Theddlethorpe Lifeboat Station

Theddlethorpe Lifeboat Station was located near the village of Theddlethorpe St Helen, on the east coast of the county of Lincolnshire.

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

With problems finding enough local crew, and further difficulties launching the boat at that location, the RNLI closed the station in 1882, and opened a new station at Mablethorpe, just down the coast, in 1883.

History
Theddlethorpe Lifeboat Station opened when the Lincolnshire Coast Shipwreck Association placed a lifeboat there in 1829. She was a 22-foot lifeboat built by William Plenty, costing £143. A boathouse was constructed at a further cost of just over £64, and John Bell was appointed Coxswain. This first Theddlethorpe lifeboat, which was unnamed, was launched on service 10 times over a 35 year period, and is credited with the rescue of 27 lives. Between 1830–1832, the Theddlethorpe boat was temporarily placed at Donna Nook Lifeboat Station, as their old boat was deemed unfit, and a new boat was being built.

In 1864, the LCSA handed over control of their 6 lifeboat stations, including Theddlethorpe, to the RNLI. They immediately placed an order for a new lifeboat with Forrestt of Limehouse, London, a 30-foot self-righting boat with oars and sails (a "Pulling and Sailing" lifeboat), which cost £216-1s-0d. A carriage was provided at £83, and a new boathouse was constructed, costing £160. The total cost was met by a gift from a Mrs. Caslake and 'friend'. The lifeboat arrived in Theddlethorpe on 20 October 1864, and at a ceremony was named Dorinda and Barbara. Dorinda and Barbara would be launched just 4 times over the next 7 years, but is credited with rescuing 41 lives.

The third, and last, lifeboat to serve at Theddlethorpe, was again funded by Mrs Caslake and 'friend', and again named Dorinda and Barbara (ON 29). A 30-foot Norfolk and Suffolk-class non-self-righting lifeboat, costing £145, and built by Beeching of Great Yarmouth, she arrived on service on 17 October 1871. She would launch 11 times, and rescue 19.

Theddlethorpe Lifeboat Station was closed in 1882. A new station was opened at Mablethorpe in 1883. The lifeboat Dorinda and Barbara (ON 29) was relocated to Southwold No.2 station, renamed Quiver No.2. No evidence remains of the former lifeboat station.

Theddlethorpe lifeboats

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