Gun Salute

Regrettably, an urgent operational task has resulted in HMS SUTHERLAND being committed elsewhere and she will not now be able to join the flotilla of six lifeboats for the wreath-laying ceremony at 1215 on Thursday 27 October.

A small arms detachment from the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth has, however, agreed to step into the breach and fire a 13 gun salute from 5.56mm rifles as the wreaths are laid – one gun for each soul lost; they will fire from a position in the gardens of “The Bolt” at South Sands which will be open from 11:45am.

A  Maritime and Coast Guard Agency rescue helicopter will also now join the lifeboats for the ceremony.

Although a disappointing development, SUTHERLAND’s absence will not detract from the principal aim, that of an appropriate commemoration of the disaster 100 years ago this week.

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Memorial Stones Commemorate 1916 Lifeboat Disaster

Salcombe RNLI have arranged two large Memorial Stones to be placed on each side of the mouth of Salcombe Harbour overlooking the position where the Lifeboat capsized in 1916.

One of the Stones has been brought into Salcombe and is currently on display (until about the end if September) before going to its permanent site on the coastal footpath.

1916_img_2690

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Events on 27th October 2016 to Commemorate the Centenary

On 27th October 2016, the Centenary of the capsize of the William and Emma, Salcombe Lifeboat Station will commemorate the tragic loss of 13 lives and give thanks for the saving of two with the following events :

10:00 am : Service of Commemoration in Holy Trinity Church Salcombe led by the Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt. Rev. Nick McKinnel. All are most welcome to attend.

During the service a “maroon” will be fired from the church tower to signal the beginning and end of a two-minute silence. The Bishop of Plymouth will also dedicate a plaque as a permanent memorial to those who perished in the disaster.

12:15 pm : Wreath laying at sea from “The Baltic Exchange III”, Salcombe’s All Weather Lifeboat, in the vicinity of the Bar;  “Joan Bate”, Salcombe’s Inshore Lifeboat and the Plymouth All Weather Lifeboat , will also be in attendance.

“HMS Sutherland“, a Plymouth based Type 23 frigate, will fire a 13 gun salute as the wreaths are laid – one for each soul lost.  http://royalnavy.mod.uk/hmssutherland

The following decommissioned lifeboats will also take part in the ceremony:
• City of Bradford III (served on the Humber 1954-1977 and Lytham St Annes1978-1985).
• Samuel & Marie Parkhouse (now named Onoros) (served in Salcombe 1938-1962).
• Mary Irene Miller (served in Port Patrick 1989-2011).

After the ceremony all participating lifeboats will process up the harbour to Whitestrand.

Boat owners are welcome to witness the wreath laying ceremony from the water, we do however request that you remain a respectable distance from the main ceremony and do not impede the passage of the small flotilla of lifeboats as it makes its way to and from the event.

Mrs Angela Yeoman has kindly agreed to open her garden at “The Bolt”, South Sands from 1145 to those who wish to watch the wreath laying ceremony from the shoreline. (The Bolt is the penultimate house on the left on the road from South Sands out towards Overbecks & Bolt Head). Parking will be very limited and it is hoped that those who are able will park at North Sands and walk to South Sands. There will be some spaces available at the car park of the ex Tides Reach hotel. Entry to the gardens at the Bolt is at your own risk as the owner cannot accept responsibility for any loss or injury.

14:45 hrs : Talk/Presentation/Film show in Cliff House for reserved for the descendants of the 1916 crew and guests of Salcombe Lifeboat Station (by Invitation only). NB: This is the same talk/film as will be presented at other times during the summer – see “Talks and presentations”.

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