The Zetland is the oldest surviving lifeboat in the world. She first saw action in 1802 and continued to save lives at Redcar until 1880. Local historian Dave Phillipson, a crew member from 1961-1986, looks at the history of a remarkable boat.Why should a wooden boat, 9m long and 3m wide, survive for 200 years and hold the affection of generations? For almost 80 years the people of Redcar, North Yorkshire, were willing to risk their lives in it. Despite being of simple design, the boat inspired such confidence that time and again they put out to save lives in mountainous seas.

The Zetland is now the oldest surviving lifeboat in the world. She was built in 1802 by a South Shields boatbuilder named Henry Greathead, who built the first lifeboat, the Original. The wooden hull was propelled by ten oars and steered by two long oars called sweeps. She had neither rudder nor sails, nor would she right herself if capsized.

The lifeboat arrived at Redcar on 7 October 1802.

A contemporary account records that: 'In the evening the fishermen were regaled with ale to drink success to the boat and the health of the builder.' They also declared: 'in the most voluntary and heartfelt manner' that the lifeboat would never want for hands to man her.

Her first rescue It was only a few weeks to wait before she was needed. No one knows who first raised the alarm. The name or names have long been forgotten. Who would have been out on the lonely sands of the Tees estuary in such dreadful weather? Perhaps a Customs and Excise man on patrol. Whoever it was, they brought the news to Redcar about noon that a ship was ashore on a sandbank on the north side of the Tees.

In the little village of about 100 houses built on the sand dunes, every inhabitant was soon astir. All were eager to launch the new lifeboat, which had arrived just two months earlier.

A gale was blowing from the northeast and a high sea was running. To launch at Redcar and row more than 4 miles to the wreck was out of the question.

The men who would form the crew would have soon been exhausted in such conditions. Better by far to take the lifeboat on its primitive carriage along the sands and launch as close to the wreck as possible.

Drag ropes were laid out and every able-bodied inhabitant seized them. So determined were they fc a successful rescue that they had hauled the lifeboat almost 3 miles before a team of horses had been gc together and caught up with them to take over the heavy work.

When a place opposite the wreck was reached, tr lifeboat was turned to face the sea. The crew jumpedon board and the remainder of the eager party pushed her into the water. Knee deep, then waist deep, they struggled in icy cold, foaming waves until she was afloat. Ten oar blades dipped in unison and powerful arms soon had the bows knifing forwards.

Breaker after breaker was surmounted until they reached the wreck, which was found to be the brig Friendship of North Shields. Her crew of nine were close to exhaustion from the cold and their ordeal. They were taken on board the lifeboat and brought to the shore.

It was not a moment too soon for shortly afterwards the Friendship was broken up by the force of the sea.

There was barely time for rejoicing at the rescue before another brig was driven ashore - the Sarah of Sunderland. Again the crew jumped into the lifeboat and again the battle with the breakers began. In a short time six more merchant sailors were brought to safety.

Tired and jubilant, the people of Redcar took their new lifeboat home along the gale swept sands. She had accomplished all that had been asked of her and more. Little wonder that the townsfolk were soon proclaiming that she was worth her weight in gold.

Over 500 lives saved It was a magnificent start to what was to be a distinguished career. Over the next 78 years the lifeboat is known to have saved over 500 lives. The exact number may never be known, as not all the triumphs of her early years may have been recorded.

On 13 August 1829, the coal-laden brig Aurora, was wrecked on the North Gare by a fierce north easterly storm. The Seaton Carew lifeboat was launched, but the rough seas proved to be too much for the crew and, after three hours toiling at the oars, they were obliged to return to shore in an exhausted condition.

In the meantime the Zetland had been brought from Redcar and was launched with a crew of 26, under the command of Lieutenant RF Pym of the Coastguard. Even with the extra men at the oars it was a while before the Zetland managed to reach the Aurora and bring the crew of eight and the captain and his wife to safety. For his part in the rescue Lieutenant Pym was awarded the Gold Medal oftheRNLI.

Not all rescue attempts were so successful. On Christmas Day, 1836, a crewman was washed from the Zetland and drowned during a vain attempt to save the crew of the Danish brig Caroline, The man, William Guy, was a Tees pilot and it is said that he left a service in chapel to take his place in the lifeboat.

The lifeboat was first managed by a local committee and later by the Tees Bay Lifeboat and Shipwreck Society. In 1858 the Society was taken over by the RNLI.

At some time, it is not certain when, the lifeboat was named Zetland, probably in honour of theinfluential family that had constantly given her their support. In July 1838 the title Earl of Zetland was bestowed on Lawrence Dundas. His father, the Right Honorable Thomas Dundas, had placed the original order for the lifeboat with Henry Greathead in 1802.

Her future threatened On 17 February 1864 the lifeboat was damaged during the rescue of the crew of seven from the brig Brothers. An examination of the damage also revealed extensive dry rot and the lifeboat was condemned by the RNLI to be broken up. The townsfolk were united in their anger at the proposal and prevented the work from being carried out. A public subscription was generously supported by the Earl of Zetland and the old boat was sent to South Shields for repair.

A self-righting lifeboat was sent by the RNLI to replace the Zetland and was rejected by the Redcar fishermen. A larger self-righter followed and was little better thought of. Almost 20 years were to elapse before the prejudice against the RNLI design was overcome and support diminished for the Zetland. Her support never completely died out, however, for even during that period the Zetland was occasionally brought out of retirement and succeeded in a number of rescues.

Her final rescue A terrific storm blew up on 28 October 1880, causing havoc on land and sea. Following a series of shipwrecks throughout the day, the two Redcarlifeboats had rescued several crews but had been damaged beyond use.

The storm continued unabated, and at 11 pm the brig Luna, which had lost her masts and anchors, was driven onto the rocks. She drifted clear and was washed through Redcar pier. Heavy seas made a clean sweep over her and there seemed little hope for her crew. As a last resort the Zetland was brought to the scene and, despite her venerable age, brought the seven crew to safety.

It was the last occasion on which the Zetland was launched on a rescue mission. Over 500 lives had been brought to safety in her stout hull during a period of 78 years. In 1907 the Zetland was moved into the Free Gardeners lifeboat house, the Free Gardeners lifeboat having been sold a few years previously.

Since then the role of the Zetland has been that of a cherished relic. Her protection and preservation for the future has been achieved by the continued loyalty of the townsfolk. Over the years fishermen and nobles, traders and all manner of local people have worked together to maintain the Zetland. Now she is cared for by a band of dedicated volunteers in an RNLI museum that bears her name. Thanks to them and those that have gone before, the Zetland has survived to become a legend.

Celebrating 200 years The 200th anniversary celebrations kicked off on 1 May 2002, when the Zetland Lifeboat Museum was officially re-opened after a major ground-floor refurbishment. More than 100 guests attended, including Lord Zetland and the Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland.

Ian Forman, director of steel company Corus Teesside Cast Products, cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the re-opening.

Corus generously donated £22,000 of their land fill tax credit to the RNLI to allow the refurbishment to go ahead.

Students of the Cleveland College of Art and Design have created a mural to celebrate 200 years of saving lives at sea in Redcar. At 4m wide and over 2m high, the mural has pride of place on show at Redcar lifeboat station since its unveiling at the 1 May celebrations. Why not visit the museum, call in at the station to see the mural for yourself, or take part in one of the anniversary events listed below.Zetland200 events Zetland Lifeboat Museum, The Esplanade, Redcar Open May to October 11am to 4pm Monday to Friday; 12 noon to 4pm Saturday and Sunday. Telephone 01642 494311 for details.

Kirkleatham Hall Museum, Kirkleatham, Redcar Telephone 01642 479500 for further details Ongoing Exhibition 200 years of Redcar lifeboat at Kirkleatham Hall Museum 5-7 July 2002 Folk music festival For those in peril at Kirkleatham Hall Museum 6-7 July 2002 National lifeboat station open days 20 July 2002 Redcar lifeboat flag day 27 July 2002 Naming ceremony and service of dedication for Leicester Challenge 2 Redcar's latest lifeboat 21 September 2002 Zetland200 celebrations social night at Coatham Bowl, Redcar 6 October 2002 Service of thanksgiving.