A Barrow grave monument has been added to a new interactive map helping to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary.
Historic England has created the map and is asking people to add their own landmarks to it.
The Grade II-listed grave monument to James Gall, who was the last survivor of the SS Forfarshire, wrecked on the North East coast on September 7 1838, has been added. He was a fireman on board the ship.
The wreck was made famous by the actions of Grace Darling. With her father, keeper of the Longstone Lighthouse in Northumberland, Grace set out in their coble – a traditional North East open fishing boat – through stormy seas and rescued five survivors. Grace’s father returned with two of the survivors to rescue another four people.
James had to stay at the lighthouse for two days where his injuries were attended to by the Darling family.
In 1888, the RNLI took a lead in remembering James Gall and reviving the interest in Grace’s remarkable rescue. James Gall’s grave monument features a 10ft lighthouse sculpture.
Historic England and the RNLI are asking people in the North West to add their own contributions to the Missing Pieces Project, to add to the story of the listed landmarks featured on the new interactive map.
Through the Missing Pieces Project, Historic England invites everyone to discover the listed places on their doorstep and contribute their own unique piece to the picture by adding photos, videos, stories and memories on the National Heritage List for England.
The RNLI has been saving lives at sea since 1824. Over the past 200 years, lifeboat stations have become an important part of our coastal heritage, acting as beacons of safety, while churches and memorials honour and remember the people who have bravely risked their lives to save others. Many of these sites are protected through listing, and whilst most are not owned or managed by the RNLI, they all have strong connections to the lifesaving charity and its history.
Duncan Wilson, Historic England chief executive, said: “This fascinating collection of historic sites tell the stories of the men, women and communities who have made our seas safer over the past two hundred years. Their dedication, bravery and sacrifice have helped to save so many lives and their stories inspire us. This is a great opportunity to discover places around England with history connected to the RNLI and to add your part to the story.”
Hayley Whiting, the RNLI’s heritage archive and research manager, said: “Through this project with Historic England we have been able to share rarely seen photos from the RNLI archive of sites around England which have a close connection with the RNLI and its lifesaving heritage. The list includes boathouses, collection boxes, monuments, and memorials, many of which are no longer RNLI-owned or managed, but all of which have a fascinating and important connection with the charity’s long lifesaving history.”
“It is particularly significant that we have been able to collaborate with Historic England on this project during the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year, and we hope many members of the public will now be inspired to go online to the Missing Pieces Project and add their own contributions, to really help bring to life the stories, history and character of these significant sites.”
The map can be found here: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/missing-pieces/rnli200/
