# 45ft Watson-class lifeboat

The 45 ft Watson-class was a non self-righting displacement hull lifeboat built between 1919 and 1925 and operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution between 1919 and 1956.

## History

In 1898 the first 45 ft Watson was built, one of the largest pulling and sailing lifeboats built for the RNLI. Only three of these 45 footers were built, the last in 1901. This third boat, Albert Edward ON 463, was based at Clacton-on-Sea and after eleven years service was taken in hand for rebuilding with a motor. A 40 bhp Tylor C 4-cylinder petrol engine was fitted but little else was changed and, like all single engine lifeboats, a full sailing rig and drop keel was retained. The boat returned to service at Clacton in 1912 and served there until 1929. With the conversion of ON 463 deemed a success, plans were put in hand for the production of a series of 45 ft Watson motors, but due to the First World War, the first boat did not appear until 1919.

## Description

Like ON 463 the first eleven production boats were open decked and retained full sail plans and a drop keel. The first seven boats were powered by a 60 bhp Tylor D1 6-cylinder petrol engine, while the rest had an RNLI designed 80 bhp DE6 6-cylinder petrol engine, nine of which were built by Weyburn Engineering and five by J. Samuel White. Experience showed that the open deck layout was inadequate for the longer services operated by the motor lifeboats and from the late 1920s a shelter was added ahead of the steering position. The final ten boats, built from 1923(ON 684), were to a revised design with a cabin capable of taking twenty survivors ahead of the engine room.

## Fleet

| ON | Name | Built | Builder | In service | Stations | Comments |
| 463 | Albert Edward | 1901 | Thames Ironworks | 1901–1929 | Clacton-on-Sea | A 40 bhp Tylor C 4-cylinder petrol engine was fitted in 1912. Sold October 1932. Reported in December 2018 as yacht at Haven Marina, Ipswich. |
| 463 | Albert Edward | 1901 | Thames Ironworks | 1929–1932 | Arranmore | A 40 bhp Tylor C 4-cylinder petrol engine was fitted in 1912. Sold October 1932. Reported in December 2018 as yacht at Haven Marina, Ipswich. |
| 648 | Elsie | 1919 | S. E. Saunders | 1919–1930 | St Mary's | Sold January 1951. Renamed Happy Return. Reported as a yacht in Tahiti, 1960. |
| 648 | Elsie | 1919 | S. E. Saunders | 1930–1946 | Helvick Head | Sold January 1951. Renamed Happy Return. Reported as a yacht in Tahiti, 1960. |
| 648 | Elsie | 1919 | S. E. Saunders | 1946–1951 | Relief fleet | Sold January 1951. Renamed Happy Return. Reported as a yacht in Tahiti, 1960. |
| 649 | Duke of Connaught | 1919 | S. E. Saunders | 1919–1950 | Baltimore | Originally named Duke of Connaught but renamed Shamrock in 1920. Sold February 1952. Reported in June 1991 as under conversion at Bowling Canal Basin, Dunbarton. |
| 649 | Shamrock | 1919 | S. E. Saunders | 1919–1950 | Baltimore | Originally named Duke of Connaught but renamed Shamrock in 1920. Sold February 1952. Reported in June 1991 as under conversion at Bowling Canal Basin, Dunbarton. |
| 649 | Shamrock | 1919 | S. E. Saunders | 1950–1952 | Relief fleet | Originally named Duke of Connaught but renamed Shamrock in 1920. Sold February 1952. Reported in June 1991 as under conversion at Bowling Canal Basin, Dunbarton. |
| 653 | William Evans | 1921 | Summers & Payne / S. E. Saunders | 1921–1927 | Wexford | Sold November 1940. |
| 653 | William Evans | 1921 | Summers & Payne / S. E. Saunders | 1927–1927 | Rosslare Harbour | Sold November 1940. |
| 653 | William Evans | 1921 | Summers & Payne / S. E. Saunders | 1927–1939 | Galway Bay | Sold November 1940. |
| 654 | Joseph Adlam | 1921 | S. E. Saunders | 1921–1948 | Blyth | Sold February 1952. |
| 654 | Joseph Adlam | 1921 | S. E. Saunders | 1948–1951 | Relief fleet | Sold February 1952. |
| 658 | Dunleary (Civil Service No.7) | 1919 | S. E. Saunders | 1919–1938 | Kingstown | Sold May 1951. Reported in May 2022 to be under restoration at Coal Harbour, Dún Laoghaire. |
| 658 | Dunleary (Civil Service No.7) | 1919 | S. E. Saunders | 1939–1951 | Lytham St Annes | Sold May 1951. Reported in May 2022 to be under restoration at Coal Harbour, Dún Laoghaire. |
| 659 | Frederick and Emma | 1921 | S. E. Saunders | 1921–1938 | Wick | Sold August 1950. Renamed Stadats. Reported in September 2021 as a yacht at Melton Boatyard, Melton, Suffolk. |
| 659 | Frederick and Emma | 1921 | S. E. Saunders | 1939–1950 | Amble | Sold August 1950. Renamed Stadats. Reported in September 2021 as a yacht at Melton Boatyard, Melton, Suffolk. |
| 668 | Duke of Connaught | 1921 | S. E. Saunders | 1921–1939 | Peterhead No.2 | Sold October 1951. Renamed King John II. Reported in July 2012 as a pleasure boat at Uppsala, Sweden. |
| 668 | Duke of Connaught | 1921 | S. E. Saunders | 1939–1951 | Relief fleet | Sold October 1951. Renamed King John II. Reported in July 2012 as a pleasure boat at Uppsala, Sweden. |
| 671 | The Brothers | 1922 | J. Samuel White | 1922–1931 | Penlee | Sold August 1952. Reported in October 2022 to have been possibly to be broken up at Gweek Classic Boatyard. |
| 671 | The Brothers | 1922 | J. Samuel White | 1931–1934 | Falmouth | Sold August 1952. Reported in October 2022 to have been possibly to be broken up at Gweek Classic Boatyard. |
| 671 | The Brothers | 1922 | J. Samuel White | 1934–1937 | Relief fleet | Sold August 1952. Reported in October 2022 to have been possibly to be broken up at Gweek Classic Boatyard. |
| 671 | The Brothers | 1922 | J. Samuel White | 1937–1938 | Selsey | Sold August 1952. Reported in October 2022 to have been possibly to be broken up at Gweek Classic Boatyard. |
| 671 | The Brothers | 1922 | J. Samuel White | 1938–1946 | Relief fleet | Sold August 1952. Reported in October 2022 to have been possibly to be broken up at Gweek Classic Boatyard. |
| 671 | The Brothers | 1922 | J. Samuel White | 1946–1947 | Plymouth | Sold August 1952. Reported in October 2022 to have been possibly to be broken up at Gweek Classic Boatyard. |
| 671 | The Brothers | 1922 | J. Samuel White | 1948–1952 | Workington | Sold August 1952. Reported in October 2022 to have been possibly to be broken up at Gweek Classic Boatyard. |
| 678 | Edward, Prince of Wales | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1924–1947 | The Mumbles | Capsized on service 23 April 1947, eight crew lost. Boat later burned. |
| 679 | Elizabeth Newton | 1923 | J. Samuel White | 1924–1939 | Hartlepool | Sold May 1953. Renamed Viking. Lost at Rhyl in 1981. |
| 679 | Elizabeth Newton | 1923 | J. Samuel White | 1939–1940 | Berwick-upon-Tweed | Sold May 1953. Renamed Viking. Lost at Rhyl in 1981. |
| 679 | Elizabeth Newton | 1923 | J. Samuel White | 1940–1953 | Relief fleet | Sold May 1953. Renamed Viking. Lost at Rhyl in 1981. |
| 680 | City of Bradford | 1923 | J. Samuel White | 1923–1929 | Humber | Renamed as City of Bradford I in 1929. Sold October 1952. Renamed Hammer. Last seen in the 1980s. |
| 680 | City of Bradford I | 1923 | J. Samuel White | 1929–1930 | Relief fleet | Renamed as City of Bradford I in 1929. Sold October 1952. Renamed Hammer. Last seen in the 1980s. |
| 680 | City of Bradford I | 1923 | J. Samuel White | 1930–1932 | Humber No.2 | Renamed as City of Bradford I in 1929. Sold October 1952. Renamed Hammer. Last seen in the 1980s. |
| 680 | City of Bradford I | 1923 | J. Samuel White | 1932–1952 | Relief fleet | Renamed as City of Bradford I in 1929. Sold October 1952. Renamed Hammer. Last seen in the 1980s. |
| 684 | John R. Webb | 1923 | J. Samuel White | 1923–1930 | Tenby | Renamed as 684 RM in 1931 and then as Hearts of Oak in 1934. Reported as stored for restoration on the River Yonne at Migennes, France, in December 2021. |
| 684 | 684 RM | 1923 | J. Samuel White | 1931–1932 | Barra Island | Renamed as 684 RM in 1931 and then as Hearts of Oak in 1934. Reported as stored for restoration on the River Yonne at Migennes, France, in December 2021. |
| 684 | 684 RM | 1923 | J. Samuel White | 1932–1934 | Relief fleet | Renamed as 684 RM in 1931 and then as Hearts of Oak in 1934. Reported as stored for restoration on the River Yonne at Migennes, France, in December 2021. |
| 684 | Hearts of Oak | 1923 | J. Samuel White | 1934–1936 | Yarmouth | Renamed as 684 RM in 1931 and then as Hearts of Oak in 1934. Reported as stored for restoration on the River Yonne at Migennes, France, in December 2021. |
| 684 | Hearts of Oak | 1923 | J. Samuel White | 1937–1955 | Relief fleet | Renamed as 684 RM in 1931 and then as Hearts of Oak in 1934. Reported as stored for restoration on the River Yonne at Migennes, France, in December 2021. |
| 685 | J.W. Archer | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1924–1950 | Teesmouth | Sold July 1956. Reported in November 2022 to be in storage in North East England. |
| 685 | J.W. Archer | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1950–1954 | Amble | Sold July 1956. Reported in November 2022 to be in storage in North East England. |
| 685 | J.W. Archer | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1954–1956 | Relief fleet | Sold July 1956. Reported in November 2022 to be in storage in North East England. |
| 686 | T.B.B.H. | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1924–1949 | Portrush | Sold January 1953. Reported in September 2022 to be a motor yacht on the River Hamble. |
| 686 | T.B.B.H. | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1949–1953 | Relief fleet | Sold January 1953. Reported in September 2022 to be a motor yacht on the River Hamble. |
| 687 | B.A.S.P. | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1924–1934 | Yarmouth | Sold February 1955. On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard since April 1996. |
| 687 | B.A.S.P. | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1934–1940 | Falmouth | Sold February 1955. On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard since April 1996. |
| 687 | B.A.S.P. | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1940–1947 | Relief fleet | Sold February 1955. On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard since April 1996. |
| 687 | B.A.S.P. | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1947–1951 | Valentia | Sold February 1955. On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard since April 1996. |
| 687 | B.A.S.P. | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1951–1955 | Relief fleet | Sold February 1955. On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard since April 1996. |
| 688 | The Lord Southborough (Civil Service No.1) | 1924 | S. E. Saunders | 1925–1951 | Margate | Sold January 1955. Reported as a y acht in Cyrenaica in 1955 but by November 2001 it was owned at Sholing in Southampton. |
| 688 | The Lord Southborough (Civil Service No.1) | 1924 | S. E. Saunders | 1951–1955 | Relief fleet | Sold January 1955. Reported as a y acht in Cyrenaica in 1955 but by November 2001 it was owned at Sholing in Southampton. |
| 689 | Manchester and Salford | 1924 | S. E. Saunders | 1924–1946 | Douglas | Sold October 1954. Reported in December 2022 to be under restoration at the Douglas Boatyard in Hesketh Bank, Lancashire. |
| 689 | Manchester and Salford | 1924 | S. E. Saunders | 1946–1954 | Relief fleet | Sold October 1954. Reported in December 2022 to be under restoration at the Douglas Boatyard in Hesketh Bank, Lancashire. |
| 690 | C. and S. | 1925 | S. E. Saunders | 1925–1940 | Dunmore East | Sold November 1947. Renamed Caradoc. In July 1985 it was reported to be in Victoria, British Columbia. |
| 690 | C. and S. | 1925 | S. E. Saunders | 1940–1943 | Pwllheli | Sold November 1947. Renamed Caradoc. In July 1985 it was reported to be in Victoria, British Columbia. |
| 690 | C. and S. | 1925 | S. E. Saunders | 1943–1946 | Relief fleet | Sold November 1947. Renamed Caradoc. In July 1985 it was reported to be in Victoria, British Columbia. |
| 690 | C. and S. | 1925 | S. E. Saunders | 1946–1947 | Valentia | Sold November 1947. Renamed Caradoc. In July 1985 it was reported to be in Victoria, British Columbia. |
| 692 | Milburn | 1925 | S. E. Saunders | 1925–1946 | Holy Island | Sold September 1955. Renamed Rosanaed. February 2020, yacht at Denton Island, Newhaven, East Sussex. |
| 692 | Milburn | 1925 | S. E. Saunders | 1946–1955 | Relief fleet | Sold September 1955. Renamed Rosanaed. February 2020, yacht at Denton Island, Newhaven, East Sussex. |
| 694 | H.F. Bailey | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1924–1928 | Cromer No.1 | Originally named H.F. Bailey, it was renamed J.B. Proudfoot in 1936. Sold September 1956. Renamed Gramarie, in June 2019 it was seen as a yacht on hard at Marbella, Spain. |
| 694 | H.F. Bailey | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1929–1935 | Cromer No.1 | Originally named H.F. Bailey, it was renamed J.B. Proudfoot in 1936. Sold September 1956. Renamed Gramarie, in June 2019 it was seen as a yacht on hard at Marbella, Spain. |
| 694 | J.B. Proudfoot | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1935–1941 | Relief fleet | Originally named H.F. Bailey, it was renamed J.B. Proudfoot in 1936. Sold September 1956. Renamed Gramarie, in June 2019 it was seen as a yacht on hard at Marbella, Spain. |
| 694 | J.B. Proudfoot | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1941–1945 | Southend-on-Sea | Originally named H.F. Bailey, it was renamed J.B. Proudfoot in 1936. Sold September 1956. Renamed Gramarie, in June 2019 it was seen as a yacht on hard at Marbella, Spain. |
| 694 | J.B. Proudfoot | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1945–1947 | Relief fleet | Originally named H.F. Bailey, it was renamed J.B. Proudfoot in 1936. Sold September 1956. Renamed Gramarie, in June 2019 it was seen as a yacht on hard at Marbella, Spain. |
| 694 | J.B. Proudfoot | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1947–1949 | Dover | Originally named H.F. Bailey, it was renamed J.B. Proudfoot in 1936. Sold September 1956. Renamed Gramarie, in June 2019 it was seen as a yacht on hard at Marbella, Spain. |
| 694 | J.B. Proudfoot | 1924 | J. Samuel White | 1949–1956 | Relief fleet | Originally named H.F. Bailey, it was renamed J.B. Proudfoot in 1936. Sold September 1956. Renamed Gramarie, in June 2019 it was seen as a yacht on hard at Marbella, Spain. |
| 695 | M.O.Y.E. | 1925 | J. Samuel White | 1926–1949 | Porthdinllaen | Sold April 1956. |
| 695 | M.O.Y.E. | 1925 | J. Samuel White | 1949–1956 | Relief fleet | Sold April 1956. |
* ↑ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.