LIFEBOAT – The Brothers

Accreditation The Redcar and Saltburn-by-the-Sea Gazette 06/12/1884.

LAUNCH OF NEW LIFE BOAT AT REDCAR

          On Monday afternoon (01/12), a mew life-boat, which has been sent by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to replace the “Burton-on-Trent”, was launched at Redcar in the presence of a large company.

          The cost of the new boat has partly defrayed by three ladies residing at Cheddar, but who do not wish to have their names published. Her dimensions are:- Length 34ft,; beam 8 ¼ ft,; and draught of water 1ft 9in. She weighs 2 ton 6 cwt., and is fitted with all the latest improvements in order to ensure the safety of the crew.

          Her coxswain is Mr Joseph Burnicle, Redcar. Henry Thompson, Esq., of Coatham, in the absence of Lord Zetland opened the proceedings. In consequence of the Re. W. R. Hopper, Curate of Redcar being indisposed the Rev. C. Daniel, Vicar of Coatham, officiated. After prayer had been offered the Hymn, “Eternal Father Strong To Save,” was sung by the scholars attending Coatham School.

          Captain Carpenter R.N., Chief Inspector of the National Life-boat Institution, then called upon Mr Meek, the hon. secretary of the Redcar Committee, and handed the boat to him. He congratulated the crew and the local committee of having secured a lighter boat, and felt sure that they would do their utmost to keep her in a state of efficiency and further the cause of humanity.

          Mr Meek then called upon Mrs Burgess, wife of Captain Burgess, R.N. who christened the boat by breaking a bottle of wine over its bow, saying as she did so, “ I name this boat “The Brothers; may God speed its missions.”

          The boat was manned by an efficient crew, was then launched and taken out to sea amid the cheers and onlookers.