In 1880 tragedy struck when the lifeboat Eliza Adams capsized with the loss of eleven crew members. Motor lifeboats have been on station since the 1930s and in 1962 Wells was one of the first to operate an inshore lifeboat.

Today, the 12m Mersey lifeboat is a tribute to the men who have served the Wells lifeboat station and provides an account of how the lifeboat service has changed over more than a century and a half.

Well-next-the-Sea Lifeboats is a tribute to the men who have served the Wells lifeboat station and provides an account of how the lifeboat service has changed over more than a century and a half.

The current lifeboat station, situated at the beach is an integral part of this small town. The lifeboat, on its carriage ready to be launched over the beach at the mouth of the harbour, is an attraction to the many holiday makers who travel to the town. The boathouse is usually open to visitors who can wander round, look at photos of crews past and present, read service boards listing the many rescues, and view the immaculately maintained lifeboat and its launching tractor.

In maintaining a tradition of life-saving that dates back to the early nineteenth century, the Wells lifeboat crew ‘do not make judgements and do not question – they just go to the needy’.

Nicholas Leach has written many lifeboat histories and is assistant editor of Ships Monthly. He and Paul Russell, wrote a successful history of Cromer lifeboats for Tempus Publishing.

Wells-next-the-Sea Lifeboats
By Nicholas Leach and Paul Russell
Published by Tempus Publishing
ISBN 0 7524 3875 1
Paperback, 128 pages
Price £12.99