Penros | National Historic Ships

Registration number 2039

Status Registered

adminnhs

Previous names

RNLB Matthew Simpson.823

Details

Function Service Vessel

Subfunction Rescue

Location Hayling Island

Vessel type Lifeboat - Watson Class

Current use Private use

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Groves & Gutteridge Ltd, Cowes

Built in 1939

Hull material Wood

Rig None

Number of decks 3

Number of masts 2

Propulsion Motor

Number of engines 1

Primary engine type Inboard diesel

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam

11.90 feet (3.63m)

Depth

4.20 feet (1.28m)

Length: Overall

41.00 feet (12.51m)

History

Built in 1939 by Groves & Guttridge as a 41ft Watson Class Lifeboat, and originally named MATTHEW SIMPSON (ON 823). Served at Port Erin, Isle of Man, from 1939-1972, then in the Relief Fleet until 1976. She was launched 93 times in total and saved 38 lives.

She was the first RNLI lifeboat to be converted from petrol to diesel in 1963, when she was fitted with a Ford Parsons Porbeagle engine, 48 hp. She then toured the coast of Britain stopping at many lifeboat stations to show the conversion.

Alfred Dennis Maddrell, Coxswain of the MATTHEW SIMPSON, was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1969.

Just after 6.00am on the 9th September 1970, MATTHEW SIMPSON was launched into a very rough sea and SSW gale, to reports of the coaster MOONLIGHT in difficulties, 5 miles (8 km) north of Chicken Rock. A life-raft located by aircraft was found to be empty. At 11:00, a second life-raft was spotted, and found to contain just two survivors from the MOONLIGHT. The two men were landed at Port Erin by the lifeboat at 13:00. For this service, Coxswain Alfred Dennis Maddrell BEM was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal.

Sold out of service in 1976, and renamed PENROS in 2022. She subsequently operated as an unaltered pleasure boat with the Hayling Island Yacht Company.