Lifesaving

Memorial: M5660

Statue at Douglas Head, Douglas, Isle of Man commemorating Sir William Hillary d. 1847, founder of the RNLI

Location

Douglas Head, Douglas, Isle of Man

Transcript

'SIR WILLIAM HILLARY Bt. / THIS STATUE WAS UNVEILED ON THE 21ST SEPTEMBER 1999 BY HRH THE PRINCE MICHAEL OF KENT K.C.V.O. / IN THE PRESENCE OF MEMBERS OF DOUGLAS CORPORATION / SIR WILLIAM HILLARY 1771-1847 / FOUNDER OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION / A SOLDIER WHO WAS CREATED A BARONET ON 8TH NOVEMBER 1805 FOR HIS SERVICES TO KING AND COUNTRY / HE SETTLED AT FORT ANNE, DOUGLAS IN 1808 / WHERE HE WITNESSED A LARGE NUMBER OF WRECKS ON THE ROCKS IN DOUGLAS BAY / HE DIED ON 5TH JANUARY 1847 AND IS BURIED AT ST GEORGE'S CHURCH DOUGLAS / FOLLOWED TO THE GRAVE BY A CROWD WHO HAD WITNESSED HIS HEROISM AND SELF-DEVOTION IN SAVING THE LIFE OF MANY A SHIPWRECKED MARINER / THE UNIQUE TOWER OF REFUGE IN DOUGLAS BAY WAS PLANNED BY HIM IN 1832 TO SAVE LIFE AND IS A FITTING AND LASTING MEMORIAL / SON TROAILTEE-VARREY AYNS DAJEYR'

Details

Description: Hillary is shown fastening his cloak and hurrying towards the shore.
Type: Statue
Materials: bronze
Date Erected: 1999
Artists: Amanda L. Barton

People

Hillary, William
Age: 76
Date of Death: 5/1/1847
Cause of Death: Unknown/None
Rank / Occupation: Philanthropist
Organisation: Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Extra

Notes: Sir William Hillary served as a militia officer and spent a large inherited fortune on various philanthropic projects. He founded the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck now the RNLI and took an active part in rescues. The statue was commissioned by Graham Ferguson Lacey of Bishopscourt and donated by him to the Borough of Douglas.
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