Trinity Pilot - St.Michael's, Rampside, Cumbria UK - Occupational/Hobby Grave Stones on Waymarking.com

Several nautical connections can be found in this churchyard, inc, some master mariners, and sea themed headstones with anchors and the like. This one has a lifebelt on, which seems a slightly odd ornament for a man of the sea.

The reason for a lifebelt is that the grave belongs to a Pilot, responsible for safely guiding ships into and out of Barrow up the dangerous channel with its tight turns, sandbanks and strong tidal streams. He worked for Trinity House who are responsible for the lighthouses and buoys around the coast.

The grave stone has the following on it:
Walter Arnold Raby, Trinity House Pilot, died on Good Friday 1931, aged 60.
He presumably lived and operated out of Piel Island just off the mainland. A row of Pilot's houses was built on the island and are still there today.

A great book has fascinating details of the boats used by the Barrow pilots. See: (visit link)
Particularly page 272-3 with pictures of the Pilots and crew on Albicore, and showing her sailing past Piel Island. Quite possibly one of these men is Walter Raby, who would have been 30 at the time.

They were great sailors and at times were in competition with pilots from Fleetwood to reach the incoming ships first. They would cruise at different stations off-shore ready to meet vessels, and even as far as Hollyhead, 70 miles away. The days of sail came to a close after the first world war.

Is Gravestone Showing Occupation or Hobby?: Occupation What is depicted occupation or hobby?: Trinity House Pilot Date of birth: 04/01/1871 Date of death: 04/01/1931 Access hours and days: Normal churchyard visiting

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