RNLB William and Kate Johnstone
History
British RNLI FlagUnited Kingdom
OwnerRoyal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
BuilderJ Samuel White & Co, Cowes, Isle of Wight
Official Number:ON 682 (RNLI)
Donor:gifts from Mr. Stewart and his sister Mrs. W. Kendall
StationNew Brighton
Cost£16,084
Yard number1586
Launched13 August 1923
ChristenedBy Mrs. Stewart Johnston, 24 September 1924
Acquired1923
Decommissioned1950
StatusIn seagoing condition at Gosport
General characteristics
Class and typeBarnett
TypeMotor Lifeboat
Displacement43 tons 2cwt
Length59 ft 9 in (18.21 m) overall
Beam14 ft 9 in (4.50 m)
Installed powerTwo D.E. Six-cylinder, 80 hp submersible petrol engins
Propulsion2 X pitch propellers in tunnels
Speed9.5 kn (17.6 km/h)
Range300 nmi (560 km)

RNLB William and Kate Johnston (ON 682) is a Barnett-class lifeboat[1] that was stationed at New Brighton in the English county of Cheshire from the summer of 1923[2] until 1950. The lifeboat was designed as a prototype by James R. Barnett[3] who was a consulting naval architect to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. She was the first Barnett-class lifeboat and at the time of her launch, she was the largest lifeboat in the world.[3]

Design and construction

Th Barnett-class motor lifeboat, designed by naval architect James R. Barnett, consulting naval architect to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), was a radical departure from their previous motor rescue boats, typically of around 45 feet (14 m).[4] She was not self-righting as priority was given to an ability to reach port with a larger number of the rescued and to speed, even when awash.[3][5] She was 60 feet (18 m) long with a beam of close to 15 feet (4.6 m) and a draught of 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m).[4] The hull was constructed of timber and was divided into fifteen watertight compartments.[3] The lifeboat was also the first motor lifeboat to be built with flush decks, similar to earlier steam driven lifeboats.[5] There was a semi-enclosed deck shelter which housed the on-deck helm position and which helped to keep the crew out of bad weather. Below deck there was also a cabin which could accommodate up to twenty four people; if necessary, the Barnett-class lifeboat was capable of carrying a total of 130 rescued people.[3][4]

The William and Kate Johnston was driven by twin propellers which were housed in tunnels and powered by two DE5-type six-cylinder submersible petrol engines of 80 horsepower, also designed by Barnett.[3] Each engine, with a separate fuel and cooling system, was housed in its own watertight chamber, and was capable of running even if the engine room became flooded and the engine was entirely submerged.[3] The engines' air intakes were set well above the waterline even when the boat was waterlogged. The Barnett-class could cruise at 9.5 knots (17.6 km/h)[3] and had an operating range of 300 nautical miles (560 km).[3] The Barnett-class boats were also the first for the RNLI to rely solely on their engines for motive power, although they were equipped with a small staysail and trysail for stability purposes.[4]



References

  1. ↑ Ships For All: By Bowen, Frank C: Published by Ward, Lock & Co., Ltd, London and Melbourne: Second Edition
  2. ↑ Heroes All!, The story of the RNLI, By Beilby, Alec: Published By Patrick Stephens Ltd (1992): ISBN 1-85260-419-0
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Rescue at Sea: By Evans, Clayton: Published by Conway (2003): ISBN 0-85177-934-4
  4. 1 2 3 4 "The Barnett Lifeboat". Journal of Commerce. No. 30182. Liverpool. 19 July 1923. p. 17. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  5. 1 2 "William & Kate Johnstone". Greenwich, London: National Historic Ships UK. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
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