Ferryside RNLI Lifeboat Station
Ferryside RNLI Lifeboat Station, was located at Ferryside Beach in Ferryside, a village in the community of St Ishmael, on the east shore of the River Towy estuary, overlooking Carmarthen Bay, approximately south-west of Carmarthen, in Carmarthenshire, South Wales.
A lifeboat station was first established at Laugharne in 1835, by the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, but was closed in 1843. A new station was established at Ferryside in 1860, by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Ferryside RNLI Lifeboat Station closed in 1960.
In the early 1960s, a surge of water-based leisure activity once again showed a need for a rescue service on the River Towy. Ferryside Lifeboat was established in 1966, under the guidance of St John Ambulance Cymru. It is now a 'declared facility' recognised by H.M. Coastguard, one of over seventy independent lifeboats around the shores of the British Isles, and operates as an Independent service.
For more information, please see:– Ferryside Lifeboat
History
In 1835, the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck established Carmarthen Lifeboat Station, on the west side of the River Towy, actually on the River Taf estuary, at Laugharne. A boathouse was constructed at Laugharne, and a 26-foot lifeboat, probably rowing 6 oars, built by Harton for £65, was placed at the station. No records of any service have been found, and the station closed in 1843.After a period of decline, the RNIPLS was re-established as the RNLI in 1854. At a meeting of the RNLI committee of management on Thursday 2 February 1860, it was reported that the new Camarthen Bay Lifeboat Station had been established on the opposite side of the River Towy at Ferryside. A new lifeboat, with its carriage, was transported there free of charge, by the Great Western and South Wales railway companies, arriving on 21 January 1860.
The 30-foot lifeboat, costing £148-9s-6d, was a self-righting 'Pulling and Sailing' lifeboat, one with 6 oars, single-banked, and sails. Funds for the establishment, construction of a boathouse, and for future maintenance, had been "most liberally contributed" by local donations. "Wrecks frequently occur in Carmarthen Bay; and the establishment of this life-boat will add much to the security of mariners frequenting that part of the coast in the winter months."
On 23 December 1863, the Carmarthen Bay lifeboat was launched to the aid of the vessel British India, on passage from Bombay to Liverpool, when it was driven ashore on Cefn Sidan sands in Carmarthen Bay. The lifeboat gave assistance, which saved the vessel and 27 crew, and then stayed with the vessel, until she was safely at anchor.
In July 1864, it was reported that the first lifeboat at Carmarthen Bay was replaced, after showing signs of decay at just 4 years old. The boat was withdrawn, repaired, and relocated to Hornsea, renamed B. Wood. The 'new' Carmarthen Bay lifeboat had previously been in service at, as the 6-oared Brightwell, but was withdrawn from there after just two years, as it had been found to be under-powered. This now modified lifeboat rowed 10-oars, double banked, and arrived at Carmarthen Bay with its carriage in May 1864, once again transported free of charge by the Great Western Railway. The funds for the lifeboat were provided from monies collected in Manchester, and the boat was renamed City of Manchester. In total, funds from Manchester would come to provide four lifeboats for Carmarthen Bay lifeboat station.
In gale-force conditions and rough seas, on the 15 March 1905, the City of Manchester was launched to the aid of the Norwegian barque Signe of Kristiania, which had been driven ashore at Cefn Sidan sands. On arrival at the vessel, the crew found it impossible to go along side, but the location of the vessel meant that the crew would be able to walk ashore at low water. The lifeboat set out for home, but in view of the conditions, it was decided instead to head for Burry Port. During the course of the journey, the lifeboat was underwater on occasions, and at some point, crewmen were washed overboard, fortunately managing to regain the lifeboat. Coxswain Superintendent David Jones was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal.
It would be 1941 before Ferryside received their first motor-powered lifeboat, a 35-foot 6in self-righting single-engine lifeboat. The William Maynard was already 10 years old, having served at in Northern Ireland since 1931.
By 1960, the need for Ferryside lifeboat had diminished. The River Towy was no longer used commercially, and was suffering from silting. Burry Port had closed, and the port at Llanelli had all but ceased operating. Ferryside Lifeboat Station was closed on 30 June 1960.
In the 125 years since the first station at Laugharne, the lifeboats had been launched 57 times, and saved 94 lives. The station building still stands, currently in use for the River Towy Yacht Club. The lifeboat on station at the time of closure, Caroline Oates Aver and William Maine, was sold from service, and was last reported as a fishing boat in Barmouth in 1969.
The closure came just before there was a surge in water-based leisure activity. The RNLI began to introduce small inshore lifeboats at strategic locations, which could be launched quickly, with just a handful of people. In other areas, Independent lifeboats began to be established. Ferryside Lifeboat was established in 1966, and still operates today.
For further information, please see:–