# Ayr Lifeboat Station

Ayr Lifeboat Station was latterly located next to the River Ayr near New Bridge, on South Harbour Street in Ayr, a harbour town and former Royal Burgh, overlooking the Firth of Clyde and the Isle of Arran, in the county of South Ayrshire, historically Ayrshire, on the south-west coast of Scotland.
A lifeboat was first stationed at Ayr, by the Ayr Harbour Commissioners. The management of the station transferred to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1859.
Ayr Lifeboat Station closed in 1932.

## History

In the RNLI journal 'The Lifeboat' in October 1859, it was reported that a new unnamed 32-foot self righting 'Pulling and Sailing (P&S) lifeboat, one with 12 oars, double-banked, and sails, along with a transporting carriage, had been placed at Ayr at the request of the Port of Ayr Harbour Commissioners. Harbour and port operators were required by the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 to provide a lifeboat, but this one had been allowed to fall into a state of decay, prompting the request to the RNLI.
A lifeboat house was constructed next to the River Ayr, at the north-west end of South Harbour Street.
Only a few months after being placed on station, the Ayr lifeboat was launched to the aid of the barque Niagara of Troon, driven ashore at Black Rock 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Ayr harbour, in a strong North-west gale, having only recently embarked on a passage to Syros, Greece. The Master, needing medical attention, was brought ashore first, but wished his crew to remain with the vessel, in the hope of saving her. As conditions and the vessel deteriorated, the lifeboat put out again, and rescued the remaining 11 crew, before the Niagara became a total wreck.
In 1867, the Ayr lifeboat was found to be unfit for service, and was withdrawn. In its place, a new 32-foot self-righting lifeboat was assigned to the station, along with a new launching carriage. The cost of the boat was defrayed by monies from the Glasgow Workmen's Lifeboat Fund, especially through the efforts of Mr G. Norval. Before being sent to Ayr, the lifeboat was first transported to Glasgow by rail, where after being exhibited, it was named Glasgow Workman by Miss Norval, and then launched into the River Clyde for testing, including a capsize exercise. The lifeboat was then transported again by rail to Ayr. The Institution wished to express its thanks to the London and North Western, Caledonian, and Glasgow and South Western Railway Companies for having conveyed both lifeboat and carriage free of charge.
In a strong North-west gale on 29 April 1868, the schooner John C. Wade of Newry was stranded off Troon harbour. The Ayr lifeboat Glasgow Workman was launched, and after great difficulty, managed to rescue the five crewmen aboard.
After 20-years service, the Glasgow Workman was retired from service, and a new 34-foot lifeboat was placed at the station. The lifeboat arrived at Ayr railway station on 10 March 1887, and then followed a grand procession to the slip dock. Escorted by mounted police, the lifeboat and crew were drawn on its carriage by a team of horses, followed by the lifeboat committee, and groups from the Town Council, Custom House Officers, Volunteers (Artillery), the Rocket Brigade, Volunteers (Rifle), Ancient Order of Shepherds, Ancient Order of Foresters, Free Gardeners, Good Templars, and a very large crowd, accompanied by the Ayr Burgh Band.
After a service of dedication, the lifeboat, the gift of Mr. Thomas Kinkade Hardie of London, was named Janet Hoyle (ON 87), after his wife. In front of a large number of spectators, the boat was then launched into the harbour to be demonstrated. A steam-crane was used to capsize the boat, which self-righted immediately. The Janet Hoyle (ON 87) would be the first of three boats to carry the same name, all funded by the same donor.
At some point between 1895 and 1908, a new lifeboat house was constructed at the junction of South Harbour Road and Fort Street, likely due to the construction of a harbour railway line in 1900, which required the site of the original boathouse.
At a meeting of the RNLI committee of management on Thursday 14 January 1932, it was decided to close Ayr Lifeboat Station. Motor-powered lifeboats had been placed at the flanking stations of Troon (1929) and Girvan (1931), effectively rendering a Pulling and Sailing lifeboat obsolete. The lifeboat house at the Fort Street and South Harbour Road junction still stands. The lifeboat on station at the time of closure, Janet Hoyle (ON 604) was sold from service, and used privately for the next 84 years, finally being broken up in 2016.

## Station honours

The following are awards made at Ayr
* RNLI Silver Medal
       Peter Murdoch, fisherman - 1882

## Ayr lifeboats

| ON | Name | Built | In service | Class |
| Pre-337 | Unnamed | 1858 | 1859−1867 | 32-foot Self-righting (P&S) |
| Pre-498 | Glasgow Workman | 1867 | 1867−1887 | 32-foot Self-righting (P&S) |
| 87 | Janet Hoyle | 1887 | 1887−1896 | 34-foot Self-righting (P&S) |
| 386 | Janet Hoyle | 1896 | 1896−1910 | 34-foot Self-righting (P&S) |
| 604 | Janet Hoyle | 1909 | 1910−1932 | 35-foot Liverpool (P&S) |
* ↑ 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.