As the RNLI marks its 200th anniversary, we took the opportunity to explore the connection between a landlocked brewing town and lifeboats.
Among the items in the National Brewery Collection, we have a Commemorative Ale and a decorative plate both showing images of lifeboats. The paperwork for the ale explains that it was brewed at the Bass Museum to commemorate the commissioning of the Burton Brewer Atlantic 21 lifeboat. The date of the ale was 27th September 1986. The lifeboat cost £31,000.
When we started to investigate, we realised that there was a bigger story and a longer connection between the RNLI and the brewing industry. The first lifeboat was named the Burton on Trent and was a gift of the Burton Lifeboat Fund, Mr Michael Thomas Bass MP, Mr AO Worthington, Mr J Nichols and others in 1867. A large procession was headed by Worthington’s band, followed by the Anglesey troop of the Queen’s Own Royal Yeomanry Corps and the lifeboat on its six-horse carriage. Behind the lifeboat was the Ind Coope band. The lifeboat was christened on the Trent by Mrs Abram Bass. The Burton on Trent lifeboat was stationed at Redcar from 1867 to 1884. By the time it retired, it had been launched 15 times and saved 65 lives.
Commissioning the Old Rye lifeboat in Burton upon Trent 1896
A second lifeboat, the Old Rye, was launched in 1896 (see the photo) with similar ceremony. Further lifeboats were funded by the town in 1913, 1971 (possibly the date of the plate), and 1986, the date of the Commemorative Ale. To this day the charity continues to raise funds in the area to save lives at sea.
Find out more about the 200th anniversary of the RNLI
You can help us preserve these artefacts and continue to tell the story of 300 years of the brewing industry by becoming a member. Find out more.
