Today is the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. On 4th March 1824, the RNLI was formed in the City of London Tavern, a pub in Bishopsgate. Do not confuse the RNLI with an organisation like the US Coastguard. The RNLI does not police the shores of the UK and Ireland, it exists to save the lives of those in trouble at sea.
As the UK is an island, one would assume that the RNLI is a state-run organisation, but it’s not. It’s a charity and has been supported by donations and legacies from its inception. The larger part of lifeboat crews are trained volunteers who risk their lives to save those in trouble at sea, ready to battle the elements 24/7. There are around 5,700 volunteers who work out of 238 lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland.
Now, (rubbing my hands together with excitement) let’s look at a few historical facts about the RNLI.
The History of the RNLI
- In the early nineteenth century, the danger of shipwreck was an accepted part of living by or working on the sea. An average of 18,000 shipwrecks occurred off the coasts of the UK and Ireland every year.
- A militia officer and philanthropist, Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man (a small island in the Irish Sea), witnessed dozens of drownings and tried to save as many lives as possible with the help of the locals. In 1823, he’d had enough and appealed to the nation by issuing a pamphlet outlining his plans for a nationwide lifeboat service manned by trained crews. He sent the pamphlet to the Royal Navy, but the Admiralty refused to help. (Cue eye-rolling.)
- However, his idea found support amongst more philanthropic members of society. Following face-to-face campaigning, more benefactors came on board.
- The first public meeting was held on 4th March 1824 in a public house (the RNLI argues it’s the best thing to come out of a pub) and the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck was formed. Many of its initial resolutions are still part of its charter.
- Not long after its formation, George IV granted royal patronage (Prinny wasn’t all bad 😉) and Prime Minister Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool, agreed to be president.
- On 5 October 1854, the Institution’s name was changed to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Heroes of the RNLI
Over two hundred years, the crews of the RNLI have braved the unpredictable weather and treacherous coastlines of the UK and Ireland. I feel it’s a disgrace that so many of the people doing so are volunteers, and this essential service must rely on donations from the public. I salute you!
Members of the RNLI have been behind innovative life-saving technology such as RNLI Inspector, Captain Ward, who designed the cork lifejacket in 1854.
Over 200 years, many have also given their lives in their service. As late as 1981, the crew of the Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne (in Cornwall) were lost attempting to rescue the crew and passengers onboard a stricken coaster.
I also can’t believe that RNLI lifeguards didn’t start patrolling UK beaches until 2001 but are now an essential part of the rescue service.
Let’s hope we can continue to rely on this life-saving service in the future.
