Tuesday, July 02, 2002

Saving Lives: Eastbourne Lifeboat

Jack Fuller was a man ahead of his time. He often got in on the ground floor when innovations were being made. For example, he provided a lifeboat for a new station at Eastbourne in 1822, two years before the Royal National Lifeboat Institution was founded by Sir William Hillary. The boat was 25 ft long, was 8 ft 6 in across the beam and had ten pulling oars. She was built by a Mr. Simpson of Eastbourne.

The name of this ship has not yet been discovered by the writer. However, she is credited in saving 35 lives during 7 services. Many medals and honours were bestowed upon her officers and crew.

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