A-504 is preserved at Chatham | |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | McLachlan class |
Builders | William Osborne, Littlehampton |
Operators | Royal National Lifeboat Institution |
Preceded by | Hatch |
Succeeded by | Atlantic 21 |
Built | 1967–1973 |
In service | 1967–1988 |
Completed | 10 |
Retired | 10 |
General characteristics | |
Length | 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m) |
Beam | 8 ft (2.4 m) |
Propulsion | 2 x 60 hp inboard engines with sterndrives |
Speed | 22 knots (25 mph; 41 km/h) |
Complement | 2-3 |
The McLachlan-class lifeboat was an A-class lifeboat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) of the United Kingdom and Ireland from 1967 to 1988. It was replaced by the B-class (Atlantic 21). [1]
The McLachlan-class lifeboat was the second type of the 1960s fast Inshore lifeboat in service with the RNLI. It was designed by J. Allen McLachlan MRINA, a naval architect, former RNLI chief draughtsman and partner at longtime yacht and lifeboat designers G. L. Watson & Co. of Glasgow. [2]
The first trial boat, numbered 18-02 by the RNLI, was built by W. A. Souter of Cowes. The boat was constructed from 3 layers of mahogony with foam-filled watertight compartments, and was noted by its use of a 'ragged chine hull', with nine chines that cushioned the hull and reduced pounding. The helm was in a standing position, in a sunken bridge deck, with a weathershield in front of the controls. A 90 hp. Evinrude engine gave a speed of 20.9 knots. [3]
in September 1969, following successful trials, the RNLI placed an order for 4 boats with boat-builder William Osbourne of Littlehampton, to be constructed with GRP hulls, fitted with twin sterndrive Ford 60 hp marinised petrol engines, and each costing £3,400. 18-02 would later be fitted with twin 47 hp Perkins diesel engines. William Osborne built a further five McLachlan lifeboats in the 1970s. Most remained afloat, but two were kept on carriages. The one at Weston-super-Mare being launched down a long slipway and that at Peel IOM was launched with the aid of a tractor. [3] [4] [5]
In the early 1970s, it was decided to reclassify the 17 and 18-foot boats as A-class lifeboats, and their numbers were changed according; 18-004 becoming A-504, 18-007 becoming A-507 etc. [6]
Although not classed as lifeboats, two further McLachlan designed boats were constructed for use as Boarding boats at Humber Lifeboat Station, (BB-239) and (BB-240). [6]
A-504 (formerly 18-004) at Weston-super-Mare, was launched at 10:30pm on the 13 September 1975 into an easterly gale, to a motor-boat stranded on the rocks. In difficult conditions, 5 people were rescued. Julian Morris was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal, and crew members Bernard Watts and Ian Watts both received the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum. The boat is now on display in the RNLI Historic Lifeboat Collection at Chatham Historic Dockyard. [6] [7]
All the McLachlan lifeboats had been retired by the late 1980s, with the exception of the prototype boat, which went on to be a boarding boat at Humber until 1994. [6]
Op. No. [lower-alpha 1] | Old Op. No. [lower-alpha 1] | Built | In Service [6] | Station | Comments [6] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
A-503 | 18-02 | 1967 | 1967–1970 1971 1971 1971–1972 1975–1994 | Eastney Poole Weston-super-Mare Pill Humber Boarding Boat | Prototype |
A-504 | 18-004 | 1970 | 1970–1983 | Weston-super-Mare | On display at the RNLI Historic Lifeboat Collection within Chatham Historic Dockyard. |
A-505 | 18-005 | 1970 | 1970–1971 1972–1974 1975 1975–1987 | Eastney Oban Eastney Humber (Boarding boat) | 2018, At RW Davies, Saul Junction Marina undergoing restoration |
A-506 | 18-006 | 1972 | 1972 1972–1979 1979–1980 | Peel Relief fleet Plymouth | |
A-507 | 18-007 | 1972 | 1973–1976 1977–1979 1979–1980 1980–1983 | Peel Plymouth Relief fleet Plymouth | |
A-508 | 18-008 | 1971 | 1971–1974 1976–1979 1980–1988 | Eastney Invergordon Falmouth | |
A-509 | 18-009 | 1972 | 1972–1976 1978 1978–1988 | Plymouth Brighton Relief fleet | |
A-510 | 18-010 | 1973 | 1973–1974 1975–1984 1984–1987 | Pill Ramsgate (Boarding Boat) | August 2020, Private ownership, Bristol |
A-511 | 18-011 | 1973 | 1973–1982 1984–1985 | Oban Relief fleet | Sold. 1985. Renamed Kim O. December 2023, for sale at Stokesley, N Yorks. (Ebay) |
A-512 | 18-012 | 1973 | 1975–1987 1988 | Torbay Falmouth |
The Arun-class lifeboat was a fast all-weather lifeboat designed by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for service at its stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. They were operated by the RNLI between 1971 and 2008. Many have been sold to see further service in the lifeboat and coastguard services of other countries.
The Severn class is the largest lifeboat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The class, which is 17.3 metres long, was introduced in to service in 1996. It is named after the River Severn, the longest river in Great Britain. The lifeboats are stationed at 35 locations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland and can provide coverage up to 125 nmi (232 km) out to sea.
The Trent-class lifeboat is an all-weather lifeboat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from 30 stations around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland to provide coverage up to 50 miles (80 km) out to sea. Introduced to service in 1994, the class is named after the River Trent, the second longest river wholly in England.
The Atlantic 85 is part of the B-class of lifeboats that serve the shores of the United Kingdom and Ireland as a part of the RNLI inshore fleet.
Since its inception, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has provided lifeboats to lifeboat stations in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Penarth Lifeboat Station is located in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales and originally opened in 1861.
Weston-super-Mare Lifeboat Station is a lifeboat station at Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, England. For more than 100 years it was situated on Birnbeck Island but is now in a temporary building at Knightstone Harbour until a new lifeboat station can be built nearby. It is operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1882, and since 1969 it has only operated inshore lifeboats (ILBs), currently a B-class and a smaller D-class (IB1).
Falmouth Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Falmouth, Cornwall in the United Kingdom. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1867 and the present station was opened in 1993. It operates a Severn Class all-weather Lifeboat (ALB) and an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Fowey Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Fowey on the south coast of Cornwall in the United Kingdom. The first lifeboat was stationed in the area in 1859 and the present station was opened in 1997. It operates a Trent Class all weather boat (AWB) and a D class (IB1) inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Appledore Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Appledore, Devon in the United Kingdom. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1825 and the present station was opened in 2001. It operates a Tamar-class all-weather boat (AWB) and an Atlantic 85 B Class inshore lifeboat (ILB).
The Brede-class lifeboat was operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from its stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom between 1982 and 2002, at which time it was the fastest all-weather lifeboat in its fleet. Eleven were put into service and when replaced by larger boats, seven were sold for further use as lifeboats, mainly in South Africa.
Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station is an RNLI station located in the town of Aldeburgh in the English county of Suffolk.
Newhaven Lifeboat Station is an RNLI station located in the town of Newhaven in the English county of East Sussex in the United Kingdom. The original station was established in 1803 and taken over by the RNLI in 1854.
Skegness Lifeboat Station is a lifeboat station located in the town of Skegness, Lincolnshire, England, operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The station is located on the seafront of the south-east coast, north of the Wash and south of the Humber Estuary. This area of the British coastline is characterised by many shoals and constantly changing sandbanks, many of which lie between the town and the East Dudgeon Lightship. The building dates from 1990 and was the first in the British Isles constructed especially for a Mersey-class lifeboat. The boathouse also accommodates an Inshore Lifeboat and a souvenir shop.
Hayling Island Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution station located on Hayling Island in the English county of Hampshire, on the eastern side of the island at the entrance to Chichester Harbour where it joins the major shipping route of the Solent, and is opposite the village of West Wittering. This major shipping route is busy at all times of the year and there are estimated to be 10,000 boats in the Chichester area alone. The Hayling Island station provides cover for the area 24 hours a day, all year, by means of two inshore rigid inflatable lifeboats placed on this station.
Portsmouth Lifeboat Station is located on Eastney Point near Southsea, in the English county of Hampshire. The station is owned and operated by the RNLI and is an Inshore lifeboat station. The station is facing Langstone Harbour on one of the tributaries flowing into the Solent. The station was established in May 1965.
Selsey Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in Selsey, West Sussex on the south coast of England.
Littlehampton Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station in the town of Littlehampton, in West Sussex, on the south coast of England. The station is on the harbour side on the eastern bank of the River Arun, a quarter mile from the harbour entrance and the pier. The current lifeboat house on Fisherman's Quay was built in 2002. The lifeboat station currently operates with two inshore lifeboats: a B-class lifeboat, Renee Sherman (B-891) and a D-class (IB1) lifeboat, Ray of Hope (D-769).
Calshot Lifeboat Station is located on Calshot Spit near the village of Calshot, Hampshire, and is on the southern bank of the open end of Southampton Water, on the south coast of England. The station is owned and operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and operates two inshore lifeboats: an B-class and a D-class (IB1).
Brighton Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in Brighton in the English county of East Sussex in the United Kingdom. It was originally established in 1825 as an all-weather lifeboat station. This lifeboat was withdrawn in 1931, and the station now operates as an inshore lifeboat station. As of 2012, the current lifeboat is the B-class Random Harvest (B-852).