Poole Lifeboat Station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Poole Lifeboat Station
General information
Type	RNLI Lifeboat Station
Location	The Quay, Poole, BH15 1HZ
Country	England
Coordinates	50°42′46″N 1°59′32″W / 50.712765°N 1.992162°W / 50.712765; -1.992162
Opened	1865 at Sandbanks 1882 at Fisherman's Dock 1974 at Lilliput Marina 1989 at Poole Bridge
Owner	Royal National Lifeboat Institution

The Poole Lifeboat Station is a very important place in Poole, England. It's where the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) keeps its special boats. These boats and their brave crews help people who are in trouble at sea.

The first lifeboat arrived in Poole Harbour way back in 1865. The station you see today opened in 1988. Since 2016, the station has two fast inshore lifeboats. These are called an Atlantic 85 and a D class lifeboat.

History of Poole Lifeboats

Early Lifeboat Stations

The very first boathouse for the lifeboat was built in 1865. It was located at Sandbanks, right near the narrow entrance to the big Poole Harbour. This spot was quite far from the town of Poole. Because of this, the lifeboat crew had to travel by horse-drawn coach from the Antelope Hotel in the High Street all the way to Sandbanks when there was an emergency.

In 1882, a new boathouse was built. This one was on land rented from Poole Corporation at Fisherman's Dock. This was at the east end of Poole Quay. A special slipway was added in 1897. This was important because the public slipway was often blocked by other boats. In 1887, a flagstaff was put up so messages could be sent to Sandbanks. Back then, the crew was called to action by a signal rocket. In 1892, they tried using a signal mortar. But this was changed back to rockets in 1914. The mortar's loud bang could be mistaken for an explosion at the nearby gas works!

Lifeboats in World War II

In 1939, a motor lifeboat called a Surf class boat arrived at the station. This meant the old 'pulling and sailing' lifeboats were no longer used. The last of these old boats was the Thomas Kirk Wright. On May 30, 1940, this boat sailed to Dunkirk. It was one of the many boats called to help with Operation Dynamo. In fact, it was the first of 19 lifeboats to reach Dunkirk.

The Thomas Kirk Wright was operated by the Royal Navy during this time. It was damaged by enemy fire. After repairs, it made a second trip across the Channel on June 2, 1940. After these brave missions, it returned to its normal duties in Poole.

Modern Lifeboats and Moves

An inflatable Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) was added to the station in 1964. It was taken away in 1970. However, by then, another boat called a Dell Quay Dory was also being used. This boat was removed in 1985. Ten years later, a faster B-class (Atlantic 21) IRB joined the station.

The boathouse at Fisherman's Dock closed in 1974. A new station opened with the Poole Harbour Yacht Club at Lilliput Marina. Another move happened in 1989. The lifeboat station moved back to Poole Quay. This time it was at the west end, right under Poole Bridge. The next year, new facilities for the crew and storage rooms were built. This was done by adding a two-storey extension to the police office on Poole Quay.

In 1994, a floating boathouse was placed next to the lifeboat mooring. This was for the new IRB that started service in Poole the following year. In November 2016, the RNLI decided to remove the large all-weather lifeboat from Poole. Instead, they placed a D-class inflatable lifeboat to work alongside the existing Atlantic 85. This change was made because nearby stations had faster boats.

Poole Old Lifeboat Museum

The Lifeboat Museum

The old boathouse at Fisherman's Dock closed in 1974. A year later, it became an RNLI museum. It was given back to the council in 1991.

The most important boat in the museum is the Surf-class lifeboat Thomas Kirk Wright. This boat is on loan from the National Maritime Museum. It was used from Poole when the station was in the same building at Fisherman's Dock. It was built in 1932 and stopped being used in 1962. In 1940, it was one of the lifeboats that helped in the Dunkirk evacuation.

About the Station Today

The crew facilities and storeroom are part of a larger brick building. It faces the water on Poole Quay. The top floor has a big window that looks out over the pontoon where the lifeboats are kept. The boathouse for the Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) floats next to this pontoon. It is made of corrugated metal.

Poole Lifeboats Over Time

Here is a list of some of the lifeboats that have served at Poole. 'ON' is the official number used in RNLI records from 1884. 'Op. No.' is the operational number shown on the boat.

Pulling and Sailing Lifeboats

These early lifeboats were powered by oars and sails.

Motor Lifeboats

These lifeboats had engines to help them move quickly.

At Poole	ON	Op. No.	Name	Built	Class	Comments
1939–1962	811	–	Thomas Kirk Wright	1939	Surf	Sold in 1964. Now on display at the Old Lifeboat House in Poole.
1962–1969	891	–	Bassett-Green	1951	Liverpool	Sold in 1969. In 2018, it was owned privately in Campbeltown.
1969–1971	873	–	George Elmy	1950	Liverpool	Capsized in 1962, sadly losing nine lives. Sold in 1972. Restored and on display in Seaham Harbour since 2013.
1971	869	–	Anthony Robert Marshall	1949	Liverpool	Sold in 1980. In 2022, it was being restored in Stiffkey.
1972	918	–	The Elliott Gill	1953	Liverpool	Sold in 1974. In 2022, it was fully restored at Watchet Harbour Marina.
1971–1974	872	–	J B Couper of Glasgow	1949	Liverpool	Sold in 1976. By 2022, it was on display at the Peninsular Hotel, Vale, Guernsey.
1974–1983	1029	44-011	Augustine Courtauld	1974	Waveney	Sold in 1999 to RVCP Australia. Resold in 2011 as a work boat in Melbourne. Restored to RNLI colours.
1983–2001	1089	33-07	Inner Wheel	1983	Brede	Sold in 2002 to South Africa. Still in service in 2023 at Hout Bay.
2001–2016	1131	47-023	City of Sheffield	1988	Tyne	Former lifeboat City of Sheffield Now kept at the Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield.

Inshore Lifeboats

These smaller, faster boats are used closer to shore.

Awards and Honours

The brave people at Poole Lifeboat Station have received many awards for their courage. These awards are given by the RNLI to recognise amazing acts of bravery.

• RNLI Gold Medal

Captain Charles Howe Fremantle, RN - 1824

• RNLI Silver Medal

George Barnes - 1824

Stephen Curtis - 1824

Lt. Joseph Elwin, RN -1825

Lt. Thomas Parsons, RN - 1853

The Right Hon The Viscount Bury, MP - 1868

Mr Charles Pride - 1868

Richard Stokes, Coxswain - 1882

• The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum

Richard Wills, Coxswain - 1906

Thomas Wills - 1906

John Wills - 1906

Richard Cartridge - 1906

Henry Russell - 1906

David Coles, crew member - 1986

Steven Vince, crew member - 1986

Raymond Collin, crew member - 1986

• A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution

Steve Vince, Coxswain - 1995

Robert Doak, crew member - 1995

Geoffrey Langley, crew member - 1995

Gavin McGuiness, Helmsman - 2001

Anne Millman, crew member - 2001

Paul Savage, crew member - 2001

See also

• List of RNLI stations