Centenary of the Donaghadee Lifeboat 1910 - 2010

Centenary Diary - Saturday - Sun shines on RNLI Festival Raft Race

Rafters came from far and wide to compete in the Donaghadee Festival  Centenary lifeboat inaugural raft race.
The sun shone on the thousands of people who lined the shore and harbour to watch as nineteen rafts of all shapes and sizes took to the water to compete in the first raft race in Donaghadee for many a year.
The slipway was packed with bodies as youngsters from the sailing club came ashore from a junior regatta to be met by a mad and wild variety of rafters in fancy dress. There were Michael Jackson lookalikes, Smurfs, Lady fire fighters, Pirates all jostling for position even before they got anywhere near the water.
The three heats got underway just after 1pm with a number of rafts going the wrong way at the start but safety boats helped to get them on back on course.
Giant water pistols and water bags were used by some unscrupulous teams to put off the opposition but despite this unsporting behaviour the winners of the six man race were Gracie’s Growlers, runners up Fire Starters, best ladies Sink or Swim. In the four man the winners were Dark Destroyer followed home by Donaghadee lifeboat with the ladies winner Chardonnay. The best  juniors were Blue Moon, N’Ards sea cadets, most heroic failure Bangor Coastguard and best dressed crew the Tivoli Girls. Thanks go to sponsor Downeys Cars of Newtownards.
The focus then moved to the harbour side where a display of Morris Minor and other vintage cars were arriving to add a splash of colour and variety to the proceedings.
Then the excitement began to build as spectators could see the lifeboat crew racing to board the lifeboat to go to the aid of a burning boat in the harbour with a man overboard. The crowds roared as “Saxon” swept into the harbour with the crew quickly winching the casualty from the water before putting out the fire and getting the boat under tow and back to safety. The crowds drifted away in the late afternoon sunshine all having had a wonderful day and week as part of the lifeboat Centenary.
A successful dinner and dance was held in the golf club with all attending having a great evening.
On Thursday evening the harbour had seen the NI fire and rescue service team arrive in three rescue vehicles to demonstrate the latest fire fighting techniques as well as offering advice on how members of the public can keep themselves safe.
Shortly after, music could be heard coming from the community centre as the Dee Dancers got in the mood with music from Liam McLaughlin who had a packed hall dancing the night away.
Friday saw the last opportunity for folk to visit the lifeboat in the Centenary week and those who turned up on a sunny but chilly evening were entertained by the Comber Silver Band who soon warmed every one up with a selection of music for all tastes.
The overwhelming response from every one is that the Centenary has been a tremendous success with lots of visitors from far and wide enjoying the wide variety of entertainment provided.
The RNLI lifeboat organising team wish to thank all our sponsors and supporters but especially the Ards Festival fund, Ards Tourism and the Donaghadee Harbour Commissioners for their help and support.
The next Centenary event is a Ladies Luncheon in the golf club on Friday 3rd September where the speaker will be Dr Janet Gray MBE, the world blind water ski champion who is a truly inspirational speaker not to be missed, with local coxswain Philip McNamara talking about our own lifeboat.
Tickets are £15 and can be obtained from the lifeboat shop, Dunn’s footwear and the golf club office, the event is being sponsored by the Northern Bank.

Centenary Diary - Friday - Comber Silver Band

A sunny but cool windy evening welcomed the Comber Silver Band to the harbourside, The brave folk who had turned up to enjoy the band and visit the lifeboat had sensible wrapped up against the well known Donaghadee breeze!! The band were a delight to listen to and played a wide selection of popular music that kept their audience tapping their feet (possibly to keep warm) and singing along.

The bands repertoire included music from the shows,marching music and lots of favourites old and new.Their programme ended as the sun set over one of the most iconic scenes in Northern Ireland.

Centenary Diary - Thursday - NI Fire & Result & "Strictly Come Dancing"

Crowds turned out to watch the Donaghadee NI fire and Rescue team go through their rescue routines on the harbourside. Although the weather was a little cool, young and old alike enjoyed checking out the appliances and listening to advice on how to keep themselves safe.

More and more people have taken the opportunity this week to visit the lifeboat, the crew have been delighted with the feed back and especially the comments on the pristine condition of the lifeboat.

"Strictly come dancing" has a major competitor in Donaghadee in the form of the Dee Dancers, they put on a tremendous evening of dancing in the community centre, the packed hall was full of swirling couples, lots in fancy dress, all having a great time and enjoying the music of Liam Mclaughlin. Organisers Janet and Peter Schofield presented a magnifient cheque of £400, raised on the night to Linda Davidson of the lifeboat fundraising team.Well done everybody.

Centenary Diary - Wednesday

Donaghdee Bowling Club hosted a open competition in aid of the lifeboat. 
Pictured players and spectators enjoying the afternoon and raising over £250 for the RNLI.

A good crowd turned up at the lifeboat station to listen to local historian Harry Allen give a very interesting talk on the history of the harbour,which was enjoyed by all And raised over £240. Many thanks Harry.

A great display of MG and other vintage cars on the harbourside attracted a large crowd who enjoyed checking out the beautiful machines from yesteryear before taking the opportunity to look around the lifeboat.

Centenary Diary - Tuesday - Family Treasure Hunt

A great night out organised by Donaghadee Rotary on behalf of the Donaghadee Lifeboat.
37 teams participated and enjoyed food, drink and music in the Sailing Club after finding all the clues. The winners pictured were the Miskimmin family from Donaghadee who won a signed framed picture of Donaghadee Lifeboat.

Centenary Diary - Monday

Visitors to the Lifeboat  on Monday evening were entertained by the
Harbour Star Accordian Band the lifeboat is open to the general public this week Mon to Fri 7pm to 9pm

Centenary Diary - Sunday - International Ribraid

Centenary Diary - Saturday - Everyone Enjoying the festival

The first lifeboat, RNLB William and Laura, arrived on Station on 10th July 1910. She was a 43ft Watson Class Lifeboat, and was equipped with single engine, sails and oars.

In 1932 the William and Laura was replaced by a 46ft Watson Class vessel, to be named RNLB Civil Service No 5.   She was equipped with twin engines, sail and 4 oars.

In 1950 RNLB Sir Samuel Kelly arrived on station, a gift of Lady Kelly of Crawfordsburn. A 47ft Watson class Lifeboat capable of 9 knots and still with an open helm position. In later years this was adapted to offer some cover from the weather and an airbag was added to the stern deck to offer a self righting facility.

In 1976 the Watson classes were replaced by a totally new design the Waveney class, 44ft with a top speed of 18 knots. The first to arrive was RNLB The Nelsons of Donaghadee but it was soon replaced by the RNLB Arthur and Blanch Harris, due to technical problems with the new engines.  The Waveney had self righting capability, however the steering position was still open, leaving Coxswain and crew exposed.

In 1986 the Waveney class was superseded with the even faster Arun class lifeboat RNLB City of Belfast. The lifeboat was 52ft long and had a top speed of approximately 23knots. Self righting and the first lifeboat to have airtight compartment for Coxswain and crew.

After a very successful career the City of Belfast was replaced in 2003 by a smaller (14 metre) more modern lifeboat the Trent Class RNLB Saxon.
Technology has changed dramatically over one hundred years but the skill determination and qualities of volunteer lifeboat men and women continue to demonstrate “with courage, anything is possible”*.