"We'll launch from Porlock"
(Sketch artist unknown)
The date is January 12 / 13 1899. Maritime distress signals were sighted having been fired from the schooner Forrest Hall, disabled and dragging her anchor in near-hurricane conditions that caused significant damage across southern England.
With nor'westerlies blowing the Watchet lifeboat had no chance of reaching the vessel. So the call went out to Lynmouth, further down the coast. However, with mountainous waves crashing onto shore, the lifeboat Louisa would be smashed to pieces before even leaving harbour. The decision was made to launch from Porlock, a mere dozen or so miles away but a distance made almost impossible by some of the steepest gradients in Britain. For example, anyone who knows the area, is likely to have driven Porlock Hill that rises to over 1000' with a maximum gradient of 1 in 4 (25%).
Horse were found. Hitched to the lifeboat, the expedition set off in pouring rain with only lantern lights to guide them. Even by the top of the first major hill out of Lynmouth, a wheel came off the carriage and had to be repaired. Progress became easier over the moors, at least in part due to an advance party demolishing gateposts and walls to provide clearance. Going down Porlock Hill, the Louisa had to be braked hard all the way down.
After ten hours hard labour, the lifeboat was launched from Porlock Weir. 24 hours after leaving Lynmouth, Forrest Hall and 15 crew were saved by the lifeboat helping with two tugs that had also reached the scene to tow the vessel to a safe anchorage near Barry, South Wales.
The phrase "We'll launch from Porlock" has gone down in lifeboat history. The RNLI remains a charity that is always so worthwhile to support.
"We'll launch from Porlock"
(Sketch artist unknown)
The date is January 12 / 13 1899. Maritime distress signals were sighted having been fired from the schooner Forrest Hall, disabled and dragging her anchor in near-hurricane conditions that caused significant damage across southern England.
With nor'westerlies blowing the Watchet lifeboat had no chance of reaching the vessel. So the call went out to Lynmouth, further down the coast. However, with mountainous waves crashing onto shore, the lifeboat Louisa would be smashed to pieces before even leaving harbour. The decision was made to launch from Porlock, a mere dozen or so miles away but a distance made almost impossible by some of the steepest gradients in Britain. For example, anyone who knows the area, is likely to have driven Porlock Hill that rises to over 1000' with a maximum gradient of 1 in 4 (25%).
Horse were found. Hitched to the lifeboat, the expedition set off in pouring rain with only lantern lights to guide them. Even by the top of the first major hill out of Lynmouth, a wheel came off the carriage and had to be repaired. Progress became easier over the moors, at least in part due to an advance party demolishing gateposts and walls to provide clearance. Going down Porlock Hill, the Louisa had to be braked hard all the way down.
After ten hours hard labour, the lifeboat was launched from Porlock Weir. 24 hours after leaving Lynmouth, Forrest Hall and 15 crew were saved by the lifeboat helping with two tugs that had also reached the scene to tow the vessel to a safe anchorage near Barry, South Wales.
The phrase "We'll launch from Porlock" has gone down in lifeboat history. The RNLI remains a charity that is always so worthwhile to support.