Cromer Lifeboat Station is located in Cromer, a seaside town located approximately north of Norwich, on the north-east coast of the English county of Norfolk.
A lifeboat was first placed at Cromer in 1804 by a local committee, being taken over by the Norfolk Shipwreck Association (NSA) in 1823. Management of the station was transferred to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in December 1857.
The station comprises two station buildings. A large boathouse, completed in 1999, sits at the end of Cromer Pier, and houses the All-weather lifeboat 16-07 Lester (ON 1287), on station since 2007. A smaller boathouse, built in 1902, and located at the foot of Brunswick Terrace, is home to the Inshore lifeboat Mr Eric Sharpe (Civil Service No.54) (D-868), on station since 2022.
There has been a lifeboat service operated from Cromer for two centuries â predating the establishment of the RNLI. The volunteer crews at Cromer have gained an exemplary record of gallantry. 3 Gold, 8 Silver and 45 Bronze RNLI Medals for gallantry have been awarded at Cromer, helping make Cromer lifeboat station one of the most well known of the lifeboat stations operated by the RNLI. Some of the most notable rescues and services have been carried out by now famous coxswains, such as Henry George Blogg and Henry "Shrimp" Thomas Davies BEM, and their crews.
In the early days of the station, the lifeboats were kept outdoors on the east jetty. From 1804, a privately operated service was funded by subscription, which was administered by a local committee, led by Lord Suffield, the third baron of Gunton Hall. Other dignitaries on the committee included George Wyndham of Cromer Hall, Thomas Mickleburgh, a local merchant, Joseph Gurney, a Cromer draper, and grocer Benjamin Rust.
In 1823, management of the station was taken over by the Norfolk Shipwreck Association (NSA), who became responsible for lifeboat stations between and Gt. Yarmouth. This continued until 1857, until the NSA fell into financial troubles, with the lifeboats in a declining state of repair. At a meeting of the NSA on 21 November 1857, it was decided that the whole operation of the NSA be transferred to the management of the RNLI. This was formally agreed at a meeting of the RNLI committee of management on Thursday 3 December 1857.
The NSA had built a lifeboat house at Cromer, which once stood some 100 yards from the high-water mark, close to where the Inshore lifeboat station now stands. The RNLI altered and renovated this station at a cost of ã46-2s-7d, but by the mid-1860s, this station had outlived its usefulness and a new boathouse was planned.
The new site was on the east gangway, and work started on the new station in 1867. The new boathouse project also included building an extension to the sea walls, and a slipway across the top of the beach. The work cost ã476-4s-0d and was carried out by a local builder by the name of E. Simmons. The cost of the station was met by Benjamin Bond Cabbell, who also provided a new lifeboat for the station, costing ã306. The lifeboat, a 34-foot self-righting 'Pulling and Sailing (P&S) lifeboat, one with sails and oars, was duly named Benjamin Bond Cabbell.
In 1883, the Benjamin Bond Cabbell was unable to make progress whilst attempting to get away to the aid of the schooner Alpha. The schooner was driven ashore, with the crew of five rescue by the Rocket Brigade. The Benjamin Bond Cabbell was abandoned on the shore, the crew dissatisfied with the boat and its lack of power (oars). Subsequent meetings and discussions brought about the arrival of a new lifeboat, a 14-oared non-self-righting lifeboat, based on the designs of their old North Country lifeboat, which was in use up to 1858. The new boat, later to be known as a Cromer-class lifeboat, was again named Benjamin Bond Cabbell (ON 12).
A new 38-foot Liverpool-class P&S lifeboat was placed on station in 1902. The cost of the new lifeboat and equipment was defrayed from the bequest of Miss Emily Heartwell of Holloway, London. At a ceremony on 9 September 1902, the new boathouse was inaugurated, and after a short service of dedication by Rev. J. F. Sheldon, the lifeboat was named Louisa Heartwell (ON 495).
At least three-feet longer than any previous Cromer lifeboat, a new boathouse was required, and was constructed at the end of the esplanade, at the foot of Brunswick Terrace, at a cost of ã525.
When the new 46-foot 6in motor-powered lifeboat H. F. Bailey (ON 670) arrived on station in 1923, the 1902 boathouse would now not be large enough. Another new boathouse was again required. This time, a much larger boathouse, with a roller slipway, was constructed at the end of Cromer Pier, at a cost of ã32,000. The pulling and sailing lifeboat Louisa Heartwell (ON 495) was retained as a No. 2 lifeboat.
A remarkable period of service would occur at Cromer between 1927 and 1941. No fewer than 37 RNLI Medals for gallantry were awarded, along with multiple awards from various governments and The Queen of The Netherlands.
Cromer continued to operate two All-weather lifeboats until 1967, when the No. 2 boat was withdrawn. The lifeboat on station at the time, the 37-foot Oakley Mk I lifeboat 37-13 William Henry and Mary King (ON 980), was transferred first to , and later to . The withdrawal of the second All-weather lifeboat saw the introduction of a new Inshore lifeboat (ILB), (D-101). The 1902 boathouse is still the home of the Inshore boat.
Towards the end of the 1990s, it was decided that the 1923 pier boathouse had reached the end of its serviceable lifetime, especially in the face of the elements at the end of the pier.
The structure was removed in two halves, and transported by sea along the coast to Southwold, where it was reassembled. It is now home to the Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum, its main exhibit being the 44-foot Norfolk and Suffolk-class (P&S) former lifeboat RNLB Alfred Corry (ON 353).
The Cromer Pier boathouse was replaced between 1997 and 1999, costing approximately ã3 million, funded by bequests and private donations.
During this period, the Ruby and Arthur Reed II was temporarily placed in the relief fleet, and a carriage launched lifeboat, 12-30 Her Majesty The Queen (ON 1189), was stationed on the shore next to the 1902 boathouse.
In 2007, the lifeboat was withdrawn, and a new All-weather lifeboat assigned to the station. Modifications to the slipway were required, and a second carriage-launched lifeboat, 12-004 Royal Shipwright (ON 1162), was placed at Cromer for one year.
The new lifeboat arrived on station in 2008. At a ceremony on 8 September, H.R.H The Duke of Kent named the lifeboat 16-07 Lester (ON 1287).
The following are awards made at Cromer.
In memory of those lost whilst serving Cromer lifeboat.
When the station received its first motor lifeboat, a No.2 station was established located in the old boathouse. The station was closed in 1967, replaced with a Inshore lifeboat.