Liverpool-class lifeboat
 Former Clovelly, twin engined RNLB William Cantrell Astley (ON 871) | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Operators: | Royal National Lifeboat Institution |
| Succeeded by: | Oakley |
| Built: |
Single engine: 1931–1941 Twin engine: (1940), 1945–1954 |
| In service: | 1931–1984 |
| Completed: |
Single engine: 28 Twin engine: 32 |
| Retired: | 60 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Motor lifeboat |
| Displacement: | 6-8 tons |
| Length: | 35 ft 6 in (10.82 m) |
| Propulsion: | Single engine: 35hp Weyburn AE6 Petrol Twin engine: 2 x 18hp Weyburn AE4 Petrol/20hp Ferry Kadenacy FKR3 Diesel |
| Speed: | 6.5–7.5 knots (7.5–8.6 mph) |
| Range: | 70–120 nautical miles (130–220 km) |
| Crew: | 7 |
The Liverpool-class lifeboat was a non self-righting boat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from its stations around the coast of the United Kingdom and Ireland. The boats were designed for carriage launching and there were two types built, single and twin engined.
History
The Liverpool-class, designed by James Barnett, was derived from the 35ft 6in Self-righting motor-class and had many similarities with it. Lifeboatmen at many stations preferred non self-righting boats due to their better stability and the Liverpool was designed to be light enough for carriage launching at these stations. The single engined version entered service in 1932 and was powered by an RNLI designed, Weyburn Engineering built AE6 six cylinder 35 hp petrol engine mounted in a watertight compartment. Like all early motor lifeboats, the Liverpool class carried an auxiliary sailing rig and had a drop keel just forward of the engine room. 28 boats were built between 1931 and 1941. The introduction of tractors to assist with carriage launching enabled the RNLI to consider a heavier, twin engined version of the Liverpool and a prototype was ordered but was destroyed in an air raid at the builder's yard at Cowes in May 1942. Production got underway early in 1945 and the boat was powered by two 18hp Weyburn AE4 four cylinder petrol engines mounted in a watertight compartment. The extra redundancy of twin engines reduced the need for auxiliary sails. 31 boats were built between 1945 and 1954, the last 21 of which were powered by 20hp Ferry Kadenacy FKR3 diesels.
Description
The Liverool was based on the 35ft 6in Self-righting motor introduced in 1929, but had greater beam (10ft rather than 8ft 10in) and much shallower endboxes. The shelter was extended forward to cover the engine compartment, which was watertight and allowed the engine to continue to operate as long as the air intake was not submerged. The single propeller was protected by the keel. The twin engined variant was visually very similar but had 8in more beam and the twin propellers were in protective tunnels. In the mid 1960s the petrol engines in the first ten boats were replaced by 47hp Parsons Penguin diesels (as were a couple of the Ferry engined boats). Only one single engined boat, ON 832, was re-engined with a diesel engine, a Parsons Porbeagle of 47hp.
Fleet
Single screw boats
| ON[lower-alpha 1] | Name | Built | Builder | In service | Principal Station | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 | Oldham | 1931 | Groves & Guttridge, Cowes | 1931–1952 | Hoylake | Sold in 1952 |
| 760 | Anne Allan[1] | 1932 | Thorneycroft, Chiswick | 1932–1953 | Skegness[2] | Sold in 1953 |
| 764 | Nellie and Charlie | 1933 | J. Samuel White, Cowes | 1933–1950 | Anstruther | Sold April 1951 |
| 765 | Fifi and Charles | 1933 | J. Samuel White, Cowes | 1933–1962 | Weston-super-Mare | Sold October 1962 |
| 766 | The Always Ready | 1933 | J. Samuel White, Cowes | 1933–1954 | Runswick | Sold May 1954 |
| 770 | Harriot Dixon | 1934 | Groves & Guttridge, Cowes | 1934–1964 | Cromer No.2 | Sold December 1964 |
| 771 | The Three Sisters | 1934 | J. Samuel White, Cowes | 1934–1954 | Coverack | Sold in 1954 |
| 772 | Elizabeth and Albina Whitley | 1934 | Groves & Guttridge, Cowes | 1934–1948 1948–1952 |
Flamborough Relief fleet |
Sold January 1953 |
| 773 | Joseph Braithwaite | 1934 | J. Samuel White, Cowes | 1934–1949 1950–1952 |
Maryport Relief fleet |
Sold December 1952 |
| 781 | W.R.A. | 1935 | J. Samuel White, Cowes | 1936–1954 1954–1958 |
North Sunderland Relief fleet |
Sold in 1958 |
| 782 | Margaret Dawson | 1935 | J. Samuel White, Cowes | 1936–1955 1955– |
Gourdon Relief fleet | |
| 786 | Foresters Centenary | 1936 | Groves & Guttridge, Cowes | 1936–1961 | Sheringham | Sold 1961. Now in a museum in Sheringham |
| 791 | Elizabeth Wills Allen | 1936 | J. Samuel White, Cowes | 1936–1950 1950–1953 |
Seaham Harbour Relief fleet |
Sold February 1953 |
| 792 | Annie Ronald and Isabella Forrest | 1936 | J. Samuel White, Cowes | 1936–1949 1949–1956 1956–1958 1959–1964 |
St Abbs Relief fleet Scarborough Llandudno |
Sold March 1965 |
| 793 | Clarissa Langdon | 1937 | J. Samuel White, Cowes | 1937–1962 1963 1963–1965 |
Boulmer Seaham Harbour Relief fleet |
Sold March 1965 |
| 794 | Richard Silver Oliver | 1937 | J. Samuel White, Cowes | 1937–1939 1940–1945 1945–1952 1953–1961 1961–1963 |
Cullercoats Newquay Ilfracombe Criccieth Relief fleet |
Capsized on exercise at Cullercoats 22/4/39. 6 lost.
Sold in 1963 |
| 795 | Frank and William Oates | 1937 | Groves & Guttridge, Cowes | 1937–1951 1952–1956 1956–1964 |
Exmouth Girvan Relief fleet | |
| 796 | Herbert John | 1937 | Groves & Guttridge, Cowes | - | Cloughey | Destroyed by fire at builders yard 18/6/37 |
| 797 | Howard D | 1937 | Saunders-Roe, Cowes | 1937–1948 1948–1953 1953–1956 1956–1964 |
St Helier Flamborough Arbroath Relief fleet |
Under enemy control at St. Helier 1940-1945. Sold in 1964.
Located at the Maritime Museum in Jersey.[3] |
| 798 | Ann Isabella Pyemont | 1937 | Groves & Guttridge, Cowes | 1937–1965 | Kilmore Quay | Sold 1966 |
| 799 | Helen Sutton | 1937 | Saunders-Roe, Cowes | 1937–1952 1952–1958 |
Peel Relief fleet |
Sold in 1958 |
| 800 | Sarah Ann Austin | 1937 | Groves & Guttridge, Cowes | 1937–1961 1962–1965 |
Blackpool Relief fleet |
Sold August 1965 |
| 825 | Herbert John | 1939 | Groves & Guttridge, Cowes | 1939–1952 1952–1966 |
Cloughey Youghal |
Sold in 1966. Now in private ownership.[4] |
| 827 | George and Elizabeth Gow | 1939 | Morgan Giles, Teignmouth | 1939–1943 1943–1946 1947–1962 1962–1964 |
Aberdeen No.2 Royal Air Force Aberdeen No.2 Relief fleet |
Used by RAF as a rescue craft in the Azores 1943-1946.
Sold in 1965 |
| 831 | Caroline Oates Aver and William Maine | 1939 | Groves & Guttridge | 1940–1948 1948–1960 |
St Ives Ferryside |
Sold July 1960 |
| 832 | Lucy Lavers | 1939 | Groves & Guttridge, Cowes | 1940–1959 1959–1968 |
Aldeburgh Relief fleet |
This Lifeboat was one of the Little Ships of
the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. Sold 1968 |
| 833 | The Cuttle | 1940 | Groves & Guttridge, Cowes | 1940–1953 1953–1964 1964–1966 |
Filey Skegness Relief fleet |
Sold August 1966 |
| 834 | Jose Neville | 1941 | Groves & Guttridge, Cowes | 1941–1964 1964–1966 |
Caister Relief fleet |
Sold August 1966. Now a fishing vessel named Concorde in Southwold.[5] |
Twin screw boats
All boats were built by Groves & Guttridge, Cowes except for ON 877 (J. Samuel White, Cowes) and ON 882 (Rowhedge Ironworks, Rowhedge).
| ON[lower-alpha 1] | Name | In service | Principal Station | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 839 | (W. and B.) | - | Prototype | Destroyed in an air raid at builders yard 4/5/1942 | |
| 850 | Cecil Paine | 1945–1965 1965–1972 1972–1973 |
Wells Kilmore Quay Relief fleet |
Sold in 1973 | |
| 861 | Edgar, George, Orlando and Eva Child | 1948–1968 1968–1970 1970–1975 1975–1982 |
St Ives Relief fleet Blackpool Relief fleet |
Sold in 1983 | |
| 862 | Thomas Corbett | 1948–1970 1970–1974 1974–1981 |
Ramsey Hoylake Clogher Head |
Sold in 1982. Now in private ownership in Birkenhead.[6] | |
| 863 | St. Albans | 1948–1970 | New Quay | Sold December 1970 | |
| 864 | The Chieftain | 1949–1982 | Barmouth | Sold April 1982 | |
| 869 | Anthony Robert Marshall | 1949–1968 1968–1972 1972–1979 |
Rhyl Relief fleet Abersoch |
Sold in 1980 | |
| 870 | William and Laura | 1949–1980 | Newcastle | Sold September 1980 | |
| 871 | William Cantrell Ashley | 1949–1968 | Clovelly | Sold in 1968. Now at Hoylake Lifeboat Museum.[7] | |
| 872 | J.B. Couper of Glasgow | 1949–1953 1953–1965 1966–1971 1972–1974 1974–1975 |
St Abbs Kirkcudbright Youghal Poole Relief fleet |
Sold February 1976 | |
| 873 | George Elmy | 1950–1962 1963–1969 1969–1972 |
Seaham Harbour Relief fleet Poole |
Capsized on service at Seaham 17/11/62. Nine lost. Sold September 1972. Underwent restoration before being displayed in Seaham.[8] | |
| 874 | Robert Lindsay | 1950–1953 1955–1960 1961–1968 |
Arbroath Girvan Criccieth |
Capsized on service at Arbroath 27/10/1953. Six lost. Sold in 1968 | |
| 875 | Richard Ashley | 1950–1966 | Newbiggin | Sold in 1967 | |
| 876 | James and Ruby Jackson | 1950–1965 1965–1967 |
Anstruther Relief fleet |
Sold in 1969 | |
| 877 | George and Caroline Ermen | 1950–1974 | Clogher Head | Sold July 1974 | |
| 882 | B.H.M.H. | 1951–1973 1973–1981 1981–1984 |
Minehead Relief fleet Clogher Head |
Sold in 1985 | |
| 891 | Bassett-Green | 1951–1962 1962–1969 |
Padstow No.2 Poole |
Sold in 1969 | |
| 892 | Aguila Wren | 1951–1964 1965–1972 |
Aberystwyth Redcar |
Sold December 1972 | |
| 893 | Clara and Emily Barwell | 1951–1963 1963–1968 |
Eyemouth Relief fleet |
Sold February 1969 | |
| 894 | Oldham IV | 1952–1970 | Hoylake | Sold October 1970 | |
| 895 | Edith Clauson-Thue | 1952–1969 | Gourdon | Sold in 1969 | |
| 902 | Constance Calverley | 1952–1965 1965–1970 |
Cloughey Relief fleet |
Sold in 1970 | |
| 903 | Helen Harris - Manchester & District XXXI | 1952–1972 | Peel | Sold in 1972 | |
| 904 | Robert and Phemia Brown | 19521966 | Ilfracombe | Sold in 1967 | |
| 905 | Katherine and Virgoe Buckland | 1953–1972 | Pwllheli | Sold in 1972 | |
| 906 | W. Ross MacArthur of Glasgow | 1953–1964 1964–1968 |
St Abbs Relief fleet |
Sold February 1969. Later to Caister Lifeboat and renamed Shirley Jean Ayde in 1973. Sold to Pembroke Dock Authority and renamed Mariners Friend in 1992. Sold into private ownership 1994[9] | |
| 914 | Tillie Morrison, Sheffield II | 1953–1959 | Llandudno[10] | Sold in 1969 | |
| 915 | Friendly Forester | 1953–1983 | Flamborough | Now at the maritime museum at Blackgang Chine[11] | Sold in 1984 |
| 916 | Mary Noble | 1953–1962 1962–1970 1970–1973 |
Exmouth Blackpool Relief fleet |
Sold in 1974 | |
| 917 | ISA and Penryn Milsted | 1953–1968 | Filey | Sold in 1969 | |
| 918 | Eliott Gill | 1953–1970 1970–1974 |
Runswick Relief fleet |
Sold August 1974 | |
| 927 | Grace Darling | 1954–1967 1967–1971 1971–1984 |
North Sunderland Relief fleet Youghal |
Now at Chatham Historic Dockyard[12] |
References
- ↑ "National Register of Historic Vessels – Anne Allan". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ↑ Skegness Lifeboats – An illustrated History. Author: Leach, Nicholas. Publisher:Landmark Publishing Ltd. Year Published:2008. Work: Page 117, Appendices – list of Skegness Lifeboats. ISBN 9781843064243
- ↑ "National Register of Historic Vessels - Howard D". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ↑ "National Register of Historic Vessels - Herbert John". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ↑ "Caister Lifeboats - Jose Neville". Caster Lifeboat. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ↑ "National Register of Historic Vessels - Thomas Corbett". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ↑ "Historic 'Liverpool Class' lifeboat at Albert Dock Pirate Festival". Bay TV Life Liverpool. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ↑ "National Register of Historic Vessels - George Elmy". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ↑ "Caster Lifeboats - Shirley Jean Ayde". Caster Lifeboat. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ↑ "Tillie Morrison Sheffield II". Llandudno Lifeboat. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ↑ "National Register of Historic Vessels - Friendly Forester". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ↑ "National Register of Historic Vessels - Grace Darling". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Liverpool class lifeboats. |
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