The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) dates back to 1824. Poole’s first lifeboat Manley Wood was brought to the town in 1865. It was mainly crewed by men from Poole’s fishing community, led by Coxswain Richard Stokes.
Poole’s early lifeboats were launched from a carriage that was pushed into the sea. The City Masonic Club was the first lifeboat to be launched down a slipway from the RNLI boathouse.
In November 1898 the City Masonic Club set off in a strong gale through heavy seas to go to the aid of a Norwegian schooner Frier. The crew of eight were saved but the vessel was wrecked. The ship’s name board was recovered, and is on display here in the Museum.
Today, Poole is proud to host the headquarters of the RNLI, which is still funded entirely by donations.