Remembering sea hero 170 years on
NEWBIGGIN Lifeboat Station recently marked a milestone anniversary. It was 170 years ago that a heroic sea rescue in appalling conditions was the catalyst for the establishment of the station on the Northumberland coast.
Philip Jefferson was the first coxswain of Newbiggin Lifeboat Station and was a volunteer ready to respond to a call for help any time of the day or night, with only the most basic rescue resources. His name is still remembered locally.
On March 18, 1851, Philip was in an open coble in treacherous seas along with four other fishermen. In the midst of a furious storm, they somehow clawed their way back to the safety of the bay. But having reached sanctuary, they learned that other fishermen were still out there in peril. They immediately put back out to sea in the coble, risking their own lives but ultimately saving 10 others in the process.
This act of bravery was recognised by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and its president, the Duke of Northumberland, who provided a lifeboat and a boathouse for Newbiggin the following year. Incidentally the original 1851 boathouse that is the RNLI’s oldest operational building is still part of Newbiggin’s heritage frontage.
The current Newbiggin lifeboat in action
Philip was also one of a handful of men and boys who attempted to rescue the crew of the wrecked Norwegian barque Embla in a storm early in 1854.
During the rescue attempt, the lifeboat sustained damaged to the hull and oars as it was smashed about on the rocks, with the operation failing as a result.
The Embla crew all perished and they are buried at the east end of Woodhorn Church. The courage of Philip, despite the outcome, was recognised by the RNLI which added a bar to the bravery medal he had already been awarded.
Philip continued with the RNLI into the 1890s, serving for 30 years as lifeboat coxswain. He is even recorded as being part of a lifeboat crew when he was in his 70th year as the charity’s age limit for operational crew did not apply in those days.
Richard Martin, of Newbiggin Lifeboat Station, said: “This is a fantastic story of a local hero. Philip Jefferson was known as ‘Big Philip’, a man who used all his strength on the lifeboat oars to get the boat out to rescue and get back home safely. He always was there for the call and never turned back when conditions were beyond the limits.
“Technology has certainly moved on over the last 170 years with the new Atlantic 85B class lifeboat ‘Richard Wake Burdon’ providing a fast and nimble rescue platform, incorporating modern technology with radio communications, direction finder, chart plotter and radar.
“What hasn’t changed is the dedication of our volunteer team, ready to help others in difficulty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“Over the last 170 years, lifeboats and technology have changed but the spirit of ‘Big Philip’ lives on in our dedicated sea rescue volunteers, helping others without hesitation.”