page_title: William Adams (lifesaver)
section_title: Notable rescues and awards
hierarchical_section_title: William Adams (lifesaver) / Notable rescues and awards
caption_attribution_description: This is a photo of the 1st of two entries that William Adams has in the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust Roll of Honour. This beautifully illustrated book is on permanent display at the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum in Dunfermline, Scotland.
context_page_description: William Adams was a lifesaver, swimmer and swimming instructor from Gorleston on the east coast of England. He made his first rescue at the age of 11 and went on to save a total of 140 lives. He is one of only four people to have received the Royal Humane Society bronze medal with three clasps in relation to numerous rescues from the sea at Gorleston. William Adams also has the distinction of having his name appear twice in the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust Roll of Honour. He was known as "The Hero of Gorleston Pier" and also as "Professor" Adams in recognition of the expert swimming tuition he provided.
context_section_description: William Adams developed into a highly proficient swimmer at an early age. He made his first rescue when only 11 by saving the life of a young girl who had fallen from the pier into the sea. This event marked the beginning of a lifetime of lifesaving.
  Adams took up employment as a tinsmith in the winter months. However, every summer he would return to his alternative occupation as a proprietor of beach huts and swimming instructor on Gorleston beach. Consequently, he was usually close at hand if a bather required assistance. He was never a member of a lifeboat crew and instead saved lives by swimming or diving to the aid of the stricken swimmer.
  In 1890 William Adams was the proud recipient of the Royal Humane Society's bronze medal for his bravery in rescuing a local lad named Robert Drane. He soon became well known as the "Hero of Gorleston Pier" and reports of his rescues appeared with great regularity in the local, national and also international press.
  In 1896 a Norwich man called Rimmington got into difficulties whilst bathing in the sea at Gorleston. A man called Collins, from London, went to his aid but soon also found himself in danger as Rimmington panicked and clutched to him frantically. It was at this point that Adams became aware, swam to the two men and brought them both ashore together on his back. For this "double rescue" William Adams was presented with a row of four bathing huts.
  Another famous rescue occurred when Adams swam out to sea and brought safely to shore a rowing boat which contained two couples. The vessel had drifted dangerously out to sea and appeared to be unmanageable by the occupants.
  He was honoured on numerous occasions in recognition of his outstanding life saving record. In 1906 the Mayor of Great Yarmouth presented Adams with an illuminated address. The testimonial, signed by 90 subscribers, stated that he had saved 77 lives up to that time.
caption: The 1st of two entries for William Adams in the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust Roll of Honour
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