Torbay History
1866 A great gale swept Torbay in January, causing the loss of over 60 ships and the tragic loss of nearly 100 lives. As a result, the RNLI established the lifeboat station at Brixham and the people of Exeter raised money for the first lifeboat, City of Exeter.
Since then there have been 10 different lifeboats stationed here.
1872 A new boathouse and slipway were built near the corner of the breakwater at Brixham Harbour.
1876 A lifeboat station was established at Torquay and three different lifeboats served there until 1923.
1923 The station at Torquay closed and Brixham station was renamed Torbay lifeboat station.
1930 The lifeboat was placed on moorings in the harbour.
1964 An inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was established with a D class lifeboat. Three different types of ILB have been stationed at Torbay; the Hatch class, McLaughlin and D class.
1966 A Centenary Vellum was presented to the station.
1988 The station was granted the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Torbay.
1990 The boathouse was adapted for the D class lifeboat and provided improved crew facilities.
1996 A new D class lifeboat was placed on service.
2001 The new all weather lifeboat, the Severn class Alec and Christina Dykes, arrived on station in October.
2005 A new D class lifeboat John William Hirst placed on service.
Station honours
At Torbay lifeboat station the following awards have been made:
1889 Honorary Secretary Rev R F Elrington - Vellum*
1915 Second Coxswain William Pillar - Albert Medal
1935 Coxswain WA Mogridge - Bronze
1937 Coxswain WA Mogridge - Bronze
1939 Coxswain WA Mogridge - Silver
1940 Second Coxswain W Pillar, Mechanic RT Harris and Bowman F Sanders - Bronze
1944 Coxswain FC Sanders - Silver
1944 Mechanic RT Harris - Bronze
1946 Coxswain HO Thomas - Bronze
1959 Coxswain HO Thomas - Silver
1959 Mechanic RT Harris - Bronze
1959 Six crew members - Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum
1964 Coxswain Harold Coyde - Silver
1964 Mechanic RT Harris - Bronze
1964 Eight crew members - Vellum
1973 Mechanic Barry Pike - Silver and Ralph Glister award
1973 Helmsman Kenneth Gibbs - Vellum
1973 Coxswain Kenneth Gibbs - Bronze
1976 Crew Member John Dew - Bronze
1976 Acting Coxswain Keith William Bower - Gold
1976 Mechanic Stephen James Bower, Assistant Mechanic William John Hunkin, Crew Members Michael Mills, Nicholas Davies, Richard Brown and John Dew - Bronze
1979 Coxswain George Edward Dyer and Coxswain Arthur Curnow - Bronze
1979 Coxswain Arthur Curnow, Acting Assistant Mechanic Brian Caunter and Crew Member Michael Kingston - Framed Letters of Thanks
1990 Coxswain Curnow - Vellum
1992 Coxswain and crew - Collective Framed Letter of Thanks
1992 Ex Coxswain Arthur Curnow received the BEM in his retirement from the station
1995 Crew Member Nigel Crang - Framed Letter of Thanks
1998 Coxswain David Hurford - Framed Letter of Thanks
1999 Helmsman Nigel Crang and Crew Member Simon James - Vellum
1999 Crew Member Nick O’Brien - Framed Letter of Thanks
*Vellum = Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum
Framed Letter of Thanks 7
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 19
Bronze Medal 19
Silver Medal 6
Gold Medal 1
