Watson-class P&S lifeboat

38-foot Watson P&S lifeboat RNLB Charles Henry Ashley (ON 583) at Cemaes harbour, 2017
Class overview
Builders
Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Built1888–1915
In service1888–1939
Completed43
Retired43
Preserved3

The Watson-class P&S lifeboat is a design of wooden lifeboat, operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland between 1888 and 1991. There were several variations over the years but all the boats had hulls that conformed to a design by George Lennox Watson (30 October 1851 – 12 November 1904), the RNLI's naval architect from 1887 until his death in 1904.

Pulling and sailing lifeboats

Pulling and Sailing (P&S) lifeboats are ones utilising both sails and oars for propulsion. Early lifeboats had as few as 4 oarsmen, but some later and larger craft operated with up to 16 oarsmen and 3 other crew.

The majority of lifeboats in service with the RNLI during the second half of the nineteenth century were of the Self-Righting type, designed to operate in rough seas close to the shore. Usually, the boat would have a heavy iron keel, and strategically fitted buoyancy aids, which would bring the boat upright following a capsize.[1]

Some stations, which required a better sea-going boat, preferred the greater stability of a non-self-righting boat, such as the Norfolk and Suffolk class of lifeboat. This was especially relevant to those operating in shallow conditions, where a capsized boat might get caught on the sea-bottom and not self-right. Following the Southport and St Anne's lifeboats disaster, George Lennox Watson designed a new non-self-righting hull shape for the RNLI, which was first used for the construction of RNLB Edith and Annie (ON 208), built in 1888.[2]

A further 42 pulling and sailing lifeboats were built to Watson's design, the last in 1915, some 11 years after his death. They came in a variety of lengths to suit the needs of the different stations where they were based, the most common being 38 feet (12 m). The first ten were constructed by no fewer than eight different boat-builders, but the remaining 33 were constructed by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, although the last one, Staughton (ON 637), was completed after a gap of five years, by S. E. Saunders, following the insolvency of Thames Ironworks.[2][3][4]

RNLB Jones-Gibb (ON 538) was the last Watson P&S lifeboat on service, withdrawn from Barmouth in 1939, and also outlasting Albert Edward (ON 463), which had received a motor conversion in 1912, and operating until 1932.[5]

Following trials of P&S lifeboats with an added engine, the RNLI started the production of motor-powered Watson-class lifeboats in 1908. Over the next 55 years, 171 boats of various designs were built based on Watson's hull design. For more information, see:–

Watson-class P&S lifeboat fleet

ON[a] Name Length Built In service[5] Station Comments[2][5]
208 Edith and Annie 42 ft 6 in
(12.95 m) 		1888 1888–1902 Southport No.2 [Note 1] Condemned and sold, 1902.
315 Brothers 43 ft
(13 m) 		1892 1892–1910 St Annes No. 2 [Note 2] Sold 1923.
1911–1923 Cromarty
316 Unnamed 38 ft
(12 m) 		1892 1893 Montrose LB trials [Note 3]
Named City Masonic Club in 1897.
1893–1897 Storage
City Masonic Club 1897–1910 Poole [Note 4]
Transferred to the Relief fleet, 1910.
Sold 1918.
Reserve No. 7 1910–1918 Relief fleet
346 Henley 32 ft 0 in
(9.75 m) 		1892 1893–1918 Tramore [Note 5]
Lightweight construction for a soft beach. Sold 1919.
359 Maude Pickup 43 ft 0 in
(13.11 m) 		1894 1894–1929 Fleetwood [Note 6] Sold 1930.
Renamed Elissa. Last reported as a twin-screw lugger at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1939.
393 Samuel Fletcher of Manchester 36 ft 2 in
(11.02 m) 		1896 1896–1930 Blackpool [Note 7] Sold 1930.
Stored and partially restored at Council Illuminations depot, Blackpool, January 2025.
409 Dunleary
(Civil Service No. 7) 		45 ft 0 in
(13.72 m) 		1898 1898–1913 Kingstown No. 2 [Note 8]
Condemned and Sold, 1913.
414 Henry Richardson 43 ft 0 in
(13.11 m) 		1898 1898–1919 New Brighton No. 1 [Note 9] Sold 1919.
Renamed Namouna. Converted to a houseboat, but broken up at Glasson Dock, 1978.
418 Margaret Platt of Stalybridge 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1898 1898–1930 Pwllheli [Note 10] Sold 1930.
Renamed Freckles. Last reported at Pwllheli, 1932.
424 Elizabeth and Blanche 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1899 1899–1908 Penzance [Note 11] Sold 1922.
Last reported in Falmouth, Cornwall, 1969.
1908–1913 Newlyn
1913–1922 Penlee
429 James Stevens No. 7 45 ft 0 in
(13.72 m) 		1899 1899–1912 Howth [Note 12] Sold 1926.
1913–1926
434 Henry Dundas 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1899 1899–1919 St Mary's [Note 13] Sold 1927.
1919–1927 Angle
442 James Stevens No. 15 40 ft 0 in
(12.19 m) 		1900 1900–1921 Wexford [Note 14] Sold 1921.
445 James Stevens No. 16 40 ft 0 in
(12.19 m) 		1900 1900–1930 Dungarvan Bay (Helvick Head) [Note 15] Sold 1930.
Last reported as the yacht Helvick Head at St Helier, Channel Islands, January 1972.
456 John Wesley 43 ft 0 in
(13.11 m) 		1901 1901–1922 Barry Dock [Note 16] Sold 1928.
Last report as the motor yacht Dandy at Brixham, 1956.
Reserve No. 7E 1922–1923 Relief fleet
John Wesley 1923–1928 Cromarty
457 James Stevens No. 20 43 ft 0 in
(13.11 m) 		1901 1901–1920 Queenstown [Note 17] Sold 1928.
Last reported as the yacht Eternal Wave at Dartmouth in the 1970s.
Reserve No. 7B 1920–1922 Relief fleet
James Stevens No. 20 1923–1927 Fenit (Tralee Bay)
462 Thomas Fielden 40 ft 0 in
(12.19 m) 		1901 1901–1927 Barrow [Note 18] Sold 1929.
1927–1929 Angle
1929–1929 Moelfre
463 Albert Edward 45 ft 0 in
(13.72 m) 		1901 1901–1912 Clacton-on-Sea [Note 19]
Motor conversion 1912. See:– 45ft Watson-class.
487 Wighton 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1902 1902–1923 Torquay [Note 20] Sold 1923.
Renamed Cavalla, reported derelict on the River Great Ouse, opposite Twentypence Marina, Wilburton, Ely, Cambridgeshire, June 2020.
488 Colonel Stock 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1902 1902–1933 Weston-super-Mare [Note 21] Sold 1933.
Renamed Tova. At Broadness Creek, River Thames, October 1996, but believed broken up, February 2001.
497 William and Mary Devey 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1902 1902–1923 Tenby [Note 22] Sold 1923.
505 William Roberts 40 ft 0 in
(12.19 m) 		1903 1903–1921 Little Haven [Note 23] Sold 1928.
Renamed Quest. Broken up at Hayling Island, December 2009.
Reserve No.7C 1921–1922 Relief fleet
1923–1924 Southend-on-Sea
1924–1925 Relief fleet
1925–1926 Aberdeen No. 1
1926–1928 Fowey
513 Fiern Watch 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1903 1903–1924 Weymouth [Note 24] Sold 1925.
Renamed Easting Down. Lost off Ijmuiden, Netherlands, August 1965.
1924–1925 Relief fleet
515 James, William and Caroline Courtney 35 ft 0 in
(10.67 m) 		1904 1904–1922 Polkerris [Note 25] Sold 1922.
Renamed Grey Fox. Derelict at Anchor Bay moorings, Erith, October 2023.
517 Ann Fawcett 43 ft 0 in
(13.11 m) 		1904 1904–1912 Harwich [Note 26]
Renamed Dunleary when transferred to Kingstown.
Dunleary 1913–1919 Kingstown Sold 1920.
518 John Harling 43 ft 6 in
(13.26 m) 		1904 1904–1925 Southport No. 2 [Note 27] Sold 1925.
Renamed Pride of the Lake, and used on the Marine Lake at Southport. Broken up in 1958.
521 James and Mary Walker 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1904 1904–1933 Anstruther [Note 28] Sold 1933.
Renamed Cameronian, later Ishbara. Restored as James and Mary Walker, awaiting display location, at Anstruther, December 2024.
523 John Fortune 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1904 1904–1914 Port Erroll [Note 29]
(Station closed 1914–1915).
Sold 1923. Renamed Port Erroll, last reported as a yacht, lost in 1975.
Reserve No. 7A 1914–1915 Relief fleet
1915–1921 Port Erroll
1921–1923 Relief fleet
525 Busbie 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1904 1904–1929 Troon [Note 30] Sold 1930.
528 James Cullen 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1904 1904–1926 Bull Bay [Note 31] Sold 1926.
Renamed Emily, Vika, Meine Liebe and Pride of Anglesey. Last reported as a yacht, broken up at Rochester, Kent, June 1996.
529 John R. Ker 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1904 1904–1930 Southend (Cantyre) [Note 32] Sold 1930.
Renamed Knot. Last reported as Knot II at York, 1975.
530 Oldham 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1904 1904–1930 Abersoch [Note 33] Sold 1930.
Reported derelict at Fleetwood, July 2025.
535 Charlie Medland 43 ft 0 in
(13.11 m) 		1904 1905–1924 The Mumbles [Note 34] Sold 1939.
Awaiting restoration at River Yonne, Migennes France, December 2024.
1924–1928 Southend-on-Sea
Reserve No.7E 1928–1936 Relief fleet
1936–1938 New Brighton
538 Jones-Gibb 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1905 1905–1939 Barmouth [Note 35] Sold 1939.
Renamed Thrift, later Saor Alba. Last reported as Jones-Gibb at Dauntless boatyard, Canvey Island, June 2021.
541 James Finlayson 35 ft 0 in
(10.67 m) 		1905 1905–1923 Lossiemouth [Note 36] Sold 1933.
Renamed Tamesis. Last reported as Adele Jeanne at Fareham, 1980.
1923–1924 Gorleston No.2
Reserve No. 7A 1925–1933 Relief fleet
544 Civil Service No. 5 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1905 1905–1931 Maryport [Note 37] Sold 1931.
Last reported at Helford River, Gweek, December 2002.
550 Anne Miles 43 ft 0 in
(13.11 m) 		1905 1906–1926 Longhope [Note 38] Sold 1936.
Renamed Zlata. Last reported as the ketch Westering at Portsmouth in 1968.
1926–1930 Howth
1930–1936 New Brighton No. 2
581 Maria Stephenson 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1907 1908–1922 Buckie [Note 39] Sold 1936.
Reserve No. 7D 1922–1929 Relief fleet
1929–1930 Moelfre
1930–1931 Abersoch
1931–1933 Relief fleet
583 Charles Henry Ashley 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1907 1907–1932 Cemaes [Note 40] Sold 1932. Restored and displayed afloat at Cemaes since 2009. Undergoing restoration for static display, April 2025.
585 Sarah Austin 40 ft 0 in
(12.19 m) 		1908 1909–1929 Thurso [Note 41] Damaged when it broke adrift, 11 February 1929.
Sold July 1935
1929–1935 Relief fleet
590 Charles Deere James 38 ft 0 in
(11.58 m) 		1909 1909–1920 St Agnes (IOS) [Note 42] Sold 1934.
Renamed Silver Cloud. Destroyed in Cherbourg harbour in the 1950s.
Reserve No. 7 1920–1934 Relief fleet
605 Charles and Eliza Laura 40 ft 0 in
(12.19 m) 		1910 1910–1929 Moelfre [Note 43] Sold 1929.
Renamed Salvor. In storage near Duns, April 2024.
637 Staughton 40 ft 0 in
(12.19 m) 		1915 1915–1919 Relief fleet [Note 44] Sold 1931.
Renamed Viater (BS 118). Broken up at Porth Penrhyn in 2000.
1919–1930 New Brighton No. 2
  1. ^ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ 42 ft 6 in (12.95 m) x 13 ft 2 in (4.01 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, gift of the Misses Macrae of Southport, built by Barrow Naval Co. of Barrow, costing £844.
  2. ^ 43 ft (13 m) x 11 ft 9 in (3.58 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, an anonymous gift, built by Henderson of Partick, costing £1,565.
  3. ^ 38 ft (460 in) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, built by Henderson of Partick, costing £924.
  4. ^ Gift of the Freemasons of the City of London
  5. ^ 32 ft (9.8 m) x 8 ft (2.4 m) (10-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Miss G. Henley of Highbury, built by Chambers and Colby of Lowestoft, costing £248.
  6. ^ 43 ft (13 m) x 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) (10-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mr J. Pickup of Southport, built by R. McAlister of Dumbarton, costing £875.
  7. ^ 36 ft 2 in (11.02 m) x 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, estate of Mr S. Fletcher, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London, costing £591.
  8. ^ 45 ft (14 m) x 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) (10-oared) lifeboat, gift of the Civil Service LB fund, built by Hollwey of Dublin, costing £958.
  9. ^ 43 ft (13 m) x 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) (10-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mr H. T. Richardson of Bala, built by Reynolds of Lowestoft, costing £694.
  10. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mrs M. Platt of Stalybridge, built by S. Strickland of Dartmouth, costing £644.
  11. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, gift of the Misses Smytheman of Albury, built by Chambers and Colby of Lowestoft, costing £753.
  12. ^ 45 ft (14 m) x 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) (10-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mr J. Stevens of Birmingham, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,096.
  13. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mrs Dundas-Drummond of London, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £856.
  14. ^ 40 ft (12 m) x 10 ft (3.0 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mr J. Stevens of Birmingham, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,295.
  15. ^ 40 ft (12 m) x 11 ft (3.4 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mr J. Stevens of Birmingham, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,336.
  16. ^ 43 ft (13 m) x 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) (10-oared) lifeboat, gift of the John Wesley LB fund, via Rev Hargreaves and Jn. Cory, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,712.
  17. ^ 43 ft (13 m) x 12 ft 3 in (3.73 m) (10-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mr J. Stevens of Birmingham, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,739.
  18. ^ 40 ft (12 m) x 11 ft (3.4 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mr S. J. and Mr J. Fielden of Todmorden, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,327.
  19. ^ 45 ft (14 m) x 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, gift of the United Grand Lodge of England, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,890. Single 40-bhp Tylor C 4-cyl. petrol engine motor conversion, 1912.
  20. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mrs M. H. Wighton of Hornsey, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £926.
  21. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mrs A. S. Stock of Weston-super-Mare, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £891.
  22. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Miss E. Devey of Tunbridge Wells, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £984.
  23. ^ 40 ft (12 m) x 11 ft (3.4 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mr W. Roberts of Manchester, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,606.
  24. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, gift of Mr E. Homan of Finchley, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,023.
  25. ^ 35 ft (11 m) x 9 ft (2.7 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mrs C. Courtney of Exmouth, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,241.
  26. ^ 43 ft (13 m) x 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) (10-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mrs A. Fawcett of London, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,711.
  27. ^ 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m) x 13 ft 3 in (4.04 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, funds from the trustees of Jon Harling of Southport, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £2,099.
  28. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mrs M. A. Walker of West Calder, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,018.
  29. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Dr J. Fortune of Edinburgh, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,007.
  30. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mr H. R. C. Wallace of Busbie and Cloncaird, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,584.
  31. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Miss M. Cullen of Nottingham, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £993.
  32. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, gift of the late Mr R. Ker of Milngavie, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,100.
  33. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, gift of the Oldham LB fund, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £992.
  34. ^ 43 ft (13 m) x 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) (10-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mr C. Medland of Clapham, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,694.
  35. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, gift of Mrs F. G. Smart of Tunbridge Wells, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,032.
  36. ^ 35 ft (11 m) x 9 ft (2.7 m) (10-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mr J. Finlayson pf Stirling, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,247.
  37. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (10-oared) lifeboat, gift of the Civil Service LB fund, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,011.
  38. ^ 43 ft (13 m) x 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) (10-oared) lifeboat, gift of Miss A. Miles of West Hampstead, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,759.
  39. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Miss M. M. Stephenson of Chelsea, London, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,121.
  40. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Mr C. C. Ashley of Menton, France, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,090.
  41. ^ 40 ft (12 m) x 11 ft (3.4 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Miss S. Austin of Tottenham, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,589.
  42. ^ 38 ft (12 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (10-oared) lifeboat, gift of Mrs S. C. Guthrie of Tunbridge Wells, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,082.
  43. ^ 40 ft (12 m) x 11 ft (3.4 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Miss S. Austin of Tottenham, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,589.
  44. ^ 40 ft (12 m) x 11 ft (3.4 m) (12-oared) lifeboat, legacy of Miss <. Staughton of Bedford, part built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, completed by S. E. Saunders of Cowes, costing £2,239.

References

  1. ^ "The Self-Righting Principle In Life-Boats". The Lifeboat. II (19): 125–127. 1 January 1856. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  2. ^ a b c Farr, Grahame; Morris, Jeff (1992). List of British Life-boats Part 1 & 2 (Second ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. pp. 21–23.
  3. ^ Cameron, Ian (2009). Riders of the Storm. Orion Books. pp. 65–67. ISBN 9780752883441.
  4. ^ Wake-Walker, Edward (2007). The Lifeboats Story. The History Press. p. 46. ISBN 9780750948586.
  5. ^ a b c Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2026). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026. Lifeboats Enthusiasts' Society. p. 8–25.
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