Torbay Lifeboat Station 1.33

Torbay Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Brixham, Devon in England. Brixham Lifeboat Station was opened in 1866 but since 1924 it has been known as 'Torbay'. Since 2005 it has operated a all-weather lifeboat (ALB) together with a inshore lifeboat (ILB).HistoryDuring the evening of 10 January 1866 a severe storm blew up and at least 74 vessels sought refuge again in Torbay and in the harbours at Brixham and Torquay. During the night the wind changed direction and increased in strength. The Lifeboat China was brought by road to Torquay and rescued eleven men from two ships but at least 30 ships were wrecked and 70 people died in that storm. Afterwards the RNLI was asked to provide a lifeboat at Brixham. It proved difficult to find a site for a boathouse so the City of Exeter was at first kept at Bolton Cross and taken to the harbour on a carriage. At first it was kept under a tarpaulin but a boathouse was built for it later. In 1873 a new boathouse and slipway was built near the breakwater so that the boat could be launched straight into the harbour. The old boathouse was used as a fire station for many years but was demolished and the site used for a new post office.In 1875 another lifeboat station was opened on Torbay, this time at Torquay. In 1917 it was decided by the RNLI to rename 'Brixham Lifeboat Station' as 'Brixham and Paignton Lifeboat Station'. Five years later its 'pulling and sailing' lifeboat was replaced by a new motor lifeboat. This could cover a larger area and operate in more severe weather so Torquay Lifeboat Station was closed the following year. In 1924 the station at Brixham was renamed as Torbay Lifeboat Station. A larger motor lifeboat was sent to Torbay in September 1930. This was too large to be kept in the boathouse so it was moored in the harbour near the slipway. The boathouse was retained as a workshop but during World War II part of it was dismantled to make it easier for the Royal Navy to reach a new large slipway which was built over the old lifeboat slipway. The RNLI built a small pier in 1950 for the boarding boat that was used to ferry crews out to the lifeboat.