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RNLI Lifestyle
The RNLI lifeboat crew, like many others around the
UK, traditionally attracts numerous crew members from
one family. In 1953 it was the Nelson family with no
fewer
than six men turning out for the Sir Samuel Kelly.
In Billy Lennon's time on the Kelly, and later aboard
the modern Waveny class boats, his family featured
strongly
too including his father in law, his brother, brother
in law, two nephews and even his daughter. All went
to sea with the RNLI.
"once
you start it's like a disease...it kind of sticks with
you...."
In the old days most, if not all of the crew,
would have been fishermen or linked to a trade on the
sea,
well adapted to dealing with seasickness and the
dangers aboard a vessel. In more modern times however
the volunteers
come from all walks of life and although they are enthusiastic
and very loyal they are more likely to suffer from
the
dreaded mal de mer.
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The Sir Samuel Kelly crew members
at the time of the Princess Victoria disaster
- from left to right - Samuel Herron, John Trimble,
Samuel Nelson, James Armstrong, Hugh Nelson (coxswain)
in the foreground, Alec Nelson, Hugh Nelson Jnr,
George Lindsay, William Nelson and Frank Nelson. |
The selection process for volunteers who answer a
call-out to the lifeboat is usually a first
come first served basis. As Billy Lennon says: "if
they were good enough to be there, they were good
enough to take out".
However in very bad conditions the crew is individually
selected by the coxswain. In Billy's time the crew
was summoned
by a combination of a very loud firework called a
'maroon' In the latter day pagers were used also.
The maroon explosion can heard for many miles and
was often more reliable than any telecommunication
device.
Billy calmly shares his experiences of call-outs of
up to 27 hours at sea on huge waves going to the aid
of many
vessels.
Duties include
attending the Fastnet yachting race, Naval boats and
large steamers, but he is at pains to point out that
most
of his call-outs were for small craft in trouble with
lack of fuel or damage of some kind on flat seas in
fine weather.
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Relaxing in what was The Royal
Bar (now Pier 36) in Donaghadee are former Sir
Samuel Kelly lifeboat crew members :- from left
to right - John Trimble, second coxswain - also
Willie Lennon's brother in law - , George Lindsey,
bowman and Alex Nelson, coxswain. |
The Future
Billy Lennon and John McGimpsey are very concerned
that the Sir Samuel Kelly might be simply
left to rot away, unless something
is
done
swiftly
to house it. As the years go by the older crewmen
who have served on the Kelly number only
a handful.
Now, as retired men, their resources are scarce and
they fear that, without funding, the memories that
they share most
weekdays down at the marina over a flask of coffee,
may be the only thing left of the Sir Samuel
Kelly.
Albert Morrison's keen interest and subsequent contact
with YP&M is very timely. On the 31st January 2005,
52 years on from the sinking of the stricken ferry; Princess
Victoria,
a meeting will be held in Donaghadee to try to find
a permanent home for the Sir Samuel Kelly, where it
can be restored to its former glory.
YP&M will keep this article updated with any progress
in the attempt to find a suitable resting place the
lifeboat.
UPDATE - 14/2/05
David Gordon, chairman of the Donaghadee Community
association was able to confirm more good news :
The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum has agreed to
fund the survey element of the restoration project.
The survey is required to assess the condition of the
boat.
Denis Waterworth, owner of Pier 36 and Ocean Drive
restaurants in Donaghadee, has offered to pay for the
painting of the boat at a cost of around £1000.
A couple of individuals have also sent cheques of £100
each - an unexpected but very welcome turn of events.
It is hoped that the survey will be carried out in
the next couple of weeks, with the painting starting
shortly afterwards.
UPDATE - 1/2/05
After the meeting on the 31st of January all parties
agreed that it was essential that the boat was saved
from decay and that it needed shelter as soon as possible.
A site near the sea front at Donaghadee has been earmarked
for the Kelly to be remembered as a symbol of
the loss of life at sea along the Irish coast, whilst
duly highlighing the brave exploits of the RNLI crew.
A rough estimate of around 18 months has been given
as a reasonable time frame for the project to be completed.
If If you have any comments about this article or if
you think you can help the organisations involved please
fill in the form at the bottom of the page.
The Princess Victoria
Disaster
The devastating
floods of 1953 were a "once-in-250 year event".
click
here to appreciate the size and ferocity of the 1953
storm right across Europe
"In the
shelter of Donaghadee Harbour, the Creevy Coal boat
had already had difficulty in docking and unloading.
The horses being used had nearly been blown off their
feet and into the harbour by the strong winds. The Lifeboat
was beginning a period of 24 hours at sea".
click
here for a full account of the journey and end to the
Princess Victoria
Every woman and
child on board the ship died in the disaster
click
here for a BBC News account of the ferry disaster
related weblinks
the official RNLI website
the
RNLI Portrush website
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