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Watson-class lifeboat

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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.

45ft 6in Watson RNLB Lord Southborough (Civil Service No. 1) (ON 688)
Class overview
Builders
Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Built1888–1963
In service1888–1991
Completed213

Pulling and sailing lifeboats

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Henley (ON 348)

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

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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

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Pulling and sailing boats

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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 Dunleary
(Civil Service 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Watson-class lifeboats.
  1. ^ Cameron, Ian (2009). Riders of the Storm. Orion Books. pp. 65–67. ISBN 978-0-7528-8344-1.
  2. ^ Wake-Walker, Edward (2007). The Lifeboats Story. The History Press. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-7509-4858-6.
  3. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 10–11.
  4. ^ a b Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 14–15.
  5. ^ a b Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 16–17.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 18–19.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 20–21.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 22–23.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 24–25.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 26–27.
  11. ^ a b Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 28–29.
  12. ^ "New Lifeboat for Scilly". Cornishman. Truro. 29 July 1909. Retrieved 28 September 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. ^ a b Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 30–31.
  14. ^ a b c d Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 32–33.
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