Cromer Lifeboat Station

Cromer Lifeboat Station
Cromer All-weather Lifeboat Station
Cromer, Norfolk
General information
TypeLifeboat Station
LocationCromer Lifeboat Station, 1: Cromer Pier
2: Brunswick Terrace, Cromer, Norfolk, England
Coordinates52°56′3.4″N 1°18′5.84″E / 52.934278°N 1.3016222°E / 52.934278; 1.3016222
Opened1804
Owner Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Website
Cromer RNLI Lifeboat Station

Cromer Lifeboat Station is located in Cromer, a seaside town located approximately 23 miles (37 km) north of Norwich, on the north-east coast of the English county of Norfolk.[1]

A lifeboat was first placed at Cromer in 1804 by a local committee, being taken over by the Norfolk Shipwreck Association (NSA) in 1823. Management of the station was transferred to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in December 1857.[2][3]

The station comprises two station buildings. A large boathouse, completed in 1999, sits at the end of Cromer Pier, and houses the Tamar-class All-weather lifeboat 16-07 Lester (ON 1287), on station since 2007. A smaller boathouse, built in 1902, and located at the foot of Brunswick Terrace, is home to the D-class (IB1) Inshore lifeboat Mr Eric Sharpe (Civil Service No.54) (D-868), on station since 2022.[4]

History

There has been a lifeboat service operated from Cromer for two centuries – predating the establishment of the RNLI. The volunteer crews at Cromer have gained an exemplary record of gallantry. 3 Gold, 8 Silver and 45 Bronze RNLI Medals for gallantry have been awarded at Cromer, helping make Cromer lifeboat station one of the most well known of the lifeboat stations operated by the RNLI. Some of the most notable rescues and services have been carried out by now famous coxswains, such as Henry George Blogg GM BEM and Henry "Shrimp" Thomas Davies BEM, and their crews.[5][6]

In the early days of the station, the lifeboats were kept outdoors on the east jetty. From 1804, a privately operated service was funded by subscription, which was administered by a local committee, led by Lord Suffield, the third baron of Gunton Hall. Other dignitaries on the committee included George Wyndham of Cromer Hall, Thomas Mickleburgh, a local merchant, Joseph Gurney, a Cromer draper, and grocer Benjamin Rust.[6]

In 1823, management of the station was taken over by the Norfolk Shipwreck Association (NSA), who became responsible for lifeboat stations between Hunstanton and Gt. Yarmouth. This continued until 1857, until the NSA fell into financial troubles, with the lifeboats in a declining state of repair. At a meeting of the NSA on 21 November 1857, it was decided that the whole operation of the NSA be transferred to the management of the RNLI. This was formally agreed at a meeting of the RNLI committee of management on Thursday 3 December 1857.[3][6]

The NSA had built a lifeboat house at Cromer, which once stood some 100 yards from the high-water mark, close to where the Inshore lifeboat station now stands. The RNLI altered and renovated this station at a cost of £46-2s-7d, but by the mid-1860s, this station had outlived its usefulness and a new boathouse was planned.[7]

The new site was on the east gangway, and work started on the new station in 1867. The new boathouse project also included building an extension to the sea walls, and a slipway across the top of the beach. The work cost £476-4s-0d and was carried out by a local builder by the name of E. Simmons. The cost of the station was met by Benjamin Bond Cabbell, who also provided a new lifeboat for the station, costing £306. The lifeboat, a 34-foot self-righting 'Pulling and Sailing (P&S) lifeboat, one with sails and oars, was duly named Benjamin Bond Cabbell.[6]

In 1883, the Benjamin Bond Cabbell was unable to make progress whilst attempting to get away to the aid of the schooner Alpha. The schooner was driven ashore, with the crew of five rescue by the Rocket Brigade. The Benjamin Bond Cabbell was abandoned on the shore, the crew dissatisfied with the boat and its lack of power (oars). Subsequent meetings and discussions brought about the arrival of a new lifeboat, a 14-oared non-self-righting lifeboat, based on the designs of their old North Country lifeboat, which was in use up to 1858. The new boat, later to be known as a Cromer-class lifeboat, was again named Benjamin Bond Cabbell (ON 12).[8]

A new 38-foot Liverpool-class P&S lifeboat was placed on station in 1902. The cost of the new lifeboat and equipment was defrayed from the bequest of Miss Emily Heartwell of Holloway, London. At a ceremony on 9 September 1902, the new boathouse was inaugurated, and after a short service of dedication by Rev. J. F. Sheldon, the lifeboat was named Louisa Heartwell (ON 495).[9]

At least three-feet longer than any previous Cromer lifeboat, a new boathouse was required, and was constructed at the end of the esplanade, at the foot of Brunswick Terrace, at a cost of £525.[10][11]

When the new 46-foot 6in motor-powered lifeboat H. F. Bailey (ON 670) arrived on station in 1923, the 1902 boathouse would now not be large enough. Another new boathouse was again required. This time, a much larger boathouse, with a roller slipway, was constructed at the end of Cromer Pier, at a cost of £32,000. The pulling and sailing lifeboat Louisa Heartwell (ON 495) was retained as a No. 2 lifeboat.[10]

A remarkable period of service would occur at Cromer between 1927 and 1941. No fewer than 37 RNLI Medals for gallantry were awarded, along with multiple awards from various governments and The Queen of The Netherlands.[5]

  • 21–22 November 1927, Dutch tanker Georgia, 1 x Gold, 12 x Bronze
  • 17 February 1931, Fishing boat Welcome Home, 1 x Bronze
  • 14–16 October 1932, Monte Nevoso of Genoa, 1 x Silver
  • 13 December 1933, Barge Sepoy, 1 x Silver
  • 9–10 October 1939, S.S. Mount Ida, 1 x Silver, 3 x Bronze
  • 6–7 August 1941, 6 vessels in convoy, 1 x Gold, 1 x Silver, 3 x Bronze
  • 26–27 October 1941, Steamship English Trader, 1 x Silver, 11 x Bronze (incl 1 posthumous)

Cromer continued to operate two All-weather lifeboats until 1967, when the No. 2 boat was withdrawn. The lifeboat on station at the time, the 37-foot Oakley Mk I lifeboat 37-13 William Henry and Mary King (ON 980), was transferred first to Bridlington, and later to North Sunderland. The withdrawal of the second All-weather lifeboat saw the introduction of a new D-class (RFD PB16) Inshore lifeboat (ILB), (D-101). The 1902 boathouse is still the home of the Inshore boat.[12]

Towards the end of the 1990s, it was decided that the 1923 pier boathouse had reached the end of its serviceable lifetime, especially in the face of the elements at the end of the pier.

The structure was removed in two halves, and transported by sea along the coast to Southwold, where it was reassembled. It is now home to the Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum, its main exhibit being the 44-foot Norfolk and Suffolk-class (P&S) former Southwold lifeboat RNLB Alfred Corry (ON 353).[13]

The Cromer Pier boathouse was replaced between 1997 and 1999, costing approximately £3 million, funded by bequests and private donations.

During this period, the Ruby and Arthur Reed II was temporarily placed in the relief fleet, and a carriage launched Mersey-class lifeboat, 12-30 Her Majesty The Queen (ON 1189), was stationed on the shore next to the 1902 boathouse.[14]

In 2007, the Tyne-class lifeboat was withdrawn, and a new Tamar-class All-weather lifeboat assigned to the station. Modifications to the slipway were required, and a second carriage-launched Mersey-class lifeboat, 12-004 Royal Shipwright (ON 1162), was placed at Cromer for one year.[15]

The new Tamar-class lifeboat arrived on station in 2008. At a ceremony on 8 September, H.R.H The Duke of Kent named the lifeboat 16-07 Lester (ON 1287).[16]

Station honours

The following are awards made at Cromer.[10][5]

Henry George Blogg – 1924[17]
Henry George Blogg – 1941
Henry George Blogg GC, Coxswain – 1941[18]
Henry Thomas Davies, Coxswain – 1970
Henry George Blogg, Coxswain – 1917
Henry George Blogg EGM, Coxswain – 1927 (Second-Service clasp)
Henry George Blogg GC, Coxswain – 1941 (Third-Service clasp)
Hon. Auberon Herbert – 1867
William Davies, Acting Second Coxswain - 1917
Private Stewart Holmes, 2/4th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders – 1917
Henry George Blogg EGM, Coxswain – 1932
Henry George Blogg EGM, Coxswain – 1934 (Second-Service clasp)
Henry George Blogg EGM, Coxswain – 1939 (Third-Service clasp)
John James Davies, Second Coxswain – 1941
Henry George Blogg GC, Coxswain – 1941 (Fourth-Service clasp)
George Allen, crew member – 1917
James Allen, crew member – 1917
Edward Walter Allen, crew member – 1917
William Allen, crew member – 1917
Henry Balls, crew member – 1917
Charles Cox, crew member – 1917
George Cox, crew member – 1917
Leslie James Harrison, crew member – 1917
Tom Kirby, crew member – 1917
Gilbert Mayers, crew member – 1917
Walter Rix, crew member – 1917
William Rix, crew member – 1917
George Balls, Second Coxswain – 1927
John James Davies (Sr), Bowman – 1927
Robert Davies, Mechanic – 1927
William Thomas Davies, Assistant Mechanic – 1927
Edward Walter Allen, crew member – 1927 (Second-Service clasp)
Richard J. Baker, crew member – 1927
George Cox, crew member – 1927
Harry William Davies, crew member – 1927
James William Davies, crew member – 1927
John James Davies (Jr), crew member – 1927
Leslie James Harrison, crew member – 1927 (Second-Service clasp)
Sidney Charles Harrison, crew member – 1927
John James Davies (Sr), Bowman – 1931 (Second-Service clasp)
John Davies (Sr), Second Coxswain – 1939 (Third-Service clasp)
Henry William Davies, Mechanic – 1939 (Second-Service clasp)
James William Davies, Assistant Mechanic – 1939 (Second-Service clasp)
Henry William Davies, Mechanic – 1941 (Third-Service clasp)
Leslie James Harrison, Second Coxswain – 1941 (Third-Service clasp)
Harold V. Linder, Mechanic – 1941
John James Davies (Sr), Second Coxswain – 1941 (Fourth-Service clasp)
Henry William Davies, Mechanic – 1941 (Fourth-Service clasp)
James William Davies, Assistant Mechanic – 1941 (Third-Service clasp)
William Thomas Davies, Bowman – 1941 (Second-Service clasp)
Edward Walter Allen, Signalman – 1941 (Third-Service clasp) (posthumous)
Henry Thomas Davies, crew member – 1941
James Richard Davies, crew member – 1941
John James Davies (Jr), crew member – 1941 (Second-Service clasp)
Robert C. Davies, crew member – 1941
William H. Davies, crew member – 1941
Sidney Charles Harrison, crew member – 1941 (Second-Service clasp)
Dr Paul Stuart Barclay MC TD – 1974
Clive Richard Rayment, Helm – 1981
Richard William Davies, Coxswain – 1994
  • Medal service certificates
Frank H. Muirhead, crew member – 1981
Christopher B. Craske, crew member – 1981
  • The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum
Henry Thomas Davies BEM, Coxswain – 1974
R. W. Davies, crew member – 1974
Richard Davies, Coxswain – 1989
William Davies, Second Coxswain – 1998
Richard Davies, Coxswain – 1999
  • A Collective Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution
R. W. Davies, Coxswain – 1991
W. T. Davies, Second Coxswain – 1991
R. J. Hannah, Mechanic – 1991
J. W. H. Jonas, Assistant Mechanic – 1991
P. Jefferies, crew member – 1991
P. Everitt, crew member – 1991
H. Balls, crew member – 1991
J. Howard, crew member – 1991
Henry George Blogg EGM, Coxswain – 1932
Henry George Blogg EGM, Coxswain – 1927
Each of the other members of the lifeboat crew – 1927
  • Silver medal and a diploma awarded by The Italian Government
Henry George Blogg EGM, Coxswain – 1932
  • Bronze medals and diploma awarded by The Italian Government
Each of the other members of the lifeboat crew – 1932
  • French Maritime Cross, awarded by The French Government
Henry Thomas Davies, Coxswain – 1948
  • Life-saving medal, awarded by The French Government
Each of the other 11 members of the lifeboat crew – 1948
Edwin Luckin, Boathouse Manager – 2023NYH[19][20]

Roll of honour

In memory of those lost whilst serving Cromer lifeboat.[10]

  • Died on 21 September 1918, after becoming paralysed whilst assisting the launch of the lifeboat H. F. Bailey (ON 670), on service to the Swedish vessel Fernebo on 9 January 1917.
John Sharp, Driver
  • Collapsed and died of heart failure shortly after being recovered to the lifeboat H. F. Bailey (ON 777), after five lifeboat crew, including Henry Blogg, were washed overboard, whilst on service to the steamship English Trader on 26–27 October 1941.
Edward Walter Allen, Signalman (49)
(Allen was posthumously awarded his third RNLI Bronze Medal).

Cromer lifeboats

Pulling and Sailing (P&S) lifeboats (Cromer / Cromer No.1)

ON[a] Name Built On station[21] Class Comments[22]
— Unnamed 1804 1804–1830 25-foot Greathead [Note 1]
Pre-148 Unnamed 1830 1830–1858 31-foot North Country [Note 2]
Pre-338 Unnamed 1858 1858–1868 34-foot Peake Self-righting (P&S) [Note 3]
Pre-518 Benjamin Bond Cabbell 1868 1868–1884 34-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 4]
12 Benjamin Bond Cabbell 1884 1884–1902 35-foot Cromer [Note 5]
Sold 1902, became houseboat Lorna Doone at Great Yarmouth.
495 Louisa Heartwell 1902 1902–1923 38-foot Liverpool (P&S) [Note 6]
Moved to Cromer No. 2 in 1923.

Motor lifeboats (Cromer / Cromer No.1)

ON[a] Op. No.[b] Name Built On station[23] Class Comments
670 — H. F. Bailey 1923 1923–1924 46-foot 6in Norfolk and Suffolk Cromer's first motor lifeboat. Transferred to Gorleston in 1924 and renamed to John and Mary Meiklam of Gladswood. Sold in 1952 and now preserved at Gorleston.
694 — H. F. Bailey 1924 1924–1928 45-foot Watson
714 — H. F. Bailey II 1928 1928–1929 45-foot 6in Watson Transferred to Selsey in 1929 where it was named Canadian Pacific. Sold in 1937, but destroyed by fire the same year.
694 — H. F. Bailey 1924 1929–1935 45-foot Watson Later used at Southend-on-Sea and Dover. Sold in 1956 and used as a yacht, reported to be at Marbella, Spain in 2019.
777 — H. F. Bailey (III) 1935 1935–1945 46-foot Watson Later stationed at Helvick Head. Sold in 1973 and preserved at the Henry Blogg Museum at Cromer since 2009.
840 — Millie Walton 1945 1945–1947 46-foot Watson Initially named Millie Walton but renamed Henry Blogg in 1947, following the retirement of Henry Blogg.
840 — Henry Blogg 1945 1947–1966 46-foot Watson Sold in 1977. Converted to a motor cruiser, renamed Blogg of Cromer, but broken up in 2016.
990 48-03 Ruby and Arthur Reed 1966 1967–1984 48-foot 6in Oakley MkII 48 ft 6 in (14.78 m) Mark II Oakley design. Transferred to St Davids. Sold in 1988 but preserved at Hythe, Hampshire since 1990.
926 — Guy and Clare Hunter 1954 1984–1985 46-foot 9in Watson First stationed at St Mary's in 1955. Sold in 1988 and became a pleasure boat at Donaghadee.
1097 47-006 Ruby and Arthur Reed II 1985 1985–1996 Tyne
1189 12-30 Her Majesty The Queen 1992 1996–1999 Mersey Carriage-launched lifeboat used while the boathouse was being rebuilt.
1097 47-006 Ruby and Arthur Reed II 1985 1999–2007 Tyne Sold for further SAR use in China, numbered Hua Ying 385.
1162 12-004 Royal Shipwright 1990 2007–2008 Mersey Carriage-launched used while the slipway was being rebuilt for a new Tamar-class lifeboat.
1287 16-07 Lester 2007 2008– Tamar
Pre ON numbers are unofficial numbers used by the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society to reference early lifeboats not included on the official RNLI list.

Pulling and Sailing (P&S) lifeboats (Cromer No.2)

When the station received its first motor lifeboat, a No.2 station was established located in the old boathouse. The station was closed in 1967, replaced with a D-class Inshore lifeboat.

ON[a] Name Built On station[24] Class Comments[22]
495 Louisa Heartwell 1902 1923–1931 38-foot Liverpool (P&S) Previously Cromer No. 1. Sold in 1931, now (2024) undergoing restoration at Chatham Historic Dockyard.
514 Alexandra 1903 1931–1934 35-foot Liverpool (P&S) [Note 7]Previously at Hope Cove. Sold in 1934 and now a holiday home in Siel, Scotland, June 2024.

Motor lifeboats (Cromer No.2)

ON[a] Op. No.[b] Name Built On station[25] Class Comments[22]
770 — Harriot Dixon 1934 1934–1964 Liverpool Sold in 1964 but now being restored at Stiffkey.
980 37-13 William Henry and Mary King 1964 1964–1967 37-foot Oakley Mk I Later stationed at Bridlington and North Sunderland. Sold in 1990, now in Drayton Park school playground in Highbury, London, December 2024.

Inshore lifeboats

Op. No.[b] Name On station[26] Model Comments
D-101 Unnamed 1967–1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-26 Unnamed 1970–1971 D-class (RFD PB16) First stationed at Walmer in 1965.
D-197 Unnamed 1972–1984 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-307 Spirit of Round Table 1984–1992 D-class (EA16)
D-436 Chloe 1992–2001 D-class (EA16)
D-568 Seahorse III 2001–2010 D-class (EA16)
D-734 George & Muriel 2010–2022 D-class (IB1)
D-868 Mr Eric Sharpe
(Civil Service No.54) 		2022– D-class (IB1) [27]

Launch and recovery tractors

Op. No.[b] Reg. No. Type On station[28] Comments
T7 AF 4215 Clayton 1938
T3 MA 6793 Clayton 1938–1939
T19 TY 2547 Clayton 1939–1949
T49 KGP 854 Case LA 1949–1960
T51 KLA 85 Case LA 1960–1964
T78 BYN 568B Case 1000D 1964–1967
T98 C168 NAW Talus MB-H Crawler 1996–1999
T108 F133 FUJ Talus MB-H Crawler 2007–2008
  1. ^ a b c d ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. ^ a b c d Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ 25-foot x 8-foot 6in (10-oared) Greathead-class non-self-righting lifeboat, built by Henry Greathead of South Shields.
  2. ^ 31 ft (9.4 m) x 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) (10-oared) North Country non-self-righting lifeboat, built by Robson of South Shields, costing £160.
  3. ^ 34 ft (10 m) x 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) (12-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, from RNLI funds, built by Forrest of Limehouse, London, costing £213.
  4. ^ 34 ft (10 m) x 8 ft 9 in (2.67 m) (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Mr B. B. Cabbell of London, built by Woolfe of Shadwell, London, costing £307.
  5. ^ 35 ft (11 m) x 10 ft (3.0 m) (14-oared) Cromer-class non-self-righting lifeboat, legacy of Miss Ann Edgell of Alnwick, built by James Beeching of Great Yarmouth, costing £365.
  6. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m) (14-oared) Liverpool-class non-self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Miss E. Heartwell of London, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £982.
  7. ^ 35 ft (11 m) x 10 ft (3.0 m) (12/14-oared) non-self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, gift of the Freemasons of England, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £945.

References

  1. ^ OS Explorer Map 252 – Norfolk Coast East. ISBN 9780319238158.
  2. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 117.
  3. ^ a b "Meetings of the Committee". The Lifeboat. IV (29): 84–91. 1 July 1858. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  4. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2025). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. p. 127.
  5. ^ a b c Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN 0907605893.
  6. ^ a b c d Cromer Lifeboat, A pictorial history, By Nicholas Leach & Paul Russell, Pub; Landmark Collector’s Library, ISBN 9781843063636
  7. ^ "Cromer Lifeboats 1804-2004", Leach, Nicholas & Russell, Paul, Pub: Tempus Publishing, 2004, ISBN 0752431978
  8. ^ "Cromer: The Proposed New Lifeboat". Norfolk Chronicle and Norwich Gazette. 8 December 1883.
  9. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 36–37.
  10. ^ a b c d "Cromer's station history". Cromer Lifeboat Station. RNLI. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  11. ^ "Additional Stations and New Life-Boats". The Lifeboat. XVIII (206): 552–553. 1 November 1902. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  12. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 58–59, 87.
  13. ^ "The Cromer Lifeboat Shed". The Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  14. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 64, 68.
  15. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 68.
  16. ^ "Bless this boat". The Lifeboat. 61 (586): 52. Winter 2008. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  17. ^ "Medal of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Gallantry" (PDF). London Gazette. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  18. ^ "The British Empire Medal (Civil Division)" (PDF). London Gazette. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  19. ^ "British Empire Medal (Civil Division)". The Gazette. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  20. ^ Stagg, Clare (31 December 2022). "Cromer RNLI volunteer recognised in King's New Year Honours". RNLI.
  21. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 2–36.
  22. ^ a b c Farr, Grahame; Morris, Jeff (1992). List of British Lifeboats Part 1 & 2 (Second ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 1–88.
  23. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 42–70.
  24. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, p. 36.
  25. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 46, 58.
  26. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 87–100.
  27. ^ Parker, Clare (6 June 2023). "Cromer RNLI's new inshore lifeboat named during special ceremony". The Lifeboat Fund. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  28. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 103–106, 113.
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