Longhope Lifeboatmen. March 18th 1969

[trinkie]

In Memory of the Lifeboatmen of Longhope.
March 18th 1969.
by T.G.Ellis.

A ship's in direst peril;
The sea's like a whetted knife,
But the lifeboatmen of Longhope
"They did not cling to life"
Straightway they launched their lifeboat,
Left mother, sweetheart, wife,
In battle with the tempest
"They did not cling to life."

Who knows what fate befell them,
Rumour and guess are rife,
Only one thing is certain:
"They did not cling to life."
And now, they're back in Longhope,
Safe above storm and strife,
Seven men and one still missing,
"Who did not cling to life."

[Sporran]

Trinkie, thanks for posting that poem in memory of the lifeboatmen of Longhope, Hoy. It is all too easy to take the bravery of lifeboatmen and firemen for granted! I remember when that disaster occured, and I was a pupil at Thurso High School back then. Granny Gunn, our English teacher, discussed it with us in class - it was one of the worst tragedies in British lifeboat history at the time. It was all over the TV and newspaper headlines, and was very sad indeed!

Longhope's coastal settlement is the largest one on the Orkney Island of Hoy. Those too young to remember the tragedy may read about it in the following link. Click on 'Disaster' on the left side of the home page, then on 'T.G.B.' at the top of the next page, for the full story.

http://www.longhopelifeboat.org.uk/museum/index.htm

[Tugmistress]

More links about this horrific disaster

http://www.nhsc.org.uk/index.cfm/event/getVessel/vref/1732

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/hoy/longhope/index.html

and the most complete story on this i have ever read is here

http://www.nlb.org.uk/ourlights/history/pentland.htm

[trinkie]

Thank you very much for that Tugmistress.

If anyone is interested I have also received the music for
The Heroes of Longhope - a most beautiful Slow Air by W.R.Aim

published by JDC Publications Ltd.

the book is

The Orkney Collection
ISBN 1 - 902957-13-X

[Sporran]

Thanks for posting those links, Tugmistress. It was indeed a horrific disaster, and the detailed story in the third link brought it all home to me again!

I didn't realise that the T.G.B. was refurbished and relocated to Ireland afterwards, where she returned to service until 1979.

[trinkie]

The Longhope Lifeboat
by Jane Thomson.


Brave hearts that knew no fear,
As we who stay on land know fear.
The fear of stormy winds and dreadful seas
That pound beyond the harbour bar.
How can we count the cost
Or pay our debt to such as these
Who gallantly set forth
To succour strangers from afar?

How were we or they to know
That one day those stupendous seas
Would say, "This is my element not thine!
To those who mourn on land,
I give you back your dead;
You have your memories and that great love
Which many waters cannot quench,
Nor ever floods can drown."

And somewhere on uncharterted seas,
Another barque sails on, divinely Piloted,
Bearing the souls of those brave men
To the safest Harbour of them all.
And in the darkness of our night,
A bright new star will shine for each of them,
Upon the land they loved
And on the restless sea.


( There is an old legend; For every sailor who drowns at sea,
a star is born. )

[orkneylass]

I am thoroughly enjoying "Trawler" by Redmond O'Hanlon which includes an interesting debate about this event and the philosophy of lifeboatmen. Has anyone else read it? Luke made it up to Shetland, is married and buildlng a house on Unst ...and is still a lifeboat volunteer.

[trinkie]

Worth remembering the brave man.

[trinkie]

Forty years on.....

[chef4celebrations]

3404

have a look, original size is 6' x 4' and hangs on my living room wall, painted in the seventies for my father in law who was the coxwain after the disaster(jack leslie)

[trinkie]

Chef4celebrations, Thank you for showing that lovely picture, you must be proud to have it. It captures a moment in time.

Trinkie

[chef4celebrations]

hi trink
yes i do but this pic does not do the painting any real justice trust me if you ask tuggs she will agree of me i am sure

[Tugmistress]

3404

have a look, original size is 6' x 4' and hangs on my living room wall, painted in the seventies for my father in law who was the coxwain after the disaster(jack leslie)

Looks bigger than that ! it's certainly an impressive painting :D

[catran]

I do not think these brave men will ever be forgotten, I remember the day well. Thanks Trinkie for the posts.