[1] Construction of Seaham harbour was started in 1828 by landowner Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, in order to ship out coal from nearby Rainton.

The lifeboat and launch carriage had cost £388-7s-6d, and was funded by a gift of £400 to the RNLI, raised by the needlework of four sisters.

[2][4] When the Lady Ann was wrecked against the Seaham harbour north pier wall, with huge waves crashing over the top, the lifeboat wasn't launched, but the lifeboatmen rescued 3 crew using ropes.

Despite courageous efforts by John Marshall Jnr., who climbed aboard the wreck, they were unable to save the Master.

[5][6] In 1908, construction began of a new boathouse and deep-water slipway on the outer wall of South Dock, along with an extra pier for protection.

[1] The Elliot Galer would rescue 15 from The Stewarts's Court on 21 August 1918, after it had been torpedoed by German submarine UB-112.

The George Elmy (ON 873) was a non-self righting Liverpool-class lifeboat, and would come to be launched 26 times, and rescued 20 lives.

On service to the fishing boat Economy on 17 November 1962, and having rescued the 5 crewmen on board, she capsized on the return to Seaham harbour.