The true story of a remarkable rescue, which took place in 1899 when the Lynmouth lifeboat crew carried their boat over five miles by land to save a ship in distress.
On the evening of Thursday 12th January 1899 a telegram was received for the coxswain of the Lynmouth lifeboat, the Louisa. A large ship on its way from Bristol to Liverpool, the 1900 ton 18 man three masted Forrest Hall, was drifting ashore at Porlock. Watchet reported that the severe weather prevented them from launching their boat, so the Lynmouth boat was the ship's only hope. One of the severest gales ever had been blowing all day, it was clear that the Louisa could not be launched at Lynmouth. Not to be beaten the decision was taken, the coxswain proposed taking the lifeboat by road up Countisbury Hill, over Exmoor and down Porlock Hill, a total of nearly 14 miles, to the more sheltered harbour at Porlock Weir. The combined efforts of some 20 horses and 100 local men eventually brought the boat to the top of Countisbury. Most of the helpers exhausted from their efforts gave up here, leaving only 20 men to help the crew for the rest of the journey. After navigating many dangerous and hazardous obstacles pulling and pushing the Louisa they eventually reached Porlock Weir almost 12 hours later at 6:30am the following morning. The crew, although exhausted and hungry, immediately launched their lifeboat.
It took an hour to reach the Forrest Hall, which had drifted perilously close to the rocks. The lifeboat escorted the ship to a safe haven before finally returning by sea some 41 hours later to Lynmouth, arriving at 11.30am on Saturday January 14th so completing one of the most remarkable events in the annals of the RNLI.
With John Rowe, Tom Bevan and Hugh Dickson
Directed by Cherry Cookson
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Thanks...
Sounds like an excellent TRUE story that apparently shows the determination of will of our ancestors to save human life. This is a tale that needs to be told to every generation so that they can see what man can endure when the goal is the saving of human life Thank You. ------------------------------------------------- R
Thank you!