Montrose History

1800  A lifeboat station was established at Montrose and the first lifeboat was built by Henry Greathead, builder of the Original in 1789.

1818 The Town Council took over the running of the lifeboat station and a boathouse was built on the north side of the River Esk.

1832 Nine Silver Medals were awarded for the rescue of 30 people from the vessels Annie, Sophia and Ann on 25 March.

1869 The RNLI took over the lifeboat station and a new boathouse and slipway were built.

1873 Silver Medals were awarded to Coxswain W Mearns and Coxswain W Mearns Jnr for rescuing 10 people from the brigantine Henriette that ran aground on 21 December 1872. Coxswain W Mearns and three crew were washed out of the lifeboat; Crew Member Alexander Paton sadly died a few days after from the effects of exposure.

1885 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain David Duncan ‘after many years good service’.

1899 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain James Watt on his retirement.

1900 The lifeboat was damaged beyond repair when it was struck by a heavy sea and driven on to the rocks, fortunately without loss of life.

A new boathouse was built.

1913 A Silver Medal was awarded to David Mearns, Master of the trawler Southesk, for saving the nine crew and towing the drifter Yarmouth for 26 hours.

1926  The Duchess of York (later to become Her Majesty The Queen) named the station’s first motor lifeboat John Russell.

1928 A Centenary Vellum was awarded to the station.

1951 A Vellum was awarded for 150 years as a lifeboat station.

1970 Framed Letters of Thanks were awarded to Coxswain Paton and six members of the crew when the dredger Coquet Mouth was saved and her crew of four were rescued.

1972 The lifeboat was placed on moorings in the river.

The British Empire Medal (BEM) was presented to Coxswain James Robert Paton on 15 November.

1989  A new boathouse was built providing a souvenir sales facility and improved crew facilities. The Tyne class lifeboat, ON-1152 Moonbeam, was placed on service.

1994 A D class lifeboat was sent to the station for one year’s evaluation.

1995 An inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was permanently established with a D class that was launched and recovered using a davit.

1997  A new ILB boathouse was completed in January.

2000 A Bicentenary Vellum was presented to the station.

Station honours

At Montrose lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Framed Letter of Thanks 
Silver Medal 14