Lynmouth Lifeboat Pull - over land and sea

The Lynmouth anniversary lifeboat pull is in commemoration of the men who save the eighteen lives of the Forrest Hall crew while they are caught in a storm off the coast of Porlock Weir in 1899. On 12 January 1899 the Forrest Hall ship signals for help from the Louisa lifeboat at Lynmouth after its destruction looks imminent. Due to the storm, coxswain Jack Crocombe decides to launch the Louisa at Porlock's sheltered harbour. A famous lifeboat pull ensues.

The Louisa weighs around ten tons. 100 men and 20 horses help transport the lifeboat, hauling it up the 1 in 4 gradient with hairpin bends of Countisbury Hill, crossing over Exmoor for 15 miles and then descending Porlock Hill with a drop of 1,300ft in 2 miles. Six men are sent ahead with shovels and axes to widen the roads, they have to demolish gardens, walls and even fell trees in order for the Louisa to pass. The descent is a trial as the men have to use ropes and horses to ensure the lifeboat does not descend too quickly. The men row out to rescue the crewmen, the mission is a success with no human casualties although 4 horses die of exhaustion.