Solent-class lifeboat

Class overview
Builders
Operators RNLI
Preceded byWatson
Succeeded byTyne
Built1969–1973[1]
In service1969–1993
Completed11
Retired11
General characteristics
Typemotor lifeboat
Displacement27 tons
Length48 ft 6 in (14.78 m)
Beam14 ft (4.3 m)
Draught4 ft 8 in (1.42 m)
Propulsion2 x 110 bhp Gardner 6LX diesel engines
Speed9.5 knots (10.9 mph)
Range150 nautical miles (280 km)
Crew7

The Solent-class lifeboat is a steel-hulled version of the 48-foot-6-inch (14.78 m) Oakley-class self-righting lifeboat and is sometimes referred to as the 48-foot, 6-inch Oakley-class Mark III.[2] Solent Operational Numbers followed on from the first three 48-foot, 6-inch Oakleys and were interrupted by the last two Oakleys (48-12 and 48-13). The operational numbers of the Solent-class had three digits in the suffix to indicate a metal hull (as with Clyde, Waveney, Thames and Tyne classes, one Arun class and the first eleven Merseys). Two digits indicates a wooden, glass-reinforced plastic or fiber-reinforced composite hull.

Description

The Solent was powered by twin 110 bhp Gardner 6LX diesel engines which gave the boat a top speed of 9.5 knots (17.6 km/h; 10.9 mph). There were twin spade rudders installed which were coupled to Mathway manual steering gear.[3]

Apart from the steel hull, the Solent-class differed from the Oakley-class in its self-righting mechanism. The Oakley used a water ballast system, while the Solent class was self-righting as a result of its watertight superstructure. The Solent was the last class of traditional displacement-type lifeboats designed by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.[2]

There were two versions of the Solent, unofficially known as "Mark I" and "Mark II". The "Mark I" boats have a vertical steering wheel. Sliding doors provide access to the forward end of the wheelhouse on each side. The "Mark II" boats have a seated steering position with hinged wheelhouse doors at the after end of the wheelhouse. These boats entered service in 1972.[2]

The first four Solent-class boats (ON 1007-1010) and the last three (ON 1019-1021) were built at Cowes by Groves & Guttridge. The second four (ON 1011-1014) were built at Gosport by Camper & Nicholson.

Fleet

ON[a] Op. No.[b] Name Built In service[4] Principal Station Comments[4]
1007 48-004 George Urie Scott 1969 1969–1978
1979–1984
1985–1989
1989–1990
Lochinver
Rosslare Harbour
Lochinver
Relief fleet
Sold 1990.
November 2022, Renamed Highlander, Ameland, NL
1008 48-005 James and Mariska Joicey 1969 1969–1986
1987–1988
1988–1990
Peterhead
The Lizard
Relief fleet
Sold 1990. Restored 2014–2021.
December 2022, at Restonguet Creek, Mylor, Cornwall.
1009 48-006 Jack Shayler and the Lees 1970 1970–1987
1988
1989
1989–1993
Bembridge
Dunbar
Wicklow
Relief fleet
Sold June 1994.
Renamed Anne, SAR Tallinn, Estonia. Broken up 2021.
1010 48-007 David and Elizabeth King and E.B. 1970 1970–1988
1988–1989
1989–1990
Longhope
Invergordon
Relief fleet
Sold 1990.
August 2022, Private Ownership, Unaltered, Glasson Dock, Lancashire
1011 48-008 R. Hope Roberts 1969 1969–1978
1979–1985
1985–1987
1987
1987–1993
Rosslare Harbour
Fraserburgh
Galway Bay
Relief fleet
Courtmacsherry Harbour
Sold 1993.
October 2019, Renamed Sea Guardian, Private ownership, Gold Coast City Marina, Queensland, Aus.
1012 48-009 City of Birmingham 1970 1970–1983
1984–1993
1993–1994
Exmouth
Walton and Frinton
Relief fleet
Sold July 1995 to ADES Uruguay ADES 14. Retired 2014.
1013 48-010 The Royal British Legion Jubilee 1970 1970–1978
1979–1979
1979–1986
1986–1988
1988–1990
Relief Fleet
Fraserburgh
Relief fleet
Peterhead
Relief fleet
Sold April 1990.
Named Ocean Jubilee, restored in Wakefield.
Renamed The Royal British Legion Jubilee, Broken up in Knottingley, 2020.
1014 48-011 The Three Sisters 1970 1970–1988
1988–1989
1989–1990
Thurso
Wicklow
Relief fleet
Sold April 1990.
October 2018, Heavily converted cruiser at Turnchapel, Plymouth
1019 48-014 Lady MacRobert 1972 1972–1989
1989–1993
Montrose
Relief fleet
Sold March 1994 to ADES Uruguay ADES 12. Retired 2021.
1020 48-015 Hugh William Viscount Gough 1973 1973–1984
1984–1988
1988–1993
Stornoway
Barra Island
Dunbar
Sold September 1993.
September 2021, Unaltered pleasure boat, Puteri Harbour Marina, Johur Baharu, Malaysia
1021 48-016 Douglas Currie 1973 1973–1974
1974–1975
1975–1984
1985
1986–1989
1990–1992
Relief fleet
Kirkwall
Macduff
Fraserburgh
Portpatrick
Workington
Sold 1992.
March 2022, Unaltered, private ownership, Fraserburgh, Scotland
  1. ^ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

References

  1. ^ Howarth, Patrick (1981), Lifeboat – In Danger's Hour. (Third Impression 1982 ed.), Hamlyn, p. 140, ISBN 0-600-34959-4
  2. ^ a b c Evans, Clayton (2003), Rescue at Sea – An International History of Lifesaving, Coastal Rescue Craft and Organisations, Conway Maritime Press, p. 161, ISBN 0-85177-934-4
  3. ^ "New £70,000 Lifeboat" (PDF). The Lifeboat. XL (429): 678–679. September 1969. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  4. ^ a b Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2023). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2023. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society.