Wicklow 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 here by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1857.

The station currently operates the Shannon-class All-weather lifeboat, 13-27 Joanna and Henry Williams (ON 1334), on station since 2020, and a D-class Inshore lifeboat Dennis-Audrey (D-806), on station since 2017.

History
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.

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. 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 mi of Wicklow harbour. The Wicklow lifeboat managed to save all eight men aboard the brig New Draper of Whitehaven, on passage to Dublin.

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).

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.

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 1865 boathouse also still stands, located just off Upper Strand street.

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 boat would be renamed Robert Theophilus Garden (ON 178), as would be two later lifeboats.

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.

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.

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.



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.

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) has been Wicklow's lifeboat since 2020.

Station honours
The following are awards made at Wicklow


 * RNLI Silver Medal
 * Lt. Thomas Dymock Jones Dabine, RN - 1831


 * Owen Jones, Chief Officer of Coastguard - 1839


 * RNLI Bronze Medal
 * Edward Kavanagh, Coxswain - 1950

All-weather lifeboats

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