THE RNLI

It is fitting that the Isle of Man, with such a strong maritime history, should be the inspiration behind the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, founded by Manx resident Sir William Hillary.

William Hillary came to live on the Isle of Man in 1808, and later, as equerry to Prince Augustus Frederick, the young son of King George III, his duties included sailing with the prince in the Mediterranean, where William Hillary learned his basic seamanship and navigation skills.

Living in the Isle of Man, Sir William Hillary soon became aware of the treacherous nature of the Irish Sea, with many ships being wrecked around the Manx coast. He drew up plans for a lifeboat service manned by trained crews, intended not only for the Isle of Man, but for all of the coast in Britain. Initially he received little response from the Admiralty but on appealing to the more philanthropic members of London society, the plans were enthusiastically adopted and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck was founded in 1824. The title changed 30 years later to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the first of the new lifeboats to be built was stationed at Douglas in recognition of the work of Sir William Hillary.

At the age of 60, Sir William Hillary took part in the rescue, in 1830, of the packet St George, which had foundered on Conister Rock at the entrance to Douglas harbour. He commanded the lifeboat, was washed overboard with others of the lifeboat crew, yet finally everyone aboard the St George was rescued with no loss of life.

It was this incident which prompted Sir William to set up a scheme to build the Tower of Refuge on Conister Rock - a project completed in 1832 which stands to this day at the entrance to Douglas harbour.