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Details
Function
Service Vessel
Subfunction
Lifeboat
Location
Whitby
Vessel type
Dungeness Class Lifeboat
Current use
Museum based
Available to hire
No
Available for excursions
No
Info required
No
Web address
http://www.officialwilliamriley.org.uk/
Construction
Builder
Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company, Blackwall
Built in
1909
Hull material
Wood
Rig
None
Number of decks
1
Number of masts
Propulsion
Manpower
Primary engine type
None
Boiler type
None
Boilermaker
None
Dimensions
Breadth: Beam
8.00
feet
(2.44
m)
Length: Overall
33.97
feet
(10.36
m)
Tonnage: Gross
0.00
Air Draft
To be confirmed
History
WILLIAM RILEY OF BIRMINGHAM was based at Whitby lifeboat station from 1909 to 1931 and was involved in the ROHILLA disaster in 1914. As launching was impossible from Whitby harbour, she was hauled several miles from her station and lowered down a 300 foot cliff. Despite the heroic efforts of her crew to row the boat, she could not reach ROHILLA. The rescue of the survivors was made by the motor-powered Tynemouth boat. It was the 'failure' of oar power on this occasion that finally convinced the RNLI and their crews to adopt mechanical power. She was converted to a cabin cruiser in 1931 and discovered by Whitby Historic Lifeboat Trust, lying derelict in Barnstaple in 2005. She was restored to 1914 condition with the help of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, being relaunched in 2008.
This vessel is a survivor from the First World War. You can read more about her wartime history by visiting our First World War: Britain's Surviving Vessels website www.ww1britainssurvivingvessels.org.uk.
Key dates
-
1909
Built by Thames Iron Works, London for use as Upgang, Whitby, lifeboat
-
1914
Involvement in ROHILLA disaster led to change in policy regarding pulling and sailing lifeboats
-
1919
Became Number 2 lifeboat at main Whitby lifeboat station
-
1931
Decommissioned and moved into private ownership following conversion to cabin cruiser
-
2005
Discovered by Whitby Historic Lifeboat Trust lying derelict in Barnstaple
-
2008
Restored to 1914 condition with help of Heritage Lottery Fund grant and relaunched
-
2012
Vessel selected for Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3 June 2012
Grants
-
2006/07
The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded £44,800 for restoration work
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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