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Wicklow Lifeboat Station

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Coordinates: 52°58′54.0″N 6°01′57.8″W / 52.981667°N 6.032722°W / 52.981667; -6.032722
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Wicklow Lifeboat Station
Wicklow Lifeboat Station
Wicklow Lifeboat Station is located in Ireland
Wicklow Lifeboat Station
Wicklow, Co. Wicklow
General information
TypeRNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationLifeboat House
AddressEast Pier
Town or cityWicklow, County Wicklow
CountryIreland
Coordinates52°58′54.0″N 6°01′57.8″W / 52.981667°N 6.032722°W / 52.981667; -6.032722
Opened1857
Owner Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Website
Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Station

Wicklow Lifeboat Station is located at East Pier in the county town of Wicklow, County Wicklow, a harbour town at the mouth of the River Vartry, on the east coast of Ireland.

A lifeboat was first placed at Wicklow by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1857.[1]

The station currently operates the Shannon-class All-weather lifeboat, 13-33 Bridie O'Shea (ON 1340), on station since 2024, and a D-class (IB1) Inshore lifeboat, Dennis-Audrey (D-806), on station since 2017.[2]

History

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Even if there were no local lifeboats, the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS), later to become the RNLI in 1854, made awards for Gallantry. In 1831, coastguard officer Lt. Thomas Dymock Jones Dabine, RN, and his team of six, tied ropes around themselves, entering the surf to get a line to the schooner Jane, wrecked off Wicklow harbour, eventually rescuing four people after two hours of effort. In 1839, coastguard officer Owen Jones and a team of seven swam out to the wreck of the brig Le Nouveau Destin, ashore off Co. Wicklow, and saved six people. Each was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal.[3][4]

In late 1854, the chairman of Wicklow Town Commissioners was tasked with the purchase of a lifeboat. A meeting was held with Capt. John Ward, RNLI Inspector of Lifeboats in October 1856, and it was agreed that if the cost of a boathouse and an annual sum for maintenance could be raised locally, then the RNLI would provide a lifeboat and all necessary equipment. A boathouse was constructed near the Packet Pier, and a 30-foot self-righting 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, one with oars and sails, named Dauntless, previously in service with the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Royal Benevolent Society (SFMRBS) at Criccieth, was transported to Dublin free of charge by the British and Irish Steam Packet Company, arriving in Wicklow in September 1857.[5]

One of the worst storms for years occurred around 9 February 1861. Over 200 ships are listed as wrecked on that day, according to the List of shipwrecks in February 1861. Five vessels were driven ashore within 3 miles (4.8 km) of Wicklow harbour. The Wicklow lifeboat managed to save all eight men aboard the brig New Draper of Whitehaven, on passage to Dublin.[6][7]

Former 1866 RNLI Lifeboat House at The Murrough, Wicklow

Mr Robert Jones Garden, of Montague Square, London, wrote to the RNLI in 1861, wishing to fund a lifeboat on the east coast of Ireland, in memory of his father. The location of the first boathouse at Wicklow seems to have not been a wise decision, as the land where it was located was suffering from coastal erosion, and in 1864, it had been noted that the sea would soon undermine the seven-year-old structure. It was agreed that his donation would go to the complete refurbishment of Wicklow lifeboat station, to include a replacement lifeboat, carriage, equipment and boathouse. A new location was found for a boathouse on The Murrough. On its completion in August 1866, the lifeboat, and carriage were dispatched to Wicklow, and at a ceremony on 7 September 1866, the new lifeboat was named Robert Theophilus Garden (ON 116).[5][8]

On 31 August 1882, the steamship Lake Nepigon, on passage from Liverpool to Québec with 100 passengers and 54 crew, was driven onto Arklow Bank in a South-west gale, (now the site of Arklow Bank Wind Park). Unable to refloat the vessel, the captain ordered the six ship's lifeboats to be launched. The alarm was raised when No.3 lifeboat was found by a fishing vessel, and 29 survivors were landed at Wicklow. The Wicklow lifeboat was immediately launched, and fortunately located the other five ship's lifeboats, taking some survivors on board, and the boats in tow. From these, 55 people were taken by the North Arklow Lightship tender Emerald Isle. After considering the conditions, 52 people were landed at Greystones by the Wicklow lifeboat. The Arklow lifeboat was sent out to rescue the remaining 18 crew, searching for hours, but finding nothing. It turned out that the vessel had re-floated on the high tide, and was later seen passing Holyhead, returning to Liverpool.[5]

1886 Wicklow Lfeboat House

In 1886, it was decided to construct another new boathouse. Difficulties had been encountered launching over the shingle from the Murrough, so a boathouse was constructed on the East Pier with a slipway, costing £654. This boathouse is still the station building in use today, although it is not required to house the lifeboat, which is moored afloat. The 1866 boathouse also still stands, located just off Upper Strand street.[5]

On her last service on 1 Nov 1887, Robert Theophilus Garden (ON 116) was launched to the schooner Samuel Dixon, and saved four lives. She would be replaced by a 40-foot lifeboat, built for North Deal but found to be unsuitable for that location. It would appear that Mr Garden maintained regular donations to the RNLI for a considerable period, as this new boat would be renamed Robert Theophilus Garden (ON 178), as would be two later lifeboats.[9][10]

In 1894, whilst the Coxswain was seeking the Honorary Secretary for launch instructions, the Master of a coaster and 15 men took possession of the lifeboat, launching to the aid of a fishing boat, and rescued the crew.[8]

Wicklow would get its first motor lifeboat in 1911. Named Robert Theophilus Garden (ON 609), it would be the first motor-powered lifeboat in Ireland. The boathouse was modified to accommodate the boat, and 12 rollers were fitted to the slipway.[5]

On 10 September 1950, in calm conditions, Wicklow lifeboat Lady Klysant (ON 721) was launched to the Cameo of Glasgow, aground on Arklow Bank, but help was refused. Attempts to refloat the vessel over the next two days failed. Finally, in rough seas in the early hours of 13 September, the help of the lifeboat was finally accepted, and with considerable skill, all 11 crew were rescued. Coxswain Edward Kavanagh was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal.[3][8]

Wicklow lifeboat 47-035 Annie Blaker (ON 1153)

In 1989, the 1886 boathouse was modified, and the slipway extended, to accommodate a new Tyne-class lifeboat. 47-035 Annie Blaker (ON 1153) would serve Wicklow for 30 years, and during that time, was launched 340 times, and rescued over 400 people. The boat was the last Tyne-class lifeboat in service with the RNLI, and also the last steel-hulled lifeboat. Annie Blaker was sold to an enthusiast, and unusually, was still in full RNLI livery.[11][12]

In 2019, following the retirement of Annie Blaker, Wicklow were assigned a Shannon-class lifeboat from the relief fleet. 13-01 Jock and Annie Slater (ON 1308) was placed on station until a permanent boat was assigned. Shannon-class lifeboat 13-27 Joanna and Henry Williams (ON 1334), previously in the relief fleet, served at Wicklow for four years, but in 2024, another Shannon-class lifeboat 13-33 Bridie O'Shea (ON 1340), also from the relief fleet, was placed on service permanently.[13][14]

Station honours

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The following are awards made at Wicklow.[3][8]

Lt. Thomas Dymock Jones Dabine, RN, H.M. Coastguard Wicklow – 1831
Owen Jones, Chief Officer, H.M. Coastguard Wicklow – 1839
Edward Kavanagh, Coxswain – 1950

Wicklow lifeboats

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Pulling and Sailing (P&S) lifeboats

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ON[a] Name Built On Station[15] Class Comments
Pre-249 Dauntless 1852 1857–1866 30-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 1]
Previously at Criccieth
116 Robert Theophilus Garden 1866 1866–1889 33-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 2]
178 Robert Theophilus Garden 1886 1889–1898 40-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 3]
Previously Mary Somerville at North Deal
265 Quiver No.1 1883 1898–1899 37-foot 2in Self-righting (P&S) [Note 4]
Previously at Margate.
422 Robert Theophilus Garden 1898 1899–1911 40-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 5]
Pre ON numbers are unofficial numbers used by the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society to reference early lifeboats not included on the official RNLI list.

All-weather lifeboats

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ON[a] Op. No.[b] Name Built On Station[16] Class Comments
609 – Robert Theophilus Garden 1910 1911–1937 40-foot Self-righting (motor) [Note 6]
721 – Lady Klysant 1929 1937–1956 40-foot 6in Watson (motor) [Note 7]
933 – J. W. Archer 1956 1956–1987 42-foot Watson [Note 8]
931 – Richard Vernon and Mary Garforth of Leeds 1956 1987–1988 46-foot 9in Watson [Note 9]
1014 48-011 The Three Sisters 1970 1988–1989 Solent
1009 48-006 Jack Shayler and The Lees 1969 1989 Solent
1153 47-035 Annie Blaker 1989 1989–2019 Tyne
1308 13-01 Jock and Annie Slater 2012 2019–2020 Shannon [17]
1334 13-27 Joanna and Henry Williams 2018 2020–2024 Shannon
1340 13-33 Bridie O'Shea 2019 2024– Shannon

Inshore lifeboats

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Op. No.[b] Name On Station[18] Class Comments
D-432 Ordnance Survey Bosun 1995–1997 D-class (EA16)
D-518 Inbhear Deas 1997–2007 D-class (EA16)
D-671 Sheringham Shanty Men 2007–2017 D-class (IB1)
D-806 Dennis-Audrey 2017– D-class (IB1) [19]
  1. ^ a b ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. ^ a b Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ 30-foot x 7-foot 6in (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Beeching of Great Yarmouth, costing £133 when new. Modified by the RNLI, 1854.
  2. ^ 33-foot x 8-foot (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat,built by Forrestt of Limehouse, costing £290.
  3. ^ 40-foot 10-foot (12-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, costing £770.
  4. ^ 37-foot 2in x 9-foot (12-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat.
  5. ^ 40-foot x 10-foot 6in (12-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Thames Ironworks, costing £805.
  6. ^ 40-foot 1in (10-oared) Self-righting (motor) lifeboat, built by Thames Ironworks, costing £3,145. Single 40 hp petrol engine, giving 150 miles at 7 knots.
  7. ^ 40-foot 6in Watson-class lifeboat.
  8. ^ 42-foot Watson-class lifeboat.
  9. ^ 46-foot 9in Watson-class lifeboat.

References

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  1. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2025). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. p. 125.
  2. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 132.
  3. ^ a b c Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN 0907605893.
  4. ^ "Ireland". The Morning Post. No. 21191. London. 4 December 1838.
  5. ^ a b c d e Doyle, Ciaran (1990). From Dauntless to Annie. Wicklow Press Ltd. pp. 1–74.
  6. ^ "Shipping Intelligence". Morning Chronicle. No. 29359. London. 13 February 1861.
  7. ^ "Nineteen Lives Saved by a Lifeboat". Caledonian Mercury. No. 22274. Edinburgh. 15 February 1861.
  8. ^ a b c d "Wicklow's station history". RNLI. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  9. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 20, 22, 32, 40.
  10. ^ "The Gale". The Times. No. 32219. London. 2 November 1887. col A-D, p. 7.
  11. ^ "Last Tyne Class in RNLI Service retires after 30 years on station at Wicklow". Lifeboat Enthusiasts. RNLI. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  12. ^ Dover, Tommy (8 April 2019). "First callout for Jock and Annie Slater at Wicklow". RNLI. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  13. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 71.
  14. ^ Buchanen, Myles (15 July 2024). "Wicklow RNLI introduce new boat at popular open day". Irish Independent. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  15. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 4–32.
  16. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 40–71.
  17. ^ Dover, Tommy (24 February 2019). "Relief Shannon arrives at Wicklow RNLI". RNLI. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  18. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 93–99.
  19. ^ McAloon, Nuala (7 May 2017). "Wicklow RNLI's D class lifeboat named Dennis-Audrey to fulfil couple's dream". RNLI. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
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