Anglesey Lighthouses And Lifeboats

• Author: Margaret Hughes
• Publication Date 2004
• Format: Paperback, 181 x 122 mm, 120 pages
  

 
A highly interesting volume comprising information about the lighthouses and lifeboats, dedicated lighthouse keepers and brave lifeboat crews of Anglesey including comments on various spectacular sea rescues off the island's shores. 35 black-white photographs and 1 diagram.

Gwales Review

It is hardly surprising that books about Anglesey are so popular, for it must rank as one of the most fascinating islands in Europe. Through her writings, Margaret Hughes has greatly enhanced our knowledge and understanding of many of the historical facets of the region. This is her sixth title and once again she has brought together some fascinating information in a highly readable way.

The establishment of the lifeboat service on Anglesey was due to the initiative of a rector of Llanfairynghornwy, James Williams, and his wife Francis, who are, incidentally, the subject of a poem by R.S. Thomas. Williams was no mere administrator but risked his life in venturing out on rescue missions and his son, also a cleric, continued the family tradition.

Many sailing craft have run into difficulties around the coastline over the centuries, one of the best known being the Royal Charter in 1859. Up to 1855, the Anglesey Association operated the lifeboats, but after this the National Institution took over. In 1849 there were only nineteen lifeboats on the entire British coast but by 1863 there were one hundred and seventy-eight. These are among the many interesting topics which the author brings together in these pages.

Gwasg Carreg Gwalch now add this attractive illustrated book to their previous titles on Ynys Môn, and it deserves to be a popular success.

Dewi Roberts