The people of South Shields designed and built the first lifeboat in response to seaside tragedy. Their town motto still keeps us afloat today.
In September 1789, a ship called the Adventure ran aground on the Herd Sands, the treacherous banks where the Tyne meets the North Sea. The wreck sat close enough to shore that the South Shields town folk watched helplessly as it happened. The sea was too rough for the boats they had to be of any use. Everyone on board the vessel was lost.
Though grief-stricken, the town would not accept that outcome twice. A local committee formed and offered a prize for anyone who could design a rescue craft built to survive those elements. William Wouldhave, a parish clerk, entered the contest. So did Henry Greathead, a local boatbuilder. Neither design won outright. The committee took the best of both and asked Greathead to build it. Simply called the Original, the first purpose-built lifeboat launched within the year. Its successor, called the Tyne, is credited with saving over a thousand lives. Greathead went on to build roughly thirty more.
“Always Ready” made for good seafaring advice long before it was made an official motto. When South Shields became a municipal borough in 1850, the new coat of arms included the phrase, along with a lifeboat, oar, sailor, and anchor. The “new” town hall opened in 1910, making Nurse Aird and her loved ones present in a time of prosperity just before the Great War.
A resilient spirt has been evident throughout our time in the Teeside region. We first visited Redcar more than a year ago, then another pair of cards had us admiring the old seaside mining town again. Sorting further turned up an unexpected glimpse of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra when they opened Kingsway.
Reading Nurse Aird’s own cards gave us her voice directly—work, faith, family, and the small pleasures of an independent life. Last week, we heard from fellow nurses, patients, and friends writing back to her between cases.
No doubt Liz knew of her hometown’s historic tragedy and the innovative response that followed. It remains a matter of pride in South Shields today. She seems to have applied the principle in her own life, too, as much as one can tell from a stack of old postcards.
We find the same heartbreak at a smaller scale, and an accompanying readiness formed into habit. Not sorrowfully bracing for each impending disaster, but rather cheerfully building up the ordinary qualities that come before whatever might be next: caring for people, going where connections take you, keeping faith and family in good repair, and staying generous and attentive toward others. More than a century later, Nurse Aird is still prepared.
To Read More
RNLI, “1785: The First Lifeboats” — Account of the Adventure wreck, the Lawe House design competition, and the rivalry between Wouldhave and Greathead.
Nurse Aird moved from case to case, and was never one place very long. Her friends always managed to catch up.
Over several weeks, we have been learning about Elizabeth Rowen Aird, who worked as a private nurse in the Teeside region of England in the early part of the 20th century. Her distinctive handwriting boldly appeared among a collection of vintage English postcards from 1902 to 1916. Two cards charted a course back to Redcar and an earlier essay about an unusual seaside stroll. Another single card happened to be in the right place and time in regal roadworks.
This week, we examine the postcards Liz received from fellow nurses, faithful friends, and grateful patients. This view expands the territory, too. Her friends write from Glasgow and Isle of Wight, and from more familiar stations. The cards also follow her from case to case, often forwarded to a new address where she was working.
Nurse Aird was not attached to one hospital ward. She took private cases one at a time, perhaps through a nursing registry or through established relationships with convalescence homes. She picked up patient cases on a weekly or monthly basis, often staying in the family’s home and moving on when each case ended.
William Smart’s mother still in great pain, no hope of decreasing it. Am with very pleasant people. I am keeping very well but get well tired. Went to Unity on Sunday evening – hope you both keep well. Expect to be here till away case – it only came off a week ago. Bob Payhrs is not so well. Will get direct train when it comes out. Liz
Fellow nurses kept in touch, perhaps to ease the loneliness of a stay away in a family home that may have seemed unfamiliar.
So glad to receive your letter – will answer it later. Came here on Saturday; an old lady again. This is a very old town, but we are quite in the country & it is so lovely. Am quite well & hope you are Yours, B.E.W.
Or, simply to gossip!
Thanks for pretty P.P.C. Can’t think of how P. delaying so long. Probably could not forgive herself for the ‘ride’ not coming off, sort of penance. I am wondering if you have got any fresh storyettes about ‘nurses’ now don’t keep them all to yourself you know I enjoy them immensely. Weather lovely, no work of course. how can a mere student? Ta Ta you N.S.
We don’t know if Nurse Aird had formal training or even if she chose the nursing profession. Nurses in her era had to remain unmarried to be employable, and unmarried women often became nurses. Liz must have offered a kind word to a young woman thinking about her options.
Dear Nurse, Thank you very much for P.P.C I have not been through Darlington twice. Yes, I am still thinking of going in for nursing. I shall soon be old enough. They will take them at 22 at Aston. So I shall not have long to wait. I will write you a letter in a day or two and tell you all the news. Hope you are keeping well. When are you coming over to see us. Yes I think we are all pretty well. Harry is getting married soon. I will tell you when in my letter when I write. We are having a concert next Saturday. Shall be glad when it is over. Hoping to hear from you again, I remain your loving friend. S.
Nursing would not become a registered profession in Britain until the Nurses Registration Act of 1919. Liz worked steadily for at least two decades before that law existed. Though she moved within a firm social architecture, there were few legal protections, and no patient meant no pay.
Will stay here next week & then if nothing turns up will come over during race week. Nurses are all on holiday, as there is nothing doing. Glad the belt is alright. This weather is very relaxing – the country is lovely just now – went for a drive with Miss Lucas yesterday. Liz.
Rest and relaxation came through friendships, church, and a seaside social calendar. Alice A. Lucas belonged to Liz’s own circle in Darlington, built around the Unity Society there. Her December 1906 card included good news of her mother’s health, and also her evening plans.
It was kind of you to send such a pretty P.C. to Mother. She is not quite ready yet to need you to nurse her, but has only just escaped that fate!! We have had her in her room since Friday, by Sunny Jim’s orders (a slight internal bother) We hope to have her down tomorrow. How are you, dear? We shall be glad to see you back. I am going down to the singing practice now. Mr Side is doing very well. We are arranging for a “Unity Church Society” for study of social & other questions. Goodbye – with our united love, affectly yrs, Alice A. Lucas.
This congregation met in Darlington from 1873 to 1922, part of the Unitarian church in England. It was a big part of Liz’s social world during her time there, from 1906 to 1915. Over the years, she attended concerts and lectures, walked in the park, and traveled to see friends connected through church.
6 South Ter Harrogate, Thanks for card. We wondered how you had got on. Rev S.S. Brettell comes 14 Sun Oct – fear you may not get here – we do not record.
Her mother attended a separate Unity congregation back home in South Shields. Through their correspondence, we see the bond between mother and daughter, and also the goings-on of a socially progressive faith community. A 1912 card confirms a standing weekly commitment in South Shields.
Dear Mrs Aird The U.S. meeting will be at the above adress tomorrow night. The N.E. Cafe is let for the whole of the winter for Thurs. if it suits the members I hope you will be able to be there.
Mother and daughter each had their own circles, engagements, and schedules, which sometimes overlapped.
Going up to Tyne Dock to see Harmonium to-night. Come down as soon as you can to-night. I may go to park. Liz
Despite the typical brevity and levity of postcards, they do sometimes deliver devasting news. Liz’s cases were not always easy.
Hope you are keeping better! Last Sunday I had blue baby at church in the afternoon. She had a convulsion at 11 at night & died Monday morning. It was very unexpected. The patient is alright but her mother is ill and not expected to recover – I miss the baby more than anyone she was such a sweet little thing. How cold here the weather is, a great change, you must be careful not to get cold. Much love to both, Liz.
The postcard she sent from Sedgefield Asylum comes with an ominous chill. Also known as Durham County Lunatic Asylum, it was built in 1858 and expanded in the 1880s until it held 700 patients under one roof, with its own chapel, stables, and water supply. That same building was absorbed into the newly formed National Health Service in 1948, renamed Winterton Hospital in 1949, and continued treating patients into the mid-1990s.
Bark House, Sedgefield. Hope you are all well. Have been very busy – patient still in bed. Have you read the failure of Mr Stopkus. I was with them a year ago – regular fraud – I expect to go thro the asylum next week. Hope they wont keep me in. Send me a few lines this week, not sure if I can get next week. Much love to both. Liz
Other patients wrote to Liz with the encouraging and frustrating details of getting better. Given the number of these messages, we have to assume she stayed in touch with some patients and families long after the case was over and she had moved on.
“Have been here five weeks. Am feeling much better & stronger & staying a little longer. Kindest regards. E Beaumont”
Maud, recovering in Nottinghamshire in August 1907, wrote with wry humor.
“Thanks for card – Am improving everyday – Can walk splendidly! Plenty of fresh air of course – unfortunately can’t get away from nurses – there is one visiting here just now – Are you not sorry for me? Yours”
A few messages indicate that Liz was generous, too. Gifts and parcels were exchanged regularly, including some little bonnets that seem to have been for sale. Messages nearly always offered a health update and wishes for her own wellbeing, and her parents.
My dear Nurse, Thank you very much for your nice parcel. The little bonnets are lovely. They will sell I am sure. Hope you are feeling better. Father has been ill but is better. Love from all. E.S.
Dear Miss Aird, I received your letter thanking you very very much for the present it was quite a surprise. I am enjoying myself very much and having beautiful weather. Hope you are keeping better and also your mother. Gertie.
Dear Miss Aird, Thank you very much for the biscuits. we are sorry your father & you are so ill. Mother on the improve but not able to go about yet. She will write to you as soon as she can. With love from all, Rachael
A few cards taken together trace a long friendship. Rennie, writing from Whitley Bay in July 1910:
15 Park Parade, Whitley Bay. We arrived here yesterday. Hope you will be over to see us. We are here for 10 days with Yeoman Eli. Love from Rennie.
A missed meeting the same month:
Very sorry I can-not meet you tomorrow, hope you will have a nice day at Whitby. Love from Rennie
An invitation the following September:
Cherryburn Gardens Fenham, Thanks for your invitation, shall be pleased to come on Monday leaving here 2.0 but must return 5.30. Hope your Mother is keeping better. With love from Rennie.
And a week at Langholm in 1913, with her own mother:
Mother & I have been here a week. Leaving Monday. We are enjoying the rest, a change. The weather is good, rain this afternoon for the first time. How is your father keeping? I hope better. Love from us both, from, Rennie
These cards we first approached as places—Alnwick, Nottingham, Newcastle-on-Tyne—were not scenery chosen at random. They were where Liz and her circle actually spent the free time that their arduous work allowed them. The seaside villas, the castles, and parks were the landscapes for their lives.
Read together, these cards describe a social system built almost entirely on goodwill and improvisation. The National Health Service, founded in 1948, was built to respond exactly these gaps: free care for all, a regulated nursing profession, hospitals and asylums brought under one public system. Liz’s world and her own work preceded what we think of as healthcare now. What came after was far from perfect, and it is worth appreciating what it replaced.
