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The North East coast of England and in particular the seafaring communities around the mouth of the River Tyne has had a proud and meritorious record of lifesaving since the earliest days of organised coast rescue services. The world’s first purpose designed lifeboat the “Original” built by Henry Greathead was stationed at South Shields in 1789, and manned by Tyne Pilots. Together with the second Greathead lifeboat “Northumberland” stationed at North Shields in 1798, the Tyne Lifeboat Society predated the establishment of the RNLI in 1824 by 35 years. |
| It was this same pioneering spirit of dedication to lifesaving that led to the advent of the Volunteer Life Brigade. Over 500 such organisations served around the coast of Britain. Today only three remain, Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade, the first to be formed in 1865, South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade, the first organisation in the world to use the breeches buoy to save life from shipwreck, and Sunderland Volunteer Life Brigade, which followed some ten years later. |
| The Volunteer Life Brigade story begins with the wreck of the Aberdeen steamer Stanley on 24th November 1864. Spectators stood helpless as 25 passengers and crew perished when a storm drove the ship on to the treacherous Black Middens in the Tyne harbour. Two lifeboatmen from Tynemouth’s first RNLI lifeboat “Constance” were also drowned during rescue attempts. This disaster highlighted the need for a shore-based rescue organisation to work with the full-time Coastguard who at that time were the only people trained in the use of the rocket rescue equipment. Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade was formed in December 1864 and South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade was formed on 30th January 1866. Following the lifesaving tradition of the earlier Tyne Lifeboat Society, the Brigade naturally adopted the famous South Shields town motto “Always Ready”. Since then and up to the present day, South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade has upheld a highest traditions of volunteer service and without fail has maintained a remarkable and proud record of 135 years of continuous lifesaving service. Every day since 30th January 1866, 24 hours a days, 365 days a year, South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade has stood ready to help those in peril around these shores. The same spirit that motivated men to put muscle and manila to good purpose in the days of sail and steam continues to inspire today’s team of volunteers. They remain “Always Ready” to use more modern methods and equipment to assist HM Coastguard to provide today’s search and rescue service from their original home in the Watch House on the South Pier at South Shields. |
| The Volunteer Life Brigade today | |
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