The Manby Mortar was invented by Captain George William Manby, also the inventor of the portable fire extinguisher.
The mortar fired a shot with a line attached from the shore to the wrecked ship. It was used by the Waterguard and later by H M Coastguard for many years.
The first recorded rescue using the Manby apparatus, was on 18 February 1808; with Manby himself in charge the crew of seven were brought to safety from the Plymouth Brig Elizabeth stranded off the shore at Great Yarmouth.