Historic lifeboat H.F.Bailey on the move on Friday
Historic lifeboat H.F.Bailey is on the move to temporary storage – leaving its home in the RNLI Henry Blogg Museum at Cromer’s Rocket House while building repairs are completed.
Specialist movers arrived at the Rocket House today (Thursday 19 September 2024) and began the careful process to prepare the lifeboat, used by lifesaving legend Henry Blogg in many of his most famous rescues, for its short journey through Cromer.
Despite travelling only a few miles, the operation has involved detailed planning and support from many – including North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), Norfolk Constabulary, transporters Allelys, and, not least, those who live and work along the route to clear the way.
The move is set for lunchtime on Friday 20 September and should take the historically significant lifeboat to safe storage nearby if all goes to plan – restricting Brunswick Terrace, The Gangway and a section of the promenade around the museum during the operation.
Jacqui Palmer, RNLI Heritage Development Manager (museum manager), said: “The operation is delicate and complex, and has taken months of planning.
“We’ve been dependent on so many different factors – including the weather, tides and availability of partners and contractors – that it’s been a nail-biting experience to the very end getting a time and day confirmed for this week.
“It’s going to be an extraordinary and pain-staking event that involves the hard work of many people.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the commitment and patience of those who are helping us do our very best to preserve this important part of Cromer’s history in saving lives at sea.”
It was essential to find safe and secure storage for the H.F Bailey as its size and historical significance mean it can only be housed in specialist locations, equipped to deal with a large heritage vessel.
NNDC recently committed £1m-worth of funding for the restoration at the Rocket House and, once completed, the historic lifeboat is due to return to the Rocket House along with the other artefacts that are going into safe storage.
The H F Bailey is the most famous RNLI lifeboat to have served from Cromer because she was used by Coxswain Henry Blogg, the most decorated lifeboat crew member in RNLI history, to perform many of his most famous lifesaving rescues.
The lifeboat was on station for the ten years between 1935 and 1945 and has not moved from her location on Cromer beach between then and now. She is now part of the National Historic Fleet and has been preserved in the RNLI Henry Blogg Museum in Cromer. Her return is scheduled to coincide with the 90th anniversary of her arrival on service.
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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 142,700 lives.
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