Lieutenant Lingard

Lt. John Lingard R.N. was renowned for his gallant rescues, saving many lives before finally been beaten by his adversary the sea.

In his time the coasts were plied by many collier brigs taking their cargoes South and returning North in ballast. Traveling light close to the coast left the brigs very vulnerable to the east coasts changeable weather. Vessels were driven ashore with almost every gale. Also it was belived that the high iron stone content in the cliffs affected ships compasses.

On 1st December 1828 in very heavy seas the brig "Henry" with six men aboard, ran aground on Ness. Lt. Lingard took the small Coastguard boat with a crew of six and managed to rescue the stricken vessel's crew.

The Coastguards of this time had a station down in the bottom of the Bay which was manned by Navel personel, who in times of war were called to the Colours, but in times of peace acted as customs and preventative men. There were about six rating and one Lieutenant. The rescue equipment they had was a small shore boat, not really equiped for life saving, and possibly some heaving sticks with which they would try to make contact was a wreck. It was some time later when the Manby Mortar and rockets came to the Bay.

The 28th April 1829 saw the brig "Ester" aground with a crew of seven, Lt. Lingard and his men set forth again into the terrible seas and safely took off the crew. For this heroic rescue he was awarded the Gold Medallion of the Rescue Services.

The ship owners of the Bay noted these brave rescues and decided to try and improve the Coastguard's shore boat. In September it was fitted with air cases and a cork belt the whole way around at a cost of £27.1.10.