# Ardmore Lifeboat Station

Ardmore Lifeboat Station was located at the junction of Main street and Cois Trá in Ardmore, a seaside resort and fishing village in County Waterford, on the south coast of Ireland.
A lifeboat station was first established at Ardmore in 1858 by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Ardmore Lifeboat Station was closed in 1895.

## History

In the October 1858 edition of the RNLI journal 'The Lifeboat', it was announced that a lifeboat station had been established at Ardmore, in County Waterford, Ireland. A 28-foot 6-oared Self-righting 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, one with oars and sails, had been placed at the station, along with a carriage for transportation. Local donations had contributed to the construction of a boathouse, and annual subscriptions had been promised towards the upkeep of the station.
Just two more lifeboat were to be placed at Ardmore. No records of any launch or rescues are available. The smaller 28-foot 6-oared lifeboat was replaced in 1865, with a larger 32-foot 10-oared boat. The lifeboat was named Salomon at the request of an anonymous donor. Both old and new lifeboats, and carriages, were transported between London and Waterford free of charge by the British and Irish Steam Packet Company.
In September 1880, Ardmore would receive their third and final lifeboat. Funded by Miss A. M. Hooper of Bristol, the boat was named Hooper (ON 303). Both old and new lifeboats were given free passage between London and Cork, by the City of Cork Steamship Company.
On Thursday, 14th February, 1895, the RNLI committee of management read the report on the visit to stations by the deputy Chief Inspector of Lifeboats. It was subsequently decided that Ardmore Lifeboat Station should be closed.
The lifeboat on station at the time, Hooper, was sold locally. The fine granite built lifeboat house still remains, and is now a private residence.

## Notable rescues

In a south-east gale on 26 December 1860, the brigantine Diana of Frederikshavn, on passage from Bordeaux to Belfast with a cargo of wheat and brandy, struck a reef in Ardmore Bay. The Ardmore lifeboat was launched, with one vacant seat being filled by local gentleman John S. Roderick. The lifeboat failed to get close to the wreck, but eventually two lines were attached, and the lifeboat was pulled in close. Seven of the eight crew were rescued, but one man was left aboard. When the wreck was driven closer inshore, he jumped into the sea with a makeshift raft, and was pulled ashore. It was reported that the lifeboat had been badly damaged. Four RNLI Silver Medals were awarded, including one to Mr. Roderick.

## Station honours

The following are awards made at Ardmore.
* RNLI Silver Medal
       William Corbert, Coxswain - 1861
       Richard Halse, boatman, H.M. Coastguard Ardmore - 1861
       William Stewart, boatman, H.M. Coastguard Ardmore - 1861
       John S. Roderick - 1861

## Ardmore lifeboat

| ON | Name | Built | In service | Class |
| Pre-328 | Unnamed | 1858 | 1858–1865 | 28-foot Self-righting (P&S) |
| Pre-433 | Salomon | 1865 | 1865–1880 | 32-foot Self-righting (P&S) |
| 303 | Hooper | 1880 | 1880–1895 | 34-foot Self-righting (P&S) |
    Station Closed, 1895
* ↑ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
    Pre ON numbers are unofficial numbers used by the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society to reference early lifeboats not included on the official RNLI list.