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The Lizard
Lizard Lighthouse
  1. Shipping
  2. RNLI - Lifeboats & Stations

RNLI Lizard - Polpeor Cove (Closed)

This is the third and final RNLI Lifeboat Station to be constructed in Polpeor Cove at the Lizard. Construction work was completed in 1914

The large concrete building had an integrated slipway which meant the lifeboat was able to launch directly into the sea.

However, this could prove hazardous in rough conditions because of the number of rocks in the cove. The exposed position of the station also meant it required a great deal of expense to maintain its general upkeep.

Recovering the lifeboat after a service was also problematical. Due to the location the boat could not be hauled stern first back up the slipway.

The recovery system used was to haul it back into the boat house, stern first, across timber baulks on the adjoining concrete slipway using a winch located in a separate building. It was pulled up the slipway and on to a turntable by which it could be rotated and moved back into the house.

The result of these difficulties meant the RNLI was forced to spend money repairing the station and the lifeboats from time to time.

By 1958, with the need to employ larger and faster lifeboats due to the growth in maritime commerce, the RNLI decided to close Polpeor Cove because of its operating limitations.

The RNLI eventually chose Kilcobben Cove as it new location for The Lizard Lifeboat station because it was sufficiently protected to allow safe launches in all conditions. Polpeor Cove closed in 1961.
The old Polpeor lifeboat station is now used as a base for small local fishing vessels.
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  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Service board which includes service to the White Star Liner SS SUEVIC from which the lifeboat saved 167 in 1907 following the ship's grounding on the Lizard.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    Information on the SUEVIC rescue and salvage.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI boards and donation box at Polpeor Cove.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    The second lifeboat station of 1885 is seen on the left. This was converted into the winding engine house for recovering the lifeboat up the concrete slipway which can be seen on the right. A turntable was provided to rotate the lifeboat to enable it to re enter the house.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    The second lifeboat station of 1885 is seen on the left. This was converted into the winding engine house for recovering the lifeboat up the concrete slipway which can be seen on the right. A turntable was provided to rotate the lifeboat to enable it to re enter the house.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    The site of the turntable can be made out in this view.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    The second boat house was originally built for sailing and pulling lifeboats and was one of the first concrete buildings erected in Cornwall when it was erected in 1885. In 1914 it was modified to accommodate the winding engine used to recover the lifeboat. The filled in turntable pit can be clearly seen in the foreground.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    The second and third boat houses. Today a smaller winding engine is provided for the recovery of small fishing boats in the smaller building built on the site of the turntable.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    The recovery slipway. This was originally used to launch and recover sailing and pulling lifeboats into the second boat house.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    View inside the 1914 station taken through a crack in the door showing fishing gear. This boat house also appeared in an episode of the TV detective drama series Wycliffe during the 1990s.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    1914 boat house - the rear doors through which the lifeboat entered once it had been recovered.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    The second boat house which was shortened when converted into a winding house in 1914.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    Information board giving details of the Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Stations.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    View up the recovery slipway.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    View up the recovery slipway.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    The recovery slipway

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    The recovery slipway.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    Second boat house (later winding house) left and 1914 third boat house closed 1961 on the right.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    Second boat house (later winding house) left and 1914 third boat house closed 1961 on the right.

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    Recovery slipway

  • RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    RNLI Lizard, Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, Cornwall -May 28, 2014

    1914 boat house

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