---

Theodore Price - 1902 to 1930



jigsaw 16

Theodore Price and Crew outside the Lloyd Street Boathouse

In July, 1902 a new lifeboat arrived at Llandudno.  She was a 37' x 9'3" 10 oared self-righter, built by the boatyard Thames Ironworks at a cost of £908.  She was built incorporating design recommendations by three members of the Llandudno crew namely John Hughes (coxswain, John Williams (2nd coxswain) and John Owen.  This boat was funded from a legacy of Miss A.G.G. Rolleston of London and named "Theodore Price".  To accommodate the new boat a new boathouse was built, being completed in 1904, at a total cost of £1,370.16/1d.  The first service for the Theodore Price on 1st February, 1903 at 0950 to a steamer showing distress signals 5 miles ENE of the Great Orme Lighthouse.  During a storm the previous evening the cargo shifted causing the boat "Wylam" to list seriously.  She was taking water which was 8' deep in her engine room when the lifeboat reached her.  The lifeboat stood by while she slowly made way to to Llandudno Bay where she dropped anchor and the lifeboat brought the pilot ashore.  The Wylam was later able to get under way again.  At the end of 1904 coxswain John Hughes and second coxswain John Williams both retired..  Edward Griffiths took over as coxswain and John Owen as second coxswain.

John Hughes & John Williams

The Theodore Price was launched on 22nd February, 1908 to aid the ketch "Lily Garton" which was in difficulties off the Conwy Estuary.  As the lifeboat made her way round the Great Orme she met extremely heavy seas and received some damage.  The centre plate then jammed and as the crew tried to free it a particularly heavy wave smashed over the boat knocking Evan Evans unconscious.  Coxswain Griffiths had no alternative but to beach the damaged lifeboat.  Evan Evans subsequently recovered but so severe had been the conditions at sea that another crew member, John Williams, died shortly after coming ashore as a result of severe exposure.  The RNLI donated £100 to a fund set up for his widow and three young children.  In January 1918 John Owen took over as coxswain.  On 27th March, 1919 the schooner "Ada Mary" lost her sails in a fierce north-westerly gale and began to drift towards Colwyn Bay where the crew of two dropped both anchors, but in the heavy seas one anchor cable parted.  The Theodore Price was launched at 1300.  As she battled her way round to the casualty she was repeatedly swept from stem to stern by hugh seas, being completely swamped on at least three occasions, the crew only saving themselves from being washed overboard by hanging on to the life lines.  She eventually reached the schooner and coxswain Owen skilfully manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside.  The two exhausted men were then rescued.  Coxswain Owen brought the lifeboat clear and set course for Llandudno.  The tried for over two hours to get back but were unable to make any headway in the prevailing conditions and so Coxswain Owen decided to beach the lifeboat at Colwyn Bay where the two rescued men were landed.  For this outstanding rescue Coxswain John Owen was awarded the Bronze Medal by the RNLI. The Theodore Price was launched for the last time on service on 22nd October, 1927.  The motor yacht "Delphore" with her crew of three had dropped anchor near the pier.  Early in the evening the wind increased and the motor yacht dragged her anchor and drifted beneath the pier, smashing her mast.  The Theodore Price was launched at 2000 and rescued the three crew. The motor yacht later came ashore on the rocks.   Theodore Price launched 42 times and saved 39 lives.