Watson-class lifeboat
![]() 45ft 6in Watson RNLB Lord Southborough (Civil Service No. 1) (ON 688) | |
Class overview | |
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Builders |
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Operators | ![]() |
Built | 1888–1963 |
In service | 1888–1991 |
Completed | 213 |
The Watson-class lifeboat is a design of wooden lifeboat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland between 1888 and 1991. There were several variations over the years but all the boats had hulls that conformed to a design by George Lennox Watson, the RNLI's naval architect from 1887 until his death in 1904.
Pulling and sailing lifeboats
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Tramore_Lifeboat_Crew_County_Waterford_1910_%285883402929%29.jpg/220px-Tramore_Lifeboat_Crew_County_Waterford_1910_%285883402929%29.jpg)
The majority of lifeboats in service with the RNLI during the second half of the nineteenth century were of the Peake self-righting type, designed to operate in rough seas close to the shore. Some stations which required a better sea-going boat preferred the greater stability of a non self-righting boat such as the Norfolk and Suffolk. G.L. Watson designed a new non self-righting hull shape for the RNLB Edith and Annie which was built in 1888.
42 pulling and sailing lifeboats to Watson's design were built, the last in 1915 some 11 years after his death. They came in a variety of lengths to suit the needs of the different stations where they were based, the commonest being 38 ft (12 m).[1][2]
Motor lifeboats
The RNLI began experimenting with motor lifeboats in 1904 when a 38 ft Self-righter was converted. In 1906 three other lifeboats were converted to motor but none of these was a Watson. However, when in 1908 the first new build motor lifeboats were constructed, two of them were Watsons. Over the next 55 years, 171 boats of various designs were built based on Watson's hull design.
There were 11 lengths of boat of 8 different types:
Length | Build range | No. built |
---|---|---|
38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m) 40 ft 6 in (12.34 m) 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m) | 1908–1930 | 15 |
45 ft 0 in (13.72 m) | 1912–1925 | 22 |
45 ft 6 in (13.87 m) | 1926–1935 | 23 |
41 ft 0 in (12.50 m) | 1933–1952 | 13 |
46 ft 0 in (14.02 m) | 1936–1946 | 28 |
46 ft 9 in (14.25 m) | 1947–1956 | 28 |
42 ft 0 in (12.80 m) | 1954–1962 | 10 |
47 ft 0 in (14.33 m) | 1955–1963 | 18 |
The first Watson motor lifeboats were based on the most common pulling and sailing hulls, the 38 ft, 40 ft and 43 ft types. Apart from the addition of an engine and propeller, there was little to distinguish them from their sail- and oar-powered predecessors. The engines in the early motor types were regarded almost as an auxiliary and the boats, which had an open deck with end boxes, retained sails and oars. Engines from Tylor, Blake and Wolseley were used, although the Tylor was the most satisfactory and the two Blake-engined boats were re-engined with Tylors in 1914. Power output of the Tylors was 40 bhp which gave a speed of around seven knots.
The first standard class of Watson motor was the 45-ft design. This began with the conversion of a pulling and sailing boat in 1912. Production of new boats began in 1919 and 22 were built between then and 1925.
A new design appeared in 1926, marking the transition from single-engine to twin-engine layout. The first two 45 ft 6in boats were single-engined, but the rest were twins. 23 were built up to 1935.
A small series of 40 ft 6 in single-engine boats were built in 1929-30, the precursor of the twin engine 41 ft type of 1933 with an 11 ft 8 in (3.56 m) beam but 6 in (15 cm) shorter than the later boats. The boats resembled scaled down versions of the contemporary 45 ft 6 in design, with a small shelter ahead of the aft cockpit and the exhaust funnel in front of it. All were built by J. Samuel White at Cowes and were powered by a 50 bhp Weyburn CE4 4-cylinder petrol engine driving a single screw. They served until the mid 1950s when they were replaced by new 42ft Watson-class boats.
From 1933 13 41 ft boats were built. These were the first twin-engined medium-sized boats intended for stations unable to accommodate the larger types. 9 were built between 1933 and 1939 and a further 4 between 1948 and 1952.
1936 saw the next development of the large Watson, the 46 ft boats which saw the introduction of diesel engines. 4 of the first 5 had petrol engines; the fourth was the first new build diesel-engined lifeboat for the RNLI and the remainder followed suit. 28 boats were built, not including 2 destroyed whilst under construction in an air raid on Groves & Guttridge's yard at Cowes. Production continued until 1946.
The first post-war new Watson design was built in 1947, a 46 ft 9 in design. The first 5 resembled the pre-war 46 ft type but from 1948 a major redesign resulted in a new superstructure with midships steering and a large cabin aft. 28 were built until 1956.
A new 42 ft design in 1954 was intended for stations unable to accommodate larger types but needing something bigger than a carriage launched type and replaced the 41 ft design dating from 1933. This design introduced the use of commercial diesel engines rather than the RNLI's own designs. 10 were built between 1954 and 1962.
The final incarnation of the design, the 47ft Watson-class of 1955, was the last non self-righting class built for the RNLI other than the three 70 ft (21 m) Clyde-class cruising boats in 1965 and 1974. These Watsons were the first lifeboats to have an enclosed wheelhouse other than the unique "Fast Afloat" lifeboat of 1929. The first was built in 1955 but full production began in 1957 and continued to 1963 with 18 built.
Fleet
Pulling and sailing boats
ON | Name | Built | Length | In service | Station | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
208 | Edith and Annie | 1888 | 42 ft 6 in (12.95 m) | 1888–1902 | Southport No. 2 | [3] |
315 | Brothers | 1892 | 43 ft 1 in (13.13 m) | 1892–1910 | St Annes No. 2 | [4] |
1911–1923 | Cromarty | |||||
316 | City Masonic Club | 1892 | 38 ft 1 in (11.61 m) | 1897–1910 | Poole | Built in 1892 but stored until 1897.[4] |
Reserve No. 7 | 1910–1918 | Reserve fleet | ||||
346 | Henley | 1892 | 32 ft 1 in (9.78 m) | 1893–1918 | Tramore | [5] |
359 | Maude Pickup | 1894 | 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m) | 1894–1929 | Fleetwood | Sold and fitted with twin screws but wrecked by 1939.[5] |
393 | Samuel Fletcher of Manchester | 1896 | 32 ft 2 in (9.80 m) | 1896–1930 | Blackpool | Undergoing restoration in Blackpool.[6] |
409 | Dunlearly (C.S. No. 7) | 1898 | 42 ft 6 in (12.95 m) | 1898–1913 | Kingstown No. 2 | Donated by the Civil Service Lifeboat Fund.[6] |
414 | Henry Richardson | 1898 | 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m) | 1898–1919 | New Brighton No. 1 | Sold and converted to a houseboat, broken up in 1978.[6] |
418 | Margaret Platt of Stalybridge | 1898 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1898–1930 | Pwllheli | [6] |
424 | Elizabeth and Blanche | 1899 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1899–1908 | Penzance | Sold and used as a yacht until at least 1969.[6] |
1908–1913 | Newlyn | |||||
1913–1922 | Penlee | |||||
429 | James Stevens No. 7 | 1899 | 45 ft 0 in (13.72 m) | 1899–1926 | Howth | One of 20 lifeboats funded from the James Stephens Legacy.[6] |
434 | Henry Dundas | 1899 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1899–1919 | St Mary's | [6] |
1919–1927 | Angle | |||||
442 | James Stevens No. 15 | 1900 | 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m) | 1900–1921 | Wexford | Another of the James Stevens lifeboats.[7] |
445 | James Stevens No. 16 | 1900 | 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m) | 1900–1930 | Dungarvan Bay (Helvick Head) | Another of the James Stevens lifeboats. Sold and used as the yacht Helvick Head until at least 1972.[7] |
456 | John Wesley | 1901 | 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m) | 1901–1922 | Barry Dock | Named Reserve No. 7E for a while but then reverted to John Wesley. Sold and used as a motor yacht until at least 1956.[7] |
1923–1928 | Cromarty | |||||
457 | James Stevens No. 20 | 1901 | 42 ft 6 in (12.95 m) | 1901–1920 | Queenstown | The last of lifeboats funded from the James Stephens Legacy. Sold and used as a yacht until the 1970s.[7] |
Reserve No. 7B | 1920–1922 | Reserve fleet | ||||
James Stevens No. 20 | 1923–1927 | Fenit | ||||
462 | Thomas Fielden | 1901 | 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m) | 1901–1927 | Barrow | [7] |
1927–1929 | Angle | |||||
1929–1929 | Moelfre | |||||
463 | Albert Edward | 1901 | 42 ft 6 in (12.95 m) | 1901–1929 | Clacton-on-Sea | Sold and modified as a yacht, reported to be at Ipswich in 2023.[7] |
1929–1932 | Arranmore | |||||
487 | Wighton | 1902 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1902–1923 | Torquay | Sold and used as a yacht but reported out of use on the River Great Ouse in 2019.[8] |
488 | Colonel Stock | 1902 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1902–1933 | Weston-super-Mare | Sold and used as a yacht until about 2001.[8] |
497 | William and Mary Devey | 1902 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1902–1923 | Tenby | [8] |
505 | William Roberts | 1903 | 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m) | 1903–1921 | Little Haven | Sold and used as yacht Quest until 2009.[8] |
Reserve No.7C | 1921–1922 | Reserve fleet | ||||
1923–1924 | Southend-on-Sea | |||||
1924–1925 | Reserve fleet | |||||
1925–1926 | Aberdeen No. 1 | |||||
1926–1928 | Fowey | |||||
513 | Fiern Watch | 1903 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1903–1924 | Weymouth | Sold and used as yacht Easting Down but sank in 1965.[8] |
1924–1925 | Reserve fleet | |||||
515 | James, William and Caroline Courtney | 1904 | 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m) | 1904–1922 | Polkerris | Sold and used as yacht Grey Fox but out of use at Erith by 2023.[8] |
517 | Ann Fawcett | 1904 | 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m) | 1904–1912 | Harwich | Renamed Dunleary when transferred to Kingstown.[8] |
Dunleary | 1913–1919 | Kingstown | ||||
518 | John Harling | 1904 | 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m) | 1904–1925 | Southport No. 2 | Sold and used as the pleasure boat Pride of the Lake at Southport until 1958.[8] |
521 | James and Mary Walker | 1904 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1904–1933 | Anstruther | Undergoing restoration for display at Anstruther.[8] |
523 | John Fortune | 1904 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1904–1921 | Port Errol | Off station 1914 but returned in 1915. Sold and used as yacht Port Eroll until 1975.[8] |
Reserve No. 7A | 1921–1923 | Reserve fleet | ||||
525 | Busbie | 1904 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1904–1929 | Troon | [8] |
528 | James Cullen | 1904 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1904–1926 | Bull Bay | Sold and used as a yacht until 1996.[8] |
529 | John R. Ker | 1904 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1904–1930 | Southend, Kintyre | Sold and used as a yacht Knot until at least 1975.[8] |
530 | Oldham | 1904 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1904–1930 | Penrhyn Du | [9] |
535 | Charlie Medland | 1904 | 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m) | 1905–1924 | The Mumbles | Awaiting restoration at Migennes in France.[9] |
1924–1928 | Southend-on-Sea | |||||
Reserve No.7E | 1928–1936 | Reserve fleet | ||||
1936–1938 | New Brighton | |||||
538 | Jones-Gibb | 1905 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1905–1939 | Barmouth | Modified for use as a yacht, last reported as being at South Benfleet in 2021. |
541 | James Finlayson | 1905 | 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m) | 1905–1923 | Lossiemouth | [9] |
1923–1924 | Gorleston No.2 | |||||
Reserve No. 7A | 1925–1933 | Reserve fleet | ||||
544 | Civil Service No. 5 | 1905 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1905–1931 | Maryport | Sold and modified as yacht Tamesis, later renamed Adele Jeanne but not seen since 2002.[9] |
550 | Anne Miles | 1905 | 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m) | 1906–1926 | Longhope | Sold and reported as a ketch in 1968.[9] |
1926–1930 | Howth | |||||
1930–1936 | New Brighton No. 2 | |||||
581 | Maria Stephenson | 1907 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1908–1922 | Buckie | [10] |
Reserve No. 7D | 1922–1929 | Reserve fleet | ||||
1929–1930 | Moelfre | |||||
1930–1931 | Penrhyn Du | |||||
1931–1933 | Reserve fleet | |||||
583 | Charles Henry Ashley | 1907 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1907–1932 | Cemaes | Restored and displayed at Cemaes since 2009.[10] |
585 | Sarah Austin | 1908 | 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m) | 1909–1929 | Thurso | [10] |
1929–1935 | Reserve fleet | |||||
590 | Charles Deere James | 1909 | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 1909–1920 | St Agnes | Sold and used as yacht Silver Cloud until the 1950s.[10] |
Reserve No. 7 | 1920–1934 | Reserve fleet | ||||
605 | Charles and Eliza Laura | 1910 | 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m) | 1910–1929 | Moelfre | In store at Duns.[10] |
637 | Staughton | 1915 | 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m) | 1915–1919 | Reserve fleet | |
1919–1930 | New Brighton No. 2 | Sold and used as fishing boat Viater until about 2000.[11] |
38-43ft Watson motor lifeboats
ON | Name | Built | Builder | Length | Beam | In service | Stations | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
560 | Maria | 1908 | TISC | 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m) | 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m) | 1910–1921 | Broughty Ferry | Sold in 1932.[9] |
1922–1929 | Portpatrick | |||||||
1930–1931 | Pwllheli | |||||||
1931 | Shoreham Harbour | |||||||
565 | John Ryburn | 1908 | TISC | 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m) | 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) | 1909–1915 | Stronsay | Sold February 1935.[9] |
1915–1920 | Peterhead No.2 | |||||||
1921–1935 | Broughty Ferry | |||||||
590 | Charles Deere James | 1909 | TISC[12] | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 1909–1920 | St Agnes | Sold 1934. Renamed Silver Cloud; destroyed Cherbourg Harbour in the 1950s.[10] |
1920–1934 | Relief fleet | |||||||
595 | William and Laura | 1910 | TISC | 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m) | 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) | 1910–1932 | Donaghadee | Sold in 1935.[10] |
1932–1935 | Arranmore | |||||||
602 | Elliot Galer | 1910 | TISC | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) | 1911–1936 | Seaham | Sold in 1936. Renamed Quest; wrecked on passage to Milford Haven in the 1980s.[10] |
603 | Helen Smitton | 1910 | TISC | 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) | 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) | 1911–1936 | St Abbs | Sold in 1936. Reported under restoration at Milford Haven in December 2020.[10] |
620 | William MacPherson | 1912 | TISC | 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m) | 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) | 1912–1929 | Campbeltown | Sold September 1940. Renamed Carn Ingli. Broken up in Malta by 1999.[10] |
1930 | Aldeburgh No.2 | |||||||
1931–1940 | Pwllheli | |||||||
621 | Frederick Kitchen | 1913 | TISC | 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m) | 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) | 1914–1945 | Beaumaris | Sold in 1948.[10] |
1945–1948 | Reserve fleet | |||||||
622 | Alexander Tulloch | 1912 | TISC | 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m) | 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) | 1912–1914 | Peterhead No.2 | Wrecked on service 26 December 1914, three crew lost.[10] |
651 | Samuel Oakes | 1918 | SP/SES | 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m) | 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m) | 1919–1923 | Humber | Sold January 1933.[11] |
1924–1929 | Weymouth | |||||||
1929–1933 | Shoreham Harbour | |||||||
677 | Prince David | 1922 | JSW | 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m) | 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m) | 1922–1937 | Barry Dock | Sold December 1937.[13] |
681 | K.B.M. | 1922 | JSW | 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m) | 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m) | 1922–1949 | Buckie | Sold September 1952. Reported as under restoration at Galway in November 2013.[13] |
1949–1952 | Reserve fleet |
45ft Watson motor lifeboats
22 boats in service between 1912 and 1956 with Official Numbers in the range 463 to 695. See 45ft Watson-class lifeboat for fleet details.
45ft 6in Watson motor lifeboats
23 boats were built between 1926 and 1935 with Official Numbers in the range 698 to 775. See 45ft 6in Watson-class lifeboat for fleet details.
40ft 6in Watson motor lifeboats
ON | Name | Built | In service | Stations | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
721 | Lady Kylsant | 1929 | 1929–1930 | Weymouth | Sold in 1956. Renamed Kylsant; broken up at Peel, Isle of Man in 2003.[14] |
1930–1937 | Howth | ||||
1937–1956 | Wicklow | ||||
722 | J. and W. | 1929 | 1929–1937 | Portpatrick | Sold May 1957. Reported as under restoration at Berwick-upon-Tweed in October 2018.[14] |
1937–1940 | Relief fleet | ||||
1940–1957 | Berwick-upon-Tweed | ||||
723 | Sir David Richmond of Glasgow | 1929 | 1929–1955 | Troon | Sold June 1956. Last reported as fishing boat, Aberystwyth, June 1973.[14] |
724 | G.W. | 1930 | 1930–1956 | Moelfre | Sold May 1956. December 2022, Under Restoration at Donaghadee.[14] |
41ft Watson motor lifeboats
13 were built, 9 between 1933 and 1939 and a further 4 between 1948 and 1952. Official Numbers were in the range 751 to 897. See 41ft Watson-class lifeboat for fleet details.
46ft Watson motor lifeboats
28 boats were built between 1936 and 1946 and Official numbers were in the range 777 to 848. See 46ft Watson-class lifeboat for fleet details.
46ft 9in Watson motor lifeboats
28 were built between 1947 and 1956 with Official Numbers in the range 849 to 932. See 46ft 9in Watson-class lifeboat for fleet details.
42ft Watson motor lifeboats
10 were built between 1954 and 1962 with Official Numbers in the range 907 to 967. See 42ft Watson-class lifeboat for fleet details.
47ft Watson motor lifeboats
18 were built, the first in 1955 but full production began in 1957 and continued to 1963. Official Numbers were in the range 920 to 971. See 47ft Watson-class lifeboat for fleet details.
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^ Cameron, Ian (2009). Riders of the Storm. Orion Books. pp. 65–67. ISBN 978-0-7528-8344-1.
- ^ Wake-Walker, Edward (2007). The Lifeboats Story. The History Press. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-7509-4858-6.
- ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 10–11.
- ^ a b Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 14–15.
- ^ a b Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 16–17.
- ^ a b c d e f g Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 18–19.
- ^ a b c d e f Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 20–21.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 22–23.
- ^ a b c d e f g Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 24–25.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 26–27.
- ^ a b Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 28–29.
- ^ "New Lifeboat for Scilly". Cornishman. Truro. 29 July 1909. Retrieved 28 September 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 30–31.
- ^ a b c d Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 32–33.
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Small inflatables |
Historic lifeboats | |||||
Pulling and sailing lifeboats | |||||
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All-weather motor lifeboats |
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Inshore lifeboats |
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Experimental lifeboats |
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