150 year Anniversary of RNLI Lifeboats in The Salcombe Estuary
Two bronze Lifeboats were created by Jim Martins fixed to a carved Limestone seascape with rough Slate blocks representing the local cliff line, to commemorate the years, from 21st September 1869, when the first Lifeboat was launched in Kingsbridge to make the sea safer in this region. She was the “Rescue”, a twelve man rowing/sailing boat that is represented on Kingsbridge Quay on a stone structure with a Time Capsule secured inside donated by the Cookworthy Museum. In Salcombe (Cross Park Gardens near the church) there is a bronze modern day Tamar Class lifeboat “The Baltic Exchange 111” also fixed into a limestone seascape with a cliff line behind, mounted on a stone structure. This sculpture also has a Time Capsule secured inside donated by the Salcombe Museum. Both of these were unveiled by HRH The Duke of Kent on a fine sunny day in September 2019.
Also present was Lady Arran the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Rear Admiral (Rtd.) Bruce Williams, Mark Dowie the C.E.O of the RNLI along with respective Mayors and dignitaries and those who were involved in the private funding of this project. The day was well attended and received by all and the sculptures will be on public view for many years to come.