Barnett-class lifeboat

RNLB William and Kate Johnston (ON 682)
Class overview
Builders
Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Built
  • 60-foot: 1923–1929
  • 51-foot: 1928–1949
  • 52-foot (Mk. I): 1950–1955
  • 52-foot (Mk. II): 1957–1960
In service1923–1988
Completed
  • 60-foot: 4
  • 51-foot: 13
  • 52-foot (Mk. I): 10
  • 52-foot (Mk. II): 10
Retired37
General characteristics
TypeMotor lifeboat
Displacement
  • 60-foot: 40–44 tons
  • 51-foot: 27 tons
  • 52-foot: 28 tons
Length51–60 ft (16–18 m)
Beam
  • 60-foot: 15 ft (4.6 m)
  • 51-foot: 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m)
  • 52-foot (Mk. I): 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m)
  • 52-foot (Mk. II): 14 ft (4.3 m)
Installed power
  • 60-foot:2 x 80-bhp D.E. 6-cyl. petrol
  • 51-foot: 2 x 60-bhp Weyburn CE6 6-cyl. petrol
  • 52-foot (Mk. I): 2 x 60-bhp Ferry VE6 6-cyl. diesel
  • 52-foot (Mk. II) 2 x 72-bhp Gardner 6LW 6cyl. diesel
Propulsion2 × pitch propellers in tunnels
Speed9.5 knots (10.9 mph; 17.6 km/h)
Range300 nautical miles (350 mi; 560 km)
Crew6

The Barnett-class lifeboat consists of three types of non self-righting displacement hull lifeboats, operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from its stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland, between 1923 and 1988.[1]

History

The Barnett-class lifeboat was designed in 1923 by James Rennie Barnett, OBE, MINA, the Consulting Naval Architect for the Institution, and was named after him. The boat was a significant development in lifeboat design, as it was the first RNLI lifeboat to have twin engines and twin screws.[2]

Previously, every lifeboat carried a full set of sails, and even lifeboats fitted with engines had to maintain their sailing qualities. The Barnett-class was the first motor-powered lifeboat dependent solely on its engines. The engines sat in separate watertight engines rooms. Each engine was itself watertight, and would continue to run if the engine-room was flooded, with the engine entirely submerged. The air-intakes were located well above the water-line, even if the boat is waterlogged, and with the exception of the first of this type, the exhausts were carried up two funnels amidships.[2]

The lifeboats had an open aft cockpit with a shelter ahead of it. There were fore and aft survivor cabins below deck, with seating for 24. If required, the boat could carry up to 130.

The boat adopted an idea from the Dutch Life-boat Service, and has a life-saving net fitted amidships, to assist with the recovery of survivors into the boat. Equipment included a line-throwing gun, an electric searchlight and an electric capstan, with electric lighting throughout. An oil spray was fitted in the bows, used to dampen the effects of waves around the lifeboat, and a fire-extinguishing plant, worked from the deck, could throw jets of Pyrene fluid to all vital parts of the casualty boat.[2]

This type of lifeboat was intended only for stations where long distances may have to be covered, and where the life-boat can lie afloat. After making a tour round the British Isles, the first of the type was placed at New Brighton on the River Mersey in 1923.

60-foot Barnett

History

When it was introduced in 1923, the 60-foot Barnett-class lifeboat was the largest and fastest lifeboat operated by the RNLI. The boats pioneered many features which were to become standard on future lifeboats. They were, however, too large to be slipway launched, and had to be moored afloat, at a time when the RNLI preferred to keep lifeboats in boathouses. As a result, only four were built.

Description

The first Barnett-class lifeboats were 60 feet (18 m) long x 15 feet (4.6 m) beam, with a draught of 4 feet 5 inches (1.35 m). The boats were powered by two 80-bhp DE6 6-cylinder petrol engines, designed by the RNLI, with three built by Weyburn Engineering, and the fourth by J. Samuel White. The engines give a maximum speed of 9 knots. Maximum speed could be maintained even in very severe weather, with the lifeboat carrying sufficient petrol to travel 310 miles at full speed. The fourth, and final boat, Princess Mary (ON 715), stationed at Padstow Harbour, was 61 ft (18.6 m) long, due to a forward raked bow.[3]

The boat had a displacement of just over 44 tons. It was divided into fourteen water-tight compartments, fitted with seventy air cases. Construction was with a skin and keel made of teak, ribs of Canadian rock-elm, and a stem and stern-post of English oak.[2]

The boats served their stations well until the early 1950s, when they were replaced by 52-foot Barnett-class.

Fleet

ON[a] Name Built In service[4] Station Comments[3][4]
682 William and Kate Johnston 1923 1923–1950 New Brighton [Note 1] Sold December 1950.
Stored for restoration at Sandon Half Tide Dock, Liverpool, December 2024.
693 Emma Constance 1926 1926–1951 Aberdeen No.1 [Note 2] Sold November 1951.
Renamed Southern Cross, later Achilleus. Now Griselda, an open hull, aground at Keils House, Tayvallich, Argyll, December 2024.
696 Robert and Marcella Beck 1926 1926–1943 Plymouth [Note 3] Sold June 1952.
Renamed Blaskbeg. Private ownership as Idle Hours at Lemmer, Netherlands, October 2025.
1943–1947 Iceland (RN)
1947–1952 Plymouth
715 Princess Mary 1929 1929–1952 Padstow Harbour [Note 4] Sold June 1952.
Renamed Aries. Last reported as a yacht at Ibiza, October 2022.

51-foot Barnett (Stromness-class)

History

The 60-foot Barnett was too large and heavy to be slipway launched and so the 51 ft (15.5 m) type was designed as a scaled down version which would be able to be stationed at a greater number of locations. The class is sometimes referred to as the "Stromness" after the first station to receive one.

Description

The 51-foot Barnett had an open aft cockpit with a shelter ahead of it giving access to the engine room. Ahead of the engine room was a survivor cabin and there was a forward shelter ahead of the mast. The class, with the exception of ON 860, was powered by twin 60-bhp Weyburn CE6 6-cylinder petrol engines, with a single exhaust funnel ahead of the aft shelter.[5]

The final boat of the class, RNLB Southern Africa (ON 860), was built in 1949, fourteen years after the end of regular production, and was more akin in deck layout to the first five 46ft 9in Watson-class boats built around the same time. This boat was powered by two 60-bhp Ferry VE6 6-cylinder diesels and was in effect a prototype for a post war production run of diesel powered boats. However, it was overtaken by events as James Barnett turned to midships cockpits and the new boats emerged as the 52 ft [15.8 m] class the following year. The only other 51-foot Watson to receive diesel engines was Peter and Sarah Blake (ON 755) which was re-engined with twin Ford based 65 bhp Parsons Barracuda diesels in 1965. In 1976, Southern Africa (ON 860) also received Barracudas while serving in the relief fleet and this boat was the final member of the class in service when retired in 1981.[5][6]

Fleet

ON[a] Name Built In service[6] Station Comments[3][6]
702 J.J.K.S.W. 1928 1928–1955 Stromness [Note 5] Sold 1965.
Became a workboat named Jon Dee (BS 19). Broken up at Dickies, Bangor, County Down, August 2000.
1955–1964 Reserve fleet
717 A.E.D. 1929 1929–1950 Holyhead [Note 6] Sold 1957.
Last reported in private ownership, at Fuengirola, Spain, February 1992.
1951–1957 Valentia
718 William and Harriot 1929 1929–1954 Stornoway [Note 7] Sold 1959.
Broken up at Barry Docks in 1976.
1954–1959 Reserve fleet
719 Queen Victoria 1929 1929–1940 St Peter Port [Note 8] Sold May 1958.
Destroyed by a fire on the River Hamble in 1978.
1940–1941 Reserve fleet
1941–1945 Killybegs
1945–1954 St Peter Port
1954–1958 Reserve fleet
720 City of Glasgow 1929 1929–1953 Campbeltown [Note 9] Sold 1959.
Last reported as yacht Elfred at Barry Docks, destroyed in the 1970s.
1953–1959 Reserve fleet
731 Lady Jane and Martha Ryland 1930 1930–1958 Lerwick [Note 10] Sold 1969.
Renamed The Lady Jane. At the Old Mill Boatyard, Old Mill Creek, Dartmouth, Devon, April 2025.
1958–1969 Reserve
733 Mary Stanford 1930 1930–1959 Ballycotton [Note 11] Sold 1969.
Restored and on display, at Cliff Walk, Ballycotton, Ireland since 2015.
1959–1968 Reserve fleet
734 George Shee 1930 1930–1958 Torbay [Note 12] Sold December 1958.
Used as a lifeboat in Guatemala from 1959.
1958 Reserve fleet
735 William and Clara Ryland 1930 1930–1957 Weymouth [Note 13] Sold 1958.
Renamed Ryland. Houseboat at Hundred of Hoo Sailing Club, Hoo Peninsula, December 2020, sank at moorings in December 2023, now under restoration, August 2024.
754 Lloyds 1932 1932–1957 Barra Island [Note 14] Sold January 1970.
On hard standing, Sandwich Marina, Kent, May 2023.
1957–1969 Reserve fleet
755 Peter and Sarah Blake 1932 1932–1958 Fenit (Tralee Bay) [Note 15] Sold October 1972.
Undergoing conversion to houseboat, at Fox's Marina, Ipswich, September 2025.
1958–1972 Reserve fleet
776 The Rankin 1935 1935–1961 Aith [Note 16] Sold 1970.
Renamed Penny Dragon, later Perseverance. Working as a pleasure boat at Tipner Boating and Angling Club, Portsmouth, November 2025.
1961–1969 Reserve fleet
860 Southern Africa 1949 1949–1967 Dover [Note 17] Sold July 1981.
Renamed Valparaiso III, later Southern Africa. Pleasure boat at the Clyde Boatyard, Glasgow, December 2023.
1967–1981 Reserve fleet

52-foot Barnett (Mk. I)

All 52-foot Barnett (Mk. I) lifeboats were 52 feet (16 m) long x 13 feet 6 inches (4.11 m) beam, manufactured between 1950 and 1955 by J. Samuel White, and powered by twin 60-hp Ferry VE6 engines. All were subsequently fitted with air-bags for self-righting capability, and most had a Wheelhouse and Radar fitted in the 1960s/70s.

Fleet

ON[a] Name Built In service[7] Station W/H Radar Comments[3][7]
883 Norman B. Corlett 1950 1950–1973 New Brighton 1963 1968 [Note 18] Sold February 1982.
Converted to be a houseboat for holiday letting at Coalisland, Northern Ireland, December 2019.
1973–1981 Relief fleet
884 St.Cybi
(Civil Service No. 9) 		1950 1950–1980 Holyhead 1960 1966 [Note 19] Sold 1986.
On display in the RNLI Heritage Collection at Chatham Historic Dockyard since April 1996.[8]
1980–1986 Relief fleet
889 Hilton Briggs 1951 1951–1958 Aberdeen No.1 1962 No [Note 20] Sold July 1976.
Houseboat at Wapping Wharf, Bristol, August 2024.
1959–1969 Fenit (Tralee Bay)
1969–1970 Reserve fleet
1970 Longhope
1970–1974 Reserve fleet
1974–1975 Invergordon
890 Thomas Forehead & Mary Rowse 1952 1952–1974 Plymouth 1962 1967 [Note 21] Sold December 1982. Renamed Isle Ornsay. Undergoing a refit at Porth Penrhyn, Bangor, September 2025.
1974–1982 Relief fleet
898 Joseph Hiram Chadwick 1952 1952–1967 Padstow Harbour 1962 1972 [Note 22] Sold April 1980.
Undergoing restoration at Goodchild Marine, Burgh Castle, July 2022. Project abandoned. Sold in May 2024, now under restoration by the new owner at Sharpness, Gloucestershire, September 2025.
1968–1977 Galway Bay
1977–1980 Relief fleet
899 City of Glasgow II 1953 1953–1979 Campbeltown 1960 No [Note 23] Sold April 1980.
Heavily modified, at Titchmarsh Marina, Walton-on-the-Naze, May 2025.
912 Euphrosyne Kendal 1954 1954–1972 St Peter Port 1960 1966 [Note 24] Sold May 1983.
Engines removed and broken up at Rushbrooke, County Cork, Ireland, December 2015.
1973–1975 Dunmore East
1975–1983 Relief fleet
913 James & Margaret Boyd 1954 1954–1973 Stornoway 1960 1969 [Note 25] Sold January 1985.
Renamed Grey Goose, later Sea Terror. Houseboat, sunk at English Harbour, Antigua, on 10 December 2010.
1974–1975 Macduff
1975–1984 Invergordon
923 John Gellatly Hyndman 1955 1955–1972 Stronsay 1962 1971 [Note 26] Sold August 1985. Renamed Stronsay, later Sea Terra. Private ownership at English Harbour, Antigua, June 2024.
1972–1985 Relief fleet
924 Archibald and Alexander M. Paterson 1955 1955–1984 Stromness 1961 1970 [Note 27] Sold May 1989.
Private ownership at Lawrenny Quay on the River Cleddau estuary in Wales, August 2021.
1985–1986 Arranmore
1986–1987 Lowestoft

52-foot Barnett (Mk. II)

All 52-foot Barnett (Mk. II) lifeboats were 52 feet (16 m) long x 14 feet (4.3 m) beam, manufactured between 1957 and 1960 by J. Samuel White and Groves and Guttridge, powered by twin 72-hp Gardner 6LW 6-cyl. diesel engines. All were subsequently fitted with air-bags for self-righting capability, and Radar fitted in the 1960s/70s.

Fleet

ON[a] Name Built In service[9] Station Radar Comments[3][9]
935 R. A. Colby Cubbin No.3 1957 1957–1984 Barra Island 1971 [Note 28] Sold November 1984.
Heavily converted houseboat at City Marina, Rotterdam, April 2025.
936 E.M.M. Gordon Cubbin 1957 1957–1982 Mallaig 1967 [Note 29] Sold 1985.
Renamed Gordon Cubbin. Moored by the Tees Transporter Bridge, Middlesbrough, July 2025.
1982–1985 Relief fleet
938 Rowland Watts 1957 1957–1983 Valentia 1970 [Note 30] Sold 1985.
Stored at Murphy Marine, Valentia Island, Ireland, June 2020.
1983–1985 Relief fleet
939 Frank Spiller Locke 1957 1957–1976
 Weymouth 1966 [Note 31] Sold October 1986.
Unaltered, in private ownership, at Old Mill Boatyard, Old Mill Creek, Dartmouth, Devon, August 2025.
1977–1985 Galway Bay
943 Claude Cecil Staniforth 1958 1958–1978 Lerwick 1968 [Note 32] Sold November 1985.
Renamed Lady Sarah, later Naomh Seosamh. Unaltered, in private ownership at New Ross Boatyard, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, September 2025
1978–1985 Arranmore
944 Ramsay-Dyce 1958 1958–1976 Aberdeen 1968 [Note 33] Sold August 1985.
Unaltered, in private ownership at Glasson Dock, Lancashire, August 2025.
1976–1978 Relief fleet
1978–1985 Lochinver
945 Princess Alexandra of Kent 1958 1958–1975 Torbay 1968 [Note 34] Sold 1984.
Renamed Princess. Lost off Crail whilst on passage to Peterhead, 1 August 2012.
1975–1978 Relief fleet
1979–1980 Tynemouth
1980–1983 Relief fleet
949 Ethel Mary 1959 1959–1985 Ballycotton 1974 [Note 35] Last Barnett-class lifeboat on station. Sold 1989.
Renamed Helen Mary, later Catriona. In storage as Ethel Mary at Coleraine, Northern Ireland, December 2023.
1985–1987 Relief fleet
1987–1988 Baltimore
952 Duke of Cornwall
(Civil Service No. 33) 		1960 1961–1984 The Lizard 1969 [Note 36] Sold 1989.
Unaltered condition, in private ownership, at Old Mill Creek, Dartmouth, Devon, July 2023.
1984 Padstow
1984–1989 Relief fleet
956 John and Frances MacFarlane 1960 1961–1986 Aith 1970 [Note 37] Sold October 1986.
Unaltered condition, in private ownership, at St Katharine Docks, London, September 2025
  1. ^ a b c d ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Gift of Mr S. Johnston, Mrs Kendall, and the Liverpool LB fund, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with twin 80-hp Weyburn DE6 6-cyl. petrol engines, costing £16,084.
  2. ^ Legacy of Mr J. Mackie, built by S. E. Saunders of Cowes, with twin 80-hp Weyburn DE6 6-cyl. petrol engines, costing £15,821.
  3. ^ Legacy of Mr R. A. Beck, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, with twin 80-hp White DE6 6-cyl. petrol engines, costing £14,536.
  4. ^ 61 ft (18.6 m) lifeboat, gift of P&O Shipping Co., built by S. E. Saunders of Cowes, with twin 80-hp Weyburn DE6 6-cyl. petrol engines, costing £14,602.
  5. ^ Legacies of Miss J. Moody of Derby, Mr J. P. Trail of London, Mr W. M. Aitken of Edinburgh, Mr E. J. Hanson of Belper, and Mr W. Notting of Bush Hill Park, built by S. E. Saunders of Cowes, costing £13,643.
  6. ^ Legacy of Capt. W. A. Dobie, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, costing £10,119.
  7. ^ Legacy of Mrs H. Richardson, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, costing £10,469.
  8. ^ From RNLI funds, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, costing £10,481.
  9. ^ From RNLI funds, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, costing £10,198.
  10. ^ Legacy of Mr W. Ryland, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, costing £10,414.
  11. ^ Legacy of Mr J. Stanford, built by Saunders-Roe of Cowes, costing £9,403.
  12. ^ From RNLI funds, built by Saunders-Roe of Cowes, costing £9,614.
  13. ^ Legacy of Mr W. Ryland, built by Saunders-Roe of Cowes, costing £9,413.
  14. ^ Gift of the members of Lloyd's of London, built by Groves & Guttridge of Cowes, costing £9,443.
  15. ^ Legacy of Miss S. Blake, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, costing £8,978. Re-engined with twin 65-hp Parsons Barracuda diesel engines, 1975.
  16. ^ Legacy of Miss M. D. Rankin, built by Groves & Guttridge of Cowes, costing £9,122.
  17. ^ Funded by the Southern Africa branch of the RNLI, built by Rowhedge Ironworks of Rowhedge, Essex, with twin 60-hp Ferry VE6 6-cyl. diesel engines, costing £20,592. Re-engined with twin 65-hp Parsons Barracuda diesel engines, 1975.
  18. ^ Barnett lifeboat the gift of Mr N. Corlett and family, costing £20,265. Re-engined with twin 78-hp Thornycroft diesel engines, 1968.
  19. ^ Barnett lifeboat the gift of the Civil Service LB fund, costing £28,906. Re-engined with twin 75-hp Parsons Barracuda diesel engines, 1966.
  20. ^ Barnett lifeboat the gift of Mrs Briggs, costing £29,928.
  21. ^ Barnett lifeboat the gift of Mrs Rowse, costing £30,875. Re-engined with twin 78-hp Thornycroft diesel engines, 1972.
  22. ^ Barnett lifeboat the gift of Miss Chadwick, costing £31,584. Re-engined with twin 78-hp Thornycroft diesel engines, 1968.
  23. ^ Barnett lifeboat the gift of the City of Glasgow LB fund, costing £31,629. Re-engined with twin 78-hp Thornycroft diesel engines, 1969.
  24. ^ Barnett lifeboat the legacy of Mrs Kendal, costing £34,916. Re-engined with twin 70-hp Mermaid 595 diesel engines, 1973.
  25. ^ Barnett lifeboat the legacies of Mrs Boyd, Mrs Grant and Dr Tennant, costing £35,294. Re-engined with twin 78-hp Thornycroft diesel engines, 1969.
  26. ^ Barnett lifeboat the legacies of Miss Hyndman, costing £35,616. Re-engined with twin 78-hp Thornycroft diesel engines, 1971.
  27. ^ Barnett lifeboat the gift of Miss Paterson, costing £35,919. Re-engined with twin 78-hp Thornycroft diesel engines, 1970.
  28. ^ Legacy of Mrs Cubbin, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, costing £38,500.
  29. ^ Legacy of Mrs Cubbin, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, costing £38,500.
  30. ^ Legacy of Mr Watts, built by Groves & Guttridge of Cowes, costing £38,500.
  31. ^ Legacy of Mr Watts, built by Groves & Guttridge of Cowes, costing £38,500.
  32. ^ Legacy of Mr Staniforth, built by Groves & Guttridge of Cowes, costing £38,500.
  33. ^ Legacy of Mr Ramsay, built by Groves & Guttridge of Cowes, costing £38,232.
  34. ^ From RNLI funds, of Mr Ramsay, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, costing £38,500.
  35. ^ Funded by the trustees of the late Mrs Brereton, built by Groves & Guttridge of Cowes, costing £39,900.
  36. ^ Funded by the Civil Service LB fund, built by Groves & Guttridge of Cowes, costing £40,500.
  37. ^ Gift of Mr J. Macfarlane and Mrs A. F. Macfarlane, built by J. Samuel White of Cowes, costing £40,000.

References

  1. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2026). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. p. 26–39.
  2. ^ a b c d "The Motor Life-Boats of the Institution. No. 1.—The 60-Feet Barnett Type". The Lifeboat. XXVIII (309): 434–437. February 1932. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e Morris, Jeff (2008). List of British Lifeboats Part 3 (Third ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 26–29.
  4. ^ a b Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 26–29.
  5. ^ a b "Motor Life-Boats of the Institution. No. 2.—The 51-Feet Barnett (Stromness) Type". The Lifeboat. XXVIII (312): 590–593. November 1932. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  6. ^ a b c Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 28–35.
  7. ^ a b Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 36–39.
  8. ^ "St Cybi (Civil Service No.9)". National Historic Ships. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  9. ^ a b Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 38–39.
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