Registration number 2175
Status Registered
a12admin

Details

Function Service Vessel
Subfunction Lifeboat
Location Stiffkey
Vessel type Liverpool Class Lifeboat
Current use Museum based
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Groves & Gutteridge Ltd, Cowes
Built in 1948
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Inboard
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
10.69 feet (3.26m)
Length: Overall
35.48 feet (10.82m)

History

THOMAS CORBETT is a Liverpool-type lifeboat but of the twin-engined version which were the last to be built. This motor lifeboat was built in East Cowes by Groves & Gutteridge and was completed in 1948 with a donation from the Thomas Corbett Charity at a cost of £9581. She was of timber double-diagonal construction with a wooden canopy over the engine well, which afforded the crew a small amount of protection from the elements. The lifeboat was originally powered by two 18bhp Weyburn petrol engines but these were later replaced in 1964 by two Parsons Penguin 32 HP Engines.

THOMAS CORBETT served at Ramsey RNLI Station, Isle of Man from 24 September 1948 until 20 February 1970. Twin-engined Liverpools were the first of the class to dispense with auxiliary sails as an alternative means of propulsion. Her two collapsible masts provided the radio aerial, enabling radio contact with the shore for the first time.

Whilst stationed at Ramsey, THOMAS CORBETT was launched on service sixty times, saving ten lives. The 1960s was the era of the pirate radio stations and THOMAS CORBETT was launched on no less than four occasions to go to the assistance of the famous Radio Caroline anchored in Ramsey Bay. 

Refitted by the RNLI, THOMAS CORBETT came to Hoylake on 26 September 1970. Here she replaced another twin-engined Liverpool-type boat, Oldham IV, which had served at Hoylake since 1952 and had also been built by Groves and Gutteridge on the Isle of Wight. THOMAS CORBETT was to serve as Hoylake lifeboat until 1974, launching 13 times and saving 6 lives.

In 1971 she was involved in one of the Hoylake crew’s most audacious rescues when saving two men from the tug DIANE. Coxswain Danny Triggs actually sailed the lifeboat onto the deck of the casualty, completing a rescue for which he was awarded the RNLI’s prestigious bronze medal.

From November 1974 until 1982, THOMAS CORBETT served at Clogher Head on the east coast of Ireland, where she was launched 12 times. She was retired to Crosshaven, Co. Wexford where she was used for some years by venture scouts. Unfortunately, whilst at Crosshaven she fell into disrepair and was rescued initially by a local man in Waterford who, quite out of the blue, contacted the now current owner for advice on restoring a Liverpool-type lifeboat. Learning that the boat was indeed the THOMAS CORBETT, the now current owner was given the opportunity to restore her after being brought back to Hoylake.

In 2020 she was sold and moved to Stiffkey.

 

Key dates

  • 1948

    Liverpool class lifeboat built by Groves and Gutteridge Ltd at Cowes, IoW

  • 1970

    Served as Ramsey lifeboat from 1948 until 1970

  • 1974

    Refitted by RNLI and put into service as Hoylake lifeboat from 1970 unitl 1974

  • 1981

    Served as lifeboat at Clogherhead, County Louth, Ireland from 1974 until 1981

  • 1982

    Retired to Crosshaven, Co. Wexford where she was used for some years by venture scouts

  • 1990s

    Whilst at Crosshaven fell into disrepair, but rescued by local man in Waterford

  • 1998

    Veesel purchased by John Parr and returned to Hoylake for restoration

  • 2003

    Restored lifeboat officially renamed in front of crowd of 20,00 people on Hoylake Promenade

  • 2011

    Vessel on public display at Hoylake Lifeboat Museum

  • 2020

    New owner

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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