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The volunteer lifeboat crews of Sheringham have been putting to sea to help those in peril for more than 170 years, and now authors Nicholas Leach and Paul Russell have recorded their exploits in a book which provides a comprehensive account of the station's history and development.
The first lifeboats at Sheringham date from the 1830s, when a private locally-funded boat named Augusta was provided for the use of the fishermen. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution got involved in the station's operation in 1867 and three pulling and sailing lifeboats served between then and 1936.
In 1936 the first motor lifeboat, a 35ft 6in craft named Foresters' Centenary, was placed on station and served for 25 years, achieving a magnificent service record and saving 82 lives during her career. She undertook the station's most notable rescue to date when, on 31 October 1956, her crew, led by Coxswain Henry 'Downtide' West saved 18 men from the steamship Wimbledon in heavy seas and extremely hazardous conditions. During the service the whole crew showed courage and seamanship of a high order, and the Silver medal was awarded to the Coxswain.
The Oakley lifeboat The Manchester Unity of Oddfellows served until the early 1990s, since when fast rigid-inflatable Atlantic lifeboats have been operated. The latest lifeboat at Sheringham, the Atlantic 85 class The Oddfellows, arrived in July 2007 and was named on 15 September 2007. Manned by a crew of four, this sophisticated lifeboat is the fastest and most powerful lifeboat to serve the station.
