Worthing’s proud fishing heritage will be celebrated at a remembrance service honouring the men who lost their lives in one of the most tragic events in the town's history.

The barque Lalla Rookh was in trouble in a severe gale off the coast of Worthing on November 25, 1850, and 35 fishermen went to the rescue. Only 24 returned and the tragedy led to the launch of Worthing Lifeboat Station, a sacrifice the RNLI says will never be forgotten.

Eight of the 11 fishermen who lost their lives were buried at St Mary's Church in Broadwater but the other three could not be recovered from the sea. All are remembered on a stone plaque in the church.

The service held in November 2025 for the 175th anniversary has now become an annual event and this year, two of the descendents will address the congregation.

Choir of schoolchildren aged ten from Homefield Primary School, conducted by music teacher Claire Cossins, with Royal British Legion band Lancing Brass, seated centre, as Worthing town crier Bob Smytherman announces the names of the Brave 11, the victims of the Lalla Rookh disaster and their 48 dependants. Picture: Andrew Mardell

placeholder image — Choir of schoolchildren aged ten from Homefield Primary School, conducted by music teacher Claire Cossins, with Royal British Legion band Lancing Brass, seated centre, as Worthing town crier Bob Smytherman announces the names of the Brave 11, the victims of the Lalla Rookh disaster and their 48 dependants. Picture: Andrew Mardell

Organiser Rob Blann, whose relatives were involved in the rescue, said: “One of the most tragic events in the history of Worthing occurred when a killer storm sent shockwaves through the town.

“Last year, on the 175th anniversary of the Lalla Rookh disaster, 11 brave fishermen of Worthing were commemorated for losing their lives in the rescue of the said vessel in a ferocious storm.

“At this year’s Lalla Rookh remembrance service, Worthing’s proud fishing heritage will be celebrated, too, with many more descendants of the town’s early fishing families present.

“Eleven of our brave fishermen went out in a small open boat to render assistance to the distressed barque Lalla Rookh – disabled in a severe gale three miles off Worthing.

Guard of Honour, from left, Lieutenant Commander Noel Atkins, Worthing mayor Cathy Glynn-Davies, parade marshall Tony Avery, Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, Lady Emma Barnard, and councillor Lionel Harman.. Picture: Andrew Mardell

“In sight of the three-masted trading ship, a huge wave overturned their small craft. All 11 were washed away and perished. Within hours, a second rescue was launched and 24 Worthing fishermen successfully saved the vessel and its crew. We celebrate their actions as well.”

The descendants have now formed a fellowship and a dedicated website, The Lalla Rookh Disaster and its Lasting Legacy, has been launched at www.worthinglifeboatheritage.co.uk

The Lalla Rookh Disaster Remembrance Service will be held on Sunday, November 22, at 2pm at St Mary's Church in Broadwater, with West Sussex Deputy Lieutenant Keith Webb and Worthing mayor Lysanne Skinner among the guests. All are welcome.

Lieutenant Commander Noel Atkins will give an account of what happened, followed by a one-minute silence and the laying of wreaths.

Laying wreaths at the 2025 service, Worthing mayor Cathy Glynn-Davies, Shoreham Lifeboat Station operations manager Andrew Shiner and Worthing Society chair Susan Belton. Picture: Andrew Mardell

Paul Turner, descendant of rescuer James Searle, and Tim Worley, descendant of rescuer Henry Wingfield, will both give an address during the service.

Former Naval chaplain the Rev Sean Carter will speak about the lasting legacy, with the RNLI continuing to save lives at sea.

Rob said: “The sacrifice of the Brave 11 inspired the people of Worthing to raise enough money to set up an independent lifeboat station, with a self-righting lifeboat, launching carriage and lifeboat house. It was independently run until 1865, when it was taken under the command of the RNLI.

“In 1930, after the neighbouring Shoreham Lifeboat Station took delivery of it’s first motor lifeboat, Worthing Lifeboat Station closed and Worthing’s lifeboat, the Richard Coleman, powered by sail and oars, remained in its lifeboat station as a showpiece museum, raising funds for the RNLI.”

Standard bearers during the Act of Remembrance, with the Rev Sam Buck, centre, and Lieutenant Commander Noel Atkins at the lectern. Picture: Andrew Mardell

Andrew Shiner, operations manager at Shoreham Lifeboat Station, will give an address and a video of the all-weather lifeboat in action will be shown.

At last year's service, he said: “I stand here not just in remembrance but in gratitude because their courage, their instinct to help others at any cost, is the same spirit that still drives the RNLI today.

“As the local RNLI volunteer operations manager, I see that spirit lived out every day. Our crews are ordinary people that do extraordinary things. The moment the pager sounds, they drop everything and hurry towards the station.

“We do it for one reason, because someone somewhere needs help. It doesn't matter if it's a fishing boat in trouble, a swimmer caught in a rip, or a paddle boarder blown out to sea, the response is the same.

“We launch without hesitation and when we do, we carry with us the same values that were born from that 1850 tragedy, selflessness, courage, dependability and trustworthiness.

The Wellington Wailers will be singing sea shanties at the end of the service, after Worthing Society chair Susan Belton's closing address.