Aberdovey 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, with the RNIPLS becoming the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1854. Since 2016, the station has operated a B-class (Atlantic 85) Inshore lifeboat, RNLB Hugh Miles (B-896), launched by tractor. This station is classed as an RNLI "Discover" lifeboat station, which welcomes visitors normally during the summer months. History The first Aberdyfi lifeboat was placed on station in 1837, and managed by the Harbour Authority. Management of the station was transferred to the RNIPLS in 1853, which became the RNLI the following year. However, it would be another four years before a new boathouse was constructed in 1858, ready for the arrival of a new 30-foot 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, one with sails and (6) oars, and its carriage, in 1859. On 8 December 1862, crew member Owen Owen, aged 33, drowned when the lifeboat capsized whilst on exercise. In February 1863, David Williams was awarded an RNLI Silver Medal, for putting out to the stranded brig Friends. 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 the rescue of six crew of the stranded barque William Bromham. A new larger 10-oared lifeboat was supplied to the station in 1865, after it was found that the 6-oared lifeboat wasn't ideal for the locality. The lifeboat was funded by a donation of £489-16s-8d, raised in Berkshire by Charles Stevens, Banker, and Capt. A Butler, RN. After being displayed in Reading in September 1865, the boat was transported to Aberdovey free of charge by the Great Western and Cambrian railway companies, and following a procession to the river, was duly named Royal Berkshire. In 1886, a building plot was bought for £150 and a new boathouse constructed for £320. 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. His dependents were awarded £50 compensation by the RNLI's Committee of Management. A slipway for the lifeboat was built in 1903, at a cost of £300, to enable the lifeboat to be launched into the river. After operating for 94 years, Aberdovey Lifeboat Station was closed in 1931. The lifeboat on station at the time of closure, George and Margaret (ON 476), was sold to the Icelandic Lifeboat Service. She was last reported in storage in Sandgerði, Iceland, in 2023. 1960s onwards In 1963, in response to an increasing amount of water-based leisure activity, the RNLI began trials of small fast Inshore lifeboats, placed at various locations around the country. These were easily launched with just a few people, ideal to respond quickly to local emergencies. This quickly proved to be very successful. In 1963, there were 226 rescues or attempted rescues in the summer months, as a result of which 225 lives were saved. Aberdovey Lifeboat Station was reopened in 1963 at the Outward Bound Sea School, as an Inshore lifeboat station, supplied with a D-class (RFD PB16) lifeboat. In 1974, the smaller D-class lifeboat was replaced by the larger twin-engined B-class (Atlantic 21) Inshore lifeboat. 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. 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. She replaced B-559, which was transferred to the British Virgin Islands as a rescue craft. In 2016, the B-class (Atlantic 85) Inshore lifeboat Hugh Miles (B-896) replaced Sandwell Lifeline. The lifeboat was funded from the legacy of Joan Miles, in memory of her late son. Station honours A number of awards have been made to recognise exemplary service. RNLI Silver Medal 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 RNLI Bronze Medal 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, Helm – 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 Member, Order of the British Empire (MBE) David Eilian Williams – 2014QBH Roll of honour In memory of those lost whilst serving Aberdovey lifeboat. 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 Pulling and Sailing (P&S) lifeboats 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 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 Aberdovey RNLI Lifeboat Station