The Night Lynmouth's Lifeboat Crew Made History
The Great Storm of 1899 and the Peril of the Forrest Hall
On 12 January 1899, hurricane-force winds hammered the Exmoor coast. The Forrest Hall, a 1,900-ton vessel under tow from Bristol to Liverpool, was caught in the storm. When the tow cable snapped and the ship’s rudder failed, she drifted dangerously close to Porlock Bay’s rocky shoreline.
The Watchet lifeboat was unable to launch — its oar-powered design no match for the gale. At 19:52, a telegram reached Lynmouth calling for urgent assistance. The response that followed would etch itself into RNLI history.
A Daring Decision: Hauling the Louisa Over the Moor
Coxswain Jack Crocombe gathered his crew and assessed the situation. Launching from Lynmouth beach was impossible; seawater was already flooding houses and shops along the foreshore.
Crocombe knew their best chance lay at Porlock Weir — but getting there meant an extraordinary feat: towing the 10-ton Louisa lifeboat and her carriage up the 25% gradient of Countisbury Hill, across the open moor, then down the equally steep Porlock Hill — a 13-mile journey through a ferocious winter storm.
Horses, Lanterns, and Sheer Determination
Eighteen horses and over 100 villagers rallied to the cause. Shovel teams raced ahead to widen narrow moorland paths. Two men fought to keep storm-lashed lanterns alight, vital for the column’s progress. Every available hand pushed alongside the straining horses as the Louisa climbed Countisbury.
Disaster struck outside the Blue Ball Inn when a wheel broke from the carriage. Undeterred, the team repaired the damage and pushed on — though numbers thinned, the spirit of the mission only grew stronger.
Obstacles Across the Moor
Near Ashton, the track narrowed too sharply for the carriage to pass. The Louisa was offloaded, dragged across skids by sheer manpower, and then hoisted back into place.
Descending Porlock Hill presented fresh dangers: steep, slippery lanes, fierce winds, and cramped streets. At one pinch-point, a garden wall was swiftly — if reluctantly — demolished to allow the lifeboat through. The householder’s initial anger turned to pride on hearing the reason behind the demolition.
Final Push to Porlock Weir
As they neared Porlock Weir, floodwaters forced the team onto higher ground, where a low-hanging tree blocked the way. Without hesitation, the men felled the tree and pressed on. After an exhausting 11-hour journey, they reached the launch site at 6:30 am.
Launching Into the Teeth of the Storm
With no time to rest, the crew launched immediately into mountainous seas. They reached the drifting Forrest Hall near Hurlstone Point, placing several lifeboatmen aboard to stabilise the ship while awaiting the arrival of rescue tugs at dawn.
When the tugs arrived, the Lynmouth men helped secure tow lines. Then, with unwavering commitment, they rowed alongside the Forrest Hall across the Bristol Channel to Barry, arriving at 6:00 pm — nearly 24 hours after first setting out.
Heroes’ Return to Lynmouth
After a night of rest at Barry’s Seamen’s Mission, the Louisa’s crew rowed back across the Channel to Lynmouth. On their return, the village celebrated their courage with a feast and commemorative gifts — forever proud of the night when raw determination and community spirit triumphed against the odds.
A replica of the “Louisa” can be seen in Lynmouth at the entrance to the Glen Lyn Gorge, and a visit to the Lynmouth Flood Memorial Hall near the harbour gives full details of the rescue, together with an account of the 50 or so local people who replicated the rescue to raise funds for the RNLI on the centenary, 12 January 1999.
Discover the Lynmouth Flood Memorial Hall
In the heart of Lynmouth lies a story of survival. The Flood Memorial Hall honours lives lost in the 1952 disaster and the spirit that rebuilt the village. This small, free-entry museum offers an emotional journey through rare photos, models, and personal stories. It’s an essential stop for meaningful travel in North Devon.
