#FamousLifeboat – Former Ballycotton RNLB lifeboat, Mary Stanford, made famous for a daring rescue of the Daunt Rock lightship crew in 1936, was hoisted out from Grand Canal Dock basin yesterday and headed to her old east Cork homeport, writes Jehan Ashmore.
The Barnett-class lifeboat was loaded onto a truck to start the final stage of her homecoming following a campaign to save the vessel from further neglect having languished for many years.
Upon her return to Munster, The Save The Mary Stanford Project committee intend to have the boat raised on a plinth near the entrance to the Ballycotton Cliff walk and they are seeking donations to assist in her restoration that may involve the boat covered during this period.
Her restoration would allow those to appreciate the lifeboat's career and particularly the role she played during Daunt Rock lightship rescue that took place 78 years ago. The 60-hour ordeal would became the first and only lifeboat in RNLI history to have been awarded a gold medal for gallantry, that is for the boat herself, as well as her crew who were recognised for their bravery.
In recent years she was moored alongside Naom Eanna which been given a month's reprieve, otherwise she is to be scrapped by Waterways Ireland.
