Eyemouth Lifeboat Station celebrates 140 years of lifesaving

This milestone achievement traces its roots back to January 1876, where a meeting of the RNLI management committee approved the formation of the Lifeboat station in Eyemouth. The station building and slipway were built by Mr J Berry at a cost of £512.  These were built on the east side of the harbour with a slipway running parallel to the east pier. 

The lifeboat, an 8 oared righting lifeboat, measuring 30 foot by 8 foot, was built by Woolfe of Shadwell London at a cost of £275, with its launching carriage costing a further £117.  Both lifeboat and its carriage were delivered by train, from London to Burnmouth Railway station.

On 10th October 1876, the lifeboat was drawn on her carriage from Burnmouth Railway station by 6 horses and taken in a grand procession through the streets of Eyemouth, and then down to the beach.

The funding for the lifeboat had been provided out of a legacy from Mr T Grindlay of Edinburgh and, at the end of the inauguration ceremony for the new station, Mrs Grindlay christened the lifeboat 'James and Rachel Grindlay'.

Mr William Nesbit was appointed Coxswain and the lifeboat was launched from the beach for the first time in front of 5000 people.

Eyemouth RNLI lifeboat station continues to save lives at sea, operating a Trent class lifeboat, along with an IB1 inshore lifeboat.

RNLI media contacts

Adam Ferguson, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Henry Weaver, RNLI Press Officer for Scotland, 01738 642986, 07771 943026, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Public Relations Manager for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07786 668903, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.