Fleetwood History

1859 The RNLI established a lifeboat station and a boathouse was built on the beach.

1860 Silver Medals were awarded to Captain Edward Wasey RN, Coastguard, and Coxswain John Fox for rescuing one man from the wrecked schooner Ann Mitchell.

A Silver Medal was awarded to Captain Wasey RN for rescuing four men from the schooner Catherine.

A third Silver Medal was awarded to Captain Wasey RN for rescuing 16 people from the barque Vermont.

1863 Silver Medals were awarded to Tug Master W Swarbrick and Pilot Robert Gerrard, for rescuing 17 people from the barque Pudyona.

A storm damaged the foundations of the boathouse and a new boathouse was built near High Lighthouse.

1887 A second lifeboat arrived at the station.

1879 A new wooden boathouse and slipway were built on piles close to the Low Light.

1890 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain Robert Wright for his services over 30 years.

Silver Medals were awarded to fishermen James Fogg and George Wilkinson for attempting to save the crew of the schooner Jean Campbell.

1892 The pulling lifeboat was withdrawn from the station leaving one lifeboat.

1893 A new boathouse was built as the railway needed the previous site.

1894 A Silver Medal was awarded to Robert Wright on his retirement for his long and valuable service.

1901 A new slipway was built east of the Low Light due to a build up of sand and shingle. The railway company moved the boathouse to the new slipway.

1933 The station’s first motor lifeboat was placed on service.

1941 Silver Medals were awarded to Coxswain Jeffrey Wright and Mechanic Sydney Hill for rescuing eight crew from the schooner Stella Marie.

1945 Head Launcher Wright died as a result of an injury received on service.

1949  A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain James Leadbetter for rescuing eight crew from the ketch Alpha. Six of the crew were rescued a second time after they returned to the vessel in spite of warnings.

1959 A Centenary Vellum was awarded to the station.

1966 An inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was established with a D class lifeboat. This was kept in a small house and launched across the beach.

1975 A new mooring pen was built for the all weather lifeboat.

1977 Gales washed away the ILB house; a new one was placed on the end of the mooring pen jetty and the ILB was launched by a davit.

1980 A new ILB boathouse was built.

1984 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Second Coxswain Stephen James Musgrave for rescuing a windsurfer three and a half miles off Fleetwood.

1985 The Ralph Glister Award for the most meritorious service carried out in 1984 was awarded to Helmsman Stephen Musgrave and Crew Members Barrie Farmer and David Owen for the above service.

1986 Improved crew facilities were provided.

1987 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Coxswain William Fairclough for the rescue of two crew from the sinking fishing vessel Galilean.

1989 The Tyne class lifeboat, ON-1156 William Street, was placed on service.

2000 The D class lifeboat, D-556 Saddleworth was placed on service on 13 September.

2005 RSPCA Bronze Medal awarded to Mechanic Steve Carroll for rescuing a dog.

Station honours

At Fleetwood lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 2

Bronze Medal 1

Silver Medal 12