Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat Station

Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in the town of Clacton-on-Sea in the county of Essex. A lifeboat was first stationed here by the RNLI in 1878.

The station currently operates two Inshore lifeboats, a B-class, David Porter MPS (B-863), and a D-class, Damar's Pride (D-849).

History
In 1870, the hamlet of Clacton Beach had a population of just 12. Just 10 years later, following rapid development to create a Victorian seaside resort, the population was over 1300. It was during this time of expansion that the Commander of HM Coastguard at Harwich wrote to the RNLI in 1877, to suggest a lifeboat be placed at Clacton-on-Sea, which was duly agreed.

A boathouse was soon commissioned, and constructed on the corner of Carnarvon Road and Church Road. The RNLI would later erect a fence around the building "to keep out stray cattle".

A 34-foot self-righting lifeboat was built by Woolfe boatbuilders. Costing £363, and funded by the Grand Lodge of Freemasons, the boat arrived in Clacton on 13 March 1878. Robert Legerton was appointed Coxswain, with Mr. Frederick Nunn appointed Honorary Secretary. In a parade including Freemasons, Mayors and Councillors in July 1878, the lifeboat was pulled to the new lifeboat house, where after the service of dedication by the Grand Chaplain of the Freemasons, the boat was named Albert Edward, the first of three Clacton lifeboats to carry this name.

After only 4 years, it was decided that a bigger boat was required at Clacton. The boathouse was extended, and to make launching easier, two slipways were constructed, one on each side of Clacton Pier. The new lifeboat was 39-foot long, and built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London. Costing £635, she was again funded by the Freemasons of England, and also named Albert Edward (ON 32). The boat was kept in the boathouse in the summer, and on the pier during the winter months, launching down either slipway according to conditions.

A new lifeboat arrived in Clacton in 1929, a twin engine 45ft 6in Watson-class named Edward Z Dresden (ON 707). She would serve Clacton until 1952. During this time, she would see service as one of the Little Ships of Dunkirk, and unusually, was crewed by her regular lifeboat crew for the trip. Damaged by gunfire, she was sent for repair after the Dunkirk evacuation, returning to be stationed at Brightlingsea, due to the demolition of the centre of Clacton Pier for wartime invasion preparations.

Clacton received D-107, the first of their small high speed D-class Inshore lifeboats in 1966. The station then received a second Inshore lifeboat, a larger twin engine B-class in 1984, when it was announced that the All-weather lifeboat was being withdrawn, following difficulties encountered launching due to silt.

In October 2022, it was announced that the Atlantic 85 lifeboat would be withdrawn, and Clacton-on-Sea lifeboat station would once again receive an All-weather lifeboat, a new 25 knot Shannon-class lifeboat. The new boat is due on service in 2024.

Notable rescues
On the 23 October 1881, the Albert Edward was called to the aid of the French vessel Madeline. Having been towed to the scene by the Steamer Consett, the lifeboat set anchor, and attempted to veer down to the Madeline, with no success. When the cable was cut, the lifeboat was swept onto the deck of the casualty boat, damaging the rudder. The lifeboat finally dropped alongside the vessel, and each of the 16 crew were rescued one by one. Coxswain Robert Legerton was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal. Legerton and Second Coxswain James Cross were also to receive Gold Medals, and the remaining 11 crew receiving Silver Medals, awarded by The French Government.

On the 24th April 1914, the lifeboat Albert Edward (ON 463) was called out to the aid of Government Seaplane No.79, which was forced to ditch in the sea after engine trouble. The seaplane, subsequently towed to Harwich, was carrying the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill.

Station Honours
The following are awards made at Clacton-on-Sea


 * Gold Medal, awarded by The French Government
 * Robert Legerton, Coxswain - 1881
 * James Cross, Second Coxswain - 1881


 * RNLI Silver Medal
 * William Wall Weekes, Master of the Fortitude - 1828


 * Robert Cleave, Master of the New Union - 1830


 * John Glover, Master of the Atalanta - 1843
 * Stephen Hurry, Master of the New Gypsy - 1843
 * John Powell, Master of the  Lord Howe - 1843


 * Cpt. William Lewis of Tyrall - 1855
 * Cpt. John Lewis of Aurora’s Increase - 1855


 * Samuel James Robert Legerton, Coxswain - 1881


 * Samuel James Robert Legerton, Coxswain - 1884 (Second-Service Clasp)


 * Samuel James Robert Legerton, Coxswain - 1891 (Third-Service Clasp)


 * William Schofield, Coxswain - 1893


 * Maurice Nicholls, crew member - 1894
 * Robert Osborne, crew member - 1894
 * John Grier, crew member - 1894


 * Maurice Nicholls, crew member - 1899 (Second-Service Clasp)
 * Robert Osborne, crew member - 1899 (Second-Service Clasp)
 * George Grigson Snr, crew member - 1899


 * George James Grigson, Coxswain - 1914


 * George James Grigson, Coxswain - 1915 (Second-Service Clasp)
 * Jesse Lord Salmon, Second Coxswain - 1915


 * George James Grigson, Coxswain - 1918 (Third-Service Clasp)


 * Charles Raymond Ellis, Coxswain - 1940


 * Silver Medal, awarded by The French Government
 * Each of the remaining 11 members of Clacton-on-Sea lifeboat crew - 1881


 * Silver Medal, awarded by H.M. The King of Denmark
 * William Schofield, Coxswain - 1894


 * RNLI Bronze Medal
 * Jesse Lord Salmon, Second Coxswain - 1918


 * David Howard Wells, Helmsman - 1992


 * The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum
 * Frank Castle, Second Coxswain- 1940
 * Walter Harding, Motor Mechanic - 1940


 * George Ellis, Coxswain - 1967


 * Charles Bolingbroke, Coxswain - 1970


 * Charles Bolingbroke, Coxswain - 1971


 * Charles Bolingbroke, Coxswain - 1974


 * Terry M Bolingbroke, crew member - 1992


 * Vellum Service Certificates
 * Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat Crew - 1970.


 * Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat Crew - 1974


 * The Ralph Glister Award 1991 (for the most meritorious service of the year performed by a rescue boat crew)
 * David Howard Wells, Helmsman - 1992
 * Terry Bolingbroke, crew member - 1992
 * Thomas Ridley, crew member - 1992


 * The Walter and Elizabeth Groombridge Award 1991 (for the outstanding inshore lifeboat rescue of the year)
 * David Howard Wells, Helmsman - 1992
 * Terry Bolingbroke, crew member - 1992
 * Thomas Ridley, crew member - 1992


 * A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution
 * Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat Crew to the remainder of the crew - 1971


 * Thomas Ridley, crew member - 1992

All-weather lifeboats

 * All-weather lifeboat withdrawn in 1984