# 45ft 6in Watson-class lifeboat

The 45ft 6in Watson-class was a non self-righting displacement hull lifeboat built between 1926 and 1933 and operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution between 1926 and 1972.

## History

The 45ft 6in Watson-class lifeboat marked the transition from single engine, single screw to twin engine, twin screw layout. The first two boats were similar to the last of the 45ft Watson-class boats, albeit six inches longer due to a forward raked bow. The third boat was the first with twin engines and twin screws while the fourth had twin engines geared to a single screw, a unique layout in RNLI lifeboat history. The twin screw layout proved to be superior and from the fifth boat onwards this was the layout adopted. The 45ft 6in Watsons were long lived and most survived at their original stations into the 1950s when most were replaced by 46ft 9in and, later in the decade, 47ft Watsons. Many boats spent their final years in the reserve fleet with five of the later boats serving until 1969 and one, ON759, continuing in the reserve fleet until 1972. During their service, 45ft 6in Watsons launched on service 2,587 times and are credited with saving 2,613 lives. The single biggest contributor being the Humber lifeboat City of Bradford II ON 709, which in twenty five years at the station launched on service 228 times, saving 305 lives.

## Description

The 45ft 6in Watsons differed from the previous 45ft type in having flush decks with no end boxes. The aft cockpit had a shelter ahead of it covering the engine room access hatch. Ahead of this was the exhaust funnel and towards the bow was a further small shelter. The first two boats retained the single engine layout of their predecessors, being powered by the same 80bhp Weyburn DE6 6-cylinder petrol engines. The third boat (ON 700) was the first twin engined version, with two 40bhp Weyburn CE4 4-cylinder petrol engines driving twin screws. The fourth in the series (ON 701) had a unique twin engine, single screw layout which was not repeated. From ON 707 onwards the twin screw layout was standardised. The drop keel fitted to the single engine boats was deleted from the twins and eventually the auxiliary sailing rig was dispensed with on the twins in the light of operational experience.

## Fleet

| ON | Name | Built | Builder | In service | Stations | Comments |
| 698 | K.T.J.S. | 1926 | S. E. Saunders | 1926–1933 | Longhope | Single engine. Sold May 1952; wrecked 1980. |
| 698 | K.T.J.S. | 1926 | S. E. Saunders | 1933–1935 | Aith | Single engine. Sold May 1952; wrecked 1980. |
| 698 | K.T.J.S. | 1926 | S. E. Saunders | 1935–1950 | Arranmore | Single engine. Sold May 1952; wrecked 1980. |
| 698 | K.T.J.S. | 1926 | S. E. Saunders | 1950–1952 | Relief fleet | Single engine. Sold May 1952; wrecked 1980. |
| 699 | John Russell | 1926 | S. E. Saunders | 1926–1939 | Montrose No.1 | Single engine. Sold July 1956. Reported in August 2021 to be in private ownership at Poole Harbour. |
| 699 | John Russell | 1926 | S. E. Saunders | 1939–1953 | Relief fleet | Single engine. Sold July 1956. Reported in August 2021 to be in private ownership at Poole Harbour. |
| 699 | John Russell | 1926 | S. E. Saunders | 1953–1954 | Fraserburgh | Single engine. Sold July 1956. Reported in August 2021 to be in private ownership at Poole Harbour. |
| 700 | K.E.C.F. | 1927 | J. Samuel White | 1927–1939 | Rosslare Harbour | Twin engine, twin screw. Sold December 1956. Broken up at C&J Marina, North Shields, in 2015. |
| 700 | K.E.C.F. | 1927 | J. Samuel White | 1939–1952 | Galway Bay | Twin engine, twin screw. Sold December 1956. Broken up at C&J Marina, North Shields, in 2015. |
| 700 | K.E.C.F. | 1927 | J. Samuel White | 1952–1956 | Relief fleet | Twin engine, twin screw. Sold December 1956. Broken up at C&J Marina, North Shields, in 2015. |
| 701 | N.T. | 1927 | J. Samuel White | 1927–1951 | Barrow | Twin engine, single screw. Sold December 1956. Renamed Diana Victoria. Reported in 1987 to be a workboat on the River Ouse in York. |
| 701 | N.T. | 1927 | J. Samuel White | 1952–1953 | Workington | Twin engine, single screw. Sold December 1956. Renamed Diana Victoria. Reported in 1987 to be a workboat on the River Ouse in York. |
| 701 | N.T. | 1927 | J. Samuel White | 1953–1956 | Relief fleet | Twin engine, single screw. Sold December 1956. Renamed Diana Victoria. Reported in 1987 to be a workboat on the River Ouse in York. |
| 707 | Edward Z. Dresden | 1929 | S. E. Saunders | 1929–1952 | Clacton-on-Sea | Twin engine, twin screw. Sold December 1968. |
| 707 | Edward Z. Dresden | 1929 | S. E. Saunders | 1952–1955 | Stronsay | Twin engine, twin screw. Sold December 1968. |
| 707 | Edward Z. Dresden | 1929 | S. E. Saunders | 1955–1968 | Relief fleet | Twin engine, twin screw. Sold December 1968. |
| 708 | H.C.J. | 1928 | J. Samuel White | 1928 | Fowey | Sold in 1962. Renamed Seawitch. Reported in December 2021 at Castletown, Isle of Man |
| 708 | H.C.J. | 1928 | J. Samuel White | 1928–1929 | Holyhead | Sold in 1962. Renamed Seawitch. Reported in December 2021 at Castletown, Isle of Man |
| 708 | H.C.J. | 1928 | J. Samuel White | 1929–1956 | Thurso | Sold in 1962. Renamed Seawitch. Reported in December 2021 at Castletown, Isle of Man |
| 708 | H.C.J. | 1928 | J. Samuel White | 1956–1962 | Relief fleet | Sold in 1962. Renamed Seawitch. Reported in December 2021 at Castletown, Isle of Man |
| 709 | City of Bradford II | 1929 | S. E. Saunders | 1929–1954 | Humber | Sold December 1968. Reported in December 2022 to be beached at Ringhaddy Pier on Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. |
| 709 | City of Bradford II | 1929 | S. E. Saunders | 1954–1956 | Amble | Sold December 1968. Reported in December 2022 to be beached at Ringhaddy Pier on Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. |
| 709 | City of Bradford II | 1929 | S. E. Saunders | 1956–1959 | Relief fleet | Sold December 1968. Reported in December 2022 to be beached at Ringhaddy Pier on Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. |
| 709 | City of Bradford II | 1929 | S. E. Saunders | 1960 | Broughty Ferry | Sold December 1968. Reported in December 2022 to be beached at Ringhaddy Pier on Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. |
| 709 | City of Bradford II | 1929 | S. E. Saunders | 1960–1968 | Relief fleet | Sold December 1968. Reported in December 2022 to be beached at Ringhaddy Pier on Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. |
| 710 | White Star | 1930 | J. Samuel White | 1930–1957 | Fishguard | Sold June 1968. Reported in January 2022 as being a fishing boat at Boston, Lincolnshire. |
| 710 | White Star | 1930 | J. Samuel White | 1957–1968 | Relief fleet | Sold June 1968. Reported in January 2022 as being a fishing boat at Boston, Lincolnshire. |
| 711 | James Macfee | 1928 | J. Samuel White | 1928–1955 | Cromarty | Sold in 1959. Reported in September 2021 to be a houseboat named Macfee on Loch Oich at Invergarry. |
| 711 | James Macfee | 1928 | J. Samuel White | 1955–1956 | Relief fleet | Sold in 1959. Reported in September 2021 to be a houseboat named Macfee on Loch Oich at Invergarry. |
| 711 | James Macfee | 1928 | J. Samuel White | 1956–1957 | Thurso | Sold in 1959. Reported in September 2021 to be a houseboat named Macfee on Loch Oich at Invergarry. |
| 711 | James Macfee | 1928 | J. Samuel White | 1957–1959 | Relief fleet | Sold in 1959. Reported in September 2021 to be a houseboat named Macfee on Loch Oich at Invergarry. |
| 712 | C.D.E.C. | 1928 | J. Samuel White | 1928–1954 | Fowey | Sold in 1959. Renamed Thameserver. Reported in June 2021 to be semi-derelict at Leigh-on-Sea. |
| 712 | C.D.E.C. | 1928 | J. Samuel White | 1954–1959 | Relief fleet | Sold in 1959. Renamed Thameserver. Reported in June 2021 to be semi-derelict at Leigh-on-Sea. |
| 713 | Elizabeth Elson | 1929 | J. Samuel White | 1929–1957 | Angle | Sold December 1968. Renamed Elizabeth Elson. In April 2019 it was reported as being semi-derelict at Kenmare in County Kerry, Ireland. |
| 713 | Elizabeth Elson | 1929 | J. Samuel White | 1957–1968 | Relief fleet | Sold December 1968. Renamed Elizabeth Elson. In April 2019 it was reported as being semi-derelict at Kenmare in County Kerry, Ireland. |
| 714 | H.F. Bailey | 1928 | S. E. Saunders | 1928–1929 | Cromer No.1 | Entered service as the H.F. Bailey but later renamed Canadian Pacific. Destroyed by fire at Groves & Guttridge, Cowes on 18 June 1937. |
| 714 | H.F. Bailey | 1928 | S. E. Saunders | 1929–1937 | Selsey | Entered service as the H.F. Bailey but later renamed Canadian Pacific. Destroyed by fire at Groves & Guttridge, Cowes on 18 June 1937. |
| 716 | Sarah Ward and William David Crossweller | 1929 | J. Samuel White | 1929–1958 | Courtmacsherry Harbour | Sold in 1961. Reported in August 2022 as being a pleasure boat at Saint Peter Port, Guernsey. |
| 716 | Sarah Ward and William David Crossweller | 1929 | J. Samuel White | 1958–1959 | Relief fleet | Sold in 1961. Reported in August 2022 as being a pleasure boat at Saint Peter Port, Guernsey. |
| 716 | Sarah Ward and William David Crossweller | 1929 | J. Samuel White | 1959–1961 | Whitehills | Sold in 1961. Reported in August 2022 as being a pleasure boat at Saint Peter Port, Guernsey. |
| 728 | Cunard | 1930 | Saunders-Roe | 1930–1955 | St Mary's | Sold in 1969. Renamed Henry Joy. Reported in December 2022 as being ashore at Coney Island, Killough, Northern Ireland. |
| 728 | Cunard | 1930 | Saunders-Roe | 1955–1969 | Relief fleet | Sold in 1969. Renamed Henry Joy. Reported in December 2022 as being ashore at Coney Island, Killough, Northern Ireland. |
| 729 | John R. Webb | 1930 | Saunders-Roe | 1930–1955 | Tenby | Sold September 1969. Renamed Rairewa II. Reported in 1969 to have been moved to Poland. |
| 729 | John R. Webb | 1930 | Saunders-Roe | 1955–1969 | Relief fleet | Sold September 1969. Renamed Rairewa II. Reported in 1969 to have been moved to Poland. |
| 730 | Cecil and Lilian Philpott | 1930 | J. Samuel White | 1930–1959 | Newhaven | Sold October 1969. Renamed Stenoa. Reported in August 2021 as a pleasure boat at Landermere Quay, Thorpe-le-Soken. |
| 730 | Cecil and Lilian Philpott | 1930 | J. Samuel White | 1959–1969 | Relief fleet | Sold October 1969. Renamed Stenoa. Reported in August 2021 as a pleasure boat at Landermere Quay, Thorpe-le-Soken. |
| 732 | Catherine | 1930 | J. Samuel White | | | Built for Bombay Port Trust. Scrapped in 1935. |
| 736 | W. and S. | 1931 | J. Samuel White | 1931–1960 | Penlee | Sold in 1970. Reported in December 2022 as being a pleasure boat at the Old Dock in Harwich. |
| 736 | W. and S. | 1931 | J. Samuel White | 1960–1961 | Buckie | Sold in 1970. Reported in December 2022 as being a pleasure boat at the Old Dock in Harwich. |
| 736 | W. and S. | 1931 | J. Samuel White | 1961–1969 | Relief fleet | Sold in 1970. Reported in December 2022 as being a pleasure boat at the Old Dock in Harwich. |
| 749 | George and Sarah Strachan | 1931 | J. Samuel White | 1931–1959 | Dunbar | Sold March 1969. Renamed George and Sarah Strachan. Reported in November 2013 as being a workboat at Dunoon. |
| 749 | George and Sarah Strachan | 1931 | J. Samuel White | 1959–1960 | Relief fleet | Sold March 1969. Renamed George and Sarah Strachan. Reported in November 2013 as being a workboat at Dunoon. |
| 749 | George and Sarah Strachan | 1931 | J. Samuel White | 1960–1963 | Exmouth | Sold March 1969. Renamed George and Sarah Strachan. Reported in November 2013 as being a workboat at Dunoon. |
| 749 | George and Sarah Strachan | 1931 | J. Samuel White | 1964–1969 | Relief fleet | Sold March 1969. Renamed George and Sarah Strachan. Reported in November 2013 as being a workboat at Dunoon. |
| 753 | Civil Service No.5 | 1932 | J. Samuel White | 1932–1950 | Donaghadee | Sold February 1958. Reported in August 2021 as being at the former Titanic Museum in Inverness. |
| 753 | Civil Service No.5 | 1932 | J. Samuel White | 1950–1956 | Port St Mary | Sold February 1958. Reported in August 2021 as being at the former Titanic Museum in Inverness. |
| 753 | Civil Service No.5 | 1932 | J. Samuel White | 1956–1958 | Relief fleet | Sold February 1958. Reported in August 2021 as being at the former Titanic Museum in Inverness. |
| 759 | Thomas McCunn | 1933 | Groves & Guttridge | 1933–1962 | Longhope | Sold August 1972. Restored and on display at Longhope Lifeboat Museum since December 2000. |
| 759 | Thomas McCunn | 1933 | Groves & Guttridge | 1962–1972 | Relief fleet | Sold August 1972. Restored and on display at Longhope Lifeboat Museum since December 2000. |
| 774 | Charlotte Elizabeth | 1935 | Alexander Robertson | 1935–1959 | Islay | Sold in 1961. Cut in two at Thurso River Quay. |
| 774 | Charlotte Elizabeth | 1935 | Alexander Robertson | 1959–1961 | Relief fleet | Sold in 1961. Cut in two at Thurso River Quay. |
| 775 | Mona | 1935 | Groves & Guttridge | 1935–1959 | Broughty Ferry | Capsized on service 8 December 1959 with eight crew lost. Boat later burned on the beach. |
* ↑ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.