William Lionel Wyllie: Newbiggin Bay, Exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1893

William Lionel Wyllie: Newbiggin Bay, Exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1893. This oil painting on canvas shows the broad sweep of Newbiggin Bay in Northumberland with fishermen preparing to launch two open cobles. In the foreground one man is salting fish in a barrel alongside several large cod, crabs, baskets, a float with a marker flag and a launching dolly. Behind him two crews are pushing their craft into the waves while a woman paddles back to shore with a fish basket on each hip, watched by a small dog. There are numerous other boats at anchor and under sail in the background. Signed and with a label on the gilt frame stating ‘W. L. Wyllie (1851-1931) Newbiggin Bay (Exhibited Royal Academy 1893)’. 

Exhibited: The Royal Academy, 1893.

The Newbiggin Lifeboat Station was established in 1851 by the Duke of Northumberland, who paid for both a lifeboat and a house for it. This was the direct result of the bravery of one Philip Jefferson and his crew. On the 18th of March 1851 they clawed their way through a ferocious storm to the safety of the bay, in an open coble like the ones above, only to find that others had not been so fortunate. Risking their own lives, they put straight back out to sea and saved 10 lives. A second famous rescue unfolded on 4th February 1940. The lifeboat was unable to reach the ship Eminent from the bay because of the ferocity of the storm. The lifeboat was landed and re-launched on the other side of Church Point, having been dragged through the wind and snow by some 60 helpers, mostly women, resulting in the rescue of the ship. This episode became the inspiration for the Jack Higgins novel ‘Storm Warning’.

William Lionel Wyllie (1851-1931) was a prolific English maritime artist in oils and watercolours and the father of Harold (see page 117). He has been described as ‘the most distinguished marine artist of his day.’ His works can be seen in the Tate, the Royal Academy, the Imperial War Museum, the National Maritime Museum, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, and many other institutions around the world.