Horton and Port Eynon History
1884 The station was established at Port Eynon and a boathouse was built at the west end of the bay.
1888 The slipway was extended to improve launching.
1899 A watchroom was built next to the boathouse.
1916 During a service to the steamship Dungevan on 1 January the lifeboat capsized twice. Three crew tragically drowned – Coxswain W Gibbs and Crew Members William Eynon and George Harry. A memorial to the crew can be seen in St Cattwg’s Churchyard. Following this disaster the station was closed temporarily.
1919 The station was permanently closed.
1968 An inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was established in June with a D class lifeboat and a boathouse was built close to the beach at Horton. The station was known as Horton and Port Eynon.
In August the lifeboat capsized during a search for a bather. Fortunately the three crew reached the shore safely.
1973 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Helmsman John Walter Grove for rescuing three people in difficulties off Worms Head on 2 July. Crew Members Charles Gwilyn Twitchett and Andrew John McNulty received the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum.
1974 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Helmsman John Walter Grove for rescuing 10 people from a capsized yacht and two broken down inflatable boats in gale force winds and rough seas on 10 August.
1992 A new boathouse was completed for both the lifeboat and launching tractor. It also provided a crew room, souvenir outlet and a look-out tower.
1998 The D class, D-531 Walter Grove, was placed on service on 12 May.
1999 A Framed Letter of Thanks was presented to Helmsman Lawrence Grove for rescuing four people cut off by the tide and heavy surf at Worms Head on 27 October.
2001 Ex-Helmsman Lawrence Grove was awarded an MBE (Member, Order of the British Empire) by Her Majesty The Queen.
Station honours
At Horton and Port Eynon lifeboat station the following awards have been made:
Framed Letter of Thanks 1
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 3
Bronze Medal 1
