Atherfield Lifeboat Station
Atherfield Lifeboat Station stood at Atherfield Point on the south-west coast of the Isle of Wight, close to Atherfield Ledge, a reef of rocks that has wrecked many ships. The RNLI ran it for 25 years, from 1890 until 1915.
History
The coast around Atherfield was one of the most dangerous in southern England: between 1832 and 1857 no fewer than 17 medals for gallantry were awarded for rescues here, long before there was a lifeboat. In January 1843, for example, coastguards fired rocket lines to the brig George, wrecked on passage from South Shields to Grenada. The RNLI finally placed a lifeboat at Atherfield in 1890, and it served until 1915.
Visiting
Atherfield Point lies on the Isle of Wight Coast Path between Chale and Brighstone, along crumbling cliffs with wide views over the English Channel. At low tide the ledge can be seen offshore.
About island lifeboat stations
All lifeboat stations →On islands, the lifeboat is often the only help that can reach someone in trouble at sea, and island lifeboat crews cover some of the most exposed waters around Britain and Ireland. Here you will find the lifeboat stations on the islands we cover, with their history and the boats they launch.
