Lynmouth's men performed a heroic task in 1899 when they hauled a lifeboat 13 miles over land to Porlock to rescue the crew of The Forrest Hall, a ship foundering in the bad weather and stormy seas that prohibited the lifeboat launch at Lynmouth.
Lynmouth Lifeboat
At 7:52pm on 12th January 1899, a 1,900 ton 3-masted ship Forrest Hall, carrying 13 crew and 5 apprentices, was in trouble off Porlock Wier on the North Somerset coast due to a severe gale which had been blowing all day. She had been under tow, but the tow rope had broken. She was dragging her anchor and had lost her steering gear. The ship's destruction was a distinct probability. The alarm was raised for "The Louisa" (the Lynmouth lifeboat) to be launched to assist. However, due to the terrible weather, it was impossible for the lifeboat to be launched. Jack Crocombe, the coxswain of Louisa proposed to take the boat by road to Porlock's sheltered harbour — 13 miles around the coast — and launch it from there.
The boat plus its carriage weighed about 10 tons, and transporting it would not be easy. 20 horses and 100 men started by hauling the boat up the 1 in 4 Countisbury Hill out of Lynmouth. 6 of the men were sent ahead with picks and shovels to widen the road. The highest point is 1423 feet above sea level. After crossing the 15 miles of wild Exmoor paths, the dangerous Porlock Hill had to be descended with horses and men pulling ropes to stall the descent. The lifeboat eventually reached Porlock Weir at 6:30 am and was finally launched.
Although cold, soaking wet, hungry and exhausted, the crew rowed for over an hour in treacherous seas to reach the stricken Forest Hall and rescue the 13 men and 5 apprentices with no casualties; but 4 of the horses used died of exhaustion. The Forrest Hall was towed into Barry, Wales.
A fuller account of this story can be found in John Travis' book "An Illustrated History of Lynton and Lynmouth".
The event was re-enacted 100 years later, but in daytime. A century on, locals of the West Country village paid tribute to their heroic forefathers by re-enacting the rescue mission.
Sixty men and four working horses had a taste of what their ancestors had faced, bending to the task in driving rain.
At times they resorted to a little 20th century technology. Tractors were used to haul the restored Bembridge lifeboat, a vessel of the same period as the Louisa, up two steep hills.
At 16 years old, Andrew Richards's father was the youngest crew member of the original rescue mission. He was presented with a watch in recognition of his bravery and it is now a treasured family heirloom.
Mr Richards said of his father: "I think he found it difficult to talk about it. He'd rather talk about the amusing aspects of it than the serious side."
The following extract taken from http://www.somerset.gov.uk/archives/exmoor/richardstsummary1.htm is from Tom Richards recordings;
"Post Office had a telephone message from Porlock saying that there was a ship in distress, blowing a gale. Maroons set up to call the crew down to the lifeboat house. It was impossible to launch the lifeboat. Dad, Jack Crowcombe and Mr. Peter went back to the PO to decide what to do. Decided to take the lifeboat over to Porlock. People had gathered outside the PO from curiosity; they thought it was foolish to launch from Porlock. A fellow was sent to Lynton for 18 horses, quite an industry up there, and they were tied up to the lifeboat. All the women and kids and men hauled the boat up Countisbury Hill; stopped for refreshments at the Blue Ball Pub at the top of the hill. Women were told to go home and the few men left carried on. Had to break down hedges to get the carriage through. Took 7 foot wide skids with them, pulled the lifeboat over the top of those. Terrible job getting down Porlock Hill. Took part of a woman’s garden wall down; still dark but when she realised it was a lifeboat, she helped them down to Porlock Weir. There they launched the lifeboat. Towed the carriage back to Lynmouth. Went alongside the Forest Hall schooner. Got aboard and helped the crew and landed up in Barry for the night. Sailed back next day; a steamer leaving Barry harbour gave them a tow back to Lynmouth. No lives lost. Uncle Bill Richards was the youngest member, 15 years old. 13 in the crew."
Replica of the Lynmouth Lifeboat Louisa
An interesting book "The Overland Launch" by C.Walter Hodges,(1969) ISBN 0 435 12187 1 is recommended by Robin Johnson who used to read to his class of 11year olds in Poole.
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