St Andrews Lifeboat Station

On 3 January 1800, the sloop Janet was driven ashore and wrecked at St Andrews. John Honey, a six-foot four-inch tall University student, and acknowledged athlete and swimmer, was alerted by his tutor that his skills were needed on the shore. Swimming out to the wreck, he brought a line ashore, and the Master and four crew were pulled to safety. Amongst the crowd watching on, was Dean of Guild, magistrate and merchant Cathcart Dempster. Inspired by the actions of John Honey, he started a public fund for the provision of a lifeboat at St Andrews. With additional funds provided by Lloyd's of London, who had a vested interest in reducing insurance claims, a 30-foot lifeboat was ordered from…