – 1992 The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum Frank Castle, Second Coxswain – 1940 Walter Harding, Motor Mechanic – 1940 George Ellis, Coxswain – 1967 Charles Bolingbroke, Coxswain – 1970 Charles Bolingbroke, Coxswain – 1971 Charles Bolingbroke, Coxswain – 1974 Terry M. Bolingbroke, crew member – 1992 Vellum Service Certificates Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat Crew – 1970. Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat Crew – 1974 The Ralph Glister Award 1991(for the most meritorious service of the year performed by a rescue boat crew) David Howard Wells, Helm – 1992 Terry Bolingbroke, crew member – 1992 Thomas Ridley, crew member – 1992 The Walter and Elizabeth Groombridge Award 1991(for the outstanding inshore lifeboat rescue of the year) David Howard Wells, Helm – 1992 Terry Bolingbroke, crew member – 1992 Thomas Ridley, crew member – 1992 A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat Crew – 1971 Thomas Ridley, crew member – 1992 Roll of honour In memory of those lost whilst serving Clacton-on-Sea lifeboat. Lost when RNLB Albert Edward capsized whilst responding to distress flares, 23 January 1884 James Cross, Second Coxswain (39) Thomas Cattermole (38) Suffered exposure whilst on service to the Norwegian vessel Bjarne on 14 January 1888, and died five days later Benjamin William Addis (50) Drowned after going aboard the barge Tam O'Shanter, which capsized without warning, 7 April 1943 Alfred Frank Castle, Second Coxswain (58) Clacton-on-Sea lifeboats Pulling and Sailing (P&S) lifeboats Pre ON numbers are unofficial numbers used by the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society to reference early lifeboats not included on the official RNLI list. All-weather lifeboats Inshore lifeboats D-Class B-Class Launch and recovery tractors See also List of RNLI stations List of former RNLI stations Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats Notes References External links Clacton-on-Sea RNLI lifeboat station