1. Launching an Institution: Edd Christian

In 1824, Sir William Hillary founded what is now the RNLI. Coxswain Edd Christian takes us back to where it all started

On 10 October, 1822, HMS Vigilant foundered on St Mary’s Rock in Douglas Bay on the Isle of Man. A bystander urged others to help him row out to rescue those in peril. That man was Sir William Hillary. And, as a result of this and further shipwrecks, he went on to form what we know today as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. One of Douglas RNLI’s current coxswains explains why, two centuries on, Sir William would be proud.  

Discover more about the RNLI's foundation and development through our first 100 years: Veronica Vondy (Episode 166) and Hayley Whiting (Episode 195) talk about founder Sir William Hillary, while Dr Sam Jones (Episode 24) explores a turning point in the RNLI's fortunes in 1852.

200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI
Interview by Adventurous Audio
Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls

The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200