The RNLI Story

SIR WILLIAM HILLARY

By Richard Banks

                                                  

‘Sir William loved the sea, knew how important it was to the Manx but knew also its cruelty, how it sunk ships, drowned brave men and made paupers of their wives and children. Us fishermen told him about the terrible storm that killed twenty-six of our fathers and grandfathers, said that when the waves were at their worse the sea would always have its way. He said no, that with courage nothing was impossible and on 6 October 1822 he showed how right he was.

  In the midst of yet another storm, we watched from the quayside as a navy cutter floundered on the Conister Rock in Douglas Bay. Battered by the waves, rudder damaged beyond repair, its destruction was as sure as night after day. While others prayed, Sir William gathered us fisherman about him and promised a reward to every man who went to the rescue. So, we rowed out in two boats through waves so high I thought each one would surely drown us. And he fearless, like the soldier he was, urging us on, shouting out his orders in a voice so loud that not even the shrieking wind could silence him. His plan was to put ropes aboard the vessel and tow her back to harbour, and this we did though Lord knows how we managed it. We felt like heroes but our work was not yet done; other vessels were in trouble so back we went, finally saving ninety-seven lives.      

  In March 1824, at Sir William's urging, a national lifeboat institution was founded. The first boat was at Douglas and he its coxswain. In the years that followed he helped save over 300 people, winning three gold medals for bravery. Not bad, I'm thinking, for a landsman who couldn't even swim.’

[The memoir of a Southend lifeboatman formerly of Douglas, Isle of Man. Dictated at his lodgings in the Ship Inn, 25^th of March 1848.]