# 46ft Watson-class lifeboat

The 46 ft Watson-class was a non self-righting displacement hull lifeboat built between 1935 and 1946 and operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution between 1935 and 1981.

## History

The 46 ft Watson was longer and wider than the preceding 45ft 6in Watson type. The 46 ft type was one of the last to be adapted to suit the conditions at individual stations with shallower draft versions (ONs 805,815,820 and 838) being supplied to four stations. Post World War Two, standard designs were the order of the day.

## Description

The 46 ft Watson initially had an aft cockpit with a shelter containing the engine controls. Ahead of the shelter was the exhaust funnel and ahead of the mast was a small forward shelter. On ONs 805 and 815, the cockpit shelter was lengthened, with the funnel mounted on its forward end and these two featured end boxes. ON 820 also had the lengthened shelter but retained a flush deck. From ON 828 the forward shelter was deleted. Two boats, ONs 840 and 846 had midships cockpits, ahead of the funnel, with a shelter ahead of it as well as the rear shelter. Four of the first five boats had two 40 bhp Weyburn CE4 4-cylinder petrol engines, but the fourth, ON 787, was fitted with two 40 bhp Ferry VE4 4-cylinder diesels, making it the first RNLI lifeboat to be built with diesel engines. The diesels became standard from the sixth boat on. In the mid sixties, seven boats were re-engined with 65 bhp Ford-based Parsons Barracuda 6-cylinder diesels after experiments with ON 803 which had been fitted with 47 bhp Parsons Marlin diesels in 1961 and then re-engined with Barracudas in 1963. The 46 ft Watsons were long lived, most reaching more than thirty years service and some topping forty years.

## Fleet

ON is the RNLI's sequential Official Number.
| ON | Name | Built | Builder | In service | Stations | Comments |
| 777 | H.F. Bailey | 1935 | Groves & Guttridge | 1935–1945 | Cromer No.1 | Sold in 1973. On display at the Henry Blogg Museum, Cromer, since 2009. |
| 777 | H.F. Bailey | 1935 | Groves & Guttridge | 1946–1960 | Helvick Head | Sold in 1973. On display at the Henry Blogg Museum, Cromer, since 2009. |
| 777 | H.F. Bailey | 1935 | Groves & Guttridge | 1960–1972 | Relief fleet | Sold in 1973. On display at the Henry Blogg Museum, Cromer, since 2009. |
| 778 | Edward and Isabella Irwin | 1935 | Groves & Guttridge | 1935–1963 | Sunderland | Sold 1971. Hull reported at Liverpool Sailing Club, May 2018. |
| 778 | Edward and Isabella Irwin | 1935 | Groves & Guttridge | 1963–1966 | Relief fleet | Sold 1971. Hull reported at Liverpool Sailing Club, May 2018. |
| 778 | Edward and Isabella Irwin | 1935 | Groves & Guttridge | 1966–1967 | Cromer | Sold 1971. Hull reported at Liverpool Sailing Club, May 2018. |
| 778 | Edward and Isabella Irwin | 1935 | Groves & Guttridge | 1967–1969 | Relief fleet | Sold 1971. Hull reported at Liverpool Sailing Club, May 2018. |
| 784 | Civil Service No.6, Swn-Y-Mor (Civil Service No.6) (from 1956) | 1935 | Groves & Gutteridge | 1936–1963 | St Davids | Sold February 1973. Renamed Swn-y-Mor. Reported at Tarbert, Loch Fyne, December 2018. |
| 784 | Civil Service No.6, Swn-Y-Mor (Civil Service No.6) (from 1956) | 1935 | Groves & Gutteridge | 1964–1967 | Eyemouth | Sold February 1973. Renamed Swn-y-Mor. Reported at Tarbert, Loch Fyne, December 2018. |
| 784 | Civil Service No.6, Swn-Y-Mor (Civil Service No.6) (from 1956) | 1935 | Groves & Gutteridge | 1967–1972 | Relief fleet | Sold February 1973. Renamed Swn-y-Mor. Reported at Tarbert, Loch Fyne, December 2018. |
| 787 | S.G.E. | 1936 | Groves & Guttridge | 1936–1937 | Yarmouth | Destroyed by fire at Groves & Guttridge 18 June 1937. |
| 788 | Jeanie Spiers | 1937 | Alexander Robertson | 1937–1961 | Portpatrick | Sold April 1961. Believe lost at Largs in 1974. |
| 789 | R.P.L. | 1936 | Groves & Guttridge | 1937–1962 | Howth | Sold September 1962. |
| 790 | John and Charles Kennedy | 1936 | Groves & Guttridge | 1937–1953 | Fraserburgh | Capsized on service 9 February 1953, six crew lost. Broken up. |
| 801 | Sir Arthur Rose | 1938 | Alexander Robertson | 1938–1947 | Tobermory | Sold February 1973. Renamed Rose Marion. Reported at Tidemill Yacht Harbour, Woodbridge, Suffolk, May 2022. |
| 801 | Sir Arthur Rose | 1938 | Alexander Robertson | 1948–1957 | Mallaig | Sold February 1973. Renamed Rose Marion. Reported at Tidemill Yacht Harbour, Woodbridge, Suffolk, May 2022. |
| 801 | Sir Arthur Rose | 1938 | Alexander Robertson | 1958–1969 | Courtmacsherry Harbour | Sold February 1973. Renamed Rose Marion. Reported at Tidemill Yacht Harbour, Woodbridge, Suffolk, May 2022. |
| 801 | Sir Arthur Rose | 1938 | Alexander Robertson | 1969–1973 | Relief fleet | Sold February 1973. Renamed Rose Marion. Reported at Tidemill Yacht Harbour, Woodbridge, Suffolk, May 2022. |
| 802 | City of Edinburgh | 1938 | Alexander Robertson | 1938–1968 | Wick | Re-engined in 1966 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. Sold July 1976. Renamed Saltire, reported in September 2022 at South Harbour, Whitehaven. |
| 802 | City of Edinburgh | 1938 | Alexander Robertson | 1969–1976 | Relief fleet | Re-engined in 1966 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. Sold July 1976. Renamed Saltire, reported in September 2022 at South Harbour, Whitehaven. |
| 803 | Canadian Pacific | 1938 | Alexander Robertson | 1938–1969 | Selsey | Re-engined in 1961 with two 47bhp Parsons Marlin engines and in 1963 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines.Sold February 1978. Reported in December 2022 in unaltered condition working as a pleasure boat at Dornie, Kyle of Lochalsh. |
| 803 | Canadian Pacific | 1938 | Alexander Robertson | 1969–1970 | Sheerness | Re-engined in 1961 with two 47bhp Parsons Marlin engines and in 1963 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines.Sold February 1978. Reported in December 2022 in unaltered condition working as a pleasure boat at Dornie, Kyle of Lochalsh. |
| 803 | Canadian Pacific | 1938 | Alexander Robertson | 1970–1977 | Relief fleet | Re-engined in 1961 with two 47bhp Parsons Marlin engines and in 1963 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines.Sold February 1978. Reported in December 2022 in unaltered condition working as a pleasure boat at Dornie, Kyle of Lochalsh. |
| 804 | S.G.E. | 1938 | J. Samuel White | 1938–1943 | Yarmouth | Replacement for ON 787. Sold April 1964. Renamed John Dutton in Saint Helena. Believed lost in 2000. |
| 804 | S.G.E. | 1938 | J. Samuel White | 1943–1945 | Relief fleet | Replacement for ON 787. Sold April 1964. Renamed John Dutton in Saint Helena. Believed lost in 2000. |
| 804 | S.G.E. | 1938 | J. Samuel White | 1945–1963 | Yarmouth | Replacement for ON 787. Sold April 1964. Renamed John Dutton in Saint Helena. Believed lost in 2000. |
| 805 | Samuel and Marie Parkhouse | 1938 | J. Samuel White | 1938–1962 | Salcombe | Sold September 1963. Renamed Oniros, River Fal in May 2022. |
| 814 | Dunleary II | 1938 | J. Samuel White | 1938–1967 | Dún Laoghaire | Sold August 1974. Reported at Wapping Wharf, Bristol, December 2021. |
| 814 | Dunleary II | 1938 | J. Samuel White | 1967–1969 | Lochinver | Sold August 1974. Reported at Wapping Wharf, Bristol, December 2021. |
| 814 | Dunleary II | 1938 | J. Samuel White | 1969–1972 | Relief fleet | Sold August 1974. Reported at Wapping Wharf, Bristol, December 2021. |
| 814 | Dunleary II | 1938 | J. Samuel White | 1972–1973 | Dunmore East | Sold August 1974. Reported at Wapping Wharf, Bristol, December 2021. |
| 815 | Violet Armstrong | 1938 | J. Samuel White | 1938–1962 | Appledore | Sold October 1962. Under restoration at Albion Yard Marina, Bristol December 2021. |
| 818 | Mabel Marion Thompson | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1939–1952 | Rosslare Harbour | Sold April 1975 |
| 818 | Mabel Marion Thompson | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1952–1968 | Galway Bay | Sold April 1975 |
| 818 | Mabel Marion Thompson | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1968–1970 | Arranmore | Sold April 1975 |
| 818 | Mabel Marion Thompson | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1970–1974 | Relief fleet | Sold April 1975 |
| 819 | Julia Park Barry, of Glasgow | 1939 | Alexander Robertson | 1939–1969 | Peterhead | Re-engined in 1964 wity two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. Sold March 1979. |
| 819 | Julia Park Barry, of Glasgow | 1939 | Alexander Robertson | 1969–1979 | Relief fleet | Re-engined in 1964 wity two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. Sold March 1979. |
| 820 | Louise Stephens | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1939–1967 | Great Yarmouth and Gorleston | Sold August 1974. |
| 820 | Louise Stephens | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1967–1974 | Eyemouth | Sold August 1974. |
| 821 | The Good Hope | 1939 | Alexander Robertson | 1939–1972 | Montrose No.1 | Re-engined in 1966 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. Sold in 1981. |
| 821 | The Good Hope | 1939 | Alexander Robertson | 1972–1980 | Relief fleet | Re-engined in 1966 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. Sold in 1981. |
| 822 | Jesse Lumb | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1939–1970 | Bembridge | Re-engined in 1965 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. Sold July 1981. |
| 822 | Jesse Lumb | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1970–1980 | Relief fleet | Re-engined in 1965 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. Sold July 1981. |
| 828 | The Princess Royal (Civil Service No.7) | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1939–1968 | Hartlepool | Re-engined in 1965 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. |
| 828 | The Princess Royal (Civil Service No.7) | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1968–1969 | Humber No.2 | Re-engined in 1965 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. |
| 828 | The Princess Royal (Civil Service No.7) | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1969–1976 | Relief fleet | Re-engined in 1965 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. |
| 829 | Crawford and Constance Conybeare | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1940–1968 | Falmouth | Sold August 1974 |
| 829 | Crawford and Constance Conybeare | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1968–1974 | Relief fleet | Sold August 1974 |
| 830 | Annie Blanche Smith | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1940–1970 | Dunmore East | Sold July 1971 |
| 830 | Annie Blanche Smith | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1970–1971 | Relief fleet | Sold July 1971 |
| 838 | Michael Stephens | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1939–1963 | Lowestoft | Sold January 1976 |
| 838 | Michael Stephens | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1963–1968 | Exmouth | Sold January 1976 |
| 838 | Michael Stephens | 1939 | J. Samuel White | 1968–1976 | Relief fleet | Sold January 1976 |
| 840 | Millie Walton Henry Blogg (from 1947) | 1945 | Sussex Yacht Co. | 1945–1966 | Cromer No.1 | Fitted with midships cockpit; originally built for Douglas. Sold April 1977. |
| 840 | Millie Walton Henry Blogg (from 1947) | 1945 | Sussex Yacht Co. | 1966–1976 | Relief fleet | Fitted with midships cockpit; originally built for Douglas. Sold April 1977. |
| 841 | Manchester and Salford XXIX | 1943 | J. Samuel White | 1943–1953 | Pwllheli | Sold August 1974 |
| 841 | Manchester and Salford XXIX | 1943 | J. Samuel White | 1953–1972 | Workington | Sold August 1974 |
| 841 | Manchester and Salford XXIX | 1943 | J. Samuel White | 1972–1974 | Relief fleet | Sold August 1974 |
| 842 | (Millie Walton) | 1942 | Groves & Guttridge | No | None | Intended for Douglas, destroyed in air raid at Cowes 4 May 1942. |
| 843 | (Charles Henry Ashley) | 1942 | Groves & Guttridge | No | None | Intended for Porthdinllaen, destroyed in air raid at Cowes 4 May 1942. |
| 846 | Field Marshal and Mrs Smuts | 1945 | Morgan Giles | 1945–1977 | Beaumaris | Fitted with midships cockpit. Sold August 1979. |
| 846 | Field Marshal and Mrs Smuts | 1945 | Morgan Giles | 1977–1979 | Relief fleet | Fitted with midships cockpit. Sold August 1979. |
| 847 | Gertrude | 1946 | Rowhedge Ironworks | 1946–1968 | Holy Island | Re-engined in 1965 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. Sold February 1982. |
| 847 | Gertrude | 1946 | Rowhedge Ironworks | 1968–1970 | Exmouth | Re-engined in 1965 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. Sold February 1982. |
| 847 | Gertrude | 1946 | Rowhedge Ironworks | 1971–1974 | Sheerness | Re-engined in 1965 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. Sold February 1982. |
| 847 | Gertrude | 1946 | Rowhedge Ironworks | 1974–1982 | Relief fleet | Re-engined in 1965 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. Sold February 1982. |
| 847 | Gertrude | 1946 | Rowhedge Ironworks | 1980–1981 | Fowey | Re-engined in 1965 with two 65bhp Parsons Barracuda engines. Sold February 1982. |
| 848 | Millie Walton | 1946 | Groves & Guttridge | 1946–1956 | Douglas | Sold October 1977. |
| 848 | Millie Walton | 1946 | Groves & Guttridge | 1956–1974 | Amble | Sold October 1977. |
| 848 | Millie Walton | 1946 | Groves & Guttridge | 1974–1977 | Relief fleet | Sold October 1977. |