[3] On 6 October 1822, the Royal Naval Ship Vigilant was wrecked on the Conister Rock (later the location of the Tower of Refuge), and it was only due to the daring actions of Sir William Hillary, Bt.

[3] Having witnessed many wrecks and loss of life whilst living in Douglas, and now inspired by the events of 1822, Hillary published his Appeal to the Nation in 1823.

Prime Minister Robert Jenkinson was made president, with Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Charles Manners-Sutton becoming vice-president.

[3] However, also following the events of October 1822, a group of marine insurance companies including Lloyd's of London had already agreed in April 1824 to fund a new lifeboat for Douglas.

On her first and only recorded service, to the vessel City of Glasgow in trouble in Douglas Bay, Nestor was driven onto the rocks on her return trip and badly damaged, although the 15 people rescued from the ship and the lifeboat crew made it safely ashore.

Hillary, along with lifeboat coxswain Isaac Vondy and crew, took the unfinished boat from Robert Oates's yard and launched to her aid.

In extreme circumstances, with the lifeboat still missing air-cases, causing her to carry excess water from the pounding waves, everyone was safely recovered.

The Institution decided to commission a 24-foot Peake-class lifeboat from Wallis of Blackwall, to be named Sir William Hillary, Bt., and by May 1853, it was reported as ready.

A new boathouse was built on Harris promenade, at the corner of Church Road, and a 32-foot self-righting lifeboat was commissioned with Forrestt of Limehouse, London, costing £246.

[1] £325 was received from the Manchester and Salford Sunday School Fund, which covered the cost of the boat, plus all kit and equipment, and the launching carriage.

A new lifeboat house and slipway was constructed, mounted on piles built in the harbour in front of the existing boathouse, and costing £10,000.

She was duly named Manchester and Salford (ON 689) by Lady Fry, wife of the Lieutenant governor of the Isle of Man.

All-weather Mersey-class lifeboat 12-22 Ruby Clery (ON 1181) is on service, having been transferred from her previous homes at Peel and Ramsey.

[1] On Friday, 19 November 1830, the Royal Mail steamer St George was driven onto the Conister Rocks whilst at anchor in Douglas Bay.

Sir William Hillary, Coxswain Isaac Vondy, 14 crew and 2 volunteers launched the True Blue to her aid.

The lifeboat was badly damaged on the rocks, its rudder broken and six oars swept away, and then Hillary and three men, including volunteer William Corlett, were washed overboard.