[3] In early 1862, the Ballast Corporation made a request to the RNLI to take over the management of their three lifeboat stations, located at Howth, Kingstown and Poolbeg, which was agreed.

[2][4] On the morning of 29 October 1865, the Poolbeg lifeboat was launched to the aid of the schooner Emma of Barrow-in-Furness, driven ashore at South Bull Sand, whilst on passage from Ardrossan to Newport, Wales.

[5][6] During an ENE gale on the night of 28 October 1880, the schooner Robert Brown of Warrenpoint was driven ashore near Pigeonhouse Fort.

Launching over a beach strewn with debris and boulders, the crew fought to reach the vessel in extreme conditions, but after 30 minutes, successfully rescued the two men.

The 28-foot Harbour-class motor-powered lifeboat was the only one of its type, designed for close shore work within an estuary, and was effectively the first Inshore-lifeboat of the RNLI.

The Helen Blake was sold from service, but was later fully restored, and is now on display in the RNLI Heritage Collection at Chatham Historic Dockyard.