STATION HISTORY
Page 2
Fifty Two People Rescued by the Lifeboat
FIFTY TWO PEOPLE RESCUED BY THE LIFEBOAT
The 1,400 ton S.S. "LAKE NEPIGON", under Captain Howard Campbell,
left Liverpool at noon on Thursday August 31st, 1882. She was on passage
to Quebec, via Dun Laoghaire, carrying pig iron and general cargo. On
board also were 100 passengers and 54 crew.
At 1.00 a.m., during the height of the south-west gale, the "LAKE
NEPIGON" was driven onto the Arklow Bank, eight miles south of Wicklow.
Captain Campbell attempted fruitlessly to re-float the ship by reversing the
engines. Finally, fearful of the situation, he ordered the ship's six lifeboats
to be launched, and made ready to abandon ship. The captain, two
engineers and fifteen crew remained on board. The boats remained
aingside the ship until 5.30 a.m.
The weather by this time had worsened; the strong gale caused a rough
and confused sea while the closing mist added to the turmoil. In the
unforgiving tide the boats were swept away and soon began to lose sight of
their ship as the mist enshrouded and obscured her. By 6.30 a.m. all the
boats had drifted completely out of sight and were being pushed further
north towards Wicklow.
A Mr. McLeod in No. 3 lifeboat, had his crew row with the wind and tide,
he reckoned Wicklow to be in that general direction. Just before dawn,
Wicklow Head Lighthouse loomed intermittently through the mist. As the
coast neared, a fishing boat was seen in the distance. When hailed, it altered
course to the crammed boat. They were finally towed into Wicklow at 9.30
a.m. Twenty nine people were landed, exhausted and suffering from
exposure. Mr. McLeod gave details of the five boats still at sea. The lifeboat
Secretary, Mr. Samuel Pim, was soon notified and minutes later the
"ROBERT THEOPHILOUS GARDEN I" lifeboat was launched under
Coxswain Edward Condron.
"ROBERT THEOPHILOUS GARDEN I"
The storm still raged at its height, with winds reaching strong gale force
and heavy seas. Almost two hours after setting out, the lifeboat was off Six
Mile Point when she came across one of the boats crammed with people.
It was taken in tow and the search continued for the remaining boats, which
were found shortly afterwards, almost foundering on the shore. Thirty-two
people were taken from two of the boats on to the lifeboat, with the remaining
three taken in tow. As it would have been impossible to confront the fury of
the elements and make for Wicklow, the Coxswain headed for Greystones.
Soon after, another vessel was sighted to windward, the smack "EMERALD ISLE",
the North Arklow Light Ship tender. When signalled, she altered
course to give assistance. The "EMERALD ISLE" took two of the boats, with
55 people on board and continued on her way to Dun-Laoghaire.
At Greystones 55 people went ashore safely. The local people showed
great kindness, giving them clothes and food.
During the long haul to Greystones, the tow line parted. The Second
Coxswain, Patrick Kelly, managed to replace it before the boats were sepa-
rated in the confusion. In recognition of his display of seamanship, one of
the survivors, an English Clergyman, later presented him with £5, which was
divided equally among the crew.
Arklow Station was informed at 1.30 p.m. of those still remaining on board
the "LAKE NEPIGON". The lifeboat was immediately launched and headed
out into the gale. The Arklow Bank was searched for hours but nothing was
found, it was thought that she had sunk with all on board.
It later transpired that the "LAKE NEPIGON" had re-floated on the noon
tide and at 6.00 p.m. she passed Holyhead on her way to Liverpool.
A storm of terrific violence hit the Irish Sea on Thursday, February 26th, 1903. The wind had been blowing from the south, and towards nightfall it increased to hurricane force,
accompanied by heavy seas and torrential rain with snow and sleet at intervals.
At about 8.00 p.m., the Coast Guard reported a vessel in a dangerous condition
a mile north of the harbour. The Secretary, Mr. Robert Lees, at once went to the pier head, where he could
see the vessel's lights. She was then drifting but made no sign
of distress.
Mr. Lees remained there until 9.30 p.m., when, wet through and cold, he decided to return home for a change of
clothing. Returning to the station at 10.00 p.m., he found the vessel had let go a distress flare. Minutes later, the lifeboat
was
launched under Coxswain Mark Byrne.
The Coast Guard, with the rocket apparatus, also proceeded to the scene by land.
The lifeboat left the harbour and faced mountainous seas to reach the vessel which, by then, was very close to shore approximately four miles north of the harbour. The battered ship was found to
be the schooner "BRACKLEY" of Liverpool, on passage
from Wexford to Wicklow.
The lifeboat was brought alongside despite the imminent danger of being
crushed by the pitching and tossing schooner.
One by one the four weary crew members jumped on board the lifeboat.
With great skill, the Coxswain managed to hold alongside throughout.
The lifeboat was brought about and headed for the harbour. By now the
turbulent seas were so rough that a large breaking wave came overthe side,
and washed away the mizen mast, despite which the harbour was reached
securely at 1.30 a.m.
Also on Saturday, November 28th, of that year the lifeboat carried out an
exercise in Wicklow Bay, under the direction of the Inspector. When the
exercise was completed to his satisfaction, the lifeboat returned to station.
At around 7.00 p.m. that evening, a gale arose from the east without
warning. Almost immediately the sea rose in turmoil, with large breaking
waves, driving rain and snow.
The schooner, "SARAH JANE", which had been at anchor in the bay over
the previous week was struck by the full force of the gale. In the high seas
she began to show signs of weakening, rolling alarmingly and taking water.
For over two hours the crew battled to keep her stable, working frantically
with the pumps to keep her holds empty and making sure she held her
mooring.
At 9.30 p.m., fearing the worst, the Captain decided to fire a distress
signal for assistance. The signal was spotted and reported to Mr. Lees. At
9.50 p.m. the lifeboat was launched under Coxswain Mark Byrne and
headed out into the bay, once more.
The "SARAH JANE" was reached, two miles north of the harbour, thirty
minutes later, still in a dangerous state. The Captain requested the
Coxswain to give assistance in saving the crew and the vessel. Without
delay three lifeboat crew-men were put on board and after two hours of
strenuous effort the "SARAH JANE" was finally brought into the harbour.
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