# Rhosneigr Lifeboat Station

Rhosneigr Lifeboat Station was located in the village of Rhosneigr on the west coast of the Isle of Anglesey, Wales.
A lifeboat was first stationed here by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1872, following a series of shipwrecks in Rhosneigr Bay.
With just 7 launches and 2 lives saved in the previous 20 years, the Rhosneigr Lifeboat Station was closed in 1924.

## History

In 1872, the RNLI agreed to open a lifeboat station at Rhosneigr. A 30-foot 10-oared self-righting lifeboat was ordered, and a boathouse was constructed, costing £254-5s-0d. A gift of £600, made to the RNLI from a Mrs Lingham, in memory of her late husband, was allocated to the station. On 19 September 1872, the station was formally opened, and Mrs Lingham named the lifeboat Thomas Lingham.
An extraordinary rescue took place on 30 March 1883. Called to the aid of the vessel Norman Court of Greenock, the Rhosneigr lifeboat was beaten by the conditions, and also lost a crew member when he was washed overboard. The Holyhead lifeboat was towed to the scene by steam tug, but they too failed to reach the wreck, returning to Holyhead. The Rocket Brigade then failed to get a line to the wreck. The Rhosneigr crew launched once more, only to be beaten by the conditions again, returning to station absolutely exhausted. A request was made for a replacement crew from Holyhead, with the Holyhead railway company arranging an engine to transport the crew. This time, the Holyhead crew in the Rhosneigr boat were successful, and 20 men were rescued from the Norman Court. Holyhead coxswain Thomas Roberts received the RNLI Silver Medal.
A tragedy struck Rhosneigr on 28 December 1894, when a young man was run over by the lifeboat carriage during the launch. No effective service was carried out, and William Roberts died of his injuries a few days later.
There would be four lifeboats stationed at Rhosneigr between 1872 and 1924, and all retained the name Thomas Lingham. In 1897, Thomas Lingham (ON 277) was called to the aid of the Ann Jane of Portmadoc, in Cymyran Bay. The 3½ ton lifeboat was pulled 3 miles along sand and through a river to reach a launching point, but managed to rescue the 5 crew and 1 passenger. When the lifeboat was replaced in 1904, the lighter 34-foot Self-righting (Rubie) lifeboat was provided, the Thomas Lingham (ON 533), weighing just 2 tons 6 cwts.
Rhosneigr had been a relatively busy station when it first opened, with 45 lives saved in 13 years, 10 lives saved in 1890, and 13 rescued in the following 13 years. But calls and rescues had dramatically reduced in the early 1900s,and the decision was made to close Rhosneigr Lifeboat Station in 1924. The boathouse still stands, and is currently a boathouse / store. The Thomas Lingham (ON 533) was transferred to the relief fleet until being sold in 1937. The boat is currently with Holyhead Maritime Museum for restoration.

## Blackburn Botha Crash 1941

On 28 August 1941, an RAF Blackburn Botha with three aboard, crashed into the sea off Rhosneigr, in gale force conditions and particularly rough seas. With no lifeboat at Rhosneigr, and with the Holyhead lifeboat away for repairs, the nearest lifeboat was two hours away at Porthdinllaen.
Stewart Wood and Derrick Baynham, both aged 17, set out in a small dinghy to effect a rescue. They reached the plane, taking the pilot on board, but then their dinghy capsized, and the two boys were lucky to survive. Nine men launched a boat to the rescue, but that too was capsized. Some people who tried to swim out to the aircraft were also drowned. In all, 11 men died trying to save the three airmen, who all perished.
The following awards were made:
* George Medal
* RNLI Silver Medal
* Cigarette case, awarded by General Sikorski, Commander of Polish forces.
       Derek Hubert Baynham, Schoolboy
       John Leslie Stewart Wood, Schoolboy
* RNLI Bronze Medal
       C. Jackson, Sergeant, RA
       T. Taylor, Lance Bombardier, RA
       J. W. Parkinson, Gunner, RA
       Albert E. Atkinson, Aircraftman 1, RAF
In 1991, a memorial was placed outside Rhosneigr fire station to commemorate those lost:
       T. A. Dixon, Aircrew
       F. C. Glockler, Aircrew
       K. S. Rosiewioz, Pilot
       George C. Arthur, Policeman, RNLI Bronze Medal (post.)
       D. W. Bannister
       Reginald Eaton, Gunner, RA, RNLI Bronze Medal (post.)
       L. A. Ford
       Evan Jones, Boatman, H.M. Coastguard, RNLI Bronze Medal (post.)
       Alfred W. Moger, Battery Sergeant Major, RA, RNLI Bronze Medal (post.)
       Arthur J. Owen, Second Officer, Merchant Navy, RNLI Bronze Medal (post.)
       R. K. Simons
       Clarence H. Thornton, Gunner, RA, RNLI Bronze Medal (post.)
       Peter T. Whysall, Second Lieutenant, RA, RNLI Bronze Medal (post.)
       S. Wilkins

## Rhosneigr lifeboats

| ON | Name | In service | Class | Comments |
| Pre-569 | Thomas Lingham | 1874–1885 | 30-foot Self-righting (P&S) | |
| Pre-641 | Thomas Lingham | 1885–1890 | 32-foot Self-righting (P&S) | Formerly Joseph Sykes at Upgang |
| 277 | Thomas Lingham | 1890–1903 | 34-foot 1in Self-righting (P&S) | |
| 533 | Thomas Lingham | 1904–1924 | 34-foot Self-righting (Rubie) | |
* ↑ 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.