Heroic Mumbles sisters to be honoured with blue plaque

Two courageous Swansea sisters will soon be honoured for an act of heroism in the 19th Century.

Swansea Council is to unveil a blue plaque early next year in recognition of Margaret and Jennie Ace, who saved members of the Mumbles lifeboat’s crew after it struck rocks below the lighthouse on a stormy January morning in 1883.

The Mumbles lifeboat, called the Wolverhampton, got into trouble when it was launched to help an 885-ton German ship called the Prinz Aldabert, of Danzig, which had also struck rocks at Mumbles head.

Ignoring their father’s warning, the two sisters waded into the water, rescued two men and helped another to safety. They both received gold breeches from the Empress of Germany for looking after the German ship’s crew.

The council will unveil the blue plaque towards the end of February 2016 at a spot close to Mumbles Pier that overlooks the sea.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration, said: “The Ace sisters were ordinary women who did an extraordinary thing. Their act of heroism during the great storm of early 1883 is the stuff of local legend that even inspired a poem recited by generations of local schoolchildren in the decades that followed, so they’re thoroughly deserving of a blue plaque.

“This will be the thirteenth blue plaque the council has unveiled in recent years. From writers and explorers to scientists and missionaries, the scheme is doing a great job in honouring local people who accomplished great things or local places that have helped put the city on the map.

“As a council, we recognise the importance of preserving and celebrating our heritage. The blue plaque trail we now have in place is an educational resource that’s just as insightful for local people as it is for visitors.”

The two sisters were the daughters of Mumbles lighthouse keeper William Ace. Their blue plaque follows others unveiled for people including Badfinger singer Pete Ham, suffragette Emily Phipps and polar explorer Edgar Evans. Places to have been awarded blue plaque status in Swansea include the St Helen’s sportsground and Cwmdonkin Park – a beauty spot that inspired Dylan Thomas.

Have a look at www.swansea.gov.uk/blueplaques for more information about all recipients so far and the location of the blue plaques.