There have been two stations at Douglas, the first was established in 1802 and closed in 1895. The second station established in 1874 is now the present one. The first station would appear to have lapsed about 1851 and was re-opened in 1868.
Douglas was one of the earliest places in the British Isles to be provided with a lifeboat. One was sent there in 1802. It was one of the 31 boats built by Henry Greathead, builder of the first lifeboat stationed on the mouth of the Tyne in 1789. The Douglas boat was ordered by the Duke of Atholl.
On 10 September 1824 the Institution received a request from Sir William Hillary, the founder of the Institution, for a lifeboat for Douglas “…on account of the frequent gales and wrecks in Douglas Bay”. The boat, built by Pellew Plenty of Newbury, Berkshire, was sent in October 1825. Two years later a larger boat was built by Cato of Liverpool, 29 feet long with 10 oars, and the two boats seem to have been working together.
During the years 1824 to 1851 it is reported that 91 lives were rescued by the Douglas lifeboat (not included in lives rescued figures). Sir William Hillary was awarded the Gold Medal as founder of the RNLI and won three other Gold Medals for gallantry. His son Augustus won the Silver Medal. One other Gold medal and 14 Silver medals were awarded.
1825
Gold Medal awarded to Sir William Hillary, Bart as founder of the Institution.
1828
Gold Medal awarded to Sir William Hillary, Bart and Silver Medals to Augustus Hillary, Lt Robson RN and to Lt Stragnell RN for the rescue of 15 people from the Swedish ship Fortroendert and five sailors on 10 December 1827.
Silver Medals awarded to George Quirke, Thomas Brine and William H Carrington for a service to the Steam Packet Earl of Roden which went aground on 7/8 December 1828.
1830
Gold Medal awarded to Sir William Hillary, Bart in connection with the service to the sloop Eclips which went aground in Douglas Bay on 14 January 1830.
Gold Medal awarded to Sir William Hillary, Bart and Lt R Robinson RN and Silver Medals to Coxswain Isaac Vondy, and Mr William Corbett for the rescue of 22 people from the Royal Mail Steam Packet St George which was driven onto rocks on 20 November 1830.
1833
Two Silver Medals awarded to Coxswain Isaac Vondy, who went out in two lifeboats and rescued 52 people from the ship Parkfield which was driven onto the Black Rocks on 2/3 February 1833
1837
Silver Medal awarded to William Milburn for the rescue of eight people from the Schooner Vernon that was driven onto rocks on 19 May 1837.
1839
Silver Medal awarded to Captain Edward Quayle for the rescue of the crew of three by the lifeboat of the Sloop Nanny which went aground on 19 July 1839.
1840
Silver Medal awarded to William Cain for the rescue of the crew of four from a sloop which went aground on 16 September 1840.
1841
Silver Medal Second-Service clasp awarded to Captain Edward Quayle and Silver Medal awarded to Coxswain Thomas Cannell for the rescue of the crew of four from the smack New Volunteer on 6 February 1841.
1876
It was decided that a coxswain should be appointed who would take charge of both lifeboats.
1877
Coxswain T Freet died after a short illness attributed to a severe cold caught whilst waiting on the pier on a stormy night in anticipation that the services of the lifeboat would be required.
1881
The No 2 lifeboat with a crew of 13 capsized after having rescued 14 men and two women from the Barge Lebu of Liverpool in a heavy gale. Unfortunately in the darkness four members of the crew and seven of the rescued seamen were drowned. Committee of Management voted £400 to the local fund for the relief of the dependants. The lifeboat crew were John Campbell, Thomas Clucas, George Elliot and Thomas Kelly
1891
Committee of Management voted £100 to widow of helper W Gordon, who was injured whilst assisting to take lifeboat to launching slip on service on 13 October and who died from the effects of an operation for the amputation of his right leg.
1892
Douglas Council paid £453 to the Institution for the lifeboat house and site.
1893
Committee of Management voted £100 to the widow of Second Coxswain John David Hay, whose death was attributed to catching a cold on exercise on 21 July. The widow was left with three children. She was formerly married to one of the crew of the lifeboat who was lost on service in 1881. She was then left with four children.
1895
On 12 January the No 2 lifeboat was damaged on the rocks beyond repair owing to her moorings breaking. The lifeboat was not replaced and it was decided to abolish the No 1 station.
No 1 station closed
1896
New house and slip near Battery Point paid for by Civil Service Lifeboat Fund – cost £1,439.
1913
When the lifeboat was being hauled up the slipway the slip chain was carried away and the lifeboat ran down and struck a yacht which was lying at moorings. Only minor repairs were necessary to the yacht.
1920
Tomb of Sir William Hillary in St George’s Parish Church renovated.
1928
Centenary Vellum awarded.
1952
Celebration 150th Commemorative Vellum awarded.
1971
Thanks of the Institution accorded to Captain J L Robertson, Honorary Secretary for his valuable service over the past ten years.
1988
Watson motor class lifeboat withdrawn and replaced by Tyne class lifeboat.
1989
Boathouse adapted to accommodate the new Tyne class lifeboat. Alterations included the replacement of all the slipway rollers in the Keelway, provision of external bilgeways, the installation of a Keelway liner and replacement of the transverse slipway ribs.
1997
On 5 January a service was held to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the death of Sir William Hillary. A Vellum was presented to record the occasion.
1999
Coxswain Robert Corran awarded MBE in The Queens Birthday Honours.
2001
On 28 November 2001 the Committee of Management voted the award of a Vellum to Douglas to commemorate the completion of 200 years as a lifeboat station in 2002.
2002
The RSPCA awarded their commendation for the rescue of a heifer stranded on a rocky outcrop in the dark on the evening of 31 October 2001. The heifer jumped into the sea where it was lassoed and gently towed to Port Sodenick beach, one and a half miles away.
2004
Maintenance carried out, Asbestos removal/roof replacement at a cost of £53,157.
2006
Repairs to slipway completed in April at a cost of £75,820.
MEDAL RECORD
Twenty medals have been awarded, five Gold and 15 Silver, the last being voted in 1841. Hillary’s first Gold Medal was an Honorary Award.