Home of the 1893 Southwold No.1 Lifeboat “Alfred Corry”
The ‘Alfred Corry Charitable Trust’ was set up in 1994 (Charity Commissions No. 1039030) in order to restore and preserve the 1893 Southwold No.1 Lifeboat ‘Alfred Corry’. In March 2017 the Trust was registered as a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) and the number was changed to 1172006.
The ‘Alfred Corry’ was Southwold’s lifeboat for 25 years from 1893 until 1918 which, during which period, she was launched 41 times and saved 47 lives.
The Museum is situated in the car park at the end of Ferry Road at Southwold harbour, in what used to be the old 1923 Cromer Lifeboat shed, moved to Southwold from Cromer 80 miles away, by sea in 1998.
The restored 'Alfred Corry' lifeboat now 131 years old
The ‘Alfred Corry Charitable Trust’ was set up in 1994 (Charity Commissions No. 1039030) in order to restore and preserve the 1893 Southwold No.1 Lifeboat ‘Alfred Corry’. In March 2017 the Trust was registered as a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) and the number was changed to 1172006.
The ‘Alfred Corry’ was Southwold’s lifeboat for 25 years from 1893 until 1918 which, during which period, she was launched 41 times and saved 47 lives.
The Museum is situated in the car park at the end of Ferry Road at Southwold harbour, in what used to be the old 1923 Cromer Lifeboat shed, moved to Southwold from Cromer 80 miles away, by sea in 1998.
The restored 'Alfred Corry' lifeboat now 131 years old
The Old Cromer Lifeboat Shed now the museum with the new front extension
Explore our website to find out more about the fascinating story of the people involved in the boat’s history, both past and present, and how it ended up back in Southwold after so many years away.
Then there is the story of the old Cromer Lifeboat shed, which through a remarkable stroke of good fortune and quick action became the museum building itself. For those interested in the actual restoration work itself, the restoration section will show ongoing progress over a 15 year period.
There is also a wonderful section on local maritime history compiled by our curator, Frank Upcraft, whose sterling pictorial efforts have produced the most colourful and informative additions to the museum’s walls,some of which can be seen in the pictures below and here.
Many sections of the website are compiled by the people involved in the work, so you get a real insight into development of the boat and museum by the people who made it happen.
If you would like to know more, or just come and see for yourself, then you can visit us in beautiful Southwold and see the fruit of many years of dedicated voluntary hard work and love, and be regaled with the extraordinary stories of the lifeboat men who voluntarily put their own lives at risk in order to save those in danger.
Explore our website to find out more about the fascinating story of the people involved in the boat’s history, both past and present, and how it ended up back in Southwold after so many years away.
Then there is the story of the old Cromer Lifeboat shed, which through a remarkable stroke of good fortune and quick action became the museum building itself. For those interested in the actual restoration work itself, the restoration section will show ongoing progress over a 15 year period.
There is also a wonderful section on local maritime history compiled by our curator, Frank Upcraft, whose sterling pictorial efforts have produced the most colourful and informative additions to the museum’s walls,some of which can be seen in the pictures below and here.
Many sections of the website are compiled by the people involved in the work, so you get a real insight into development of the boat and museum by the people who made it happen.
If you would like to know more, or just come and see for yourself, then you can visit us in beautiful Southwold and see the fruit of many years of dedicated voluntary hard work and love, and be regaled with the extraordinary stories of the lifeboat men who voluntarily put their own lives at risk in order to save those in danger.
The Old Cromer Lifeboat Shed now the museum with the new front extension
Inside the Museum
The museum is full of items of local history, both of the boat and the shed in the form of various artefacts connected to the industry, and an extensive collection of old photographs depicting all aspects of the boat and its crew and the history of the lives it saved, all displayed in the most wonderful way, and our thanks go to curator Frank Upcraft for producing such a comprehensive series of displays!
Anyone interested in local history will also find a large section devoted to the local fishing and maritime industries over the centuries.
A large number of the photographs shown on the website were provided by Frank, to which we offer our thanks, as we do to all those who have contributed to the material on the website.
Some of the wonderful displays showing the history of the Alfred Corry as well as local maritime and town history produced by the museum’s curator Mr. Frank Upcraft.
Some of the wonderful displays showing the history of the Alfred Corry
The museum is full of items of local history, both of the boat and the shed in the form of various artefacts connected to the industry, and an extensive collection of old photographs depicting all aspects of the boat and its crew and the history of the lives it saved, all displayed in the most wonderful way, and our thanks go to curator Frank Upcraft for producing such a comprehensive series of displays!
Anyone interested in local history will also find a large section devoted to the local fishing and maritime industries over the centuries.
A large number of the photographs shown on the website were provided by Frank, to which we offer our thanks, as we do to all those who have contributed to the material on the website.
Some of the wonderful displays showing the history of the Alfred Corry as well as local maritime and town history produced by the museum’s curator Mr. Frank Upcraft.
Some of the wonderful displays showing the history of the Alfred Corry
The Fisherman’s Kitchen
Thanks to the many hours of planning and hard work by Dick Leon and Barry Waters, the ‘kitchen’ is now completed.
It gives a glimpse of what life would have been like living on Southwold beach in the late 1800s.
Again we thank many local friends who have donated items for display in the kitchen, Lynn Nicholls our loyal Volunteer for painting, wall papering and producing the curtains and Sue Gooding for ‘running them up’.
Thanks to the many hours of planning and hard work by Dick Leon and Barry Waters, the ‘kitchen’ is now completed.
It gives a glimpse of what life would have been like living on Southwold beach in the late 1800s.
Again we thank many local friends who have donated items for display in the kitchen, Lynn Nicholls our loyal Volunteer for painting, wall papering and producing the curtains and Sue Gooding for ‘running them up’.
