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McLachlan-class lifeboat

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A-504 is preserved at Chatham
Class overview
NameMcLachlan class
BuildersWilliam Osborne, Littlehampton
Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Preceded byHatch
Succeeded byAtlantic 21
Built1967–1973
In service1967–1988
Completed10
Retired10
General characteristics
Length18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
Beam8 ft (2.4 m)
Propulsion2 x 60 hp inboard engines with sterndrives
Speed22 knots (25 mph; 41 km/h)
Complement2-3

The McLachlan-class lifeboat was an A-class lifeboat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) of the United Kingdom and Ireland from 1967 to 1988. It was replaced by the B-class (Atlantic 21).[1]

History

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The McLachlan-class lifeboat was the second type of the 1960s fast Inshore lifeboat in service with the RNLI. It was designed by J. Allen McLachlan MRINA, a naval architect, former RNLI chief draughtsman and partner at longtime yacht and lifeboat designers G. L. Watson & Co. of Glasgow.[2]

The first trial boat, numbered 18-02 by the RNLI, was built by W. A. Souter of Cowes. The boat was constructed from 3 layers of mahogony with foam-filled watertight compartments, and was noted by its use of a 'ragged chine hull', with nine chines that cushioned the hull and reduced pounding. The helm was in a standing position, in a sunken bridge deck, with a weathershield in front of the controls. A 90 hp. Evinrude engine gave a speed of 20.9 knots.[3]

in September 1969, following successful trials, the RNLI placed an order for 4 boats with boat-builder William Osbourne of Littlehampton, to be constructed with GRP hulls, fitted with twin sterndrive Ford 60 hp marinised petrol engines, and each costing £3,400. 18-02 would later be fitted with twin 47 hp Perkins diesel engines. William Osborne built a further five McLachlan lifeboats in the 1970s. Most remained afloat, but two were kept on carriages. The one at Weston-super-Mare being launched down a long slipway and that at Peel IOM was launched with the aid of a tractor.[3][4][5]

McLachlan lifeboat stern view

In the early 1970s, it was decided to reclassify the 17 and 18-foot boats as A-class lifeboats, and their numbers were changed according; 18-004 becoming A-504, 18-007 becoming A-507 etc.[6]

Although not classed as lifeboats, two further McLachlan designed boats were constructed for use as Boarding boats at Humber Lifeboat Station, (BB-239) and (BB-240).[6]

A-504 (formerly 18-004) at Weston-super-Mare, was launched at 10:30pm on the 13 September 1975 into an easterly gale, to a motor-boat stranded on the rocks. In difficult conditions, 5 people were rescued. Julian Morris was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal, and crew members Bernard Watts and Ian Watts both received the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum. The boat is now on display in the RNLI Historic Lifeboat Collection at Chatham Historic Dockyard.[6][7]

All the McLachlan lifeboats had been retired by the late 1980s, with the exception of the prototype boat, which went on to be a boarding boat at Humber until 1994.[6]

Fleet

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Op. No.[a] Old Op. No.[a] Built In Service[6] Station Comments[6]
A-503 18-02 1967 1967–1970
1971
1971
1971–1972
1975–1994
Eastney
Poole
Weston-super-Mare
Pill
Humber Boarding Boat
Prototype
A-504 18-004 1970 1970–1983 Weston-super-Mare On display at the RNLI Historic Lifeboat Collection within Chatham Historic Dockyard.
A-505 18-005 1970 1970–1971
1972–1974
1975
1975–1987
Eastney
Oban
Eastney
Humber (Boarding boat)
2018, At RW Davies, Saul Junction Marina undergoing restoration
A-506 18-006 1972 1972
1972–1979
1979–1980
Peel
Relief fleet
Plymouth
A-507 18-007 1972 1973–1976
1977–1979
1979–1980
1980–1983
Peel
Plymouth
Relief fleet
Plymouth
A-508 18-008 1971 1971–1974
1976–1979
1980–1988
Eastney
Invergordon
Falmouth
A-509 18-009 1972 1972–1976
1978
1978–1988
Plymouth
Brighton
Relief fleet
A-510 18-010 1973 1973–1974
1975–1984
1984–1987
Pill
Ramsgate
(Boarding Boat)
August 2020, Private ownership, Bristol
A-511 18-011 1973 1973–1982
1984–1985
Oban
Relief fleet
Sold. 1985. Renamed Kim O. December 2023, for sale at Stokesley, N Yorks. (Ebay)
A-512 18-012 1973 1975–1987
1988
Torbay
Falmouth
  1. ^ a b Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

References

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  1. ^ Leach, Nicholas (30 April 2014). The Lifeboat Service in South East England. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445617572.
  2. ^ "Allen McLachlan". G. L. Watson & Co. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b Leach, Nicholas (2021). A Class Inshore Lifeboats. Foxglove Publishing. pp. 1–64. ISBN 9781909540224.
  4. ^ "In September 1969 the RNLI Placed Its First Order for New Fast Boats". The Lifeboat. 42 (442). January 1973. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  5. ^ Morris, Jeff (2000). The Story of Weston-super-Mare Lifeboats. Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. p. 8.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
  7. ^ Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN 0-907605-89-3.
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