NEARLY a hundred years ago, thirteen out of fifteen crew of the Salcombe Lifeboat were killed returning from a ‘fruitless mission’.

In advance of the centenary commemorations, Salcombe RNLI is launching a new book by Roger Barratt about the disaster, with all the proceeds going to the Salcombe RNLI Lifeboat Station.

The tragic loss of life on October 27, 1916, was one of the worst disasters in the history of the RNLI and had a devastating impact on the town.

Returning from a fruitless mission near Prawle Point, the Salcombe lifeboat ’William and Emma’ capsized in near hurricane force winds as it attempted to re-cross the Bar and reach the safety of the harbour. Of her fifteen-man crew, only two survived.

On Tuesday, October 27 this year, Salcombe RNLI is launching a new book, written by Roger Barrett about the disaster. Illustrated and drawing on eye witness reports, the 80-page book gives a gripping account of the events that led up to the fatal capsize and of its aftermath.

It will be on sale in the Salcombe Lifeboat Station Shop, in local bookshops and other local outlets, with all proceeds will be paid in support of Salcombe lifeboat station.

TV personality and well-known author, Adam Hart Davies, will launch the book and will observe a minutes’ silence at 10.40am, the time when the lifeboat capsized 99 years ago.

Following the launch, book signings by the author will be held at the Salcombe Lifeboat Station Shop, Union Street, between 2pm–4pm, on Tuesday 27th October 2015; at Salcombe Library, Cliff House, Cliff Road, between 10.30am-12.30pm on Wednesday, October 28; and at Harbour Bookshop, Mill Lane, Kingsbridge, between 10am–12pm, on Saturday, October 31.

Next year, on the centenary, 27 October 2016, a series of events are being planned to commemorate the disaster, including a wreath laying ceremony by lifeboats old and new on the Salcombe Bar, the unveiling of memorial stones on the coastal footpath overlooking the Bar, and a Church service in Salcombe.