On 15th November 1928, The Mary Stanford Lifeboat with her crew of 17 was launched into the teeth of a terrible storm to rescue the crew of a stricken vessel. They never returned. The tragedy is the biggest loss of life from a single lifeboat in the RNLI’s history. This Grade II listed boathouse is one of the most important historical buildings in Rye Harbour.

THE SHOUT

The worst storm in a century. Zero visibility. A small Latvian steamer, The Alice of Riga collides with a large German freighter, SS Smyrna eight miles SW of Dungeness. The Alice is rudderless and sinking fast but with both ships being blown towards the rocks, it’s too dangerous for The Smyrna to attempt a rescue. The SOS is sent and at 05.00, the maroons are fired to call the Rye Harbour Lifeboat to the rescue. The crewmen and (mostly female) launchers, run to the lifeboat house which stands over a mile from the village, battling against the rain, wind and spray. The sea is so rough that it takes three exhausting attempts to get the lifeboat launched. Finally, at 06.45, the 17 crewmen row their tiny open lifeboat straight into the storm – no radio, no engine, just 14 oars, 2 small sails and the belief that with courage nothing is impossible.

Minutes after launching, Rye Coastguard gets another message. Miraculously, The Smyrna has rescued the crew of The Alice and now the race is on to recall The Mary Stanford. The lifeboat can still be seen from the shore but despite frantic efforts by the signalman, the crew does not respond. Battling to raise the mast and sails while keeping her head to sea, they don’t see the signal and head out to into the storm on a pointless mission.

THE DISASTER

9.00am. The First Mate of The SS Halton spots the lifeboat 3 miles WSW from Dungeness. A few moments later, the Ship’s Boy of The Smyrna also sees them. All is well. But at 10.30am Cecil Marchant is collecting driftwood at Camber. He sees a bright shaft of sunlight shine on the sea as the lifeboat is hit by a giant wave and capsizes. He runs home to tell his parents who don’t believe him. “A lifeboat can’t capsize”, they say.

By midday the Mary Stanford can be seen, bottom-up floating towards the shore. Hundreds flock to the beach and for hours desperate attempts are made to reach the men. No effort is spared in trying to revive the 15 men washed ashore but all are either dead or die on the beach. Three months later Henry Cutting’s body was washes ashore at Eastbourne. The youngest crewman, 17 year old John Head was never found.

The disaster devastated the Rye Harbour community and deeply affected all who lived there. It provoked an outpouring of sympathy worldwide and was front page news for several days. Thousands came to pay their respects at the funeral including the Latvian Ambassador and lifeboatmen from all over the British Isles.

THE FUTURE

The Friends of The Mary Stanford Lifeboat House has been formed to restore this important historic building for future generations. English Heritage have awarded the lifeboathouse a Grade II Listing and the future of the building is secured. Fundraising has begun that will enable it to be restored.

A coastal classroom will be created for use by Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and to bring children to who have never seen the sea or sat on a beach. There will be a permanent display to the memory of the 17 crewmen of The Mary Stanford who so bravely lost their lives on that awful day in 1928.