Eliza is welcomed to new home in Newcastle

Eliza is welcomed to new home in Newcastle

29 April 2015

NEWCASTLE’S new lifeboat has been officially named ‘Eliza’ in memory of a much loved mother.

At a special ceremony on Saturday, the new inshore D-class lifeboat was officially handed into the care of Newcastle Lifeboat Station by the RNLI.

John McAuley, RNLI Irish Council member, paid tribute to donor Mrs Mary Olga Illingworth, who generously funded the lifeboat through a gift left in her will.

He explained that Mrs Illingworth, from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, funded the lifeboat, which has been on service in Newcastle since December last year, in memory of her mother Eliza. The lifeboat had its first service the following day.

“Today we owe a great debt of gratitude to Mrs Illingworth,” he said. “When she passed away in 2011, Mary left sufficient monies in her will to provide a D-class lifeboat to be named Eliza in memory of her mother.

“I know Mary would have loved to be here today – to see how her generosity is benefiting the lifesavers she and her family always admired.”

Mr McAuley also paid tribute to everyone involved with Newcastle RNLI.

“Our lifesavers could not have answered all the calls for help without the support they receive from fellow volunteers on the shore — the fundraisers, the launch crew and the station management,” he said. 

“In fact, the whole of the RNLI depends on those people to represent our charity in the community. And the volunteers here in Newcastle are a shining example of that. We’re really grateful to all our volunteers and their families.”

The D-class lifeboat has been the workhorse of the RNLI for nearly 50 years. The inflatable craft is highly manoeuvrable and specifically suited to surf and access shallow water and confined locations – often working close to cliffs, among rocks or even in caves.

Since the RNLI established a lifeboat station in Newcastle in 1825, there have been 659 lifeboat launches, 268 lives saved and 501 people rescued.

Kingsley Singer, Newcastle RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said it was with a great sense of pride that the station learned that it had been granted a new inshore lifeboat. 

“The training, the equipment and a first class lifeboat like the one here today are all essential to keep the crew safe when they put to sea so that in turn they are able to save the lives of others,” he said.

Will Wilson, President of Newcastle Lifeboat Station, officially named the lifeboat during the ceremony. 

Also among the platform party were Captain Patrick Pinkerton, chairman of Newcastle Lifeboat Station, and Richard Burgess, Inshore Lifeboat Senior Helm. 

Fr Colin Crossey, Canon Ian Ellis and Rev. Robin Quinn led the service of dedication. Music was provided by Ellen McVea, Catherine McNeilly and the Shimna Integrated School Choir.