Aberystwyth Lifeboat Station

Aberystwyth Lifeboat Station is an RNLI lifeboat station in the coastal resort of Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, West Wales. It was established in 1861, but there has been a lifeboat serving the town since 1843.Since 2007 the station has operated an inshore lifeboat, RNLB Spirit of Friendship (B-822), launched by submersible tractor.The station also has an Arancia IRB as support for the larger Atlantic 85-class inshore lifeboat.HistoryThe first lifeboat at Aberystwyth was a 27 ft, 6-oared boat funded by public subscription in 1843 and under the control of the harbour master. In 1861 the RNLI took over the service, completing a chain of RNLI stations along the coast of Cardigan Bay from Strumble Head to the Llŷn Peninsula.The 10-oared Evelyn Wood was the first RNLI lifeboat.A severe gale on 29 December 1900 saw Coxswain David Williams launch the lifeboat to a fishing smack; in heavy seas three lifeboatmen (Jack Williams, Tom Jones and J.C. Rea) were thrown overboard but were rescued by their fellow crewmen. Despite the loss of most of their oars they managed to beach the lifeboat and hold it until the tide ebbed. In the meantime the fishermen, whose boat was wrecked on the rocks, made it safely to shore.In February 1946 Frederick Angus was at sea for more than 24 hours in severe weather standing by the broken down submarine HMS Universal and helping to rescue her crew.