150th Anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution

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aukepalmhof
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Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:28 am

150th Anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Post by aukepalmhof » Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:04 pm

The Isle of Man issued four stamps in 1974 for the 150th Anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, three stamps show lifeboats, the 3p stamp shows the founder of the RNLI.
The stamp does not show any watercraft, but it is interesting for the lifeboat collectors.

The RNLI was founded by Sir William Hillary, a crewmember of the Douglas Rescue Service, Isle of Man. From his house, he had a beautiful view of Douglas Bay, the scene of many shipwrecks. On the basis of his own experience, he was convinced that something had to be done to improve and coordinate the sea rescue around the British coasts. In February 1823 he published a pamphlet under the title “A Call to the British Nation for Charity and the Policy for the Formation of a National Institute for the Preservation of Life and Property from Shipwreck” which attracted widespread attention. Hillary and the MP Tromas Wilson formed a committee that, at a preliminary meeting on February 24, 1824, approved the foundation of a national institution to be supported by voluntary contributions.
Thereafter, on March 4, 1824, the general assembly came together at the London Tavern under the presidency of none other than the Archbishop of Canterbury. King George IV accepted the patronage. The main purpose of the institute was to provide lifeboats that would then be operated by on-site committees.
Back home, Hillary organized the Isle of Man District Life Saving, of which he became the first president. In addition, he often acted as Mate of the Douglas lifeboat. He himself helped save a total of 305 human lives, for which he was awarded 3 gold medals, the only man to receive that number. Also, the Isle of Man can take credit for being the cradle of the RNLI

Sir William Hillary died on 5 January 1847 and was buried in St George's Churchyard at Douglas. A flimsy commemorative plaque has been placed in a wall near the present-day Douglas lifeboat building which stands just below Hillary's house.

The image on the 3p stamp shows the bronze cast profile of Sir William as it appears on the plaque, as well as part of the accolade carved into his tombstone and the emblem of the RNLI.

Lost the source.
Isle of Man 1974 3p sg 42,Scott?
Attachments
1974 Sir-William-Hillary (2).jpg

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