'Snapshot of time' homage to RNLI life-savers
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AN inspirational homage to Buckie's maritime life-saving past has come home and is set to go on display to the public.
From 1922 to 1960 the town's RNLI lifeboat station was an impressive feature situated in what is now basin one near the mouth of the harbour.
It was to be a unique variation on that particular design of station, sacrificing a launching ramp – there was insufficient room in the basin to accommodate it – in favour of a hoist system which saw the lifeboat come under the structure before being winched out of the water ready for her next emergency.
The station was demolished in 1980.
However, a lovingly created and detailed 1/32 scale model of the station, which was completed in 1928, has been donated to Buckie and District Fishing Heritage Centre Ltd and is set to go on public display when it reopens next spring.
The model, which was crafted by the clerk of works who supervised the construction of the station, Edward Ernest Ransom, includes cutaway sections to reveal the exquisite internal detail of the facility, even down to the crews' lifejackets on a shelf and protective oilskins hanging up. The lifeboat – the KBM – is seen departing its launch cradle.
Heritage secretary Adam Robertson, who is also a deputy launching authority of many years' standing with Buckie RNLI, explained some of the background to this latest priceless acquisition.
"We're absolutely delighted to have this model, it's just amazing," he said.
"It did come out of the blue a bit, to be honest.
"The model had been in a museum in Redcar in England for a great many years but unfortunately it had lost its funding and had to close. Rather than it go into storage, the grandson of the man who made it, also Edward Ernest Ransom, initially got in touch with Buckie RNLI lifeboat station who then put him onto us at the heritage centre.
"We're deeply grateful to him for thinking of us – this model is unique, the only one of its kind in existence so to have it here and to be able to show it to the public is wonderful. It's a snapshot of time and is incredibly detailed.
"We're just the custodians of this piece of history for future generations."
Mr Ransom added: "My grandfather was clerk of works for the RNLI and supervised the construction of the building and later built the 1/32 scale model.
"The model was inherited from my father, Edgar Ernest Ranson (who was also a clerk of works for the RNLI).
"He in turn passed it over to me. At the time I was honorary curator of the Zetland Lifeboat Museum in Redcar and out it on display there. on my retirement from the museum and having no relatives in the area, I decided to donate it to the [Buckie heritage] museum."
The lifeboat station was home to a total of two RNLI lifeboats during its working life. The KBM, which served Buckie from KBM August 1922 until November 1949 and Glencoe Glasgow from November 1949 until June 30, 1960.
For Mr Robertson, the acquisition of the stunning model has a very personal resonance.
He explained: "My dad Howard was involved with the RNLI in a shore-based capacity and I used to remember going with him to the station when I was young," he said.
"The place fascinated me and it inspired me to join the RNLI a few years later.
"It's been a lifelong association."
Mr Robertson went on to say that the station saw more than its fair share of action.
"The station was home to Buckie's first two motor lifeboats, the KBM then the Glencoe, Glasgow," he continued:
"It was a busy station but the thing to remember is it was also active during the years of World War II.
"This time saw the crew see a lot of action connected to the war activities and training which went on in the Moray Firth. Unfortunately, no records were kept of these due to security reasons."
