TOWER OF REFUGE

Sir Wiilam Hillary came to the Isle of Man with a new wife (under 'an irregular matrimonial arrangement') - and his first wife's fortune, which he spent building the magnificent Fort Anne on a headland overlooking Douglas Harbour. (His first wife died soon afterwards). Having seen many ships wrecked on Conister Rocks at the harbour mouth, and having been himself badly injured while going to the aid of the Glasgow Packet St George in 1827 (along with more than 300 other daring rescues), he arranged for the building of a Tower of Refuge, on the rocks. This was kept stocked with bread and water until fairly recently. He also wrote a paper, in which he envisaged an empire-wide lifeboat service, which led to the founding of the RNLI - now a tower of strength (and refuge) for those in peril on the sea. The current Douglas lifeboat (above) is named after him.

Ironically, William himself was 'shipwrecked' after death. Upon entering the family tomb, visitors were alarmed to find his casket on the floor instead of on its stone ledge. Further inspection revealed a water line around the crypt. A flash flood had lifted Sir William, who'd presumably floated around the room before being deposited gently on the floor!

D A G D

Let there be a tower of refuge

Em Bm G A

All our sinful souls to save

D A Bm D

Raise us dry from the stormy water

G A G D

High above the mighty wave

F#m Bm

All around our rain-lashed islands

G D E A

Hazards lurk on every tack

F# F# Bm Bm

To catch and smash the storm-set traveller

G A G D

And his frail craft to crack

Em A D Bm

And far beyond on the shores of empire

G C Em A

Fisherman, mariners, sailors all

D A Bm D

Call aloud for their Gods to carry them

G A G D

Safely to the harbour wall

I came, a stranger, to this kingdom

Heartbreak wheeling in my wake

Watched the tide slide by my headland

Wash away my soul's mistake

And come the gale will I gain redemption

With fisherman, mariners, sailors all

As we brave the blast for a ship that's foundering

Far beyond the harbour wall

Mortal man must fade and falter

Rocks endure the turning years

Other eyes must scan the water

Other hearts; face their fears

For still the bright horizon calls us

Fisherman, mariners, sailors all

Work or play, our place of safety

Lies inside the harbour wall (note lyrics below are not correct)