Historic journey retraced to mark 150th anniversary of town's first lifeboat

21 hours ago

Thomas MartinBBC Scotland News, Eyemouth

News image — Crew and volunteers pulled their modern inshore D-class boat through the streets of Eyemouth

RNLI A group of eight people are pulling a bright orange life boat through a narrow street. the boat is mounted on a trailer. the boat says RNLI across the front. — Crew and volunteers pulled their modern inshore D-class boat through the streets of Eyemouth

Lifeboat crew in Eyemouth have carried out a mission with a difference - retracing the journey of their very first boat along the Berwickshire coast 150 years ago.

Back in 1876 the 30ft, eight-oared vessel named James and Rachel Grindlay arrived from London by train at Burnmouth station.

The boat was drawn by six horses through the streets of Eyemouth, down to the beach and launched for the first time by the station's founding Coxswain William Nesbit.

On Saturday the current crew retraced that journey - pulling their modern lifeboat along that very same route.

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Eyemouth is the main fishing port in the Scottish Borders, with the harbour sitting at the heart of the town.

Its lifeboat has always played a crucial role in protecting those who work at sea.

Coxswain Andrew Jamieson said they were proud to follow in the footsteps of those who came before.

A short-haired balding man with a beard is standing in front of the harbour. if you look over his shoulder you can see right out to sea. He is wearing a navy t-shirt that reads '150th Anniversary'. — Andrew Jamieson is the current Coxswain at Eyemouth Lifeboat Station

"It's a big part of the station's history, so it was a big thing for us recreating this journey," he said.

When the lifeboat first arrived on the Berwickshire coast 150 years ago, about 5,000 people turned out to watch its maiden launch.

For communities like Eyemouth, the harbour is at the heart of daily life - and that connection remains strong today.

Andrew said he was pleased to see crowds out in support of the crew along the route at the weekend.

"The lifeboat is always a big part of the community, it's like an extended family for most," he said.

RNLI An old black and white picture showing a wooden longboat, there are 5 oars on the boat. they are just at the edge of the harbour. — Eyemouth's first lifeboat arrived in 1876 after being built in London.

Dean Mark is part of the crew at Eyemouth and the third generation of his family to serve at the station.

He said: "Retracing this journey, it certainly makes you think about the history of the station."

"It must have been really hard work back then..... for the horses."

Wendy Lorimer was also among those taking part and admitted the pull was no easy task.

She said: "It went really great, we were even running at one point, but I am so happy that people have turned out to support us."

A women stands in front of the beach, you can see the coastline and buildings behind her. She is wearing a red hat and a yellow waterproof high vis jacket. she is also holding two oars the one in her right hand is blue the one in her left is white — Wendy Lorimer is a part of the crew at Eyemouth

After reaching the Old Coble House - the town's first lifeboat station - the crew were piped into the water for a short demonstration, before returning to normal duties.

Andrew added: "It's great to celebrate milestones like this, it really puts things into perspective but at the end of the day we have a job to do for the people of Eyemouth and we must continue to do it."