Station History | RNLI

RNLI Lifeboats have been guarding the dangerous Burry Estuary, which includes Carmarthen Bay eastward to Loughor together with the north coastline of the Gower Peninsula since 1852. The first Lifeboat was at Llanelly. It was provided by the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Benevolent Society. The boat was 26 feet long by 6 feet 4ins. pulled by 8 oars double banked. In 1854 the SFMBS handed over the boat to the newly named RNLI. The crews of this Lifeboat did sterling work over the next nine years including rescues at the extraordinary Broughton Bay disaster in 1868.

A subsequent lifeboat was made of iron. This boat served from 1869 to 1871,The Burry Estuary is one of the windiest areas in Britain and the majority of ship wrecks during the 19th Century occurred within its western approaches. The Llanelly Lifeboat was too far eastward to be effective. It was decided to build a new lifeboat house at Pembrey. From November 1863 the Pembrey boat was stationed close to the old Pembrey harbour. Subsequent storms put the boathouse in jeopardy. It was then decided to build a second boathouse in a plantation nearer to the village of Pembrey.

This boathouse was furnished with a new lifeboat named 'Stanton Meyrick of Pimlico. She was 32 feet long and had ten oars plus a coxswain. This boat was in service from 1871 to October 1886. Over this period it was found that windblown sand constantly blocked the main doors and this boathouse was abandoned in October 1886.

A new lifeboat house was built in 1887 and stands to this day on the eastern side of Burry Port Harbour. Between the years 1887 and 1914 three successive lifeboats all named the 'David Barclay of Tottenham' were in service at Burry Port. These lifeboats were launched on a wheeled carriage running on rails across the quay and down a stone slipway into the harbour waters. During this period of 27 years no less than 34 lives were saved from drowning.

The constant need for a lifeboat at Burry Port diminished and on 2nd April 1914 the Station was closed down and the Lifeboat sold locally in the following month. The coastal area was now covered by the Ferryside Lifeboat. On June 30th 1960 the Ferryside station was closed down and the Tenby and Mumbles stations could cover any likely contingencies at that time.
However during the next 13 years boating activity in Carmarthen Bay increased dramatically and instances of drowning reached an alarming level. Something had to be done to protect lives at sea.

A small group of eminent local mariners, including our first President and Lord Lieutenant, Sir David Mansel Lewis, decided to request the RNLI headquarters at Poole to re-establish a new lifeboat at Burry Port. It was also requested that the old existing boathouse be used to accommodate the new boat and all its necessary equipment.

The RNLI acknowledged the dire need to establish a new lifeboat on an urgent basis. The old 1887 Lifeboat House was then re-opened, re-furbished, and from 1973 a new ILB (Inshore Lifeboat) number D220 was put on service.

Mr Herwood Phillips of Harbour View was then appointed the new Station's Honorary Secretary. He was tasked with the establishment of a well-trained and qualified crew and also a working Boathouse Committee.

The following year, an enthusiastic Ladies Guild was established to deal with local fund-raising for the RNLI.

Ladies Guilds, now re-named Lifeboat Fundraising Branches to increase the eligibility of volunteers, are a vital source of income to the RNLI with each Branch having its own working committee. To date the fundraisers at Burry Port have raised well over £100,000.

Since 1973, a keen cavalcade of dedicated young men and women have served and given their total commitment to the Lifeboat Institution.

Many have completed 20 years and more as volunteers and this has been duly acknowledged by many long service awards.

Following a Coastal review in 2009, the need for a second larger, more powerful craft was identified, and on 30th July 2010 a second type of lifeboat, an Atlantic 75 was added to supplement the D Class.

In 2013 it was agreed that a new lifeboat station needed to be built to accommodate both boats as the existing boathouse was no longer fit for purpose and the temporary building housing the Atlantic craft was well passed its lifespan.

Several sets of plans were drawn up to ensure the building met with the brief from the County Council, that the build had to be of an iconic design and able to integrate with the proposed regeneration scheme for the harbour area.

The new Lifeboat Station was opened in Sept 2019 by Charles Hunter-Pease OBE and a new Atlantic 85 ‘Misses Barrie’ was commissioned on the same day.

Since the reopening of the station in September 1973 to date, the Burry Port Lifeboats have launched on more than 1000 service calls (2019), undoubtedly saving many lives and landing or assisting hundreds of casualties.

As a charity the Royal National Lifeboat Institution relies entirely on the support of the general public to train and equip its volunteer crews throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

1869

1875

1887

1890

1914

1973

1994

2001

2003

2011

2012

2019

1869

The Llanelly station was re-opened at Pembrey, after some local pressure. A special iron lifeboat provided and place on pilot/light vessel CERES (see Lifeboat Journal October 1869). This was wrecked in October 1870. The lifeboat and stores were recovered, but station closed.

1875

Lifeboat Journal August gives full description of Pembrey.

1887

Pembrey closed owing to constant increase of sand in the locality.

1887

The Institution formed a new lifeboat establishment at Burry Port, near Llanelly, and placed there a large lifeboat, 37 feet long, 8 feet wide and rowing 12 oars. This station became a necessity on the closure of the station at Pembrey due to the constant increase of sand there. The cost of the station has been defrayed from a legacy bequeathed by the late Mrs J S Barclay of Edmonton and, in accordance with her wishes, the boat was named David Barclay of Tottenham after her late husband. Lifeboat house cost £250 to construct, less allowance of £50 for old Pembrey lifeboat house.

1890

Terms agreed with local tug owners for use of their tugs, £15 each time tug towed out lifeboat on service and £5 on exercise.

1914

Station closed as the estuary was amply guarded by the neighbouring lifeboat station.

1973

Station re-opened with a D class lifeboat that became operational on 20 September.

1994

Extensive work to the boathouse was carried out in order to provide improved crew facilities.

New D class lifeboat D472 was placed on service on 18 October.

2001

Following the visit on 5 September 2001 by the Coast Review delegation, led by Commodore R C Hastie, it was agreed by the Search and Rescue Committee on 6 February 2002 and resolved by the Executive Committee at their meeting on 10 April 2002 that there be no change to the lifeboat cover provided at Burry Port Lifeboat Station. It was also resolved that the potential use of a hovercraft in this area be further investigated along with the longer term requirement for a B class Altantic/FIBI inshore lifeboat.

2003

The new station D class lifeboat D611 The Young Watsons was placed on service on 17 September 2003. This lifeboat was funded by Mr and Mrs WK Bache. Lifeboat D472 Kip and Kath has been withdrawn to the relief fleet

2011

The new station D class lifeboat D749 Diane Hilary was placed on service in December 2011. This lifeboat was provided by generous support of Mr David Cole. Lifeboat D611 The Young Watsons has been withdrawn to the relief fleet

2012

Following the visit on Wednesday 25 January 2012 by the Coast Review delegation, led by Rear Admiral John Tolhurst, it was agreed by the Operations Committee on 21 March 2012 and resolved by the Trustee Board at their meeting on 4 April 2012 that there be no change to the lifeboat cover provided by Burry Port Lifeboat Station and that the requirement for a B Class ILB is resolved on completion of the current trial in 2013.

2019

July: The new Atlantic A85 The Misses Barrie B915 was commissioned

September: The new lifeboat Station was officially opened by Charles Hunter-Pease OBE

Past Service Lifeboats

D-220 (1973-1987) donated by Tiverton Swimming Club

D-331 (1987-1995) ‘Dorothy Way’
(Funded by legacy)

D-472 (1995-2003) ‘Kip and Kath
(Funded by legacy)

D-611 (2003 to 2011) ‘The Young Watsons’ donated by Bill and Ann Bache.

B-768 (2010 to 2011) ‘Blue Peter II’ donated to the RNLI by the BBC’s children’s programme Blue Peter.

B-731 (2011 to 2014) ‘Dorothy Selina’ donated by Pat & Erica Russel

B-777 (2014 to 2019)
‘Leicester Challenge II’

Current Service Lifeboats

D-749 (2011 to date) ‘Diane Hilary’ donated by David Cole

B-915 (2019 to date) 'The Misses Barrie' donated by The Misses Barrie Trust

Before the advent of the current range of media, if you needed to show news, feats of courage or just informing people, the main platform for this was newsprint.

Below we have found a selection of newspaper cuttings.

Before the advent of the current range of media, if you needed to show news, feats of courage or just informing people, the main platform for this was newsprint.

Below we have found a selection of newspaper cuttings.

Believed to be the only photographic record of the third lifeboat to serve Burry Port which was launched in June 1887. The 15-man crew of the “David Barclay of Tottenham” wore cork lifejackets and red caps. In the background is the base of the Copperworks stack. There was no Carmarthen Bay Power Station, for this was the Victorian era. But the lifeboat was following a fine tradition in Burry Port. The two previous lifecraft in the town had saved the lives of 34 people.

Transcript: The commissioning of the Burry Port Inshore Life-Boat Station on Saturday marks a full circle in the maritime history of Burry Port.

From the days of the wreckers, the men of the little hatchets, to the busy coal and tin trading Victorian era and on to the present boom in leisure persuits on the water, salt water has been the lifeblood of Burry Port.

It is fitting therefore that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in their 150th year, should restore to Burry Port a lifecraft.

The commissioning ceremony is at Burry Port Harbour Boat House on Saturday at 3.30pm.

Burry Port Band will be in attendance and so too will be Burry Port Male Voice Choir, conducted by Mr D A Bowen and Mrs Madge Pryor respectively.

The order of service follows remarkably that of the last commissioning of a rescue boat in Burry Port in 1887, as is illustrated in the historical article on accompanying pages.

The R.N.L.I were approached by Coun. Herwood Phillips to establish a lifecraft in the town in 1965.

But Burry Port could at that time only be added to the priority list until it eventually came to the top.

The high incidence of tragedies in and around the town’s waters have heightened the need for a lifecraft in the town.

History Repeats itself but proves there have been four lifeboats in Burry Port

By Ron Cant.

Very little is known about the lifeboat’s that have served in the Burry Estuary. It is commonly believed that the boat to be launched on Saturday is the second for Burry Port. It is, in fact, it’s the fourth.

The new rubber inshore rescue boat is the second to be housed in the boathouse on the harbour side.

Another lifeboat was kept at the Pembury Old Harbour.

But the first boat for Pembury and Burry Port was housed in a boathouse situated in the plantation in the edge of the golf links between Burry Port and the Royal Ordnance Factory, Pembrey.

The following information on the former lifeboat to be stationed at Burry Port was researched by Mr John Williams, of Elkington Road, Burry Port. The old photographs of Lady Elkington, who performed the launching of the lifeboat, believed to be the only photographic record of the craft, are from a history collection gathered by Mr Brian Cripps of Pemberton Avenue, Burry Port.

The third lifeboat in Burry Port and the first to be housed on the harbour side was launched on Tuesday, June 16, 1887. It was christened by Lady G.B. Elkington.

The lifeboat, of wooden clatter board construction, was 37 feet long and 8 feet wide. It was manned by a crew of 15 men with accommodation for 12 oars and was built by Messrs, Forrest of London. The lifeboat was the fruit of a legacy bequeathed to the Royal Naval Lifeboat Institute by Mrs Stewart Barcley of Edmonton and the entire costs, including the boathouse, boat, equipment and the storage was about £1,000.

Representatives of the donor present at the launching included Mr. T. Kilsby, Miss Stantin and Miss Epworth. Captain Laprimandy represented by the R.N.L.I.

The ceremonies started at 2pm. On the opposite wall, where the Harbour View now is, was the old lifeboat “Stanton Merick of Pimlico” which was said in the following edition of the “Llanelli County Guardian” to be “looking ancient and obsolete in comparison with the new lifeboat”. The boathouse still the one that is being used today, after a face-lift by the Urban Council, was constructed by Messrs. Christopher and Griffiths.

The Pembrey Lifeboat Station was founded in 1863 with two lifeboats. In the 25 years before they were superseded by the Burry Port boats, they had gone to the rescue of eight wrecks saving the lives of 34 persons.

The Burry Port Lifeboat Committee set up for the new Burry Port boats were President, General Malcolm, Vice-president, Mr Charles Neville, Chairman, Capt. Luckraft R.N., and secretary, Mr Gerald B Elkington.

The following is a report of the launching ceremony lifted from the following week’s edition of the “Guardian”.

“Near the lifeboat house were Nessers Hugh Nevill, T Chivers, the Rev Henry Evans, Capt. Risley, Capt. Jones, Capt. Laprimandy and Lady Elkington.

At 3pm and after some delay the lifeboat crew, 15 in number, marched down the road, wearing their cork jackets and red caps. The following crew took their seats in the boat.

Chief Coxswain W Blair, Second Coxswain J. Gravell and crew Messrs: R Thomas, Edward Gravell, D Charles, W Gillard, J.N.O. James, T Jenkins, Isaac Arnold, Richard Arnold, David Gravell, Williams Francis, John Charles, George Groon, Richard Williams.

Large crowds gathered on the dock walls and photographer Mr McLucas was ready with camera poised.

In is opening address, Mr Hugh Nevill said this was the third boat which had been received at Pembrey and Burry Port and also the third boathouse. The first boat was called the “City of Bath” given by the gentlemen of Bath. The second boat was the “Stanton Merick of Pimlico” given by the gentlemen of that name and the third boat was the “David Barclay of Tottenham”

The first boathouse said Mr Nevill, had been washed away by the sea. The second was partially buried by sand. Because of these mishaps, the third boathouse has been situated at the new harbour.

The daughter of Coxswain Blair, presented Lady Elkington with a bouquet at St Mary’s Church. The Choir sang “Eternal Father Strong to save” and the Burry Port Town Band accompanied. The choir was led by Mr Jas S Bevan. The Vicar, The Rev. Henry Evans offered an appropriate prayer.

“History is repeating itself because the Vicar of Burry Port will bless the lifeboat on Saturday and the Burry Port Town Band, reformed two years ago, will play”.

Lady Elkington proceeded to name the boat and taking hold of a bottle of wine in her hands she drew it out and swung the bottle against the woodwork breaking the bottle and saying simultaneously in clear tones “I name this the ‘David Barcley of Tottenham’ May God bless and grant that she may be the means of saving lives”.

The cords attaching the boat to the launching carriage were suddenly loosened and the boat swiftly glided down the slipway into the sea amid the hearty cheers of the crowds gathered on the dock walls.

Three hearty cheers broke from the men who manned her and in token of the tribute, held their oars aloft. “Rule Britanie” was struck up by the band and the crowd joined in the singing. The lifeboat made a short cruise in the bay and returned to the dock where her self-righting capabilities were tested.

“The boat was heavily ballasted and then capsizes by means of a crane. But she immediately righted herself”.

“The masts were then put up and the sails unfurled and again the boat was upset by the crane. This time the boat righted with visible indications of having touched the bottom. Her masts and sails were bedaubed with mud. But all these achievements were cheered by the crowds on the dock walls.

“As a matter of interest in the same edition of the “Guardian” there appears shipping new in Burry Port. Names of the ships departing and unloading. In the same week, three vessels arrived in the harbour without cargoes, one had a shipment of copper ore. Four ships left the harbour full of coal and one with a cargo of tin.

BURRY PORT BOAT HAS GONE FOR REPAIRS BUT RESCUE MEN STILL HAVE PLENTY TO DO

Burry Ports Inshore Rescue service lost its inflatable rescue craft at the weekend.

But there is no cause for alarm. The craft will be overhauled and refitted before being returned to the Burry Port lifeboat house for the official opening of the rescue service in March.

The inflatable craft will be taken to Boreham Wood for overhaul.

But in the meantime the six coxswain and 14 crewmen will have a lot to occupy themselves over the winter months.

Some are studying radio telegraphy at the Royal Naval Lifeboat Institute in Swansea and others are studying navigation at Llanelli Technical College.

In the lifeboat House they have rope classes and they will be performing general maintenance.

Coxswains are Messrs. John Rees. Des Williams, Spencer Davies, Andrew Phillips, Buddy Guy and Leonard Cross.

Crewmen are Messrs. Bernard Rees, Nigal Sinclair, John Ford, Brian Davies, Hugh Owen, Leslie Williams, Jeffery Williams, Derek Jones, Marcus Owen, Keith Mitchel, Robert Campbell, Hywel Davies, Lyndon Morgan and John Williams.

Launch tractor - Trevor Griffiths

Mr Reginald Sinclair has been appointed boathouse attendant.

And the rescue service has been recognised already. The first donation was made by Mr R Church and Fricker Metals Ltd. Rio Tinto Zinc have made over a cheque for £50.

The crewmen staged an exercise on Saturday morning. Because of the high seas a helicopter that was to have taken part returned to its Chivenor, Devon base.

But the inflatable craft defied the adverse conditions and made the most from the thrashing seas in Carmarthen Bay.

The crew also practiced changing a propeller at sea and practiced beach landings.

The boathouse will be officially opened on March 9th next year and dedicated by the vicar of Burry Port.

The ceremony coincides with the 150th year of the institute.

But the rescue service is not new to Burry Port. The boathouse on Burry Port Harbour was first opened in 1887.

Anyone who can help piece together the history of the towns sea rescue service of old or can provide photographs, for copying, of the old Burry Port and Pembrey lifeboats are asked to contact Mr Herbert Phillips.