RNLB Mary Stanford (ON 733)

RNLB Mary Stanford (ON 733) was the Ballycotton Lifeboat from 1930 to 1959. Ballycotton is on Ireland's southern coast, a trade route to the Americas. There are many dangerous rocks and shallows with on-shore prevailing winds. Ballycotton has a long tradition of life-saving. Mary Stanford had 41 rescues, or "shouts", and saved 122 lives. She performed the notable Daunt Lightship rescue on 11 February 1936. After her withdrawal from service she lay for some years in a backwater of Dublin's Grand Canal Dock, but has now been returned to Ballycotton and restored.[1]

Oil painting by B. F. Gribble of the rescue of the crew of the Daunt Lightship by the Mary Stanford. It was depicted on a 1974 Irish postage stamp marking the RNLI's 150th anniversary
History
Name: Mary Stanford
Owner: RNLI
Builder: Saunders Roe Ltd, Cowes.
Cost: £9,402-15s–11d
Christened: 7 July 1931
Completed: 22 July 1930
Maiden voyage: 17 September 1931
In service: 1930
Out of service: 1959
Identification: ON733
Fate: Restored by The Mary Stanford Project
Donor:John Frederick Stanford, London.
StationBallycotton
General characteristics
Class and type: Barnett
Tonnage: 2
Length: 51 ft
Installed power: 2 x six-cylinder 60hp Weybury C.6 petrol engines running at 1,200 rpm
Sail plan: Auxiliary sail
Speed: 8.88 knots
Capacity: 100
Crew: 12
Notes: Saved over 100 lives
For the lifeboat which capsized in Rye Harbour in 1928 with the loss of its 17 crew, see: RNLB Mary Stanford (ON 661)

Ballycotton

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) established a lifeboat station in Ballycotton in 1858.[2] There is a long history of life saving at Ballycotton. The first acknowledged by the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, as the RNLI was then called, was when they awarded a silver medal in 1826.[2] On 21 December 1825, the vessel Britannia was wrecked in Ballycotton Bay. Her master, the only survivor, lashed himself to a rock. There he remained for seven hours. In spite of the danger, a local man, Dennis Cronen rowed out and rescued him and then sheltered him in his cottage for four days.

There were many early rescues by coastguards.[3][4]

RNLI
The lifeboat Austin Lidbury in 2006, and lifeboat station opened in 2002

The need for a purpose-built lifeboat was evident. The boat was delivered in time for the visit of the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward in 1858. The lifeboats prior to the Mary Stanford were all powered by oars and sail. As ships became larger the need for a motorised craft was realised. On 12 December 1928, the RMS Celtic was wrecked at Roche's Point, Queenstown (later Cobh). At the time of her launch in 1901, she was the largest ship in her day, one of the "Big Four", the first to exceed 20,000 tons, dwarfing the Ballycotton Lifeboat, which came to the rescue.

The Mary Stanford was named on 7 July 1930 by Mrs. Louisa Cosgrave, wife of President Cosgrave. The cost, £11,000, was donated by Mr. J.F. Stanford, of London.[5] There was a previous lifeboat, named Mary Stanford. Two years earlier, it had capsized with the loss of all 17 crew in Rye Harbour, England.[6] The new Mary Stanford would be more fortunate. She would save many lives, including the famous rescue of the Daunt Lightship.

Daunt Lightship Puffin

Daunt Rock has always been a hazard to shipping. The first lightship was stationed there by the Irish Lights Board in 1864 following the wreck of the City of New York on the rock. Lightvessel Puffin took up this duty. There was a severe gale on 8 October 1896 and the Puffin vanished. [7] The wreck was not found until a month later, on 5 November 1896.[8] The remains of the crew were never located. In folklore they remain at their post, as a ghost ship, appearing to warn of impending danger.[9]

Daunt rescue
The preserved Mary Stanford in Ballycotton in 2018

On 10 February 1936 a south-eastern gale, with rain and snow, developed into a hurricane. Mountainous waves were crashing over the pier and breakwater transforming the harbour into a seething cauldron, the spray was flying over the lantern of the 196-foot-high (60 m) lighthouse;[10] "stones, some a ton in weight, were being torn from the quay and flung about like sugar lumps".[11] At 8 am next morning an SOS was received: the LV Comet, on station at Daunt rock, had broken from her moorings and was drifting dangerously. Without waiting for orders, in horrendous conditions, Coxswain Patrick ("Patsy") Sliney took Mary Stanford to sea. Comet was not at Daunt rock, she was riding at anchor a quarter-mile away. Other ships arrived, but dared not approach the Comet in such conditions. Although heavy and built for endurance, the Comet was being tossed around by the waves and was risk to other ships.

Mary Stanford made several attempts to get a steel cable aboard the Comet. Every time they did, a large wave crashed the ships further apart and the cable snapped. When darkness fell, Mary Stanford headed for Cobh to get stronger cables. The Innisfallen and HMS Tenedos (H04) stood by. The Lifeboat crew had been all day without food. They ate, slept for three hours and received a change of clothing. Early next morning (Wednesday) Mary Stanford returned to Daunt rock. The sea was just as stormy. It was now enveloped by a thick fog, and it was impossible to effect a rescue. The lifeboat remained in the storm all day and all night. The Commissioners of Irish Lights vessel ILV Isolda had arrived and stood by while Mary Stanford went to Cobh at 7 am to refuel, and promptly returned.

That evening, the storm increased. Comet drifted closer to Daunt rock. When she was 60 yards from the rock, as darkness approached, the Coxswain decided the only option was to try to get alongside and for the crew to jump for the lifeboat. He knew the dangers. On the first attempt, one man got on board, on the second attempt no one jumped; a third time, and five men were safe. The lifeboat went in a fourth and fifth time, but no more were able to make it. Two men were still on board, clinging to the rails, too exhausted to jump. On the sixth attempt, as the Mary Stanford came alongside, the two were seized by the lifeboat crew and dragged aboard. (This moment was depicted on an Irish postage stamp)[12]

They then went to Cobh and disembarked the rescued at 11 pm and then returned to Ballycotton. Mary Stanford had been away for 79 hours. [13] The crew had only three hours sleep during the 63-hour rescue (from leaving Ballycotton to disembarking Comet's crew at Cobh), they all suffered from colds, saltwater burns and hunger.

An RNLI Gold Medal was awarded to Coxswain Patrick Sliney, Silver Medals to Second Coxswain John Lane Walsh and Motor Mechanic Thomas Sliney, and Bronze Medals to Crew Members Michael Coffey Walsh, John Shea Sliney, William Sliney and Thomas Walsh. This rescue became famous, and was depicted by marine artists.[14] and featured in popular books.[15] When a postage stamp was issued by the Irish Post Office to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the RNLI, this rescue was chosen. The design of the stamp was based on the painting by Bernard Gribble,[16] which depicts the last two lightshipmen being pulled onto the lifeboat.

Other rescues
Languishing in Grand Canal Dock

Mary Stanford had many other rescues to her credit. The years of the Emergency during World War II were difficult. There was a serious risk from drifting mines. On 27 January 1941 a mine exploded on the Ballycotton shore, demolishing the curate's house and smashing the windows in the church.[5]

Rescues which merited RNLI medal were:

  • On 30 January 1941, there was a strong wind, thick fog and drifting mines. The eight-man crew of the SS Primrose of Liverpool were rescued just as she was sinking.[5] A bronze medal was awarded.[2]
  • On 23 December 1943, the Irish Ash was in difficulties. This rescue took 30 hours. They managed to bring the ship to safety in Cobh. One silver and two bronze medals were awarded.[5]

Some rescues involved the Cliff Rescue Team. On 1 February 1947, the Irish Plane was driven onto rocks below cliffs, west of Ballyshane. The Mary Stanford did not launch that as little could be done in the weather conditions so close to the shore. The crew of the Irish Plane were rescued by the Cliff Rescue Team.

Epilogue
Naomh Éanna and Mary Stanford

Mary Stanford retired and on 16 September 1959 and was replaced by Ethel Mary. Lifesaving continues at Ballycotton; there have been many callouts, including during the 1979 Fastnet race. Up to 2002, seventeen RNLI Medals have been awarded to Ballycotton lifeboatmen; two gold, seven silver, and eight bronze. Since March 1998, Ballycotton has been served by Trent Class lifeboat Austin Lidbury.[2]

The Daunt Lightship Comet survived. After she was sold, she became Radio Scotland, a Pirate radio station.[17]

Coxswain Patsy Sliney retired in 1950, he had taken part in the rescue of 114 lives and was awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals.

Mary Stanford was a reserve lifeboat from 1959 until 1969 when she was sold to the Limerick Harbour Commissioners, where she served as a harbour pilot launch until the mid-1980s. An organisation called the "Irish Nautical Trust" announced plans to establish a floating museum in Grand Canal Dock. They were given a number of historic craft on the understanding that they would be preserved.[18] Without funding the work was abandoned. Subsequently, further boats were refused admission to the dock without assurance that they would be preserved.[19] Mary Stanford lay for some years in Hanover Dock, a backwater of Grand Canal Dock, beside Naomh Éanna which served the Aran Islands.

A group was formed to return Mary Stanford to Ballycotton by April 2014[20][21] where, after restoration work, she was put on display.[1]

Effective services
Mary Stanford, October 2011
Effective Services
Dateshiphome portactionsaved
17 September 1930Fishing Yawl BoozerBallycottonsaved yawl2
19 October 1930Steam Trawler Phineas BeardLondonassistance 
10 August 1931Yacht AilsaSouthamptonassisted to harbour 
26 March 1932Steam Trawler MacawMilfordstood by 
27 October 1932Fishing Boat St. Mary and a puntBallycottonescorted 
15 December 1934Steamship Lady MartinDublinescorted 
11 February 1936Daunt Rock lightvessel Comet  8
2 May 1936Steam Trawler Evaristo PerezVigoassistance 
2 May 1936Steam Trawler Teresa Camposa Vigoassistance 
16 May 1937Ketch GarlingstoneMilford Havenstood by 
2 January 1939Motor Drifter Yankee GirlBallycottonescorted 
30 July 1939Motor Fishing Boat Point GirlBallycottonsaved boat &4
23 August 1940Motor Fishing Boat Point GirlBallycottonsaved boat &4
19 November 1940Steamship NestleaNewcastlelanded22
20 November 1940Steamship NestleaNewcastlehelped 
20 November 1940Steamship NestleaNewcastlesaved a boat 
30 January 1941Steamship PrimroseLiverpoolsaved8
29 April 1941Ship's boat saved boat 
12 March 1942Ship's raft saved raft 
15 December 1942Steam Trawler DereskeMilford Havenassisted 
23 December 1942Steamship Irish AshDublinsaved vessel &35
23 January 1943Fishing Boat EmilyBallycottonsaved boat &4
15 January 1945Drifter Ptide of RosslareDunmore Eastescorted 
26 April 1945Fishing Boat EmilyBallycottonsaved boat &2
6 November 1947Steam Trawler East CoastMilford Havenassisted to save vessel &9
12 September 1949Yacht BettyCorkescorted 
11 October 1949Daunt Rock lightvessel landed injured man 
10 January 1950Irish torpedo boat M4 gave help 
8 February 1950Steamship Joseph MitchellLondonsaved13
11 December 1950Fishing puntBallycottonsaved boat &2
13 March 1952Motor puntBallycottonescorted 
6 August 1952Fishing boat RapidBallycottongave help 
10 September 1952Fishing boat Irish LeaderDublinsaved boat &2
10 September 1952Fishing boat St MaryBallycottongave help 
9 July 1953Fishing boat Irish LeaderDublingave help 
26 October 1954Schooner WindermereDublinescorted 
4 June 1955Fishing boat Inis CaolDublinsaved boat &2
16 November 1955Fishing boat Maid of LoughshinneyDublinsaved boat &2
15 January 1956Fishing boat St MaryCorksaved boat &2
4 April 1958Fishing boat PrideHelvicksaved boat &3
10 June 1958Fishing boatBallycottonsaved boat &1
10 June 1967Fishing boat CaitSchullgave help 
Source: appendix 3 Leach, Nicholas (2009). Ballycotton Lifeboats. Landmark Publishing. ISBN 9781843064725.

References
  1. "The Mary Stanford Project". Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  2. "RNLI - Ballycotton lighthouse history". RNLI.org.uk. Archived from the original on 23 September 2008.
  3. Daly, Tony. "coastguards of yesteryear". Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  4. Cox, Brian. Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son. ISBN 0907605893.
  5. "The Life & Times of the Church & Community of Ballycotton; 1921 – 1930". The Mary Stanford. Scoil Réalt na Mara, Ballycotton. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  6. "Rye Lifeboat: station history". RNLI. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  7. Blaney, Jim (1996). "Puffin Lightvessel". Beam Magazine. The commissioners of Irish Lights. 5 (25). Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
  8. "Shipwrecks of Cork Harbour". Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  9. "The Phantom Ship". Phantoms of the Sea. Waterford County Museum. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  10. "Ballycotton". Ballycotton lifeboat station. ballycotton.com (non-profit making). Retrieved 31 March 2009.
  11. "Daunt Rescue" (PDF). The Famous Daunt Rescue. Midleton News. 25 September 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
  12. "Rescue at sea (2)". Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  13. "Ballycotton History". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  14. Thompson, Tim. "The Daunt Rock Lightship Rescue". oil painting. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  15. Boys' Book of the Sea. p. 64. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  16. "Ballycotton Lifeboat Postage Stamp Ireland 1974". Nick Gribble. Retrieved 31 March 2009.
  17. "Lightships in the Irish Lighthouse Service". Commissioners of Irish Lights. Archived from the original on 1 January 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  18. Leech, Ballycotton, page 58
  19. Goggin, Brian (Autumn 2002). "Death of a dock" (PDF). Inland Waterways News. Inland Waterways Association of Ireland. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  20. "The Mary Stanford Project". Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  21. "Heritage Boats in Grand Canal Dock". On-line Journal of Research on Irish Maritime History. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.

Bibliography
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