Lifeboat Collection

RNLI lifeboat Arab I at the quay, Padstow, Cornwall. 1883-1900
The lifeboat Arab I under sail off the quay at Padstow with the railway yards in the background. The lifeboat has a full compliment of women

RNLI lifeboat Arab II at Harlyn Bay, St Merryn, Cornwall. Around 1908
The RNLI Lifeboat Arab II being towed across the sands at Harlyn Bay to be launched, followed by a mixed group of men, women and children

The Rescue (oil on canvas)
REA196693 The Rescue (oil on canvas) by Beechey, Richard Bridges (1808-95); 88.9x136.5 cm; Private Collection; eRoyal Exchange Art Gallery at Cork Street, London; English, out of copyright

Crew of the Barry lifeboat Arthur and Blanche Harris Frederick Batten and Eric Fry (right) at the tiller on board the boat. Standing left is Mr. Emlyn Davies. 14th March 1970

SS Asturias, ocean liner, built in 1926, served during the Second World War, and was used as the Titanic in the 1957 film, A Night to Remember. Date: late 1940s

The former Longhope lifeboat T. G. B ON962, seen here leaving Littlehampton
The former Longhope lifeboat T.G.B ON962, seen here leaving Littlehampton, Sussexs after being repaired follow the capsizing of the vessel

Crewmen of the Fishguard and Goodwick Lifeboat: left to right: Ken Bean, Ieuan Bateman, Noel Murrow, Roy Williams, Jack Jenkins, Glyn Bateman, Richard Fowles, George Bateman and Byron Nichols

Coveracks new lifeboat, 1954
Coveracks new lifeboat, William Taylor of Oldham, being hauled up the slipway on 24th July 1954. It cost 25, 000 to build. Cornwall. Date: 1954

RMS Olympic, cruise ship of the White Star Line, WW1
RMS Olympic, cruise ship of the White Star Line, seen here from a seaplane whilst on war service during WW1. Date: 1914-1918

John McDermott, coxswain of the Hoylake lifeboat with crew members Richard Martindale, Alan Tolley. Steve Armitage and Jeff Kernighan. 4th October 1990

The Barry lifeboat RNLB Rachel and Mary Evans at Barry docks. Circa 1961

Tenbys new 47 foot long Tyne Class lifeboat, the RFA Sir Galahad, arrives at the Tenby RNLI station yesterday. 14th July 1986

The crew of the New Brighton lifeboat seen here aboard their new vessel The Edmund and Mary Robinson. The boat a Watson 41 lifeboat was built by Groves & Gutteridge of Cowes, Isle of Wight

Skopelos Sky shipwreck at Port Isaac, Cornwall. 15th December 1979
The wreck of the Greek Skopelos Sky cargo vessel which ran aground at Hells Mouth, Port Isaac in December 1979 during hurricane force winds

Keeping a lookout during exercises of the Barry lifeboat in the Bristol Channel is crew member Mr. Emlyn Davies. 14th May 1970

Carving a wake in the winter grey waters of the Bristol Channel, the Barry lifeboat Arthur and Blanche Harris sets out on an exercise. 13th March 1970

The new lifeboat Augustus and Laura is named by Lady Frances Osborne at Newbiggin. 24th June 1939

The new motor lifeboat Robert and Marcella Beck in Plymouth before its naming ceremony in Plymouth, Devon. 3rd July 1927

Celebrating the 175th anniversary at the RNLI station, Atlantic college, St. Donats. Pictured here are students Richard Noyes, aged 18 of St

A Tight Fit
9th October 1926: The lifeboat being pulled through the streets of Port Isaac, Cornwall in England. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

RAF lifeboats to the rescue
RAF motor boats rescuing a pilot who has crash landed at sea. The boats were built at the British Power Boats works at Southampton and with 100 h.p. engines, could travel at 26 miles per hour

View of the harbour, Clovelly, Devon
View of the harbour at Clovelly, Devon. Date: 1960s

The Wreck of the indian Chief, 1881: Distribution of Medals to the Crew
The Wreck of the " indian Chief", 1881: Distribution of Medals to the Crew of the Ramsgate Lifeboat by the Duke of Edinburgh

ELLIS ISLAND, 1921. Italian immigrants arriving at Ellis Island aboard the S. S
ELLIS ISLAND, 1921. Italian immigrants arriving at Ellis Island aboard the S.S. Regina d Italia. Photograph, 1921

Last known photo of Captain Smith of RMS Titanic
RMS Titanic - extremely rare first generation press photograph taken by Dr McLean from the tender Ireland as she brought mail and a handful of passengers to the Titanic

Medals Awarded for Gallantry or Life-Saving at Sea - top row (L-R) Stanhope gold medal awarded by the Royal Humane Society for the bravest life-saving deed of the year

Tight Squeeze
The Port Isaac Cornwall lifeboat being dragged through the very narrow streets of the town at its launch. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

A new lifeboat, the Will and Fanny Kirby, launched at Seaham Harbour to replace the George Elmy which capsized with the loss of eight men. 21st September 1963

The naming ceremony of the new Barry Dock lifeboat the Arthur and Blanche Harris, was performed on Saturday afternoon at Barry Docks by Lady Traherne, the wife of the Lord Lieutenant of Glamorgan

Survivors Of The Rms Titanic In One Of Her Collapsible Lifeboats, Just Before Being Picked Up By The Carpathia. Woman Are Sharing In The Rowing

Alvsborg Bridge, Gothenburg (Goteborg), Sweden
Alvsborg Bridge, suspension bridge over the Gota River, Gothenburg (Goteborg), Sweden. It was built in 1966. Date: circa 1960s

Liverpool Lifeboat
A lifeboat in Liverpool docks, circa 1890. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Coastguard Station and Promenade, Cromer, North Norfolk. Now the site of the wonderful RNLI Henry Blogg Museum and Rocket House Cafe (I recommend the dressed Cromer crab salad...). Date: circa 1905

The Wreck of the Liner "Mohegan"on the Manacle Rocks, the Porthoustock Lifeboat rescuing the Crew (litho)
1063677 The Wreck of the Liner " Mohegan" on the Manacle Rocks, the Porthoustock Lifeboat rescuing the Crew (litho) by Nash

Page from The Graphic entitled Our Coastguard
A page from The Graphic entitled Our Coastguard, detailing the work of smugglers and lifeboat crews in 1892. 1892

The Lifeboat Men. People You See, from Teddy Bear magazine, 1966. Date: 1966

Silhouetted against the waters of Moelfre Bay, Anglesey, Wales, Captain Evans watches from the lifeboat house as the crew practice a launch. 20th June 1969

Coxswain of the Barry Lifeboat Mr. Frank Tinsley watches the life line land on the rocks of the Barry shore after he had fired the rocket carrying the line set up a breeches buoy during an exercise

Tenby lifeboat crew, 1953

The Battle of Chatham, 1667 (oil on canvas)
3087147 The Battle of Chatham, 1667 (oil on canvas) by Stoop, Willem van der (c.1620-69); 142x236 cm; Skokloster Castle, Sweden; (add.info)

Ramsgate lifeboat men on board stranded ship
Ramsgate lifeboat men with passengers on board a ship caught on the Goodwin Sands. Date: 19th century

Sea Battle of the Anglo-Dutch Wars The Battle of Lowestoft, William van de Velde the Younger, 1633-1707, Dutch

Greatheads Lifeboat 2
In a heavy sea, Greatheads lifeboat puts out to the aid of a vessel in distress : the helmsman stands aft, the look- out in the bows, the ten oarsmen row as best they can. Date: 1791

The Launch of a New Lifeboat at Cullercoats Northumberland, Engraving 1884, Uk, Britain
THE LAUNCH OF A NEW LIFEBOAT AT CULLERCOATS NORTHUMBERLAND, ENGRAVING 1884, UK, britain, british, europe, united kingdom, great britain, european

An engraving depicting the loss of the Royal Mail steamship 'Amazon' on her maiden voyage, 4th January 1852
5311055 An engraving depicting the loss of the Royal Mail steamship 'Amazon' on her maiden voyage, 4th January 1852

A wreck on the Goodwin Sands (engraving)
8631401 A wreck on the Goodwin Sands (engraving) by Wright, Henry Charles Seppings (1850-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: A wreck on the Goodwin Sands. Illustration from Black and White)

Coastwise: Hauled to Safety (b/w photo)
8671410 Coastwise: Hauled to Safety (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hauled to Safety)

Sea Adventure: The wreck of the "Indian Chief" (colour litho)
8668760 Sea Adventure: The wreck of the "Indian Chief" (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

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"Lifeboat: A Lifeline in the Vast Ocean" In the early 20th century, as the majestic SS Asturias sailed across the vast ocean, a sense of security prevailed knowing that the former Longhope lifeboat T. G. B ON962 stood ready to rescue those in need. Leaving Littlehampton with unwavering determination, it symbolized hope and courage. The RNLI lifeboat Arab II at Harlyn Bay, Cornwall in 1908 showcased the dedication of brave souls who risked their lives to save others. Similarly, Arab I at Padstow's quay between 1883-1900 embodied resilience and selflessness amidst treacherous waters. Crewmen like Ken Bean and Ieuan Bateman from Fishguard and Goodwick Lifeboat exemplified heroism as they fearlessly faced turbulent waves. The crew of Barry lifeboat Arthur and Blanche Harris Frederick Batten and Eric Fry demonstrated unity and camaraderie during perilous missions. Coverack's new lifeboat in 1954 brought a renewed sense of safety to its community while RMS Olympic served as a luxurious cruise ship for White Star Line before being repurposed during WW1—a testament to adaptability even amid chaos. A poignant image captures Captain Smith—the last known photo taken—of RMS Titanic before tragedy struck. It serves as a reminder that even great vessels can falter but also highlights how crucial they are when disaster strikes. The haunting Skopelos Sky shipwreck off Port Isaac on December 15th, 1979 stands as a stark reminder of nature's power over man-made structures—an event where lifeboats played an essential role in saving lives amidst turmoil. Sometimes referred to as "Tight Squeeze, " these remarkable boats navigate narrow passages with precision—showcasing not only their maneuverability but also their ability to reach those stranded or injured in inaccessible areas.