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The history and role of the Coastguard is long and can be traced back to the 17th century, for more details use the links page and go to the MCA web site.
In Swanage the Life Saving Apparatus arrived in 1842 with a volunteer section starting in 1883. Our incident records currently go back to about 1924 and our volunteer records go back to 1883, if you think one of your relatives served in the team please get in touch with us and we will be happy to confirm their service details with you.
The Coastguard has changed in many ways since 1883, the volunteers in those days served along side several full time Coastguards based at each station. The volunteers were known as Life Saving Apparatus Men (LSA men) and used their skills to fire rockets out to the vessel to save the crew. As time went on the Coastguard Service had many masters from the Board of Trade to the Royal Navy and today we are part of the Department of Transport, each time the role of the Service changed a little.
In the 1960s the service began to change into what we see today, the term LSA men changed to Auxiliary and there were several sections, Rescue, Watcher or Afloat, slowly over the following years this changed to General Purpose Auxiliary, finally changing in 2006 when all volunteers became known as Coastguard Rescue Officers.
Despite all the changes one thing has not changed and this is the dedication that all Coastguards have given to saving lives around the coast.
We have listed below an extract from our station logs each year we have records for, you may remember some of them and we would welcome your memories to add to the incident.
A few general Coastguard History items are shown in purple, history relating to Swanage is shown in blue.
1698
Riding officers were formed. This was the oldest branch of the preventive service. It was their function to prevent smuggled goods, which had eluded the Revenue cruisers and the Customs officers, from being moved inland. This service originally consisted of 299 officers
The 18th Century into the first half of the 19th century was the Smugglers heyday.
By the end of the 18th century, it was estimated that 50% of the spirits drunk in Britain were smuggled. This was due to the system, that dates back to Saxon times, of imposing a duty on goods brought into the country and also the recent vast increase on this duty on items such as tea, spirits, tobacco silk etc...
The profit to smugglers was estimated at 100% per operation so it was a very popular and profitable venture.
1735
Kent farmers were forced to raise labourers wages to keep them on for the harvest as so many were earning more money by smuggling.
The Government started to slowly try and put a stop to this
.
As early as 1736
There was an act passed that smugglers would get £50 a head if he betrayed his comrades to the authorities.
By 1713
There were troops of dragoons stationed along the coastline with orders to assist customs officers
1783
It was reported in Parliament that customs had identified no fewer than 320 ships engaged in smuggling around the coasts.
1787
William Pitt stated in the House of Commons that at least 400,000 of the 600,000 gallons of brandy imported had been smuggled
By the end of 1807
There was the first rescue using the Manby Mortar when the brig Elizabeth ran aground. This was created by William George Manby. By 1810, this apparatus was adopted following a petition to Parliament.
1809
The Preventive water guard was established to link up with other services. At this stage, England was split in 3 divisions. The Water Guard was made responsible for giving every assistance to save life as well as preventing running of contraband. This preventive water guard was the immediate ancestor of HM Coastguard.
By the end of the Napoleonic war in 1815, the preventive water guard was made responsible to the Treasury, the preventive cruisers to the Admiralty and the riding officers to the Board of Customs.
The first Comptroller general of the Water guard was Captain Hanchett RN.
Around the time of 1816
Captain Joseph MucCulloch RN designed the Coast Blockade with a force of 92 Officers. This was another preventive force designed to combat the smuggling traffic.
1821
There was a report by a committee appointed by the Prince Regent to enquire into every department of the customs. The committee concluded that
A more efficient control would be exercised if all the organisations could be combined under one authority
15th Jan 1822
The Treasury agreed to the committee and proposals that, amongst other things, the preventive service, consisting of preventive water guard, cruisers and Riding officers, to be termed in the future the Coastguard
The first Comptroller general of the Coastguard was Captain William Bowles RN. He served from July 1822 November 1841
1829
The first Coastguard instructions were laid out.
Discipline and directions for carrying out duties to stamp out smuggling and protect the revenue
Cordial relations and active co-operation with other organisations
When a wreck takes place on any part of the coast, every individual is to use his utmost exertion to save the lives of the persons on board and to take charge of the vessel.
1831
Admiralty decided that the Coastguard could become a reserve of the Royal Navy.
1831
Coast Blockade was absorbed in HM Coastguard
1832
Coastguard uniform was introduced. This consisted of a flat leather hat with a ribbon and the word Coastguard upon it, and a double breasted frock coat.
1839
There was a report of the Treasury that stated the state of smuggling is represented, in nearly every return before us, as in a declining state and at a low ebb
1842 - Life Saving Apparatus A Set established.
1845 -
New Coastguard recruits were made to sign a written agreement to serve aboard ships of the Royal Navy if required to do so.
1854 - 1856 -
The Crimean War, A total of 3000 Coastguards served during this war
1854 -
The Board of Trade, under the Merchant Shipping Act, became responsible for issuing life-saving apparatus to the Coastguard
1st October 1856
The Coastguard was placed under Admiralty control. The new duties of the Coastguard included
Assistance to vessels in danger
Taking charge of wrecks
Operation of life-saving apparatus
Active participations in the lifeboats
By 1858
The Coast was divided in 8 Districts
Eastern St Abbs head to Dover
Southern Dover to Yealm
Western Yealm to Tor point
Scottish Tor point to St Abbs head
Northern Ireland Co. Clare north round to Wexford
Southern Ireland Wexford south to Co. Clare
1864
The people of Tynemouth formed the 1st life-saving Brigade following the steamship Stanley and small schooner Friendship running aground with a total loss of 32 lives and 4 lives of the lifeboat crew during the rescue attempts. These disasters were witnessed by a large crowd of spectators and some of the leading citizens of the borough realised that trained assistance would have been needed.
This eventually rolled out across the country and at one point there were more than 400 brigades totalling over 5000 volunteers. However, as the number of shipwrecks decreased, so did the numbers of life-saving Brigades.
1865
Riding officers disappeared due to other services taking over
1866
The Board of Trade laid down rules and regulations for the use of life-saving apparatus. Scales of Remuneration were laid down and Coastguards were also asked to act as recruiting officers for the volunteer life-saving brigades.
Directions for restoring the apparently drowned were also explained.
1869
The Office of Comptroller General of the Coastguard was abolished
1875 The rescue of the crew of the wrecked brigantine Wild Wave on Peveril Ledge by Mr Lose Coastguard Chief Officer Swanage. Mr Lose was awarded a RNLI silver medal for the coordinated rescue in January 1875 using both the 4 and 6 oared Coastguard gigs. Following his action an RNLI lifeboat station was established at the request of the local residents. The boathouse and slipway were built and, although much altered, are still in use today. The original boathouse cost £350 and the slipway £175.
1878
During the threat of war with Russia, the Coastguard was tested of their efficiency as a naval reserve. Coastguards were embarked in 17 ships and afloat for 98 days. Although not in action, they were rated as having performed their sea-going duties efficiently.
Nov 1879 Nov 1882
HRH Prince Alfred (the 2nd son of Queen Victoria) was Admiral Superintendents of Naval reserve in charge. This brought about a lot of prestige advantages to the Coastguard.
1883 - Date of formation of a Volunteer Company.
1914 - 1918 First World War
During this war, there was an almost complete mobilisation of the Coastguard. Some of their new duties included
133 Coastguards being employed full-time in the war signal stations
Look-outs for spies and saboteurs
Giving early warnings of attacks by enemy warships on coastal towns
Disposal of mines
Assisting police and the Army in rounding up suspects, checking suspicious activities and re-capturing escaped prisoners of war.
1918 18th September 80 100 Gallon Cask of sherry found in Swanage Bay. This was salved and brought ashore to the Coastguard Station after guarding it all night. Its estimated value was £1 per gallon.
1922
There was a Government committee set up to examine the Coastguard situation. It was recommended that-
In peace,
The suspension of the coastguard and, in lieu, the retention by the Admiralty of a force.
The establishment by the Board of Trade of a force to be known as The Coast-watching force.
Their tasks included the saving of life, salvage of wreck and administration of foreshores
The establishment by the Board of Customs and Excise of a force known as The Coast Preventive Force.
On the outbreak of war,
The re-creation of a Coastguard
So, the Coastguard was transformed into a life-saving organisation
April 1923
The Board of Trade assumed responsibility for the Coastguard.
For the first time in its history, Britain had a specialised staff primarily dedicated to Coast-watching and life-saving.
Changes and improvements were made such as
An Organisation set up right around the Coastline which consisted of well manned stations at main danger points, stations with less staff at other less dangerous points and Auxiliary stations at less important areas
Adequate look-out systems maintained from commanding positions
Training and instruction of the personnel
Provision of modern electrical communications
Co-ordination of all life-saving activities
Training and inspection of rocket life-saving apparatus companies by officers of the Coastguard
The coast being divided in 12 divisions under 12 Inspectors. These 12 divisions were sub-divided into 51 Districts under their own District officers
The Coastguards were now able to call on aircraft to assist them from the RAF
1930
Although Coastguards were not required to carry out cliff rescue work in face of all danger and difficulties, the Board of Trade considered they should do this work where they were supplied with suitable equipment.
1931
There was a major review of the Coastguard following an investigation of the sinking of the yacht Islander in the previous year. 6 lives were lost and the Coastguard were criticised for the rescue attempt. This Committee concluded that we are satisfied that the Coastguard service which has been built up by the Board of Trade since they assumed responsibility for coast-watching for life-saving purposes, is thoroughly efficient and adequate for the requirements.
Some slight alterations were made however
Coastguard stations were reduced from 252 to 217
Auxiliary stations were increased from 98 to 142
Coastguard personnel were reduced from 820 to 772. (This would be a gradual process)
After this report there was the formation of the Coast life-saving Corps. This was basically the Auxiliaries with a raised status within the Coastguard. These persons were enrolled on a voluntary basis for the purpose of supplementing the Coastguard service. They were split into 3 branches; LSA (life-saving appliance) men, Coast watchers and intelligence section
1933
A special organisation was set up for dealing for accidents to civil aircraft flying in from the continent.
1938
The Admiralty decided not to take over the Coastguard if war broke out. They stated that the Board of Trade should continue to be responsible.
1939
As the war look set to start, secret instructions that all Coastguard stations were to be put on constant watch to report any warships acting suspiciously were sent to all Coastguard inspectors and District officers under the code word Guardian.
1939 1945 2nd World War
When War broke out, additional staffs required for Guardian (about 900) were provided by Auxiliary Coastguards recruited under National service.
By the end of 1939
The Coastguard was under the responsibility of the Ministry of Shipping. However this only lasted 6 months because,
May 1940
The Admiralty again became responsible for the war watching organisation.
Patrols along the shoreline were increased
Coastguards were armed with rifles and sten guns.
Some stations had Tommy guns
In place of their blue uniforms, Coastguards were put into Army style khaki battledress
Coastguards were given courses in aircraft recognition and were required to report numbers and types of enemy aircraft seen
1940
Coastguards were manning 371 stations, 355 Coast-watching posts and 199 Coast-searching posts, assisted by nearly 5000 Auxiliary Coastguards.
October 1945-
The Coastguard was released from the Admiralty and became once more a civilian service under the Ministry of Transport.
November 1945
The Auxiliary Coastguard were officially stood down and disbanded
October 1945-
The Coastguard was released from the Admiralty and became once more a civilian service under the Ministry of Transport.
November 1945
The Auxiliary Coastguard were officially stood down and disbanded
June 1946
The Coastguard got back its traditional blue uniform
1948
The Coastguards became established civil servants thus qualifying for pensions, sick pay etc...
1949
A working party was set up to see if any alterations should be made in the numbers and locations of Coastguard stations ad the degree of watch which should be kept. It was decided that
The Coast-watching system should be planned mainly from the point of view of ships under 500 tonnes
Coastguard stations should be located mainly to cater for commercial traffic, but also dangerous navigational hazards
There should be a bad weather watch only
There should be a continuous watch where there were large volumes of coastal traffic and severe navigational hazards
Regular stations were reduced from 183 161
Auxiliary stations were reduced from 366- 313
Coastguard staff were reduced from 667- 488. (this was taken up by normal and gradual wastage)
All Coastguard stations should be equipped with life-saving apparatus
1961 - 9 Incidents - 2nd May 1961 03:57 received from Coastguard Needles, SS Midhurst reports having picked up a yacht broken down three quarters of a mile east of Peveril Point. Advised Launch of Swanage Lifeboat. 04:20 Lifeboat proceeded to SS Midhurst, whilst on passage it was reported Yarmouth Lifeboat was at scene of the casualty and had taken the yacht in tow from the SS Midhurst. Yarmouth Lifeboat had launched on service at 02:10 in answer to red flares reported one mile south of the West fairway buoy of the Needles channel. The yacht picked up by SS Midhurst had fired the red flares and the strong ebb tide carried her down off Swanage. 0505 Swanage Lifeboat returned and ready for service, yacht being towed to Yarmouth IOW by Yarmouth Lifeboat.
Note communications between vessels were not like they are today, some radio transmissions had to go through Niton radio for action who then passed this to the Coastguard.
1962 - 12 Incidents - 23rd April 1962 12:53 Watchman in charge at Studland reported receiving information from Weymouth Fire Brigade that Swanage Fire Brigade had proceeded to assistance of two youths stranded on Ballard Down. 13:25 Coastguard Swanage informed by Swanage Police that Fire Brigade lines were not long enough and Coastguard cliff gear was requested. 13:25 CG In Charge SC Kay and CG Brown left station in Police transport with cliff gear. CG Brown was lowered 250ft to ledge where youths were stranded, both youths were landed to the top uninjured. 16:00 Arrived back on station rescue completed safely.
Note Studland was a separate auxiliary station to Swanage back in 1962, this station closed and the whole area came under the control of Swanage.
1963 8 Incidents 3 March 1963 15:25 received report from a member of the public at Anvil Point Lighthouse that his friend had been washed off a ledge below Anvil Point Lighthouse into the sea and disappeared 15:42 Swanage Lifeboat launched to search area for man. 17:25 Swanage Lifeboat returned and ready for service, search for man unsuccessful.
1964 16 Incidents - 11 August 1964 15:50 received report of a man fallen over cliff at Anvil Point 15:57 Coastguard In Charge SC Kay, CG Brown, Police Sergeant and one Constable left station with cliff rescue gear including the Neil Robertson Stretcher on Police transport. 16:05 arrived on scene of casualty, Police Sgt. & Dr Pusser lowered to injured man. Man brought up in Stretcher and taken to Poole General Hospital with multiple injuries. 18:10 returned to station.
October 1964
The Coastguard was transferred back to the Board of Trade.
Along with changes in name, this meant that this was the 8th Government Ministry the Coastguard had served under in 140 years
Many stations were now equipped with VHF radio and were included in the 999 telephone system
There was no longer a need for constant watch to be maintained
Coastguards were expected to be more mobile and patrol areas where there was a large number of pleasure craft and high casualty risk
It was recommended that the Government should examine the possibility of making civil funds available for search and rescue helicopters
It was also recommended that more publicity should be given to the Coastguard for public awareness to be raised
The First Coastguard land rover was also purchased around this time
1965 - 15 Incidents - 26th October Coastguard in Charge S C Kay and CG Brown and 2 Police Constables proceeded in Police transport with cliff rescue gear for injured man over cliff at Anvil Point, 12:55 Swanage Lifeboat informed Lifeboat assistance requested and launched. CG Brown and one Police Constable lowered over cliff to injured man, 13:35 injured man lowered into Lifeboat in Neil Robertson stretcher and taken to Swanage and transferred to Swanage hospital. 14:45 returned to station.
New Coastguard look out was started to be built on the old gun emplacement at Peveril Point during April 1965 and completed in March 1966.This replaced a corrugated iron structure.
1966
Coast life-saving Corps became the Coastguard Auxiliary service and the 3 branches were renamed; rescue, look-out and reporting section.
1966 16 Incidents - 16th October 14:46 Swanage Lifeboat launched to assistance of small dinghy and rubber raft full of skin divers in difficulties in the race over Peveril Point. 15:55 Swanage Lifeboat returned and ready for service having picked up eight skin divers and one rubber raft, dinghy sunk off Durlston Head (no lives lost).
1967 20 Incidents - 26 March, received report from CG Wyke that Dorchester Police had received information (999 call) that a man was cut off by the sea at the foot of Old Harry Rocks. 17:13 Swanage Lifeboat launched to assistance of man cut off by sea. 21:30 Swanage Lifeboat returned and ready for service having picked up body of young man found drowned between Ballard head and Old Harry Rocks.
Note CG Wyke was the main Coastguard station for the area and replaced in the years to come by Portland Coastguard.
By 1968
All HQ stations had been fitted with VHF/FM
1968 - 12 Incidents - 31 May 17:05 Member of the public reports seeing a yellow life jacket hoisted at masthead on a sailing dinghy in Durlston Bay. Swanage Lifeboat launched to sailing dinghy in difficulties in Durlston Bay. 18:30 Swanage Lifeboat returned and ready for service having picked up and towed sailing dinghy, with occupants to Swanage Bay.
1969 27 Incidents - 8 June 16:59 report received from CG Wyke via Niton radio that an unknown vessel at 15:38 had broadcast a distress Mayday and its position was 4 miles south of Old Harry Rocks No further particulars 15:44 yacht Ethel Helen position one mile south of Old Harry reported seeing nothing . On receipt of the message from Wyke the Hon.Sec of the Lifeboat was immediately informed and decided to launch the Lifeboat to search area. The Lifeboat searched the area assisted by a helicopter and the yacht Ethel Helen. Nothing found and at 19:07 the search was called off and Lifeboat returned.
18 June 17:40 Member of the public at Durlston Castle observed a capsized dinghy , shore boat launched to find casualty, Swanage Lifeboat launched and helicopter requested after search on body and two survivors brought back to Swanage.
Note 1969 saw the first rescue helicopters attend incidents in Swanage.
February 1970
Women were allowed to officially work within the Coastguard organisation and the age limit of recruits was lowered to 16
1970
There was a review of the Coastguard communication requirements needed. This resulted in a 5 year development plan which aimed to provide complete VHF coverage over the whole of the UK and to enable all Coastguard vehicles and staff with personal radios to communicate with the HQ stations or other constantly manned stations.
1970 40 Incidents - 30 April Dutch ship Lumey ran around between Anvil Point and St Albans Head , Lifeboat stood by until 06:32.
1971
Coastguard reintroduced boats to enable them to carry out patrol and safety functions.
26th October 1971
A Coastguard training school was officially opened at Kings Quay, Brixham, Devon.
1971 32 Incidents - Report of man fallen over cliff at Anvil Point, Cliff team and Swanage Lifeboat proceeded. Helicopter alerted, Station Officer descended found casualty 50ft below. Helicopter lifted man, Lifeboat picked up person from sea who fallen in while trying to assist rescue.
15th January 1972
150th Anniversary of the Coastguard celebrated
1972 - 38 Incidents - 27th December Nun reported fallen below cliff at Peveril Point, search carried out by cliff team, later found that Nun had only fallen 5 feet and had climbed back up then returned to the convent. Search called off.
1973 - 41 Incidents - 24th June Aircraft crashes in Swanage Bay, Swanage lifeboat launched one body recovered.
16th October Training Ship Royalist dragged anchor and came ashore in Studland Bay, Swanage Lifeboat was launched and the District Officer ordered Swanage CRE to proceed, it was a wild night and only one member of the team heard the maroon, the others later assembled after being phoned. Lifeboat was able to go along side the vessel but no one wanted to leave her, CRE team stayed on the beach through the rest of the night, vessel was towed off later by a Royal Marine Landing craft with everyone still on board.
28th October 1974
Coastguard stations were able to fly their own ensign which was based on the blue ensign incorporating a motif on the lines of a Coastguard cap badge. This flag was approved by the Queen.
1974 - 63 Incidents - 3rd February Lighthouse keeper at Anvil Point reported injured climber half way down cliff half mile west of the lighthouse. Two men were on cliff one badly injured, Lifeboat unable to take injured man off due to heavy swell, helicopter unable to assist, injured man brought up the cliff in Neil Robertson stretcher, other one assisted up by cliff men, injured man taken to hospital by ambulance.
26th August Swanage Rover on Patrol in Studland area copied message on VHF radio of a person needing CPR at Studland, proceeded to area alerted Ambulance and Doctor, person had been picked out of sea, he was taken by Ambulance to hospital.
Note the Mobile Response Unit, MRU or mobile was known as a Rover back in the 1974.
1975 - 62 Incidents - 24th May Parachutist reported landed between Goathorn and Brownsea Island. Poole ILB, Poole and Swanage Mobiles and Police launch proceeded to search area with negative results.
28th October A party of 10 Scouts walking from Worth Matravers to Durlston where on arrival they were to make camp for the night and report to the Scout Master in Poole that they had arrived safely. They did not phone in and a search was carried out by Swanage and St Albans CRE companies. Swanage Lifeboat searched to seaward. After a thorough search of the area with negative results the search was called off to be resumed at first light, with helicopter assistance. The boys were found in a camping area that had been searched the previous night. They had been in Tilly Whim caves when the camp area had been searched, they had then left the caves and pitched camp before the caves had been searched.
1976 - 49 Incidents - 3rd May A School teacher and pupils reported cut off by the tide at foot of cliff in Durlston Bay. When Cliff team arrived at the scene it was found that the master and pupils had climbed to the cliff top. It was explained to the master that it had been extremely dangerous to climb this particular cliff due to the loose soil and rocks.
18th August - Man reported having fallen over cliff at Anvil Point. On arrival at scene the casualty was at the bottom of the cliff half in the water being attended by a lady who had witnessed the accident from a yacht and had swam approx. 100 yards to get casualty out of the water. Casualty was lifted off by helicopter and taken to Poole hospital where he died of his injuries on the following Monday.
1977 - 38 Incidents - 28th August Dinghy capsized in tide race people in water. Shore Rescue Boat (SRB) was already at sea and saw the accident and proceeded to scene where two persons were picked up, SRB asked for assistance and lifeboat was launched and informed by SRB that there were two persons missing. Helicopter was requested and together with the Lifeboat and SRB carried out thorough search of area, the beach in Durlston Bay was searched by CRE men. The Trinity House vessel picked up a third survivor. After a through search the search was called off. The body of the fourth person was recovered on Thursday 8th September.
Note - The SRBs were privately owned and used before the arrival of the RNLI inshore lifeboats
1978 - 19 Incidents
1979 - 18 Incidents
1980 - 3 Incidents - incomplete records
1981 - 1985 - no records
1985 - Extension to the CRE (Coastguard Rescue Equipment building) finished.
1986 - 102 Incidents
1987 - 101 Incidents
1988 - 97 Incidents - 6 April Chief Coastguard Commendation granted to Coastguard Rescue Company for the recovery of a body.
1989 - 55 Incidents
1990 - 48 Incidents
1991 - 57 Incidents
1992 - 53 Incidents 25 April Chief Coastguard Commendation granted to Mr D P Gough for the rescue of a climber at Anvil Point.
1993 - 85 Incidents
1994 - 70 Incidents
1995 - 89 Incidents
1996 - 86 Incidents
1997 - 78 Incidents
1998 - 86 Incidents
1999 - 96 Incidents
2000 - 81 Incidents
2001 - 112 Incidents
2002 - 83 Incidents
2003 - 97 Incidents
2004 - 111 Incidents
2005 - 115 Incidents
2006 - 122 Incidents
2007 - 115 Incidents
2008 - 118 Incidents
2009 - 112 Incidents 6 February - Chief Coastguard opens new station at North Beach Car Park. 7 February 15.26, Last radio transmission from Peveril Point Station as station closes.
2010 - 165 Incidents
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