46ft 9in Watson-class lifeboat
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
| {{Infobox ship begin |sclass=2}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image=Watson Class ON911 City of Bradford III at Poole.jpg | Ship caption=City of Bradford III}} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name=46ft 9in Watson-class | Builders=*Groves & Guttridge, Cowes
| Operators=File:Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg Royal National Lifeboat Institution | Class before={{Lbc|46ft Watson}} | Class after= {{Lbc|47ft Watson}} | Cost=£17,000-£34,000 | Built range=1947–1956 | In service range=1947–1989 | Total ships completed=28 | Total ships lost=1 | Total ships retired=27 }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header= | Header caption= | Ship class=46ft 9in Watson | Ship displacement=22 tons | Ship length={{convert|46|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}} | Ship beam={{convert|12|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}} | Ship draught= | Ship propulsion=(As built) 2 × 40bhp Ferry VE4 4-cylinder diesel | Ship speed=8 knots | Ship crew=8 }} |
The 46 ft 9in Watson-class lifeboat was a non self-righting displacement hull lifeboat built between 1947 and 1956 and operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution between 1947 and 1989.
History
After the final three 46ft Watson-class boats had been completed in 1945/6, production switched to the slightly longer 46 ft 9in type in 1947. The first five boats were very similar in appearance to the final 46 ft types, with aft cockpits, turtle shaped shelters and funnel exhausts. In 1948, however, the deck and superstructure layout was completely redesigned. A new aluminium structure featured an open midships cockpit, with a large cabin aft of the cockpit and a smaller cabin forward which gave access to the engine room.
Description
The wooden hulled 46 ft 9in Watson-class was built in two different variations, with the first five closely resembling the preceding 46 ft type. From 1948 the design was completely revised to provide a midships steering position in an open cockpit. There was a large aft survivor cabin which also housed the radio. At the rear of this cabin was a small aft cockpit with a hatch for stretchers to be passed in and an emergency helm position. A smaller forward cabin gave access to the engine room and contained the engine controls. The boats were powered by the same twin 40 bhp Ferry VE4 installation as the earlier boats, but the exhaust was taken up the foremast to outlets well above the deck. The 46 ft 9in Watsons had long lives and were updated through their careers. The first major modification was the enclosing of the cockpit, done to all boats from 1960 onwards. The wheelhouse fitted resembled that of the 47ft Watson but there was no room to install sliding doors, weather shields being installed instead. Radar was later installed on the wheelhouse roof and the original aerial rigging and the aft mast was removed and replaced by pole aerials. Most, but not all, of the boats were re-engined with various examples of Ford-based 6-cylinder diesel engines as described below. Finally, from the early 1980s all of the midships steering types (except ON 908, lost in the Fraserburgh disaster) were fitted with an air bag on the aft cabin roof to give a once only self-righting capability.
Engines
The 46 ft 9in Watsons were the final boats to be equipped with RNLI designed engines. The 42ft Watson-class, introduced in 1954 was the first type to use commercially available engines, followed by the 47ft Watson-class in 1955 and the 52 ft Barnett-class Mk.II in 1957. These all used the Gardner LW engine in four, five and six cylinder forms respectively. The Gardner engines were too large and heavy for the earlier types and were only ever used in new build boats. However, in the mid 1950s Ford had introduced new 4- and 6-cylinder diesel engines for their Thames light truck and coach chassis. These soon attracted the attention of marine engine companies and many marinized versions were on the market. In 1961 the RNLI re-engined a {{Lbb|46ft Watson}}, ON 803, with 4-cylinder Ford-based Parsons Marlins and in 1963 a programme of re-engining {{Lbb|41ft Watson}}s and other boats with Parsons Porbeagles began. This 4-cylinder engine was adopted for the 37 ft Oakley-class from 1964 onwards. The 6-cylinder version was small and light enough to replace the 4-cylinder Ferry VE4 engines and, after a trial installation in ON 803 in 1963, a programme of re-engining some {{Lbb|46ft Watson}}s began in 1965. This was extended to the 46 ft 9in Watsons and in 1965 two boats (ON 852 and ON 908 ) were re-engined with these 6-cylinder Ford-based Parsons Barracuda diesels. Rated at 65 bhp, these gave a 62½% power increase, making the boats more powerful than the newer 47 ft Watsons, and between 1965 and 1968, seven boats were re-engined with Barracudas. In 1969/70, four boats received another 6-cylinder Ford based unit, the Watermota Sea Lion, rated at 70 bhp. From 1971, seven boats were equipped with 70 bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380s, the last as late as 1982, while in 1972 three boats received 70 bhp Ford Mermaid 595s. A feature of all of these re-engining programmes was the replacement of the foremast exhaust system by outlets on each side of the hull, similar to the 37 ft Oakleys. This allowed a slimmer, lighter foremast to be fitted. The exhaust system on some boats like the Howard Marryat remained unchanged .
Fleet
=Aft cockpit type=
| class="wikitable"
! ON{{efn|ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.}} ! Name ! Built ! Builder ! In service ! Stations ! Re-engined |
| rowspan="2"| 849
|rowspan="2"| William Gammon - Manchester and District XXX |rowspan="2"| 1947 |rowspan="2"| Groves & Guttridge | {{nowrap|1947–1974}} | {{Lbs|The Mumbles}} |rowspan="2"| 1968 |rowspan="2"| Sold February 1984. In storage for Swansea Museum in December 2022. |
| 1974–1982
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="2"| 852
|rowspan="2"| Tynesider |rowspan="2"| 1947 |rowspan="2"| J. Samuel White | 1947–1979 | {{Lbs|Tynemouth}} |rowspan="2"| 1965 |rowspan="2"| Sold February 1984. Reported in November 2022 to be unaltered but operating as a pleasure boat at Iron Wharf, Faversham. |
| 1979–1983
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="2"| 853
|rowspan="2"| Civil Service lifeboats |rowspan="2"| 1947 |rowspan="2"| J. Samuel White | 1948–1979 | {{Lbs|Blyth}} |rowspan="2"| 1966 |rowspan="2"| Sold July 1983. Renamed Watson Explorer. Reported in August 2021 as in storage for restoration at Titchmarsh Marina, Walton-on-the-Naze. |
| 1979–1982
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="2"| 854
|rowspan="2"| Sarah Tilson |rowspan="2"| 1949 |rowspan="2"| Alexander Robertson & Sons | 1950–1978 | {{Lbs|Baltimore}} |rowspan="2"| No |rowspan="2"| Sold December 1979. In December 2015 it was seen to be unaltered but operating as a pleasure boat a Medway Bridge, Rochester, Kent. |
| 1978–1979
| Relief fleet |
| 855
| W.M. Tilson | 1949 | {{nowrap|Alexander Robertson & Sons}} | 1950–1969 | {{Lbs|Arranmore}} | No | Sold August 1970. By October 2012 it was semi-derelict at Magerascouse Road, Comber, County Down. |
{{notelist}}
=Midship steering cabin type=
| class="wikitable"
! ON ! Name ! Built ! Builder ! In service ! Stations ! Re-engined |
| rowspan="2"| 865
|rowspan="2"| Elizabeth Rippon |rowspan="2"| 1948 |rowspan="2"| J. Samuel White | {{nowrap|1948–1975}} | {{Lbs|St Helier}} |rowspan="2"| 1966 |rowspan="2"| Sold October 1977. Reported in April 2022 to be in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat at Barmouth, Wales. |
| 1975–1977
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="5"| 866
|rowspan="5"| Charles Henry Ashley |rowspan="5"| 1949 |rowspan="5"| J. Samuel White | 1949–1979 | {{Lbs|Porthdinllaen}} |rowspan="5"| 1969 |rowspan="5"| Sold March 1987. Reported in December 2022, to be in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat, at The Arsenal in Paris. |
| 1979–1981
| Relief fleet |
| 1981–1982
| {{Lbs|Penlee}} |
| 1982
| {{Lbs|Fowey}} |
| 1982–1987
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="2"| 867
|rowspan="2"| Civil Service lifeboats |rowspan="2"| 1949 |rowspan="2"| J. Samuel White | 1949–1981 | {{Lbs|Portrush}} |rowspan="2"| 1972 |rowspan="2"| Sold July 1987. Renamed Janet Rae. Reported in August 2017 as undergoing survey in Northern Ireland. |
| 1981–1986
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="3"| 868
|rowspan="3"| John and Lucy Cordingley |rowspan="3"| 1950 |rowspan="3"| Sussex Yacht Co. | 1950–1960 | {{Lbs|Teesmouth}} |rowspan="3"| No |rowspan="3"| Sold November 1981. Renamed Tempo. Reported in December 2022 to be at Hall Quay in Great Yarmouth. |
| 1960–1969
| {{Lbs|Helvick Head}} |
| 1969–1981
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="2"| 885
|rowspan="2"| Sir Samuel Kelly |rowspan="2"| 1950 |rowspan="2"| J. Samuel White | 1950–1976 | {{Lbs|Donaghadee}} |rowspan="2"| 1972 |rowspan="2"| Sold in 1980. By December 2022 it was on display /and undergoing restoration at Donaghadee in Northern Ireland. |
| 1976–1979
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="2"| 886
|rowspan="2"| Sarah Townsend Porritt |rowspan="2"| 1951 |rowspan="2"| Sussex Yacht Co. | 1951–1978 | {{Lbs|Lytham St Annes}} |rowspan="2"| 1971 |rowspan="2"| Sold October 1982. Renamed Sarah. Reported in December 2023 to be under restoration at Hayle, Cornwall. |
| 1978–1981
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="5"| 887
|rowspan="5"| Sir Godfrey Baring |rowspan="5"| 1951 |rowspan="5"| J. Samuel White | 1952–1968 | {{Lbs|Clacton-on-Sea}} |rowspan="5"| 1972 |rowspan="5"| Sold July 1986. Renamed Sir Baring. In June 2012 it was working as a trip boat, Friedburg, Germany.{{clarification needed|date=January 2024|reason=Which Friedburg?}} |
| 1968–1970
| {{Lbs|Wick}} |
| 1970–1972
| Relief fleet |
| 1972–1982
| {{Lbs|Workington}} |
| 1982–1986
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="2"| 888
|rowspan="2"| North Foreland |rowspan="2"| 1951 |rowspan="2"| J. Samuel White | 1951–1978 | {{Lbs|Margate}} |rowspan="2"| No |rowspan="2"| On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard since April 1996.{{cite web |title=RNLB North Foreland. Civil Service No 11 |url=https://100objectskent.co.uk/object/rnlb-north-foreland-civil-service-no-11 |publisher=100 Objects that made Kent |access-date=25 December 2023}} |
| 1978–1981
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="2"| 896
|rowspan="2"| Douglas Hyde |rowspan="2"| 1952 |rowspan="2"| Camper and Nicholsons | 1952–1969 | {{Lbs|Rosslare Harbour}} |rowspan="2"| 1970 |rowspan="2"| Sold February 1973. Scrapped at Peel, Isle of Man by 2018. |
| 1970–1972
| {{Lbs|Dunmore East}} |
| rowspan="2"| 900
|rowspan="2"| Herbert Leigh |rowspan="2"| 1951 |rowspan="2"| J. Samuel White | 1951–1982 | {{Lbs|Barrow}} |rowspan="2"| 1977 |rowspan="2"| Sold in 1989. On display at the Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness, since 1994. |
| 1983–1988
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="2"| 901
|rowspan="2"| Michael and Lily Davis |rowspan="2"| 1953 |rowspan="2"| J. Samuel White | 1953–1976 | {{Lbs|Ramsgate}} |rowspan="2"| No |rowspan="2"| Sold in 1979. Renamed Coastal Waters. Reported in December 2021 to be pleasure boat at Swansea Marina. |
| 1976–1979
| Relief fleet |
| 908
| Duchess of Kent | 1954 | 1954–1970 | {{Lbs|Fraserburgh}} | 1965 | Capsized on service 21 January 1970, five crew lost. Broken up October 1970. |
| rowspan="2"| 910
|rowspan="2"| Edian Courtauld |rowspan="2"| 1953 |rowspan="2"| J. Samuel White | 1953–1977 | {{nowrap|{{Lbs|Walton and Frinton}}}} |rowspan="2"| 1967 |rowspan="2"| Sold August 1981. Reported in August 2021 as pleasure boat Iris B at Fisherman's Quay, Cardiff. |
| 1977–1981
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="2"| 911
|rowspan="2"| City of Bradford III |rowspan="2"| 1954 |rowspan="2"| J. Samuel White | 1954–1977 | {{Lbs|Humber}} |rowspan="2"| 1968 |rowspan="2"| Sold August 1985. Reported in December 2022 to be in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat in Salcombe, Devon. |
| 1978–1985
| {{Lbs|Lytham St Annes}} |
| 919
| Deneys Reitz | 1954 | Groves & Guttridge | 1954–1980 | {{Lbs|Fowey}} | 1970– 2x70bhp Watermota Sea Lion | Sold September 1980. By August 2018 in Södermanland, Sweden.{{cite web |title=The Adventures of ex-Lifeboat "Deneys Reitz" |url=https://www.lifeboatdeneysreitz.co.uk/ |website=Ex-Lifeboat “Deneys Reitz”}} |
| rowspan="2"| 921
|rowspan="2"| Civil Service lifeboats |rowspan="2"| 1955 |rowspan="2"| Groves & Guttridge | 1955–1976 | {{Lbs|Southend-on-Sea}} |rowspan="2"| 1969 |rowspan="2"| Sold in 1991. Renamed Gallichan.Reported in July 2021 in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat at Portland Marina. |
| 1977–1989
| {{Lbs|Beaumaris}} |
| 925
| Henry Comber Brown | 1955 | J. Samuel White | 1955–1986 | {{Lbs|Tenby}} | 1969 | Sold in 1987. Reported in December 2021 in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat in Ramsey, Isle of Man. |
| rowspan="6"| 926
|rowspan="6"| Guy and Clare Hunter |rowspan="6"| 1955 |rowspan="6"| J. Samuel White | 1955–1981 | {{Lbs|St Mary's}} |rowspan="6"| 1972 |rowspan="6"| Sold June 1988. Reported in December 2022 in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat at Quinton Nelson Yard, Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. |
| 1981–1982
| {{Lbs|Fowey}} |
| 1982–1983
| {{Lbs|Penlee}} |
| 1983–1984
| {{Lbs|Padstow}} |
| 1984–1985
| {{Lbs|Cromer}} |
| 1985–1987
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="5"| 928
|rowspan="5"| Lilla Marras, Douglas and Will |rowspan="5"| 1955 |rowspan="5"| {{nowrap|Groves & Guttridge}} | 1955–1968 | {{Lbs|Cromarty}} |rowspan="5"| 1978 |rowspan="5"| Sold October 1982. Reported in December 2022 in use as B&B on The Noorderhaven, Netherlands. |
| 1968–1974
| {{Lbs|Falmouth}} |
| 1974–1978
| Relief fleet |
| 1978–1979
| {{Lbs|Donaghadee}} |
| 1979–1982
| Relief fleet |
| 929
| R.A. Colby Cubbin No.1 | 1956 | J. Samuel White | 1956–1988 | {{Lbs|Douglas}} | 1979 | Sold in 1989. By November 2017 was being broken up for spares in Bezons, Ile-de-Paris |
| rowspan="2"| 930
|rowspan="2"| R.A. Colby Cubbin No.2 |rowspan="2"| 1956 |rowspan="2"| J. Samuel White | 1956–1976 | {{Lbs|Port St Mary}} |rowspan="2"| No |rowspan="2"| Sold October 1977. Renamed Southport Girl. In December 2022 was reported under restoration as a pleasure boat, under restoration at Port Penrhyn, Wales.{{cite web |title=Colby Cubbins No 2 |url=https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/3727/colby-cubbins-no-2 |publisher=National Historic Ship Register |access-date=25 December 2023}} |
| 1976–1977
| Relief fleet |
| rowspan="2"| 931
|rowspan="2"| Richard Vernon and Mary Garforth of Leeds |rowspan="2"| 1956 |rowspan="2"| J. Samuel White | 1957–1987 | {{Lbs|Angle}} |rowspan="2"| 1980 |rowspan="2"| Sold in 1989. Reported in September 2022 in unaltered condition and working as a pleasure boat in Wexford, Ireland. |
| 1987–1988
| {{Lbs|Wicklow}} |
| rowspan="4"| 932
|rowspan="4"| Howard Marryat |rowspan="4"| 1956 |rowspan="4"| J. Samuel White | 1957–1981 | {{Lbs|Fishguard}} |rowspan="4"| 1982 |rowspan="4"| Sold September 1989. Renamed Josef de Waey. By December 2020 it was working (in unaltered condition) as a pleasure boat in Blankenberge, Belgium. |
| 1982–1986
| {{Lbs|Barrow}} |
| 1986–1988
| {{Lbs|Moelfre}} |
| 1988–1989
| Relief fleet |
References
{{Reflist}}