A CORNISH lifeboat station is marking the anniversary of the RNLI with a series of key historic events and rescues which saw crewmembers rewarded.

To mark the 200th anniversary of the RNLI, Falmouth Lifeboat Station will commemorate and honour the sacrifice and commitment of past lifesavers, by highlighting a series of posts on some of the key events in its history on Facebook.

Falmouth Lifeboat Station was first established in April 1867 in response to the number of shipwrecks that occurred in the Falmouth area. Since then, a total of five gallantry medals have been awarded by the RNLI to Falmouth lifeboat volunteers, including one silver and four bronze.

Falmouth Packet: Falmouth inshore lifeboatIn addition to this, the RNLI has awarded six gallantry medals – two gold and four silver to other people for their part in saving lives in very difficult conditions. Three of these occurred before Falmouth Lifeboat Station was established.

According to Falmouth Lifeboat Station’s Facebook page, the first of many callouts happened on January 7, 1828, when on passage from Newfoundland to Poole, the brig Larch under the command of Captain Collingwood, laden with fish, oil and lumber sought shelter from a south-easterly gale by running into Falmouth harbour.

Sailing pilot cutters were unable to put to sea. The Larch consequently entered port without assistance and anchored close to the shore. Larch later dragged her anchor, hoisted a distressed signal, and grounded on rocks near Trefusis.

Falmouth Packet: Falmouth RNLI lifeboat 1867-1887Falmouth RNLI lifeboat 1867-1887 William Broad, Lloyd’s agent in Falmouth put to sea in a six-oared gig and was followed by a pilot. Broad managed to get on board but efforts to free the ship failed as the gale continued. With night falling, the safety of those onboard was in peril.

At the suggestion of Captain Sutton of a Packet ship, the inhabitants of Flushing lit tar barrels to light the scene. The masts of the Larch were cut away, with a hawser sent to the shore. Using an empty basket made fast to the hawser the crew and three passengers were brought ashore.  

For his outstanding gallantry, William Broad was awarded a gold medal by the RNLI on June 10, 1829.

The second serious call-out took place two years later December 6, 1830. Whilst on passage from Guadeloupe to Le Havre, the French brig Le Bon Pere encountered a strong gale whilst off Falmouth. Oneshore people saw the brig ground near Towan Beach a few miles east of Falmouth.

Falmouth Packet: Falmouth lifeboat crew and station members with George Rawlinson, RNLI Operations Director at Falmouth Lifeboat Station in 2017 Falmouth lifeboat crew and station members with George Rawlinson, RNLI Operations Director at Falmouth Lifeboat Station in 2017 Lt. William James, who was a visitor to the area stripped off and swam through the surf to the vessel with a rope tied around his body. Swept towards the shore in the heavy seas, James once again swam out this time reaching the sailing ship. He managed to bring a rope ashore allowing the master, mate, a French lieutenant and seven seamen to safely reach the shore. For this act of bravery, he was awarded a gold medal on January 5, 1831.

Valentine's Day, 1838 saw Falmouth swept by hurricane-force winds which lasted for more than 24 hours. At the height of the bad weather, two men were observed on board a coal hulk in the harbour, which was flying a coal bag from its mast, indicating that she was in trouble. Lt. George Field, RN acting master of the South Australian Commission’s brig Rapid saw the men’s plights. He managed to bribe a local crew to man a six-oared gig to take him to the coal hulk whereupon the men were rescued. He was awarded a silver medal on May 9, 1838.