The Australia, Porthmadog
Tapping lifeboat SOS on pipes
Mobile phones and a new seafront station enable Llandudno's lifeboat to respond rapidly in emergency, but originally the cox was called by tapping pipework at a mine entrance. Coxswain ...
Hugh Jones worked as a copper miner and would down tools whenever his daughter sent a signal down the pipes, through which water was pumped from the workings. The lifeboat station was between Llandudno's north and west shores, to facilitate launching from either. The new lifeboat station on the promenade at Craig-y-Don was completed last year for immediate access to the north shore, with Conwy's inshore lifeboat able to respond quickly to emergencies off the west shore. For more about Llandudno lifeboat's history, including medals and awards for bravery, scan the HistoryPoints QR codes on the edge of the noticeboard outside the new station. Or click here