Welcome to the Exmouth RNLI Yellow Welly Trail.

If you have a leaflet, enjoy the trail.

If not, click on

www.exmouthlifeboat.org.uk/the-welly-trail/

 where you will find all the information you need to enable you to join in!

Sponsored by:

12 The Strand, Exmouth EX81AB

Open Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm 

https://www.exmouthindoormarket.co.uk/

Edwin Knight 

Coxswain 1880 – 1897

Coxswain of two Lifeboats: 

Victoria 2

Joseph Somes

Edwin lived at 4 Manchester Street, which was opposite the back door of this Market.  

At that time this area was a busy shipping port called Manchester Quay. Large ships unloaded here.  

The area which is now the car parks, Leisure Centre and Exmouth Rugby pitches had not yet been reclaimed from the sea. 

Edwin’s sons, Edwin and Uriah, lost their lives in World War 1, their names are on Exmouth War Memorial just outside Exmouth Indoor Market. 

Early records of ‘shouts’ show how the alarm was raised:

On 13th December 1880, a horseman arrived, having ridden from Budleigh Salterton with a message that a fishing boat was in difficulty 3 miles east of Exmouth, in danger of being smashed onto rocks. The ‘Victoria 2’ was able to tow the boat with a crew of 4 to Exmouth Docks.

On 7th Oct 1889, a telegram from the Coast Guard in Dawlish, was received reporting a vessel in distress. The fishing boat ‘Topsy‘ of Torquay had taken on a great deal of water. 3 of the lifeboat crew went on board to help. The boat was towed safely over the sand bar to Exmouth.

Edwin Knight was the coxswain responsible for saving the lives of 3 men and a boy in December1891.  Sloop ‘Master Dei’ of Dunkirk on it’s way to Exeter with cargo of potatoes, ran aground.

In 1884, Exmouth received a new lifeboat.  This was a gift from the widow of Joseph Somes, the MP for Dartmouth, and named in his honour.  By this time, the RNLI had lifeboats at 290 Stations. 

On 14th January 1894, the Schooner ‘John Ground‘ of Svenborg ran aground on Pole Sands, heavy seas began to break over the vessel. The lifeboat was called. Seeing the urgency, 3 local men set out in a small boat, rescuing the crew of 6. For their outstanding bravery, John Bradford, Uriah Bradford and George Prowse were awarded silver medals by the RNLI.

Write the letter I from KNIGHT in space 2 of your answer box.

Tap the link below to go to the Exmouth RNLI Welly Trail JustGiving page:

http://bit.ly/3xD6D4P

We have made every effort to ensure all the information about the Coxswains is accurate. However, we are always happy to be corrected or updated and, if you can add to our knowledge base, please email us at welly@exmouthlifeboat.org.uk