The Mellings: A lifeboat connection

The Mellings: A lifeboat connection The Players: Dates Relationship: Service Notes: Melling B:16/10/1868 D:11/3/1953 Son of John Crewman 1886-1899; Sub-Cox. 1900-1919; Cox 1920-1925 William Melling B:1863 D:19/12/1927 Cousin of Crewman 1892-1904 Richard Melling B:1863 Cousin of Volunteer Crewman 1892-1907 John Melling B:1830 D:20/01/1925 Father of Crewman 1881-1885; Bowman 1887; Crewman 1888 John William Melling () B:18/10/1899 Grandson of Volunteer Crewman 1919-1920; 1922, 1924. Alexander Eaves B: 1849 Son in Law of John Crewman 1881-1882 Lifeboat Events Date Player Event Notes 24 Sept 1881 John Official Crew List for LAURA JANET Listed as Crew on Launch Day, he was 51 years old, a Fisherman, of the oldest family in West End. Experienced and well respected member of the fishing community. 15 Oct 1881 Alexander 1 st Launch On Service 9 Dec 1886 MEXICO Disaster Lifeboat and 12 Crew lost. Inquiry heard that and other Fishermen spent the day of the disaster securing boats in same storm and missed the Gun calling them in for service. 20 Jan 1887 First exercise of the NORA ROYDS Member of Crew Mar 1887 John & Crew of LAURA JANET named living at Melling s Lane 26 Jan 1888 & John First service Barque ALBERT WILLIAM The BROTHERS rescued the Crew 17 Dec 1889 On Service - VELINHELI In BROTHERS Page 1 of 6

18 Oct 1890 John Report in Lytham Times Fishing smack ANNIE broke away from mooring, presumed lost. Not serviced by the Lifeboat. ANNIE belonged to John. Still sailing in 1906 Nov 1890 John Severe Storm John s Punt & Rowing Boat smashed to pieces, near the Pier. 14 Oct 1891 John & On Service - TWO SISTERS Nora Royds in Manchester on a parade and the the Brothers was on its way to Blackpool. The Lifeboat s Boarding Boat, the DANIEL PROCTOR was launched. John & Isaac Dobson boarded the stricken boat, accompanied by to St Annes 21 May 1894 Not known Opening of the Manchester Ship Canal The BROTHERS and a full compliment was sent and displayed in full bunting and flags. John and/or are likely to have attended as Crew. 22 Dec1894 On Service - Severe storm 1896 William Crew List published in St Annes Directory 1896 Richard Reserve Crew List published in St Annes Directory NORA ROYDS launched after Maroons seen off Lytham. Storm severe enough to damage many of the Fishing Boats in the Estuary. WANDERER crashed into St Annes Pier. Twin brother of Richard, Cousin of Twin brother of William. Cousin of 24 Mar 1897 William On Service Unnamed Dredger 24 Jan 1899 Appt 2 nd (or Sub) Coxswain (Harry), son of John. Reported as 42 Yrs old. A very popular appointment. 24 Jan 1900 & William 21 Dec 1900 & William 10 Jan 1906 & William Crew List published On Service STEAM HOPPER No6 and Barque CHILTONFORD On Service CARLSTON Page 2 of 6

16 Jan 1906 On Service LITTLE NELLIE The LITTLE NELLIE had been fishing with 5 other boats, incl s TERN, Seeing the bad weather, the others returned home. & Bob Harrison, with whom he had been fishing, raced to recommend the launching of the Boarding Boat Edward & Lucille, moored at the Pier Jetty.. They prepared to set out. Heated exchange between and Coxswain Rimmer, but set out when it was reported that 2 men were seen clinging to the mast of the Little Nellie. Conditions too bad and she return unsuccessful. Lytham Lifeboat launched and in spite of a search nothing was found. Isaac Dobson & John Harrison were both lost from the LITTLE NELLIE, both were also Lifeboatmen. 5 May 1906 On Service MARGERY listed as living at 61 Church Rd. 21 Feb 1907 On Service BECCA & MARY 15 Oct 1907 On Service Fishing Smacks of St Annes Tom Rimmer & on watch, observed lights at sea, in the morning light the BECCA & MARY was seen to be in difficulty. NORA ROYDS launched. After assisting, she returned and ran aground in the ebb tide, on the Salthouse Bank. A punt was launched to investigate and bring the crew ashore. 3 of the St Annes Smacks, incl s TERN got into difficulties. Lifeboat launched in support, but not needed. and Bob Harrison led the Smacks to safety. Reported as demonstrating a very high standard of seamanship. Page 3 of 6

12 Dec1908 Launch & Naming of JAMES SCARLETT 10 Feb 1910 Granted a É2.10.0 pension after 10 years service as an Officer Reported as onboard, in lifebelts and red caps made a brave show during the procession through the streets. Confirmed as Assistant Coxswain. 5 Nov 1911 & On Service ROSALEEN A 2 day operation. First recorded outing with his son on the second day. Also attended by Lytham (the Charles Biggs) and Blackpool Lifeboats (the Samuel Fletcher of Manchester). 11 Dec 1911 On Service HEBE acting Coxswain. 15 Dec 1911 On Service DOUGLAS Also attended by Lytham & Blackpool Lifeboats. May 1913 Sells his Fishing Smack TERN. 2 Jun 1916 Temporary amalgamation Lifeboat Committee decide to make up a Crew from Lytham, Blackpool & St Anne s Crews, because of the shortage of men and horses, serving in the Forces. 1918 Return of Crews Only 1 loss to the war Pte James Harrison, 6LNLR, in Mesopotamia. 7 Feb 1919 & 12 Jan 1920 Herny & On Service HERBERT BLACK On Service JANE & ANN reported to be a 19 yr old volunteer. Said to be living at home with siblings Gertie, Edith, Walter and twin Annie in St Albans Road. He was destined to become a regular member of the Crew. 22 Mar 1920 Appt Coxswain On death of Tom Rimmer (73). His appointment was a very popular one. 3 Dec 1920 & On Service MOLBÑK Reported that a loud cheer went up when passed the Pier on return, from people observing the incident. It was reported that the incident reflected great credit on the Coxswain and Crew of the St Annes Lifeboat. 26 Aug 1920 Public Demonstration of the new Caterpillar Tractor Page 4 of 6

15 Nov 1923 & On Service IRENE IRENE was owned by, bought following his sale of the TERN. Appeared in difficulties in a heavy sea. Although the Nora Royds was launched, was not needed. went out with the Lifeboat. It was reported that his family had been watching from the shore. We can only imagine what was going through their minds. Later was reported as demonstrating, once again, why he was chosen as Coxswain. 2 Nov 1924 & On Service ROYAL REGIS The ROYAL REGIS was on its way to Lytham Shipyard with up to 20 local men on board, causing some dismay. Lytham Lifeboat was launched but couldn t make headway in the tide and gale. Although listing badly, the ROYAL REGIS made it under its own steam to Lytham. Jun 1925 St Annes Station Closed. Recd Pansion 5 Mar 1931 St Annes Lifeboat amalgamated with Lytham s, and all services transferred. employed looking after the Lifeboat and House as Superintendent. Silting of the Estuary and decline of Fishing. He was given a pension based on 27 years service as an Officer of É8.8.0 a year. The JAMES SCARLETT was sold for É40, but managed to sell the lifeboat equipment himself to farmers on Marton Moss! 7 Apr 1931 Lytham gets a new Lifeboat. 1933 RNLI St Annes Section still Lists, 1937 RNLI St Annes Section still Lists Living at 35 Church Rd Living at 42 Kilnhouse Lane, at what became Keith Threlfall s House. Acknowledgements: I m grateful to Ian Mayes for the information in his book On Broad Reach and for his personal help with my enquiries. My Grandad, for the tales and snippets in my childhood and inspiration for this work. David Forshaw, for his insight during a recent talk and his book. My beloved wife for giving me the time to compile it. Sources and Further Information: Mayes, G.I. & J.E., (2000), On Broad Reach: The history of the St Annes on Sea Lifeboat Station 1881-1825, Bernard McCall. Page 5 of 6

Forshaw, D., (1992), On Those Infernal Ribble Banks: A record of Lytham St Annes Lifeboats, Sponsored by British Aerospace. Miller, N., (2013), The Lancashire Nobby, Amberley Publishing (E Version). Newspaper Report: Sole Survivor recalls lifeboat station being closed, Lytham St Annes & Fylde Express, 20 Dec 1976, p13. MPC Oct 2014 Great Grandson of Page 6 of 6