Most people will have heard of the Louisa lifeboat and her extraordinary overland journey to Porlock Weir. But how did lifeboats come to be stationed at Lynmouth in the first place? The answer lies in another storm, another ship in peril—and a tragedy witnessed from the shore.

The story behind Skinny Lister's "13 Miles", the folk-punk shanty telling of the Louisa lifeboat's overland launch in 1899 — plus the full lyrics, reproduced with the band's kind permission.

The Story Behind the Song On the night of 12 January 1899, the Lynmouth lifeboat crew faced a rescue no ordinary launch could manage. With the harbour flooded and the sea unreachable, Coxswain Dave Crowcombe made the call that would define the night: haul the Louisa thirteen miles overland to Porlock Weir instead, and launch her from there. What followed was one of the most extraordinary nights in RNLI history — and the reason we still sing about it today. Louisa is the Crew'

About the Song We often open a set with this traditional Scottish whaling song, as its always good to get the crowd going. The song itself dates back to the early 19th century, and tells the story of the whaling ship Diamond, which sailed from the port of Peterhead in Aberdeenshire. The ship, captained by John Gravill, was part of the Arctic whaling fleet that ventured to the Greenland whaling grounds. The song reflects the pride and hope of the sailors and their families as

We’re giving the Lynmouth Shanty Crew website a fresh new look, making it easier to explore our songs, stories, performances and maritime heritage. The new Ship’s Log is where we’ll share news from the Crew: gigs, festivals, rehearsals, road trips, new songs and the occasional moment that did not quite go to plan. Welcome aboard.

The story of the Louisa lifeboat’s overland launch in January 1899 is one that resonates deeply with those who cherish maritime history and the spirit of community courage. It is a tale of determination, resilience, and the unyielding will to save lives against all odds. This event, immortalised in our song Louisa, captures a moment when ordinary people faced extraordinary challenges with quiet heroism. A Harsh Winter on the North Devon Coast January 1899 brought fierce storm

It seems oddly fitting to start a series of blogs on our songbook with the song we usually sing last.

Ahoy, shanty lovers! We're thrilled to share exciting news: The Lynmouth Shanty Crew is launching a brand new website and blog. Whether you'