Donna Nook Lifeboat Station

Donna Nook Lifeboat Station was located north of the village of North Somercotes, in the East Lindsey district of the county of Lincolnshire.

A lifeboat was first stationed here by the Lincolnshire Coast Shipwreck Association (LCSA) in 1829, and subsequently transferred to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1864.

The station was closed in 1931.

History
A lifeboat station was opened at Donna Nook by the LCSA in 1829. They acquired a second-hand lifeboat from fishermen at Saltfleet, a boat built in 1805 for Bridlington Lifeboat Station by Henry Greathead. However, it was soon realised that the boat was not suitable for the location. The Theddlethorpe lifeboat was placed at Donna Nook in 1830, until a new boat, a 28-foot lifeboat constructed by Bell & Grange of Grimsby, arrived on station in 1832. This new boat would launch 9 times in the following 32 years, and save 25 lives.

The LCSA transferred all their lifeboats and stations over to the RNLI in 1864. A new boathouse was constructed to house a new lifeboat, a 30-foot self-righting boat built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London. The boat arrived on 28 October 1864, and was named North Briton.

In 1878, the Donna Nook lifeboat would be replaced by a larger 34-foot 10-oar self-righting boat., constructed by Woolfe and Sons. The cost of the boat, carriage and boathouse modifications were provided as a gift from Miss Dixon, of Holton Park, Lincolnshire, in memory of her brother. The boathouse was named Richard Roadley Dixon Lifeboat Establishment, Donna Nook. At a ceremony in the town of Louth on 13 December 1878, the boat was named Richard and presented to the Institution. She carried on her bow the inscription "Lord Save Us Lest We Perish".

Two more lifeboats would serve at Donna Nook, both named Richard, again provided from the generosity of Miss Dixon.

In 1922, Donna Nook was one of the first lifeboat stations to receive a tractor to assist with the launch of the lifeboat. This was T9, one of 19 manufactured by Clayton for the RNLI.

With increasing numbers of motor-powered lifeboats, including the Humber lifeboat at Spurn Point, able to travel further and faster than the traditional Pulling and Sailing lifeboats, the decision was made to close Donna Nook Lifeboat Station in 1931. In 102 years service, the lifeboat had been launched 92 times, with 164 lives saved.

The Richard (ON 522) would later serve at Whitby as the Jacob and Rachel Vallentine. No evidence remains of the Richard Roadley Dixon Lifeboat Establishment, Donna Nook boat house, which was located at a site, later to become Donna Nook RAF Station.

Notable rescues
On Christmas Eve, 1921, the Richard (ON 522) was launched to the aid of the fishing boat Koivisto. She had been adrift at sea for 9 days, following engine failure, finally coming ashore at Saltfleet haven. After struggling through rough seas, the lifeboat arrived at the vessel, and rescued the crew of 4. However, whilst standing by while a tug attempted to save the vessel, the lifeboat was capsized, throwing 11 crew and the 4 rescuees into the water. Fortunately, everyone was recovered to the lifeboat, and then to the tug, and with the fishing boat and lifeboat in tow, all were taken safely to Grimsby. For this service, John Dobson, Acting Coxswain, and all the lifeboat crew, were awarded The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum.

Station honours
The following are awards made at Donna Nook


 * RNLI Silver Medal
 * Thomas Dobson, Coxswain - 1869


 * RNLI Bronze Medal
 * John Thomas Dobson, Coxswain - 1925


 * The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum
 * William Robinson, Honorary Secretary - 1870


 * Mr Houlden, Honorary Secretary - 1884


 * John Dobson, Acting Coxswain - 1921
 * Every member of the Donna Nook Lifeboat - 1921


 * George Humberstone, Second Coxswain - 1925
 * Fred Wilson, Bowman - 1925

RNLI lifeboats

 * Pre ON numbers are unofficial numbers used by the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society to reference early lifeboats not included on the official RNLI list.