Launch a Memory Invergordon

Richard Thomas Ridler 1857 - 1912 (Bowman - Lifeboat Louisa)

On 12 January 1899, RNLI lifeboat volunteers undertook one of the most arduous feats to date – dragging a lifeboat 13 miles overnight, overland in terrible weather to launch at Porlock Weir in aid of the Forrest Hall. The stormy weather threatened to run the ship ashore at Porlock. Over 100 local people and 18 horses helped with the journey. Their heroic and incredibly difficult rescue meant that the 18 crew of the Forrest Hall all survived. Richard Thomas Ridler was the bowman (2nd from right)