Beaumaris Lifeboat Station

Beaumaris Lifeboat Station is located at The Green in Beaumaris, a town overlooking the eastern entrance to the Menai Strait, on the south-east coast of the Isle of Anglesey, in North Wales. A lifeboat was first stationed here by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1891. For many years, Beaumaris was home to four different Inshore lifeboats, all named Blue Peter II after funds were raised by the BBC TV programme, but since 2010, the station has operated the B-class (Atlantic 85) Inshore lifeboat Annette Mary Liddington (B-838). History On 7 November 1890, in rough seas and gale-force conditions, a vessel appeared to be in distress in the Menai Strait. The Penmon lifeboat Christopher Brown was launched, but on arrival, assistance was declined. With other vessels making for safety, the lifeboat stayed afloat, ready to assist. The schooner Undaunted of Plymouth was then seen flying signals of distress, having lost her anchor, and drifting towards the Lavan Sands. After rescuing the crew of five, the lifeboat was caught by a wave, and capsized. The boat soon self-righted, and all regained the boat, which was then beached at Aber on the mainland. Following this, the Penmon crew requested of the RNLI, that a larger sailing lifeboat be placed in the Menai Strait. Beaumaris Lifeboat Station was established with the arrival of the 42-foot lifeboat Henry Dundas (ON 271), previously at St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, on 6 October 1891. The boat was moored afloat, and renamed Tom and Jenny. The lifeboat was called on service six times over the following four years, rescuing two lives. However, in 1896, a new larger boat was placed at Penmon, and the Beaumaris station was closed on 16 April 1896. Tom and Jenny (ON 271) would be transferred to Rosslare Harbour, where she would serve for a further 15 years. In 1910, it was decided to re-open the Beaumaris station, and place a motor-powered lifeboat there. Construction began of a new boathouse, pier and deep-water roller-slipway near Tre-Castell Point, costing £4,500. An order was placed with Thames Ironworks for a 43-foot Watson-class lifeboat, with a 60-hp Tylor 'D' petrol engine, providing 7½ knots, and costing a further £3,727. Completed in August 1913, she was first taken to Cowes Regatta, where a short trip was taken by King George V. The boat remained in Cowes due to construction delays with the new boathouse, eventually arriving in Beaumaris in July 1914, where it would be named Frederick Kitchen (ON 621). Over the following 31 years at Beaumaris, Frederick Kitchen would launch 38 times, and rescue 46. The Penmon station was subsequently closed on 31 March 1915. In 1966, the BBC Television programme Blue Peter launched an appeal for 60,000 paperback books, the sale of which would fund a new Inshore lifeboat for the RNLI. Such was the success of the appeal, that four new Blue Peter lifeboats were provided. The programme would eventually fund 28 lifeboats, located around the UK and Northern Ireland. Beaumaris would receive their first Inshore lifeboat, Blue Peter II (D-127), in 1967. A small boathouse was erected near Victoria Terrace, replaced with a more permanent building nearer the pier in 1975. Further works were carried out to extend the building in 1983 and 1991, with a completely new station being built in 2000. Blue Peter II (D-127) would serve for 7 years, launching 123 times, and saving 45 lives. She would be replaced by a larger B-class (Atlantic 75) lifeboat in 1976, and two further Atlantic type boats, all named Blue Peter II. After her service at Beaumaris, Blue Peter II (D-127) would go on display at Flambards Theme Park, Helston. In 1991, with a Mersey-class lifeboat stationed at Llandudno, and a Tyne-class lifeboat at Moelfre, it was decided to close the boathouse and slipway near Tre-Castell Point, which was subsequently demolished. Beaumaris lifeboat The Robert (ON 955) was withdrawn and retired from service on 7 July 1991. In 2010, Beaumaris received their latest Inshore lifeboat, an B-class (Atlantic 85) lifeboat, Annette Mary Liddington (B-838), the boat being funded by local donations, and from the bequest of Mr John Grover Liddington, in memory of his mother. Station honours The following are awards made at Beaumaris RNIPLS Silver Medal David Griffiths, Seaman – 1830 William Lewis Walker, Collegian – 1831 (Medal and Silver Boat, double award) Ralph Williamson, Capt. of yacht Campeadora – 1831 (Medal and Silver Boat, double award) RNLI Bronze Medal David Gallichan, Coxswain – 1982 The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum John Charles Askew, Helm – 1976 David Jones, Helm – 1978 Vellum Service Certificates John Askew, crew member – 1978 Simon Dubberley, crew member – 1978 Dr Jack Dubberley, crew member – 1978 A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution Beaumaris Coxswain and Crew – 1959 Martin Broughton, crew member – 1998 Beaumaris lifeboats and tractors Pulling and Sailing (P&S) lifeboats Station Closed 1896–1914 Motor lifeboats All-weather lifeboat withdrawn in 1991 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 Beaumaris RNLI Lifeboat Station