Lifeboat

This article was posted on Kirkcudbright RNLI Lifeboat Station’s Facebook page on 25/08/2026

Kirkcudbright RNLI’s ILB Sheila Stenhouse B- 814 – “She deserves a medal”

The lifeboat has performed amazingly during the last 20 months she has been moored in the river while the boathouse was being extended and renovated. These are the words of Kirkcudbright RNLI’s mechanic John Collins who has maintained the Sheila Stenhouse for 20 years.

Now the oldest Atlantic 85 in the RNLI Fleet this boat has served the coast around the Solway for two decades. As Kirkcudbright crew take over the wonderful new boathouse facility the current boat has been retired and will be replaced with a new Atlantic 85.

When she first came on service she was one of the earliest Atlantic 85’s in Scotland. On 13 October 2007 she was named at Kirkcudbright Harbour by Mrs Carol Richmond, in memory of her late aunt, whose bequest had funded the lifeboat. Like many boats in the RNLI fleet she was funded by the generosity of donors. The Sheila Stenhouse replaced the Atlantic 21 Peter and Grace Ewing.

The service record of the Sheila Stenhouse was

197 launches

198 people assisted

93 craft assisted

25% of her activity was to assist sailing boats.

The Atlantic 85 was an improvement on the former Atlantic 21. The Sheila Stenhouse was capable of speeds

up to 35 knots the Atlantic 85 could launch in daylight in force 7 conditions and at night in a force 6.

As the numbers above testify the Sheila Stenhouse has been involved in many and varied call outs. Sometimes being turned back even before launching and at other times launching in rough dangerous conditions and being at sea for many hours.

She has covered cliff rescues, capsized boats, engine failures, missing person searches, recovery of vessels run aground. Numerous kayakers, swimmers, fishermen and people stranded. Most shouts have good outcomes but the crew’s thoughts often turn to the more tragic events. However the volunteer crew can be very proud of the more than 200 people that have been assisted when needing help.

Through all this the Sheila Stenhouse, given as a generous gift, has been an excellent lifeboat and will be missed.

Continue reading…

David Henry, a former member of Kirkcudbright Lifeboat crew, presents a history of the Kirkcudbright lifeboats their crews and the services they have provided over the years both locally and beyond. The recording of the talk can be found on this link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1UCY0FpQgg&t=12s

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