RNLB William and Kate Johnston (ON 682) is a Barnett-class lifeboat[1] that was stationed at New Brighton in the English county of Cheshire from the summer of 1923[2] until 1950. The lifeboat was designed as a prototype by James R. Barnett[3] who was a consulting naval architect to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. She was the first Barnett-class lifeboat and at the time of her launch, she was the largest lifeboat in the world.[3]
 RNLB William and Kate Johnstone
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Owner | Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) |
| Builder | J Samuel White & Co, Cowes, Isle of Wight |
| Official Number | ON 682 (RNLI) |
| Donor | gifts from Mr. Stewart and his sister Mrs. W. Kendall |
| Station | New Brighton |
| Cost | £16,084 |
| Yard number | 1586 |
| Launched | 13 August 1923 |
| Christened | By Mrs. Stewart Johnston, 24 September 1924 |
| Acquired | 1923 |
| Decommissioned | 1950 |
| Status | In seagoing condition at Gosport |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Barnett |
| Type | Motor Lifeboat |
| Displacement | 43 tons 2cwt |
| Length | 59 ft 9 in (18.21 m) overall |
| Beam | 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m) |
| Installed power | Two D.E. Six-cylinder, 80 hp submersible petrol engins |
| Propulsion | 2 X pitch propellers in tunnels |
| Speed | 9.5 kn (17.6 km/h) |
| Range | 300 nmi (560 km) |
Design and construction
editTh Barnett-class motor lifeboat, designed by naval architect James R. Barnett, consulting naval architect to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), was a radical departure from their previous motor rescue boats, typically of around 45 feet (14 m).[4] She was not self-righting as priority was given to an ability to reach port with a larger number of the rescued and to speed, even when awash.[3][5] She was 60 feet (18 m) long with a beam of close to 15 feet (4.6 m) and a draught of 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m).[4] The hull was constructed of timber and was divided into fifteen watertight compartments.[3] The lifeboat was also the first motor lifeboat to be built with flush decks, similar to earlier steam driven lifeboats.[5] There was a semi-enclosed deck shelter which housed the on-deck helm position and which helped to keep the crew out of bad weather. Below deck there was also a cabin which could accommodate up to twenty four people; if necessary, the Barnett-class lifeboat was capable of carrying a total of 130 rescued people.[3][4]
The William and Kate Johnston was driven by twin propellers which were housed in tunnels and powered by two DE5-type six-cylinder submersible petrol engines of 80 horsepower, also designed by Barnett.[3] Each engine, with a separate fuel and cooling system, was housed in its own watertight chamber, and was capable of running even if the engine room became flooded and the engine was entirely submerged.[3] The engines' air intakes were set well above the waterline even when the boat was waterlogged. The Barnett-class could cruise at 9.5 knots (17.6 km/h)[3] and had an operating range of 300 nautical miles (560 km).[3] The Barnett-class boats were also the first for the RNLI to rely solely on their engines for motive power, although they were equipped with a small staysail and trysail for stability purposes.[4]
References
edit- ^ Ships For All: By Bowen, Frank C: Published by Ward, Lock & Co., Ltd, London and Melbourne: Second Edition
- ^ Heroes All!, The story of the RNLI, By Beilby, Alec: Published By Patrick Stephens Ltd (1992): ISBN 1-85260-419-0
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Rescue at Sea: By Evans, Clayton: Published by Conway (2003): ISBN 0-85177-934-4
- ^ a b c d "The Barnett Lifeboat". Journal of Commerce. No. 30182. Liverpool. 19 July 1923. p. 17. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ a b "William & Kate Johnstone". Greenwich, London: National Historic Ships UK. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.