Registration number 2242
Status Registered
a12admin

Details

Function Service Vessel
Subfunction Lifeboat
Location Donaghadee
Vessel type Liverpool Class Lifeboat
Current use Ongoing conservation
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Groves & Gutteridge Ltd, Cowes
Built in 1951
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Diesel
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
10.52 feet (3.21m)
Length: Overall
35.48 feet (10.82m)

History

AGUILA WREN was built in 1951 and part-funded as a memorial to Wrens lost in the torpedoing of SS AGUILA in 1941. She served at Aberystwyth from 1951 to 1964 and, after a refit, she was transferred to Redcar in 1965. In total, she was launched 53 times and saved 38 lives. She was sold to Scunthorpe Sea Cadets to become a training ship in 1973. After some 20 years, AGUILA WREN was sold again and became a diving vessel at Tyne Dock.

In 2004, she was purchased and put into storage with a view to restoration.

As of November 2018, the vessel's restoration remains almost complete.

Key dates

  • 1951 Built as a lifeboat by Groves and Gutteridge of Cowes Isle of Wight
  • 1951/1954 Served as Aberystwyth lifeboat
  • 1965 Transferred to Redcar after refit
  • 1973 Became a Sea Cadet training ship at Scunthorpe
  • 1993 Sold and became a diving vessel at Tyne Dock
  • 2004 Sold and put into storage with a view to restoration
  • 2009

    A Sustainability Award of £2000 for remedial work was made from the Strategic Development Fund of National Historic Ships

  • 2011

    Restoration continues

Grants

  • September 2009

    A Sustainability Award of £2000 for remedial work was made from the Strategic Development Fund of National Historic Ships UK

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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