Caister Point Beach Photo

Caister Lifeboat Station

This is a picture of the Caister Lifeboat Station and the vessel Royal Thames taken in August 1964 only a few months after she was taken on strength. In 1969 the RNLI decided to close the station holding a record of 1814 lives saved, the highest of any station at that time. However because of the proud tradition of lifeboat men in Caister they refused to accept this and opened Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service as soon as the RNLI withdrew. The saddest time for this station was in 1901 when the lifeboat Beauchamp with 146 lives saved to her credit capsized during a rescue killing all but 3 of her crew. At the inquest council suggested to James Haylett (coxswain 1887-1900) that the lifeboat was heading back to shore. Haylett’s repost was précised by the press as “CAISTER MEN NEVER TURN BACK” the abiding principle of the Caister Lifeboat to this day. The full History of the station can be found at http://www.caisterlifeboat.org.uk/history/index.php see the memorial at [[807581]] N.B I wasn’t an infant prodigy my older brother took the photo!

© Clyde F. H. Baker and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence