Tuesday 30 March 2010

Talking about Lifeboat DNA

We have secured the loan of the 'William Riley' historic lifeboat from Whitby to use for some fundraising activities this summer. The plan is that we will have her here for some of Carnival week in order to raise funds and raise awareness of our Lifeboat week which will follow on about a fortnight later.

"William Riley of Leamington and Birmingham" was one of a batch of light, shallow draught pulling (rowing) lifeboats built by the Thames Iron Works at Canning Town in London in 1909. Given hull number TL37 and official number 594 she was built at a cost of £722.9.1d, provided by a legacy from William Riley of Leamington. Her 10 oars could have two men each, so with a coxswain, assistant coxswain and bowman 23 men completed her crew.

She was stationed at Upgang lifeboat station, 1 mile to the north of Whitby, where she served 10 years and launched twice before the station was closed and she was moved to Whitby. She served for another 22 years at Whitby as the number 2 boat (there was also a motor lifeboat) and launched a further 31 times saving 10 lives.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi John, when is lifeboat week 2010, we have booked to stay in Swanage 7th - 21st August, hoping Lifeboat week was 15th-21st, is this still the case? Simon

lifeboatjohn said...

It is Simon...don't worry, you are already on the rosta!

John