LIFE BRIGADE – Redcar and Coatham Inspection

Accreditation The Redcar and Saltburn-by-the-Sea Gazette 27/08/1877.

QUARTERLY INSPECTION OF THE REDCAR AND

COATHAM VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE

     The quarterly practice of this brigade took place on Tuesday 23^rd, August, 1877, on the afternoon, when members were inspected by Captain Cecil F. Johnson, R.N., Assistant Coastguard Inspector. The rocket apparatus was placed on the sands, near the front of the Coatham Hotel, and a capital shot was fired, the line passing right over the pole erected for the purpose. No delay took place in the fastening of the ropes, as was the case at the last quarterly practice, and two persons were promptly conveyed from the pier to the shore, but an unforeseen accident occurred just as the men were about to proceed with the removal of the third person, by the breaking of the chain fastening the blocks to the backstay: fortunately no one was injured, as would most likely have been the case if the chain had broken a few minutes later. Captain Johnson expressed himself as better satisfied with the way the members of the brigade had gone about their duties, the apparatus having being adjusted and the lines fixed in about half the time occupied for this purpose at the last inspection. The prize for throwing the line was won by Charles Whitaker.