Woolfe and Sons boat builders of Shadwell London
Wednesday 9th August 1871 in London docks in Shadwell basin, the 33 ft lifeboat called ‘Charley Lloyd’ was trialled for the RNLI and for the boat’s sponsor.
The lifeboat was launched from the quay by releasing her from her carriage and dropping 15 feet (5 Metres) into the water. At first being submerged the boat soon surfaced and cleared itself of water. By force, the boat was turned keel up and when released, within 23 seconds was righted and drained of water. Other tests including how many persons could board were all concluded satisfactorily. From 1876 they built 143 lifeboats.
Now to what it did in service -
The boat was destined to serve at Thurso, Caithness, Scotland.
She cost £284 and served from 1871 to 1890, launching on service 31 times and saving 255 lives.
As an example of the dangers of Thurso Bay.
Eleventh November 1877 rescues by Lifeboat "CHARLEY LLOYD" in severe south-easterly gale: "VINE" - crew of 2 rescued; "BARROGILL CASTLE" of Wick - crew of 5 rescued; "GUIDING STAR" of Wick - crew of 4 rescued; "KATE" of Ramsey - crew of 4 rescued; "ALFRED AND EMMA" of Barrow - crew of 4 rescued.
Our gratitude goes out to those who provide us with such interesting and valuable information.
One can only wonder at the effort put in on that day by the crew of Charley Lloyd. Amazing success.
Wednesday 9th August 1871 in London docks in Shadwell basin, the 33 ft lifeboat called ‘Charley Lloyd’ was trialled for the RNLI and for the boat’s sponsor.
The lifeboat was launched from the quay by releasing her from her carriage and dropping 15 feet (5 Metres) into the water. At first being submerged the boat soon surfaced and cleared itself of water. By force, the boat was turned keel up and when released, within 23 seconds was righted and drained of water. Other tests including how many persons could board were all concluded satisfactorily. From 1876 they built 143 lifeboats.
Now to what it did in service -
The boat was destined to serve at Thurso, Caithness, Scotland.
She cost £284 and served from 1871 to 1890, launching on service 31 times and saving 255 lives.
As an example of the dangers of Thurso Bay.
Eleventh November 1877 rescues by Lifeboat "CHARLEY LLOYD" in severe south-easterly gale: "VINE" - crew of 2 rescued; "BARROGILL CASTLE" of Wick - crew of 5 rescued; "GUIDING STAR" of Wick - crew of 4 rescued; "KATE" of Ramsey - crew of 4 rescued; "ALFRED AND EMMA" of Barrow - crew of 4 rescued.
Our gratitude goes out to those who provide us with such interesting and valuable information.
One can only wonder at the effort put in on that day by the crew of Charley Lloyd. Amazing success.
Lifeboat trials July 1872
July 31st Regents Canal docks, Limehouse, London.
Requirements in the competition for best lifeboat.
With a crew aboard and filled with water to the outside level, the freeboard was just over 20 inches and when a further fifteen passengers were added the freeboard remained at 12 inches (about 30 cms).
It took eight men standing on the gunwale to bring the boat awash.
A minimum of two water relieving holes at 3 inches apiece are required as is a rail running the length of the centre of the boat to prevent crew from being thrown all to one side.
Woolfe and Sons were awarded the Gold Medal by the Royal Arts Society.
For information it was the Royal Society of Arts who awarded the Gold Medal to Woolfe & Sons. it is not a fine arts society as suggested by Royal Arts Society (Susan B) Thank you, Ed.
July 31st Regents Canal docks, Limehouse, London.
Requirements in the competition for best lifeboat.
- The boat shall have sufficient buoyancy to cope with being filled by a heavy sea.
- Lateral stability and steadiness in a heavy sea, gained by bouyancy along the sides of the boat, yet not interfering with oars or passengers.
- Good longitudinal ability to counter water flowing end to end in heavy seas by virtue of greater bouyancy at bow and stern.
- The boat should be designed as to reduce the motion of any water taken on board and where possible keeping it central for greater stability.
- In order to utilise the boat for other purposes ie cargo, the buoyancy watertight containers on the sides should be removable.
With a crew aboard and filled with water to the outside level, the freeboard was just over 20 inches and when a further fifteen passengers were added the freeboard remained at 12 inches (about 30 cms).
It took eight men standing on the gunwale to bring the boat awash.
A minimum of two water relieving holes at 3 inches apiece are required as is a rail running the length of the centre of the boat to prevent crew from being thrown all to one side.
Woolfe and Sons were awarded the Gold Medal by the Royal Arts Society.
For information it was the Royal Society of Arts who awarded the Gold Medal to Woolfe & Sons. it is not a fine arts society as suggested by Royal Arts Society (Susan B) Thank you, Ed.
One of the first life boats, launched in 1887 in Lausanne Switzerland
Etoile du Léman ( Star of the lake of Geneva ) A lifeboat built by Woolfe and sons.
Thomas William Woolfe took sole charge of the boat and barge building business December 16th 1845. Working from lower and middle Shadwell and Britannia Yard, Limehouse. They also built for the West Indies and for West Coast Africa.
Thomas died 17th February 1878 and his son Thomas Samuel Woolfe took over.
Many thanks to Jean-Philippe Mayerat, Swiss boat builder, for his inspiring interest and his assistance in this research
Thomas died 17th February 1878 and his son Thomas Samuel Woolfe took over.
Many thanks to Jean-Philippe Mayerat, Swiss boat builder, for his inspiring interest and his assistance in this research