This image shows Lower Millburn Street with the stone building on the right hand side believed to be the first Kirkcudbright Lifeboat Station. The boat was hauled from there on a wheeled carriage down the street to the quay and where access was often difficult due to the timber yard.
Following Sam Kelly posting the image, John Collins LOM has supplied the following information regarding the first lifeboat in the town.
May 1861 – received a letter from a Mr Samuel Cavan on behalf of the Magistrates and Town Council stating the necessity for a lifeboat in Kirkcudbright. A gentleman resident in Manchester was prepared to pay for the lifeboat and carriage.
4/7/1861 Committee decided to form a lifeboat station at Kirkcudbright. The Inspector to visit and fix on the site for the lifeboat house. Ordered a 6 oared single banked lifeboat and transporting carriage.
17/7/1861 Inspector visited Kirkcudbright and selected a site.
Sept 1861 Hon Architect reported that he had transmitted the plans and specifications for the new lifeboat house. They could not have been sent earlier as the Station Honorary Secretary had delayed returning answers to the usual queries about a new boat house.
4/11/1861 Boat and carriage ready.
7/11/1861 Approved estimate of £144 to build the lifeboat house.
21/6/1862 Lifeboat house reported to be finally ready. There had been delays in its construction caused by bad weather.
4/7/1862 – Lifeboat, carriage and stores forwarded to Castle Douglas railway station by the London and North Western Railway and the Glasgow and South Western Railway. The L&NWR charged the RNLI £4.10/-, but the G&SWR made no charge at all. The lifeboat was taken on its carriage to Kirkcudbright.
8/7/1862 Station Honorary Secretary reported the arrival of lifeboat and its carriage in excellent order
19/7/1862 Inspector took lifeboat afloat for tests and to train the crew. It was demonstrated to the public including 2 or 3 capsizes alongside the quay. There was much astonishment and admiration amongst the spectators and crew.
13/11/1862 First launch of the Helen Lees on service
The Helen Lees was on station for from 1862-1880 and in that time it was launched 8 times and 17 lives were saved.
It became obvious, however, that the siting at Creekhead was not suitable as the majority of vessels requiring help were nearer the Ross Island. This involved rowing for 3 miles often against the tide and usually against a southerly wind.
Following a visit by the Deputy Chief Inspector, Headquarters the present site was chosen and the change was made in 1892.
Hugh and Ann 1892
We would love to hear from anyone who has an image of anything from the above period. As yet no images have turned up of the Lifeboat station in use, the Helen Lees or the boat being launched.
Additional information “The Story of Kirkcudbright Lifeboat Station 1862 – 1991” Dr R N Rutherfurd and T R Collin