History behind Burnham-On-Sea's Cheltenham Lifeboat

Cheltenham was a wealthy inland town where in 1866 the dangers of the sea were only known by pictorial representations and sensational descriptions of "fearful shipwrecks."

In the winter of 1865 a Lifeboat Committee was established, under the chairmanship of the Rev. W. Hodgson, with the aim of collecting sufficient funds, by public subscription, to build a Life Boat for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

This aim was achieved within a year and a grand launching ceremony was organised the following October, at Pittville Lake in central Cheltenham.

The launching attracted a great deal of public attention, flags of all nations were displayed along the route of the procession. The day was fine and clear and the procession, including the Life-Boat, left the Plough Hotel Yard at 2 pm.

The parade was in the following order:-

· Mounted Police. Flag Bearers. The Band of the Gloucester City Rifles.
· Carriage & four conveying the Lord of the Manor and other Town dignitaries.
· The Life-Boat which was drawn by 6 horses and manned by 11 men in cork life-jackets.
· Carriage & four conveying The Inspector of Life-Boats, The Rev. Hodgson &
Mr & Lady Charlotte Schreiber ( The Town's MP & his wife ).
· 10th (Cotswold) Rifle Company. Members of the Ancient Order of Foresters.
· Drum and Fife Band. 13th Company of Volunteers.
· Band of the Gloucester Artillery and Engineers.
· The Independent order of Odd Fellows. Another Carriage & Four.
· Flags & Banners. Carriage conveying the Life-Boat Committee members.
· Friends of the Institution on foot & in carriages.

The parade entered the Pittville grounds, crossing the bridge and took up places along the Northern edge of the lake. Around the lake were many thousands of people.

The Rector held a dedication service following which Mr.Schreiber formally requested the RNLI's acceptance of the Life-Boat. This address was acknowledged by Captain Ward, representing the RNLI, who thereupon took possession of the Life-Boat.

The Rev. W. Hodgson escorted Lady Charlotte Schreiber to the stern of the Boat & her Ladyship broke a bottle of wine against the rudder naming the vessel - "The Cheltenham Lifeboat ".

The Boat was then launched into the lake, manned by a number of sailors in cork life jackets to the tune of Rule Britannia and the cheers of the crowd. The Life-Boat was rowed several times across the Lake before being deliberately capsized & submerged. It instantly righted itself expelling the water as it righted.

Following this ceremony the R.N.L.I decided to station The Cheltenham Lifeboat
at Burnham on Sea, where it stayed in service until replaced in 1887.

ALSO SEE: Burnham-On-Sea RNLI Home Page - Burnham Lifeboat History - The Old Lifeboat Pavilion.

How To Get Involved with Burnham-On-Sea RNLI
Please contact the Burnham-On-Sea RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Martin Cox or telephone Burnham-On-Sea RNLI's Lifeboat Administration Officer, Clare Rundle, on 01278 781123.

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