Edmund and Mary Robinson | National Historic Ships

Registration number 2720

Status Registered

a12admin

Previous names

Yoko
Maid of Troy III

Details

Function Service Vessel

Subfunction Lifeboat

Location Bromsgrove

Vessel type Watson Class Lifeboat

Current use Ongoing conservation

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Groves & Gutteridge Ltd, Cowes

Built in 1938

Hull material Wood

Rig None

Primary engine type None

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Length: Overall

41.00 feet (12.50m)

Breadth: Beam

11.50 feet (3.51m)

Tonnage: Gross

14.50

History

EDMUND AND MARY ROBINSON was built as a Watson 41 lifeboat in 1938 by Groves & Gutteridge of Cowes, Isle of Wight. She is a vessel of double diagonal timber construction and, at the time of registration, was laid up ashore awaiting restoration as 'hull only' having been left derelict for approximately 30 years.

After her launch in 1938 she was appointed as the New Brighton lifeboat and remained there until 1950 having been launched 69 times and saved 80 lives. She then became the reserve lifeboat when she was launched 45 times, saving 41 lives, including her finest hour in 1959 when she rescued all 8 crew from the MV HINDLEA in 104 mph winds, gaining the coxswain the RNLI's highest gallantry award.

At the time of registration, the conservation plan was to return her to bare wood, make good and paint and then construct a new superstructure from GRP over foam to a modified Rother 37 design.

Key dates

1938
Built by Groves & Gutteridge in Cowes, Isle of Wight as a Lifeboat for the RNLI
1938-1950
Served as the No 2 New Brighton Lifeboat being launched 69 times and saving 80 lives
1950-1964
Served as a Reserve Lifeboat being launched 45 times and saving 41 lives
1959
Her finest hour when in 104 MPH winds and 40 ft seas she rescued all 8 crew of the MV Hindlea off Anglesey. The Coxswain was awarded the RNLI’s Gold Medal with Silver and Bronze Medals for the rest of the crew
1961
The Queen presented all five lifeboatmen with the Silver Medal for Gallantry at Sea
1964
Sold out of service to Commander AJR Hudson of Swansea and renamed Maid of Troy III and used as a Pleasure Vessel. Also twin 35HP Weyburn 6 Cylinder petrol engines replaced with twin 57HP Parsons 4 Cylinder Diesels
C1970
Superstructure removed and converted into a liveaboard vessel
C1980
Renamed Yoko and used as a Dive Support vessel in Swansea Bay
C1990
Acquired by Mr L Brennan of Worcester and renamed Maid of Troy III
2009
Acquired by R W Davis & Sons Ltd who intended to restore her
2013
Acquired by present owner
2015
Vessel is thought to be awaiting restoration in Bromsgrove, Worcestshire