New lifeboat for Donaghadee is named (1950)

The lifeboat was “quite a departure” from past boats of the size. It was the first to have a deck cabin, which sat 11 persons and could take a stretcher, and it was the first to be fitted with cooking facilities.

Another feature was that her superstructure was made of an aluminium alloy, instead of mahogany, which help to save about a quarter of a ton in top weight. And unlike any previous type of boat, her engine exhausts were carried up through the mast, so that the gases escaped well above the heads of the crew and survivors.

The boat had a crew of eight and in rough weather could carry 95 people. She was fitted with radio-telephony, through which she could keep in constant touch with the Post Office wireless station at Portpatrick. A loud hailer was also incorporated in the installation.

Her speed in rough weather was about eight and a half knots, with a range of 212 nautical miles at full speed, or 415 nautical miles at six and a half knots. At slow speed she could remain at sea for four days.

Lieutenant-Commander Dutton remarked: “The experience of more than 100 years of saving life from shipwreck has gone into the design and construction of this motor life-boat. On her 500-mile passage from the builders’ yard, John Samuel White, of Cowes, she gave proof of her splendid qualities.”

He continued: “I am certain that Coxswain Hugh Nelson and his most excellent crew at this station, in whom we have every confidence, will uphold the great traditions of the lifeboat service at Donaghadee.”

Admiral Sir Wilfrid Patterson, KBE, CVO, CBE, who handed over the lifeboat to the branch on behalf of the institution, said that the need for lifeboats, together with the cost of the service, was growing every year.

“In the past five years more than 2,500 lives have been saved,” he remarked.