Launch a Memory Invergordon

John Ridler 1866 - 1912 (RNLI Crew Louisa)

John Ridler was a member of the crew of the Lifeboat Louisa that was involved in the "Overland Launch" on 12th January 1899. His brother, Richard Ridler was the bowman. The lifeboat could not be launched at Lynmouth so the decision was made to use horses and local people to take the Louisa 13 miles overland to launch at Porlock Weir.Their heroic and incredibly difficult rescue meant that the 18 crew of the Forrest Hall all survived. (John Ridler 1st from the right)