# 46ft 9in Watson-class lifeboat

The 46 ft 9in Watson-class lifeboat was a non self-righting displacement hull lifeboat built between 1947 and 1956 and operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution between 1947 and 1989.

## History

After the final three 46ft Watson-class boats had been completed in 1945/6, production switched to the slightly longer 46 ft 9in type in 1947. The first five boats were very similar in appearance to the final 46 ft types, with aft cockpits, turtle shaped shelters and funnel exhausts. In 1948, however, the deck and superstructure layout was completely redesigned. A new aluminium structure featured an open midships cockpit, with a large cabin aft of the cockpit and a smaller cabin forward which gave access to the engine room.

## Description

The wooden hulled 46 ft 9in Watson-class was built in two different variations, with the first five closely resembling the preceding 46 ft type. From 1948 the design was completely revised to provide a midships steering position in an open cockpit. There was a large aft survivor cabin which also housed the radio. At the rear of this cabin was a small aft cockpit with a hatch for stretchers to be passed in and an emergency helm position. A smaller forward cabin gave access to the engine room and contained the engine controls. The boats were powered by the same twin 40 bhp Ferry VE4 installation as the earlier boats, but the exhaust was taken up the foremast to outlets well above the deck. The 46 ft 9in Watsons had long lives and were updated through their careers. The first major modification was the enclosing of the cockpit, done to all boats from 1960 onwards. The wheelhouse fitted resembled that of the 47ft Watson but there was no room to install sliding doors, weather shields being installed instead. Radar was later installed on the wheelhouse roof and the original aerial rigging and the aft mast was removed and replaced by pole aerials. Most, but not all, of the boats were re-engined with various examples of Ford-based 6-cylinder diesel engines as described below. Finally, from the early 1980s all of the midships steering types (except ON 908, lost in the Fraserburgh disaster) were fitted with an air bag on the aft cabin roof to give a once only self-righting capability.

## Engines

The 46 ft 9in Watsons were the final boats to be equipped with RNLI designed engines. The 42ft Watson-class, introduced in 1954 was the first type to use commercially available engines, followed by the 47ft Watson-class in 1955 and the 52 ft Barnett-class Mk.II in 1957. These all used the Gardner LW engine in four, five and six cylinder forms respectively. The Gardner engines were too large and heavy for the earlier types and were only ever used in new build boats. However, in the mid 1950s Ford had introduced new 4- and 6-cylinder diesel engines for their Thames light truck and coach chassis. These soon attracted the attention of marine engine companies and many marinized versions were on the market. In 1961 the RNLI re-engined a 46ft Watson, ON 803, with 4-cylinder Ford-based Parsons Marlins and in 1963 a programme of re-engining 41ft Watsons and other boats with Parsons Porbeagles began. This 4-cylinder engine was adopted for the 37 ft Oakley-class from 1964 onwards. The 6-cylinder version was small and light enough to replace the 4-cylinder Ferry VE4 engines and, after a trial installation in ON 803 in 1963, a programme of re-engining some 46ft Watsons began in 1965. This was extended to the 46 ft 9in Watsons and in 1965 two boats (ON 852 and ON 908 ) were re-engined with these 6-cylinder Ford-based Parsons Barracuda diesels. Rated at 65 bhp, these gave a 62½% power increase, making the boats more powerful than the newer 47 ft Watsons, and between 1965 and 1968, seven boats were re-engined with Barracudas. In 1969/70, four boats received another 6-cylinder Ford based unit, the Watermota Sea Lion, rated at 70 bhp. From 1971, seven boats were equipped with 70 bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380s, the last as late as 1982, while in 1972 three boats received 70 bhp Ford Mermaid 595s. A feature of all of these re-engining programmes was the replacement of the foremast exhaust system by outlets on each side of the hull, similar to the 37 ft Oakleys. This allowed a slimmer, lighter foremast to be fitted. The exhaust system on some boats like the Howard Marryat remained unchanged .

## Fleet
### Aft cockpit type

| ON | Name | Built | Builder | In service | Stations | Re-engined | Comments |
| 849 | William Gammon - Manchester and District XXX | 1947 | Groves & Guttridge | 1947–1974 | The Mumbles | 1968 2x65bhp Parsons Barracuda 6-cyl diesel | Sold February 1984. In storage for Swansea Museum in December 2022. |
| 849 | William Gammon - Manchester and District XXX | 1947 | Groves & Guttridge | 1974–1982 | Relief fleet | 1968 2x65bhp Parsons Barracuda 6-cyl diesel | Sold February 1984. In storage for Swansea Museum in December 2022. |
| 852 | Tynesider | 1947 | J. Samuel White | 1947–1979 | Tynemouth | 1965 2x65bhp Parsons Barracuda 6-cyl diesel | Sold February 1984. Reported in November 2022 to be unaltered but operating as a pleasure boat at Iron Wharf, Faversham. |
| 852 | Tynesider | 1947 | J. Samuel White | 1979–1983 | Relief fleet | 1965 2x65bhp Parsons Barracuda 6-cyl diesel | Sold February 1984. Reported in November 2022 to be unaltered but operating as a pleasure boat at Iron Wharf, Faversham. |
| 853 | Winston Churchill (Civil Service No.8) | 1947 | J. Samuel White | 1948–1979 | Blyth | 1966 2x65bhp Parsons Barracuda 6-cyl diesel | Sold July 1983. Renamed Watson Explorer. Reported in August 2021 as in storage for restoration at Titchmarsh Marina, Walton-on-the-Naze. |
| 853 | Winston Churchill (Civil Service No.8) | 1947 | J. Samuel White | 1979–1982 | Relief fleet | 1966 2x65bhp Parsons Barracuda 6-cyl diesel | Sold July 1983. Renamed Watson Explorer. Reported in August 2021 as in storage for restoration at Titchmarsh Marina, Walton-on-the-Naze. |
| 854 | Sarah Tilson | 1949 | Alexander Robertson & Sons | 1950–1978 | Baltimore | No | Sold December 1979. In December 2015 it was seen to be unaltered but operating as a pleasure boat a Medway Bridge, Rochester, Kent. |
| 854 | Sarah Tilson | 1949 | Alexander Robertson & Sons | 1978–1979 | Relief fleet | No | Sold December 1979. In December 2015 it was seen to be unaltered but operating as a pleasure boat a Medway Bridge, Rochester, Kent. |
| 855 | W.M. Tilson | 1949 | Alexander Robertson & Sons | 1950–1969 | Arranmore | No | Sold August 1970. By October 2012 it was semi-derelict at Magerascouse Road, Comber, County Down. |
* ↑ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.

### Midship steering cabin type

| ON | Name | Built | Builder | In service | Stations | Re-engined | Comments |
| 865 | Elizabeth Rippon | 1948 | J. Samuel White | 1948–1975 | St Helier | 1966 2x65bhp Parsons Barracuda | Sold October 1977. Reported in April 2022 to be in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat at Barmouth, Wales. |
| 865 | Elizabeth Rippon | 1948 | J. Samuel White | 1975–1977 | Relief fleet | 1966 2x65bhp Parsons Barracuda | Sold October 1977. Reported in April 2022 to be in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat at Barmouth, Wales. |
| 866 | Charles Henry Ashley | 1949 | J. Samuel White | 1949–1979 | Porthdinllaen | 1969 2x70bhp Watermota Sea Lion | Sold March 1987. Reported in December 2022, to be in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat, at The Arsenal in Paris. |
| 866 | Charles Henry Ashley | 1949 | J. Samuel White | 1979–1981 | Relief fleet | 1969 2x70bhp Watermota Sea Lion | Sold March 1987. Reported in December 2022, to be in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat, at The Arsenal in Paris. |
| 866 | Charles Henry Ashley | 1949 | J. Samuel White | 1981–1982 | Penlee | 1969 2x70bhp Watermota Sea Lion | Sold March 1987. Reported in December 2022, to be in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat, at The Arsenal in Paris. |
| 866 | Charles Henry Ashley | 1949 | J. Samuel White | 1982 | Fowey | 1969 2x70bhp Watermota Sea Lion | Sold March 1987. Reported in December 2022, to be in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat, at The Arsenal in Paris. |
| 866 | Charles Henry Ashley | 1949 | J. Samuel White | 1982–1987 | Relief fleet | 1969 2x70bhp Watermota Sea Lion | Sold March 1987. Reported in December 2022, to be in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat, at The Arsenal in Paris. |
| 867 | Lady Scott (Civil Service No.4) | 1949 | J. Samuel White | 1949–1981 | Portrush | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold July 1987. Renamed Janet Rae. Reported in August 2017 as undergoing survey in Northern Ireland. |
| 867 | Lady Scott (Civil Service No.4) | 1949 | J. Samuel White | 1981–1986 | Relief fleet | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold July 1987. Renamed Janet Rae. Reported in August 2017 as undergoing survey in Northern Ireland. |
| 868 | John and Lucy Cordingley | 1950 | Sussex Yacht Co. | 1950–1960 | Teesmouth | No | Sold November 1981. Renamed Tempo. Reported in December 2022 to be at Hall Quay in Great Yarmouth. |
| 868 | John and Lucy Cordingley | 1950 | Sussex Yacht Co. | 1960–1969 | Helvick Head | No | Sold November 1981. Renamed Tempo. Reported in December 2022 to be at Hall Quay in Great Yarmouth. |
| 868 | John and Lucy Cordingley | 1950 | Sussex Yacht Co. | 1969–1981 | Relief fleet | No | Sold November 1981. Renamed Tempo. Reported in December 2022 to be at Hall Quay in Great Yarmouth. |
| 885 | Sir Samuel Kelly | 1950 | J. Samuel White | 1950–1976 | Donaghadee | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Mermaid 595 | Sold in 1980. By December 2022 it was on display /and undergoing restoration at Donaghadee in Northern Ireland. |
| 885 | Sir Samuel Kelly | 1950 | J. Samuel White | 1976–1979 | Relief fleet | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Mermaid 595 | Sold in 1980. By December 2022 it was on display /and undergoing restoration at Donaghadee in Northern Ireland. |
| 886 | Sarah Townsend Porritt | 1951 | Sussex Yacht Co. | 1951–1978 | Lytham St Annes | 1971 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold October 1982. Renamed Sarah. Reported in December 2023 to be under restoration at Hayle, Cornwall. |
| 886 | Sarah Townsend Porritt | 1951 | Sussex Yacht Co. | 1978–1981 | Relief fleet | 1971 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold October 1982. Renamed Sarah. Reported in December 2023 to be under restoration at Hayle, Cornwall. |
| 887 | Sir Godfrey Baring | 1951 | J. Samuel White | 1952–1968 | Clacton-on-Sea | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Mermaid 595 | Sold July 1986. Renamed Sir Baring. In June 2012 it was working as a trip boat, Friedburg, Germany. |
| 887 | Sir Godfrey Baring | 1951 | J. Samuel White | 1968–1970 | Wick | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Mermaid 595 | Sold July 1986. Renamed Sir Baring. In June 2012 it was working as a trip boat, Friedburg, Germany. |
| 887 | Sir Godfrey Baring | 1951 | J. Samuel White | 1970–1972 | Relief fleet | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Mermaid 595 | Sold July 1986. Renamed Sir Baring. In June 2012 it was working as a trip boat, Friedburg, Germany. |
| 887 | Sir Godfrey Baring | 1951 | J. Samuel White | 1972–1982 | Workington | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Mermaid 595 | Sold July 1986. Renamed Sir Baring. In June 2012 it was working as a trip boat, Friedburg, Germany. |
| 887 | Sir Godfrey Baring | 1951 | J. Samuel White | 1982–1986 | Relief fleet | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Mermaid 595 | Sold July 1986. Renamed Sir Baring. In June 2012 it was working as a trip boat, Friedburg, Germany. |
| 888 | North Foreland (Civil Service No.11) | 1951 | J. Samuel White | 1951–1978 | Margate | No | On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard since April 1996. |
| 888 | North Foreland (Civil Service No.11) | 1951 | J. Samuel White | 1978–1981 | Relief fleet | No | On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard since April 1996. |
| 896 | Douglas Hyde | 1952 | Camper and Nicholsons | 1952–1969 | Rosslare Harbour | 1970 2x70bhp Watermota Sea Lion | Sold February 1973. Scrapped at Peel, Isle of Man by 2018. |
| 896 | Douglas Hyde | 1952 | Camper and Nicholsons | 1970–1972 | Dunmore East | 1970 2x70bhp Watermota Sea Lion | Sold February 1973. Scrapped at Peel, Isle of Man by 2018. |
| 900 | Herbert Leigh | 1951 | J. Samuel White | 1951–1982 | Barrow | 1977 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold in 1989. On display at the Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness, since 1994. |
| 900 | Herbert Leigh | 1951 | J. Samuel White | 1983–1988 | Relief fleet | 1977 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold in 1989. On display at the Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness, since 1994. |
| 901 | Michael and Lily Davis | 1953 | J. Samuel White | 1953–1976 | Ramsgate | No | Sold in 1979. Renamed Coastal Waters. Reported in December 2021 to be pleasure boat at Swansea Marina. |
| 901 | Michael and Lily Davis | 1953 | J. Samuel White | 1976–1979 | Relief fleet | No | Sold in 1979. Renamed Coastal Waters. Reported in December 2021 to be pleasure boat at Swansea Marina. |
| 908 | Duchess of Kent | 1954 | Groves & Guttridge | 1954–1970 | Fraserburgh | 1965 2x65bhp Parsons Barracuda | Capsized on service 21 January 1970, five crew lost. Broken up October 1970. |
| 910 | Edian Courtauld | 1953 | J. Samuel White | 1953–1977 | Walton and Frinton | 1967 2x65bhp Parsons Barracuda | Sold August 1981. Reported in August 2021 as pleasure boat Iris B at Fisherman's Quay, Cardiff. |
| 910 | Edian Courtauld | 1953 | J. Samuel White | 1977–1981 | Relief fleet | 1967 2x65bhp Parsons Barracuda | Sold August 1981. Reported in August 2021 as pleasure boat Iris B at Fisherman's Quay, Cardiff. |
| 911 | City of Bradford III | 1954 | J. Samuel White | 1954–1977 | Humber | 1968 2x65bhp Parsons Barracuda | Sold August 1985. Reported in December 2022 to be in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat in Salcombe, Devon. |
| 911 | City of Bradford III | 1954 | J. Samuel White | 1978–1985 | Lytham St Annes | 1968 2x65bhp Parsons Barracuda | Sold August 1985. Reported in December 2022 to be in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat in Salcombe, Devon. |
| 919 | Deneys Reitz | 1954 | Groves & Guttridge | 1954–1980 | Fowey | 1970– 2x70bhp Watermota Sea Lion | Sold September 1980. By August 2018 in Södermanland, Sweden. |
| 921 | Greater London II (Civil Service No.30) | 1955 | Groves & Guttridge | 1955–1976 | Southend-on-Sea | 1969 2x70bhp Watermota Sea Lion | Sold in 1991. Renamed Gallichan.Reported in July 2021 in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat at Portland Marina. |
| 921 | Greater London II (Civil Service No.30) | 1955 | Groves & Guttridge | 1977–1989 | Beaumaris | 1969 2x70bhp Watermota Sea Lion | Sold in 1991. Renamed Gallichan.Reported in July 2021 in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat at Portland Marina. |
| 925 | Henry Comber Brown | 1955 | J. Samuel White | 1955–1986 | Tenby | 1969 2x70bhp Watermota Sea Lion | Sold in 1987. Reported in December 2021 in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat in Ramsey, Isle of Man. |
| 926 | Guy and Clare Hunter | 1955 | J. Samuel White | 1955–1981 | St Mary's | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Mermaid 595 | Sold June 1988. Reported in December 2022 in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat at Quinton Nelson Yard, Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. |
| 926 | Guy and Clare Hunter | 1955 | J. Samuel White | 1981–1982 | Fowey | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Mermaid 595 | Sold June 1988. Reported in December 2022 in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat at Quinton Nelson Yard, Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. |
| 926 | Guy and Clare Hunter | 1955 | J. Samuel White | 1982–1983 | Penlee | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Mermaid 595 | Sold June 1988. Reported in December 2022 in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat at Quinton Nelson Yard, Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. |
| 926 | Guy and Clare Hunter | 1955 | J. Samuel White | 1983–1984 | Padstow | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Mermaid 595 | Sold June 1988. Reported in December 2022 in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat at Quinton Nelson Yard, Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. |
| 926 | Guy and Clare Hunter | 1955 | J. Samuel White | 1984–1985 | Cromer | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Mermaid 595 | Sold June 1988. Reported in December 2022 in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat at Quinton Nelson Yard, Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. |
| 926 | Guy and Clare Hunter | 1955 | J. Samuel White | 1985–1987 | Relief fleet | 1972 2x70bhp Ford Mermaid 595 | Sold June 1988. Reported in December 2022 in unaltered condition but working as a pleasure boat at Quinton Nelson Yard, Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. |
| 928 | Lilla Marras, Douglas and Will | 1955 | Groves & Guttridge | 1955–1968 | Cromarty | 1978 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold October 1982. Reported in December 2022 in use as B&B on The Noorderhaven, Netherlands. |
| 928 | Lilla Marras, Douglas and Will | 1955 | Groves & Guttridge | 1968–1974 | Falmouth | 1978 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold October 1982. Reported in December 2022 in use as B&B on The Noorderhaven, Netherlands. |
| 928 | Lilla Marras, Douglas and Will | 1955 | Groves & Guttridge | 1974–1978 | Relief fleet | 1978 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold October 1982. Reported in December 2022 in use as B&B on The Noorderhaven, Netherlands. |
| 928 | Lilla Marras, Douglas and Will | 1955 | Groves & Guttridge | 1978–1979 | Donaghadee | 1978 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold October 1982. Reported in December 2022 in use as B&B on The Noorderhaven, Netherlands. |
| 928 | Lilla Marras, Douglas and Will | 1955 | Groves & Guttridge | 1979–1982 | Relief fleet | 1978 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold October 1982. Reported in December 2022 in use as B&B on The Noorderhaven, Netherlands. |
| 929 | R.A. Colby Cubbin No.1 | 1956 | J. Samuel White | 1956–1988 | Douglas | 1979 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold in 1989. By November 2017 was being broken up for spares in Bezons, Ile-de-Paris |
| 930 | R.A. Colby Cubbin No.2 | 1956 | J. Samuel White | 1956–1976 | Port St Mary | No | Sold October 1977. Renamed Southport Girl. In December 2022 was reported under restoration as a pleasure boat, under restoration at Port Penrhyn, Wales. |
| 930 | R.A. Colby Cubbin No.2 | 1956 | J. Samuel White | 1976–1977 | Relief fleet | No | Sold October 1977. Renamed Southport Girl. In December 2022 was reported under restoration as a pleasure boat, under restoration at Port Penrhyn, Wales. |
| 931 | Richard Vernon and Mary Garforth of Leeds | 1956 | J. Samuel White | 1957–1987 | Angle | 1980 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold in 1989. Reported in September 2022 in unaltered condition and working as a pleasure boat in Wexford, Ireland. |
| 931 | Richard Vernon and Mary Garforth of Leeds | 1956 | J. Samuel White | 1987–1988 | Wicklow | 1980 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold in 1989. Reported in September 2022 in unaltered condition and working as a pleasure boat in Wexford, Ireland. |
| 932 | Howard Marryat | 1956 | J. Samuel White | 1957–1981 | Fishguard | 1982 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold September 1989. Renamed Josef de Waey. By December 2020 it was working (in unaltered condition) as a pleasure boat in Blankenberge, Belgium. |
| 932 | Howard Marryat | 1956 | J. Samuel White | 1982–1986 | Barrow | 1982 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold September 1989. Renamed Josef de Waey. By December 2020 it was working (in unaltered condition) as a pleasure boat in Blankenberge, Belgium. |
| 932 | Howard Marryat | 1956 | J. Samuel White | 1986–1988 | Moelfre | 1982 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold September 1989. Renamed Josef de Waey. By December 2020 it was working (in unaltered condition) as a pleasure boat in Blankenberge, Belgium. |
| 932 | Howard Marryat | 1956 | J. Samuel White | 1988–1989 | Relief fleet | 1982 2x70bhp Ford Thorneycroft 380 | Sold September 1989. Renamed Josef de Waey. By December 2020 it was working (in unaltered condition) as a pleasure boat in Blankenberge, Belgium. |