Community Remembrance for the Gem Lifeboat Tragedy Before a Call for Help
Members of St Davids crew took part in a community ceremony to commemorate the ‘Gem’ lifeboat tragedy at Cross square on the 13th October before being paged for service.
On 13th October 1910, the 'Gem' went to rescue three crew stranded in terrible weather aboard the ‘Democrat’, a coal ship delivering to Ramsey Island. The rescue was a success, but the sail-assisted rowing boat crashed onto the rocks on the return journey, killing three crew members - coxswain John Stephens and crewmen Henry Rowlands and James Price. Miraculously the 12 remaining lifeboat crew and three rescued sailors survived by clinging to the rocks for over 12 hours.
As the RNLI flag was raised, Canon Leigh Richardson from St Davids cathedral said, “Their courage and sacrifice still speak to us of duty, love and of a light that shines in the darkness.”
Following the ceremony, the Tamar class all-weather lifeboat launched and laid a wreath on the rocks where the lifeboat sadly foundered. The driftwood, seaweed and sea shell wreath was kindly made by pupils at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi.
Whilst afloat at approximately 12.30pm, HM Coastguard requested St Davids crew conduct a search of the St Davids head area after a pair of rucksacks were found near the coast path north of the headland.
After a short shoreline search, two rock climbers were located who verified that the two rucksacks found on the cliff top were in-fact theirs.
With nothing untoward and nothing further required for the lifeboat, the volunteers stood down and returned to station.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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