2-982-607 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Inauguration of a Life-boat and Life Boat House at Sunderland, 1858. 'Miss Burdett Coutts has, with her usual wakeful sympathy, sent down to this dangerous coast a large life-boat properly found and equipped. The gentlemen of the port...have erected on the beach for its reception a neat life boat house, a Sketch of which we have engraved from a drawing sent us by Mr. J. G. Brown, architect, of Sunderland. The splendid life-boat was...installed...at the South Dock...a procession was formed...consisting of the Monkwearmouth Colliery band; the life-boat (called the Duke of Wellington) on its carriage, decorated with flags, and drawn by four fine grey horses...[and] a large body of seamen bearing flags...In the yard connected with the house were assembled the Mayor (J. Candlish Esq.), ladies and gentlemen, and seamen...[The Mayor asked them] to give an expression of their thanks to Miss Burdett Coutts, and to give it in a style which sailors alone could express it - with loud hearty cheers...He was sure that all present would heartily wish that it might not be required to be called into exercise; but, if it were, he was equally sure that men would be ready to risk their lives in manning that boat to save life'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.