St Abbs History
1830 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coastguard Lieut Charles Shaw for rescuing four men from the sloop Peggy that went ashore on 28 August.
1832 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coastguard Mentor Annis for rescuing two men, two women and two children from the smack Forfarshire that was driven ashore in a storm on 5 October.
1835 Two Silver Medals were awarded to Coastguard Mentor Annis for rescuing two men from the schooner Bell that was wrecked in severe weather near Redheugh on 19 January.
1907 On 17 October, during a storm and in dense fog, the cargo vessel Alfred Erlandsen struck the Ebb Carr rocks. Lifeboats from Eyemouth and Dunbar attempted to rescue the 17 sailors on board but they all died. A local appeal was set up by Miss Jane Hay who had witnessed the loss of the entire crew and she repeatedly impressed upon the authorities the urgent need for a lifeboat at St Abbs.
1911 The RNLI established a lifeboat station; a slipway was built in the harbour and the lifeboat was kept in the open at the top of it. In recognition of her efforts Miss Jane Hay became the honorary secretary of the new station.
1915 A boathouse was built at the top of the slipway and this boathouse is still in use today.
1964 The boathouse was adapted for an Oakley class lifeboat.
1973 Coxswain James Wilson was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM).
1974 The all weather lifeboat was withdrawn from service following the placing of a new 44ft Waveney class lifeboat at the neighbouring station of Eyemouth. An inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was established with a D class lifeboat.
1977 Framed Letters of Thanks were presented to Helmsman Alistair Crow and Crew Member James Wilson for the skill, determination and fine seamanship displayed by them when they rescued the three crew from the yacht Glorfindel II, which was in danger of being swamped in St. Abbs outer harbour in a storm, heavy swell and rough seas on 9 September 1976.
1979 The D class lifeboat was replaced by a C class lifeboat.
1981 The boathouse was adapted to house the inshore lifeboat.
1985 The station was adapted to operate a B class lifeboat and a launching cradle was installed to lower the lifeboat down the slipway.
1986 The C class lifeboat was withdrawn on 20 April and replaced with a B class Atlantic 21 lifeboat.
1998 Improved crew facilities were provided in the boathouse.
2002 The slipway was refurbished and a new winch was installed in March.
The Atlantic 75, B-783 Dorothy and Katherine Barr II, was placed on service.
Station honours
At St Abbs lifeboat station the following awards have been made:
Framed Letter of Thanks 2
Silver Medal 4
