A historic document recognising a Kirkcudbright farmer’s heroic efforts nearly 160 years ago has been returned to the town. Kirkcudbright RNLI recently received a parcel containing a vellum presented to Andrew Lusk in 1865 after he and five of his servants attempted to rescue the crew of the schooner Havelock of Preston.
The document, found as part of a job lot which went up for auction in Lincoln, was returned to Kirkcudbright by the new owner. Kirkcudbright RNLI lifeboat operations manager, John Collins, expressed surprise at the unexpected gift. He mentioned that the individual who found the vellum believed it should be with Kirkcudbright RNLI. The historic item is now part of the station’s archives and proudly displayed during the RNLI’s 200th anniversary celebrations.
The vellum and a silver medal were given to Mr Lusk following the wreck of the Havelock of Preston on November 30, 1864. Despite Andrew and his servants’ courageous rescue attempts, tragically, one of the servants, Peter McGinn, drowned along with all of the crew on board the schooner. Although Andrew had sent a servant to alert the lifeboat, they arrived too late to save the lives of those on the Havelock.
In a gesture of support, the committee of management and the Kirkcudbright lifeboat provided £10 to a local fund for Peter McGinn’s widow and children. Peter McGinn’s name was later added to the national memorial at the RNLI headquarters in Poole, symbolising the sacrifice made in the line of duty. The sculpture on the memorial depicts a person in a boat rescuing another from the water, reflecting the valor and dedication of RNLI lifesavers throughout history.
This return of the historic document has brought a sense of closure and pride to the community of Kirkcudbright, honouring the bravery and selflessness of Andrew Lusk and his servants in their efforts to save lives at sea nearly two centuries ago.