The Proud History Of The Sumner Lifeboat

Press, Volume C, Issue 29609, 4 September 1961, Page 21

The Proud History Of The Sumner Lifeboat

In 1891 the Lyttelton Harbour Board provided a whaleboat to be stationed at Cave Rock to assist the many vessels which struck trouble in crossing the treacherous bar. 'Hiis was the basis of the rescue service until 1898. when the Rescue was launched at Sumner on August 19. The captain of the first life-boat crew was Joseph Day, pilot at Sumner. He anj others had manned the whale boat for earlier rescues. but in 1897 it capsized during a practice, and three crew - members were drowned. Boat Ordered Shortly after this disaster the Lyttelton Harbour Board decided to order from ar. English firm a life-boat specially designed for work in shallow water and heavy surf. At the time the Rescue was the very last word tn life-boats—unsinkable. but neither self-emptying nor self,righting. For 45 years Captain Day guided shipping across the bar at Port Sumner, and the Rescue saved over 450 lives, many of them at a time tvhen there was a lot of commercial shipping at the Port. In the last 70 years the Sumner Lifeboat has received many calls for assistance, and has answered them nobly. Now the Lifeboat itself is making one of its rare appeals for help. Will you let this appeal go unanswered? By 1928 it was decided that the Rescue was nearing the end of its useful life, and preparations were made for the launching of an appeal for a replacement. £2900 was required for the purchase of a modern boat. This was raised with a variety of efforts, and in 1932 Rescue II arrived and was launched into service. Although the Rescue II has not had quite as much to do as its predecessor, it has answered frequent calls made by those who have got into trouble in small boats. Rescue II has now been in service for 30 years, and the Sumner Life-Boat Institute considers that a replacement

A group of men dedicated to an age-old undertaking—the saving of lives at sea. This is the crew of the Sumner life-boat, a vessel unique in the Dominion, with a proud history of rescues made at sea.

Since the Sumner Life-Boat Institution was founded in 1891, it has effected more than 800 rescues in its area. These have included rescues of swimmers and those who have struck trouble from all sorts of sailing-craft. In all its calls, from the rescue of a swimmer who has ventured too far, to the saving of 45 members of the crew of the cargo steamer, Kaiwarra, in 1942, the Sumner lifeboat has rendered a service worthy of the greatest British traditions.

is again needed. An appeal has been launced for the £30,000 necessary to pur. chase such a boat in Britain and to bring it out to New Zealand. In the United Kingdom practice is to a new boat for each crew every 20 years. The Sumner Life-Boat Institution has to depend upon voluntary support in the raising of thi’ money. Unfortunate It is unfortunate that the Sumner life-boat is one of many institutions which, while rendering a great service to the community do not receive the support which they deserve from the general public. Reflect upon this random selection of newspaper headlines taken from the flies of the institution between 1910 and 1940:

1912 “Launch in Difficulties. Lifeboat to the Rescue.” 1913 “A Summer Sensation. Man Rescued by Lifeboat.” 1914 “Boats in Danger. Splendid work by lifeboat Crew.” 1922 "Motor Boat Party in danger. Good Work by Sumner Lifeboat.” 1923 "'Accident at Sumner Bar. Lifeboat Rescues Two men." 1926 "Yacht in Difficulties. Arduous Task of Lifeboat Crew.” 1927 “A Mishap on the bar. Lifeboat Called Out Twice.” 1927 "Launch in Peril. Thrilling Lifeboat Rescue.” 1928 “Yacht Capsized. Lifeboat Effects Rescue.” 1930 “Yacht Capsized. Rescue by Sumner Lifeboat.” 1932 "Crowds on Scarborough Watch the Thrilling Rescue of Fishermen by the Motor Lifeboat.”

1933 “Blown out to sea. Rescue by Lifeboat, Nine Miles from Shore.” 1933 “Swamped on the Bar. Lifeboat to Rescue.” 1934 "Lifeboat Out in Storm. Hazardous Rescue.

1936 "Lifeboat Called Out. Rescue at Sumner.” 1936 "Helpless in Rough Sea. Crew Rescued by Lifeboat.” .

. 1937 “Smart Rescue by Lifeboat. Yacht in Difficulties at Sumner.” 1 1936 “'Sailing Boat Capsizes. Crew Rescued by Lifeboat.”,