Two former Hoylake lifeboats returned “home” today, including the Thomas Corbett pictured above. The boat was moved off the lorry by crane this afternoon and is currently located in the yard at Hoylake Sailing Club.
Here is the press release from the museum:
On 19th May, our two historic, former local lifeboats will finally make a permanent return to Hoylake where they are to become prime exhibits in the Lifeboat Museum currently being developed on the promenade.
The rowing and sailing lifeboat Chapman is now 110 years old and served on Hilbre Island until 1939 when she left the lifeboat service. Now she will return, rescued from dereliction on the shores of the Ribble and restored, 72 years since she left the Wirral, seemingly for ever.
Also “coming home” is Hoylake’s 1970’s lifeboat Thomas Corbett. Built in Cowes in 1948, she left Hoylake 37 years ago to continue her lifeboat service in Ireland. Rediscovered in County Waterford, she was shipped back through Dublin and will undergo complete restoration in Hoylake. In 1971 Thomas Corbett fulfilled one of the most daring rescues recorded by a Hoylake lifeboat when she went to the aid of the tug Diane. This rescue rightly earned the coxswain a prestigious RNLI medal for gallantry.
Both lifeboats are of national importance and are included in the National Register of Historic Vessels [see here and here].
As you probably know, a volunteer group is working hard to realise the dream of a Lifeboat Museum in Hoylake and much work is being done to develop and prepare the old Victorian lifeboat station to open as a Museum later this summer. Further details can be found on www.hoylakelifeboatmuseum.com and additional volunteers will always be very welcome. We would be delighted if supporters would like to join the Friends of Hoylake Lifeboat Museum. Again, details will be on the website.
COME AND SEE US THIS SUNDAY, 22 MAY.
The annual Wirral Coastal Walk takes place this Sunday. Some of you may already be taking part, some maybe on our behalf…..thank you. Others may just find themselves passing by the old lifeboat station on Sunday morning. We shall be there, so if you would like a cup of tea or something cooler, and a look at some of our plans and ideas for the future Museum, please drop by.
Thanks as always for the continuing support from all our friends and supporters.
It really is amazing that these boats still exist at all, and they’ll be excellent points of focus at the new museum.
Great news for Hoylake.
This is very exciting and I do hope to be able to get to Hoylake one day to see the Museum
Great to see her back but what a sorry state she is in. Amazing, looking at today’s lifeboats, how basic a craft she is!
Its great to see these boats return to their home. I’m looking forward to visiting Hoylake to see the boats and where my great,great,grandad served as a coxswain from 1919-1929.
great to find Hoylake Junction! – Now the old Town is silted up. The baths all gone. The nobbies gone The kingsway and the Wints all gone! Sad Sad Sad! Those windmills out over the bank are THERE! I walked down Market St. no Woolies – No james Mackenzie! No Parkers the butcher where he would sell lovely fresh Welsh reasts of lamb for a PENNY! – – – -Keep going and cheer an old bloke up!