Registration number 2601
Status Archived
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Previous names

  • 1911 - 1945 Henry Finlay
  • 1945 - 2008 Teignmouth Belle
  • 2008 - 2012 Henrietta

Details

Function Service Vessel
Subfunction Lifeboat
Location Unknown
Vessel type Standard 35 ft Sailing & Pulling Class L
Archive reason Overseas Watch List
Current use Unknown
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company, Blackwall
Built in 1911
Hull material Wood
Number of decks 1
Number of masts 2
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Inboard diesel
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Length: Overall
35.00 feet (10.67m)
Breadth: Beam
8.50 feet (2.59m)
Depth
2.00 feet (0.61m)

History

In 1912, she was sent to the newly created Lifeboat Station at Machrihanish on the on the southwestern end of Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre.  The new station was opened following the loss of a trawler, which had been driven ashore at Westport, four miles north of Machrihanish, during a blizzard in 1908.  On that occasion, rescue attempts from Campbeltown were to no avail as the roads were blocked by snowdrifts.  The HENRY FINLAY was at Machrihanish until the station was closed in 1931 being felt at that time that the CITY OF GLASGOW the new motorised lifeboat at Campbelton could cover the area.  The HENRY FINLAY was the first and the last lifeboat to be stationed there: in the 18 years that the station was open there was never a launch to casualty.  The HENRY FINLAY was towed to Ardrossan by the CITY OF GLASGOW and was transported by rail to her new station at Teignmouth in Devon.  In 1945 she was sold out of service and became a passenger vessel in Teignmouth and Shaldon.  In 2008 she was brought to Dartmouth and underwent a restoration which retains the best features of her history.  A full restoration and rebuild concluded in 2012. In 2016 she was sold by her then owner to the film studio Warner Brothers for use in the 2017 film Dunkirk. Believed to have moved to USA in 2017.

 

Key dates

  • 1911 Vessel built at Bow Creek, Blackwall, London
  • 1912 - 1930 On station at Machrihanish
  • 1930 Transported to Teignmouth by rail
  • 1940 - 1945 Laid up for duration of Second World War
  • 1945 Sold for £200 and converted to passenger vessel in Teignmouth and Shaldon
  • 2008 Purchased and taken to Old Mill Quay Boatyard, Dartmouth, for restoration
  • 2012 Re-launched as trip boat on the River Dart
  • 2016

    Sold to Warner Brothers film studio for use in 2017 film Dunkirk.

  • 2017

    Believed to have moved to the USA

Own this vessel?

If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk

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