Margaret Armstrong, nee Brown, was born in Cresswell in 1849 to a fishing and lifeboat family. Margaret became known as Northumberland’s second Grace Darling following her involvement in the rescue of The Gustav in 1876. Unlike Grace Darling, Margaret Brown’s act of heroism was not widely reported.

In 1876 Margaret was involved in the rescue of crew from a Swedish steamship called The Gustav. Margaret and other Cresswell women formed a human chain to rescue four crew members who were stranded on a capsized boat. Conditions were too difficult for the Cresswell lifeboat to reach the steamship. Margaret and two other women volunteered to walk to the lifeboat station at Newbiggin By The Sea to collect some equipment. Margaret was the only one to reach Newbiggin. The Cresswell lifeboat was able to reach The Gustav and rescued seven men and three women.  

On 14 January 1922, the RNLI presented an award to Margaret ‘for her constant and willing service over fifty years as a Launcher of the Cresswell Life-Boat.’.  It was noted that Margaret had not missed a lifeboat launch since 1874. She was the first woman to receive an award from the RNLI.

It was not unusual for women to be involved in lifeboat launches. Before motor vehicles were available lifeboats were launched by men, women and horses. 

Photograph of Margaret Armstrong, 1920s, Ref: NRO 08149/4