Sponsors
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Details
Function
Service Vessel
Subfunction
Lifeboat
Location
London
Vessel type
Oakley Class Lifeboat
Current use
Ongoing conservation
Available to hire
No
Available for excursions
No
Info required
No
Construction
Builder
White, J Samuel & Co Ltd, Cowes, Isle of Wight
Built in
1964
Hull material
Rig
None
Number of decks
1
Number of masts
Propulsion
Unknown
Primary engine type
None
Boiler type
Boilermaker
None
Dimensions
Length: Overall
37.00
feet
(11.28
m)
Breadth: Beam
11.50
feet
(3.35
m)
Air Draft
To be confirmed
Depth
To be confirmed
Tonnage: Gross
0.00
History
The WILLIAM HENRY & MARY KING is an Oakley class lifeboat, built in 1964, by J S White from money provided out of a legacy from a Miss Jane King of Sutton, Surrey, in memory of her father, and also the Institutions' funds.
She was sent to serve at Cromer as a station lifeboat. While there, twelve launches took place and one life was saved. The station closed on 22 June 1967 and the boat was withdrawn.
The vessel was then re-allocated to Bridlington where she spent most of the rest of her career. During this time the historic vessel was launched more times than any other Oakley, saving 84 lives and her crew received eight RNLI awards.
Following her retirement, the vessel was donated to Drayton Park School in 1991, since when the boat has worked her way into the affections of hundreds of children and parents and has become a popular, if quirky, Highbury landmark. Drayton Park features the lifeboat in its logo and has become known as 'the school with the lifeboat'.<
Sources
Classic Boat: Appeal to restore london school's lifeboat, December 2012
Key dates
-
1964
Built by J. Samuel White, Cowes, Isle of Wight
-
1965
Vessel named at Cromer by HRH Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent
-
1967-1989
Station lifeboat at Bridlington: received bronze medal service to the coaster MARIA F, from Hamburg; bronze medal service to the fishing boat MY SUSANNE of Bridlington; silver medal sevice to the cobles CALAHARIS and MOSS ROSE and the motor vessel WHIT
-
1991
Arrival at Drayton Park Primary School
-
2012
Extensive conservation undertaken as Shipshape Thames Estuary Project
-
2014
Conservation complete and located in themed pierside play area
Grants
-
2012-2013
The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded £13,300 for an education package
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
