As Moelfre RNLI Lifeboat Station prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of one of its most famous rescues, the original ship’s wheel recovered from MV Hindlea has been handed over to the volunteer crew. The dramatic rescue of the MV Hindlea earned RNLI Coxswain Dick Evans his first RNLI Gold medal, after he and his crew battled 104mph winds and 40ft seas to rescue the eight crew on board the stricken vessel.
The ship’s wheel has been donated to Moelfre RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Rod Pace by George Wainwright, who joint owns the Ty’n-Y-Coed Hotel in Capel Curig.
George said: ‘My family used to run the Dinorban hotel in Amlwch from 1946 until 1984 my dad, also called George, acquired the wheel and it was on show in the hotel for many years. When I took over the Ty’n-Y-Coed in 1984 it went on show here. Both my wife, Jayne and I have been supporters of the RNLI for many years and when we undertook recent refurbishment work we decided that we would like to donate this ships wheel from the famous rescue back to the Moelfre RNLI Lifeboat Station as it is such an important part of their admirable history’.
Moelfre RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Rod Pace said: ‘We feel very privileged to receive the ship’s wheel from the Hindlea and are very grateful to George and Jayne. It will take pride of place in the new Moelfre RNLI Lifeboat station, until then it will be in the care of Orial Mon, Llangefni, on display with other artefacts from the Royal Charter and the Hindlea.
The timing could not have been better as we are getting ready to mark the 50th anniversary of the MV Hindlea rescue between 23rd and 26th October this year. It is also the 150th anniversary of the famous Royal Charter wreck and several events have been planned in Moelfre over that weekend.’
Photograph: Moelfre RNLI Lifeboat operations manager Rod Pace accepting the ships wheel from the MV Hindlea from Jayne Wainwright. (C) RNLI
