Watson47
New member
“Valentia Lifeboats A History” by Dick Robinson
ISBN 978 1 84588 707 0
255 Pages. Published in 2011 by The History Press Ireland.
“The trawler was in difficulties on rocks at the entrance to Ardgroom harbour. Valentia Radio received word of the distress at 1:35am and the Rowland Watts set out at 1:35am into a south-westerly hurricane ... “
Almost a poignant as James Hayletts oft quoted, “Caistermen never turn back”. The crew of the Valentia lifeboat display this extreme and raw courage – the reality and the embodiment of the RNLI motto, “Never turn back.”
The 2nd coxswain remarked that at least on one occasion on this service, the Rowland Watts heeled over beyond 120 degrees and should by all mathematical calculations have capsized.
Anyone that has been in mortal danger at sea will know that when the lifeboat is launched to their assistance, whatever the outcome, they now have hope. They know that a group of fellow seafarers, courageous men & women of the RNLI will risk all to save them.
I received this book recently as a birthday present and a wonderful gift it was. I had to read it cover-to-cover. Although I have connections with Valentia & the RNLI, I found it a cracking read. It records the great history of that most westerly RNLI station in Ireland and the British Isles, Valentia - sentinel of the rugged Atlantic coast. Some 716 launches since 1946, including the Air India disaster are faithfully recorded and this book is an outstanding tribute to the people of Valentia, the lifeboat crews and their boats. As with most history – much to be learnt from this book for all seafarers.
ISBN 978 1 84588 707 0
255 Pages. Published in 2011 by The History Press Ireland.
“The trawler was in difficulties on rocks at the entrance to Ardgroom harbour. Valentia Radio received word of the distress at 1:35am and the Rowland Watts set out at 1:35am into a south-westerly hurricane ... “
Almost a poignant as James Hayletts oft quoted, “Caistermen never turn back”. The crew of the Valentia lifeboat display this extreme and raw courage – the reality and the embodiment of the RNLI motto, “Never turn back.”
The 2nd coxswain remarked that at least on one occasion on this service, the Rowland Watts heeled over beyond 120 degrees and should by all mathematical calculations have capsized.
Anyone that has been in mortal danger at sea will know that when the lifeboat is launched to their assistance, whatever the outcome, they now have hope. They know that a group of fellow seafarers, courageous men & women of the RNLI will risk all to save them.
I received this book recently as a birthday present and a wonderful gift it was. I had to read it cover-to-cover. Although I have connections with Valentia & the RNLI, I found it a cracking read. It records the great history of that most westerly RNLI station in Ireland and the British Isles, Valentia - sentinel of the rugged Atlantic coast. Some 716 launches since 1946, including the Air India disaster are faithfully recorded and this book is an outstanding tribute to the people of Valentia, the lifeboat crews and their boats. As with most history – much to be learnt from this book for all seafarers.
