Sheringham History

1838 A private lifeboat was placed at Sheringham and a boathouse was built in the village.

1867 The RNLI took over the lifeboat station and a boathouse was built at the eastern end of the town. The lifeboat was launched from a carriage.

1870 and 1877
Heavy gales destroyed the slipway.

1902 Following launching difficulties the lifeboat was removed to Old Hythe.

1904 A new boathouse and slipway were built at Old Hythe.

1936 A new boathouse and slipway were built at the end of the promenade for the station’s first motor lifeboat.

1939 A Centenary Vellum was awarded to the station.

1941 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain James Dumble for rescuing 15 men from the steamer Eaglescliffe Hall in a gale, rough seas and squalls of rain and sleet.

1955 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Coxswain Henry West for rescuing four men from the steamer Zor in bad weather. The Zor was listing and her cargo of timber floated out of her making conditions dangerous.

1956 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain Henry West and Bronze Medal to Motor Mechanic Edward Craske for rescuing 18 men from the steamer Wimbledon. Coxswain West was one of the first two members of a lifeboat crew to receive a gift from the James Michael Bower Endowment Fund. Awards from this fund, established in 1955, are made to those who receive either the RNLI’s Gold or Silver Medal for Gallantry.

1961 Coxswain West, Second Coxswain H Joyful West, Bowman Scotter and Signalman Wink were awarded the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum for rescuing four people from a converted ship’s lifeboat Lucy.

1962 A new tractor house was built.

1986 An inshore D class lifeboat was placed on temporary service in March; she was withdrawn in October.

1988 The station was awarded a 150th Anniversary Vellum.

1992 The all weather lifeboat was withdrawn on 18 April and replaced by a B class Atlantic 21 lifeboat.

1994 The Atlantic 21 was replaced by an Atlantic 75. B-702 was the first Atlantic 75 to be placed on service at a lifeboat station.

The boathouse was modernised for the Atlantic 75 and launching tractor and also provided improved crew facilities.
 
2003 A new boathouse extension was completed.

2007 The new Atlantic 85 lifeboat The Oddfellows was placed on service.

Station honours

At Sheringham lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 
Bronze Medal 2
Silver Medal 1