46ft 9in Watson-class lifeboat

City of Bradford III (ON 911)
Class overview
Name46ft 9in Watson-class
Builders
Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Preceded by46ft Watson-class
Succeeded by47ft Watson-class
Cost£17,000–£34,000
Built1947–1956
In service1947–1989
Completed28
Lost1
Retired27
General characteristics
Class & type46ft 9in Watson
Displacement22 tons
Length46 ft 9 in (14.25 m)
Beam12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
Propulsion(As built) 2 × 40bhp Ferry VE4 4-cylinder diesel
Speed8 knots
Crew8

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 (RNLI) between 1947 and 1989.

Description

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 an aft cockpit, turtle shaped shelters, and funnel exhausts. The first boat, William Gammon – Manchester and District XXX, was placed on service at The Mumbles in 1947.[1]

From 1948, the design was completely revised. A new aluminium structure provided 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 access for stretchers, 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 4-cylinder diesel installation as the earlier boats, but the exhaust was taken up the foremast to outlets well above the deck.[1]

The last boat on service was the Greater London II (Civil Service No.30) (ON 921), built in 1955, and withdrawn from Beaumaris in 1989.[2]

Modifications

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.[1]

Radar was installed on most boats, fitted on the wheelhouse roof, with the original aerial rigging and the aft mast removed and replaced by pole aerials. Most, but not all, boats were re-engined, with various examples of the Ford-based 6-cylinder diesel engine 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.[1]

Engines

The 46 ft 9in Watsons were the final boats to be equipped with RNLI designed engines, in this case, the twin 40-bhp Ferry VE4 4-cylinder diesel engines. The 42ft Watson-class lifeboat, introduced in 1954 was the first type to use commercially available engines, followed by the 47ft Watson-class in 1955 and the 52-foot 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 46ft Watson, Canadian Pacific (ON 803), with the 4-cylinder Ford-based Parsons Marlin, and in 1963 a programme began to re-engine the 41ft Watson and other boats with the Parsons Porbeagle. 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 the trial installation, again in Canadian Pacific (ON 803) in 1963, a programme to re-engine some 46ft Watsons began in 1965. This was extended to the 46 ft 9in Watsons and in 1965 two boats, Tynesider (ON 852) and ''Duchess of Kent (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.[1]

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 the re-engine programme, 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.[1]

Fleet

Aft cockpit type

ON[a] Name Built In service[2] Stations Shelter Radar Comments[1][2]
849 William Gammon – Manchester and District XXX 1947 1947–1974 The Mumbles 1968 1973 [Note 1] Sold February 1984.
In storage for Swansea Museum, December 2025.
1974–1982 Relief fleet
852 Tynesider 1947 1947–1979 Tynemouth 1965 1980 [Note 2] Sold February 1984.
Unaltered, under restoration at Iron Wharf, Faversham, December 2025.
1979–1983 Relief fleet
853 Winston Churchill
(Civil Service No.8) 		1947 1948–1979 Blyth 1967 1975 [Note 3] Sold July 1983.
Renamed Watson Explorer. Stored for restoration at Titchmarsh Marina, Walton-on-the-Naze, August 2025.
1979–1982 Relief fleet
854 Sarah Tilson 1949 1950–1978 Baltimore No No [Note 4] Sold December 1979.
Renamed The Sarah. Unaltered as The Sarah Tilson at Medway Bridge, Rochester, Kent, October 2025.
1978–1979 Relief fleet
855 W. M. Tilson 1949 1950–1969 Arranmore No No [Note 5] Sold August 1970.
Last reported as semi-derelict at Magerascouse Road, Comber, County Down, October 2012, now believed broken up.

Midship steering cabin type

ON[a] Name Built In service[2] Stations W/house Radar Comments[1][2]
865 Elizabeth Rippon 1948 1948–1975 St Helier 1960 1966 [Note 6] Sold October 1977.
Renamed Star of Helier. In unaltered condition as Elizabeth Rippon at Barmouth, Wales, December 2025.
1975–1977 Relief fleet
866 Charles Henry Ashley 1949 1949–1979 Porthdinllaen 1962 1969 [Note 7] Sold March 1987.
Renamed Sidney. In unaltered condition as Charles Ashley at Port D'Hyères, France, May 2025
1979–1981 Relief fleet
1981–1982 Penlee
1982 Fowey
1982–1987 Relief fleet
867 Lady Scott
(Civil Service No.4) 		1949 1949–1981 Portrush 1961 1972 [Note 8] Sold July 1987.
Renamed Marjorie Rae, later Janet Rae. Under restoration, near Ballymena, Co. Antrim, December 2025.
1981–1986 Relief fleet
868 John and Lucy Cordingley 1950 1950–1960 Teesmouth 1960 No [Note 9] Sold November 1981.
Renamed Jaybee, later Tempo. At Hall Quay, Great Yarmouth, June 2024.
1960–1969 Helvick Head
1969–1981 Relief fleet
885 Sir Samuel Kelly 1950 1950–1976 Donaghadee 1960 1972 [Note 10] Sold 1980.
Restored and on display, at Donaghadee, Northern Ireland, December 2025.[3]
1976–1979 Relief fleet
886 Sarah Townsend Porritt 1951 1951–1978 Lytham St Annes 1961 1971 [Note 11] Sold October 1982.
Renamed Sarah. For Sale (Free) in very neglected condition, following failed 'charity' restoration project, Hayle, Cornwall, February 2026.[4][5]
1978–1981 Relief fleet
887 Sir Godfrey Baring 1951 1952–1968 Clacton-on-Sea 1962 1972 [Note 12] Displayed at the Festival of Britain, 1951.
Sold July 1986. Renamed Duchess of Cornwall. Last reported as Sir Baring, trip boat at Friedeburg, Germany, June 2012.
1968–1970 Wick
1970–1972 Relief fleet
1972–1982 Workington
1982–1986 Relief fleet
888 North Foreland
(Civil Service No.11) 		1951 1951–1978 Margate 1961 1973 [Note 13]
At Bristol Lifeboat Museum, 1982. On display in the RNLI Heritage Collection since April 1996 at Chatham Historic Dockyard, December 2025.[6]
1978–1981 Relief fleet
896 Douglas Hyde 1952 1952–1969 Rosslare Harbour 1962 1970 [Note 14] Sold February 1973.
Renamed Rima. Later reverted to Douglas Hyde, but scrapped at Peel, Isle of Man, 2018.
1970–1972 Dunmore East
900 Herbert Leigh 1951 1951–1982 Barrow 1958 1974 [Note 15] Sold 1989.
On display since 1994 at the Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness, December 2025.[7]
1983–1988 Relief fleet
901 Michael and Lily Davis 1953 1953–1976 Ramsgate 1967 1972 [Note 16] Sold 1979.
Renamed Viceroy, later Coastal Waters. Broken up after sinking at her berth at Swansea Marina, July 2025.
1976–1979 Relief fleet
908 Duchess of Kent 1954 1954–1970 Fraserburgh 1961 No [Note 17]
Capsized on service with five crew lost, 21 January 1970. Broken up, October 1970.
910 Edian Courtauld 1953 1953–1977 Walton and Frinton 1960 1968 [Note 18] Sold August 1981.
Renamed Scapa Agent, later Juno. Now Iris B at Port Marine, Portishead, April 2025.
1977–1981 Relief fleet
911 City of Bradford III 1954 1954–1977 Humber 1962 1968 [Note 19] Sold August 1985.
In unaltered condition, at Salcombe, Devon, December 2025.[8]
1978–1985 Lytham St Annes
919 Deneys Reitz 1954 1954–1980 Fowey 1960 1971 [Note 20] Sold September 1980.
Renamed Joy M, later Daniel Arthur. Last reported as Deneys Reitz at Södermanland, Sweden, August 2018.[9]
921 Greater London II
(Civil Service No.30) 		1955 1955–1976 Southend-on-Sea 1960 1967 [Note 21] Sold 1991.
Renamed Gallichan. In unaltered condition at Portland Marina, October 2025.[10]
1977–1989 Beaumaris
925 Henry Comber Brown 1955 1955–1986 Tenby 1962 1973 [Note 22] Sold 1987.
Renamed T. S. Manxman. In unaltered condition as Henry Comber Brown at Ramsey, Isle of Man, June 2024.
926 Guy and Clare Hunter 1955 1955–1981 St Mary's 1960 1965 [Note 23] Sold June 1988.
In unaltered condition at Quinton Nelson Yard, Donaghadee, Northern Ireland, December 2025.[11]
1981–1982 Fowey
1982–1983 Penlee
1983–1984 Padstow
1984–1985 Cromer
1985–1987 Relief fleet
928 Lilla Marras, Douglas and Will 1955 1955–1968 Cromarty 1962 1972 [Note 24] Sold October 1982.
Renamed Adriana of Loosedrecht, later Happy. Used as a B&B on The Noorderhaven, Netherlands, now stored as Lilla Marras at Harlingen, Netherlands, December 2025.
1968–1974 Falmouth
1974–1978 Relief fleet
1978–1979 Donaghadee
1979–1982 Relief fleet
929 R.A. Colby Cubbin No.1 1956 1956–1988 Douglas 1962 1975 [Note 25] Sold 1989.
Renamed Redundant Hero, later Colby Cubbin. Being broken for spares at Bezons, France, November 2017.
930 R.A. Colby Cubbin No.2 1956 1956–1976 Port St Mary 1962 1973 [Note 26] Sold October 1977.
Renamed Southport Girl. Restored to original, at Port Penrhyn, Wales, September 2025.[12]
1976–1977 Relief fleet
931 Richard Vernon and Mary Garforth of Leeds 1956 1957–1987 Angle 1961 1972 [Note 27] Sold 1989.
Renamed Scubie Doo, later Spirit of Angle. In unaltered condition as Richard Vernon and Mary Garforth of Leeds at Wexford, Ireland, November 2025.[13]
1987–1988 Wicklow
932 Howard Marryat 1956 1957–1981 Fishguard 1961 1971 [Note 28] Sold September 1989.
Renamed North Foreland, later Howard Marryat. In unaltered condition as Josef de Waey at Blankenberge, Belgium, June 2025.[14]
1982–1986 Barrow
1986–1988 Moelfre
1988–1989 Relief fleet
  1. ^ a b ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Gift of the Manchester and Salford LB fund, built by Groves and Guttridge of Cowes, with internal rudder, costing £16,962. Twin 65-hp Parsons Barracuda Ford 590E 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1968.
  2. ^ Gift of the Tyneside Blitzed LB fund, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with internal rudder, cockpit, costing £16,367. Twin 65-hp Parsons Barracuda Ford 590E 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1965.
  3. ^ Gift of the Civil Service LB fund, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with internal rudder, costing £16,535. Twin 65-hp Parsons Barracuda Ford 590E 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1967.
  4. ^ Legacy of Mr Tilson, built by Alexander Robertson & Sons of Sandbank, Argyll, with internal rudder, costing £17,790.
  5. ^ Legacy of Mr Tilson, built by Alexander Robertson & Sons of Sandbank, Argyll, with internal rudder, costing £18,057.
  6. ^ Legacy of Mrs Rippon, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with internal rudder, costing £19,094. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 65-hp Parsons Barracuda Ford 590E 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1966.
  7. ^ Legacy of Mr C. C. Ashley of Menton, France, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with internal rudder, costing £19,040. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp WaterMota Ford Sea-Lion diesel engines, 1969.
  8. ^ Gift of Civil Service LB fund, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with internal rudder, costing £18,972. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp Thornycroft 380 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1972.
  9. ^ Legacy of Mrs Cordingley, built by Sussex Yacht Company of Shoreham-by-Sea, with internal rudder, costing £19,816. Added airbag for self-righting.
  10. ^ Gift of Lady Kelly, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with internal rudder, costing £25,073. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp Mermaid 595 diesel engines, 1972.
  11. ^ Legacy of Miss Porritt, built by Sussex Yacht Company of Shoreham-by-Sea, with internal rudder, costing £24,427. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp Thornycroft 380 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1971.
  12. ^ Funded by the RNLI, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with internal rudder, costing £24,628. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp Mermaid 595 diesel engines, 1972.
  13. ^ Gift of the Civil Service LB fund, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with internal rudder, costing £24,846. Added airbag for self-righting.
  14. ^ Funded by the RNLI, built by Camper and Nicholson of Gosport, with internal rudder, costing £33,196. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp WaterMota Ford Sea-Lion diesel engines, 1970.
  15. ^ Gift of Mr Leigh, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with internal rudder, costing £25,855. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp Thornycroft 380 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1977.
  16. ^ Legacies of Mrs Davis, Mr Fox, Mrs Halfon and Mr Graystone, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with external rudder, costing £28,811. Added airbag for self-righting.
  17. ^ Funded by the RNLI, built by Groves and Guttridge of Cowes, with external rudder, costing £31,773. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 65-hp Parsons Barracuda Ford 590E 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1965.
  18. ^ Gift of Mr A. Courtauld, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with external rudder, costing £29,687. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 65-hp Parsons Barracuda Ford 590E 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1968.
  19. ^ Gift of the City of Bradford LB fund, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with external rudder, costing £29,593. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 65-hp Parsons Barracuda Ford 590E 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1968.
  20. ^ Funded by South Africa branch of the RNLI, built by Groves and Guttridge of Cowes, with external rudder, costing £31,922. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp WaterMota Ford Sea-Lion diesel engines, 1971.
  21. ^ Funded by the Civil Service LB fund, built by Groves and Guttridge of Cowes, with external rudder, costing £32,163. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp WaterMota Ford Sea-Lion diesel engines, 1969.
  22. ^ Legacies of Mr Comber Brown and Miss Haldane, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with external rudder, costing £31,674. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp WaterMota Ford Sea-Lion diesel engines, 1969.
  23. ^ Legacies of Mrs Hunter, Mrs Brown, Mrs Widdrington, Miss Sheffield, Miss Reilly, Mr Bennet and Mrs Harris, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with external rudder, costing £32,103. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp Mermaid 595 diesel engines, 1972.
  24. ^ Legacies of Mrs Marras, Mr Douglas and Mr W. Kennedy, built by Groves & Guttridge of Cowes, with external rudder, costing £33,723. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp Thornycroft 380 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1972.
  25. ^ Legacies of Mrs Cubbin, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with external rudder, costing £32,000. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp Thornycroft 380 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1980.
  26. ^ Legacies of Mrs Cubbin, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with external rudder, costing £32,829. Added airbag for self-righting.
  27. ^ Legacies of Mr Vernon and Mr Garforth, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with external rudder, costing £33,587. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp Thornycroft 380 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1981.
  28. ^ Legacies of Mr H. Marryat, and a gift from Mr R. Marryat, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with external rudder, costing £33,863. Added airbag for self-righting. Twin 70-hp Thornycroft 380 6-cyl. diesel engines, 1982.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Morris, Jeff (2008). List of British Lifeboats Part 3 (Third ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 11–14.
  2. ^ a b c d e Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2026). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 34–39.
  3. ^ "Donaghadee Heritage Preservation Company, Co. Down - Sir Samuel Kelly". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  4. ^ "Sarah Townsend Porritt". Responsible Boat Disposal. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Sarah Townsend Porritt". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  6. ^ "RNLB North Foreland. Civil Service No 11". 100 Objects that made Kent. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Dock Museum, Cumbria - Herbert Leigh". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  8. ^ "City of Bradford III". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  9. ^ "The Adventures of ex-Lifeboat "Deneys Reitz"". Ex-Lifeboat “Deneys Reitz”.
  10. ^ "Gallichan". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  11. ^ "Guy and Clare Hunter". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  12. ^ "Colby Cubbins No.2". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  13. ^ "Richard Vernon & Mary Garforth of Leeds". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  14. ^ "Jozef De Waey". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
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