RNLB Emma Constance (ON 693)
History
British RNLI Flag
OwnerRoyal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
BuilderSaunders Roe
Official Number:ON 693
Donor:Legacy of John Mackie of York
StationAberdeen
Cost£16,000
Laid down1926
Christened19 September 1927 by Lady Maud Carnegie
FateSold out of fleet in 1951.
General characteristics
Class and typeBarnett-class
TypeMotor lifeboat
Displacement44.5 tons
Length61 ft (19 m) overall
Beam15 ft (4.6 m)
Installed powertwo RNLI DE6 petrol engines delivering 80Bhp
PropulsionTwin Screw
Speed9.5 kn (17.6 km/h)
Range150 miles at full power
Crew6

RNLB Emma Constance (ON 693) was a Barnett-class lifeboat[1] stationed at Aberdeen Lifeboat Station, in the Scottish city of Aberdeen from 1927[2] until August 1951.[3] The lifeboat was designed by James R. Barnett[4] who was a consulting naval architect to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Description

At 61 feet long and 15 feet wide, the Emma Constance was a large lifeboat, and was one of only four Barnett-class lifeboats at this size. She had a draught of over 4 feet.[5] When built, the Emma Constance and her sisters-in-class were the largest lifeboats in the RNLI fleet; only the 70-foot Clyde-class lifeboats built in the 1960s have been larger.

The Emma Constance was laid down in 1926 in the yards of Saunders Roe of East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. A total of fourteen watertight compartments made up the boat's hull. She was propelled by twin screws powered by twin RNLI DE6 petrol engines, each of which was housed in its own watertight compartment. Three separate fuel tanks at the rear of the engine compartments carried a fuel load of up to 500 gallons altogether. An auxiliary petrol engine powered a generator for the windlass at the front of the boat and a capstan at the back of the boat.[5]

The Emma Constance carried a full set of sails in case of power loss, and a jumping net that could be set up to allow rescuees to jump down from their own ship and be hauled up to the lifeboat.[6]

History

Pre-christening rescues

The Emma Constance was first called out for service first service on 21 July 1927 to aid a trawler called Venetia which had run aground at Girdleness, although on arrival her assistance was not needed.[7]

On 6 September that year she launched to her second service, in aid of the trawler Ben Torc, which had run into rough seas and dense fog off of Gregness Point near Aberdeen harbour. By 10 pm, heavy waves were battering the ship, and the skipper sounded the distress sirens.[8][9][10] Coastguards manning Gregness station had climbed down the cliffs to the scene and managed, with great difficulty, to get a lifeline across to the trawler, but the trawler's crew preferred to wait for a lifeboat than risk the climb.[11][12] At 10:27 pm the Emma Constance launched, and by the time of her arrival the Ben Torc was aground on a rocky outcrop called Gregness Point.[8][13] The lifeboat carefully threaded the rocky waters to pull up to the Ben Torc. Five of the six crew jumped aboard, but the skipper fell into the sea and had to be hauled aboard by line. Fortunately, he was uninjured, and to the amusement of all present, his bowler hat had remained firmly on his head despite his misadventure. By midnight, Emma Constance had brought all six crewmen back to Aberdeen.[8]

The Emma Constance was formally christened on 19 September 1927 in front of a crowd of 10,000–12,000 people. The bandsmen of the 4th Gordon Highlanders provided music, and Maud Carnegie, Countess of Southesk, performed the naming ceremony.[14]

Trawler George Stroud

In the evening of 25 December 1935, Emma Constance launched to assist Aberdeen trawler George Stroud, who had been struck by an up-swell that knocked her against the wall of the North Pier at Aberdeen harbour, then battered further until she ran aground 200 yards from the seaward side of the pier.[15] Members of the Royal Life Saving Society on the shore used rockets to attach lifelines to the George Stroud, but her crew of five men, sheltering in the wheelhouse, refused to attempt the climb and called for a lifeboat rescue.[16] On arrival, the Emma Constance was positioned between the pier and the trawler. Only one crewman managed to get to the lifeboat before heavy waves dashed the lifeboat against the pier, damaging her and destroying the trawler's wheelhouse.[17] One crewman was spotted in the sea but drowned before he could be rescued, while the Lifesavers working on shore managed to save another.[16][17] Ultimately only two of the five crewmen were saved.[16] The Emma Constance coxswain was awarded an RNLI Bronze Medal for his part in the rescue.[17]

SS Fairy

From the 23rd to the 27th of January 1937, Scotland's east coast was battered by a forceful gale. The Fairy, a 249-ton collier (coal-bearing cargo ship), arrived at Aberdeen harbour on 24 January, only to discover the port closed due to the extremely rough waves. By the 25th, the Fairy had been driven 30 miles offshore and was filling with seawater. The captain declared an emergency and directed the crew to bail. He managed to take the ship to within nine miles of shore, where he signalled German trawler Hendrick for a tow. The pair made it to a point just off Donmouth by 4:30 pm, where they launched flares. Emma Constance launched to assist, but the captain of the Fairy wished to continue the tow rather than abandon his ship, so the Emma Constance stood by. After several hours of slow progress, the towline snapped and could not be reattached. At 10 pm the Fairy ran aground and was swamped by waves, as was the Emma Constance when she tried to approach. On a second approach, the lifeboat managed to rescue all seven of the Fairy's crewmen, but due to the rough seas were forced to make for Moray Firth rather than returning to Aberdeen. Badly damaged, they arrived at Moray Firth on 27 January at 4:30 pm.[18][19][20] Crew members were awarded RNLI Medals in Silver and Bronze.[19]

Retirement

On 14 January 1951 Emma Constance performed her last launch. She went to assist the yawl Glen of Aberdeen which had broken down 1 nautical mile east-north-east of Gregness. The lifeboat took the vessel into tow and returned to Aberdeen. In August 1951 the Emma Constance was retired from Aberdeen. Her replacement was a 52 ft Barnett-class lifeboat called RNLB Hilton Briggs (ON 889).[21] Following her retirement the Emma Constance was sold out of the RNLI fleet and was renamed several times becoming first the Southern Cross followed by Achilleus and then Griselda.

Record of service and rescues

RNLB Emma Constance (ON 693)
Date Casualty Wind/weather Lives lost Lives saved Details
1927
27 July Venetia Heavy seas, moderate gale Stood down when vessel towed to port by tug
6 September Ben Torc Moderate south-easterly breeze, moderate seas 6 Casualty stranded off Gregness, took off six men
1928
26/27 February Isle of White Medium south-south-west breeze, moderate seas Casualty stranded off Belhelvie Beach, rescued by Newburgh lifeboat
18 March Agnes H Weatherly South-south-west breeze Casualty stranded 1 mile from Donmouth, no assistance required
6 June Regain Strong south-westerly breeze, rough seas 8 Casualty stranded 1 mile off Belhelvie CG station, towed to safety
25 October HM Drifter Lunar Bow[22] South westerly fresh breeze, moderate sea Stood by, towed to safety by tug
25 October HM Drifter Lunar Bow South westerly fresh breeze, moderate sea 2 Rescued 1 injured naval rating and 1 midshipman
1929
10 January Shetland South-easterly breeze, rough seas 15 ft of water in vessel's hold, flooding taken under control
29 November Wild Rose South-easterly strong breeze, rough seas Vessel stranded on rocks, nine rescued from beach
1930|-
22 January John G Watson South westerly strong breeze, rough seas Stranded 6½ miles north of Aberdeen, stood by, rescue achieved by No. 2 lifeboat
1931
7 January St Merryn Westerly light breeze, smooth seas Stranded and re-floated without the aid of lifeboat
9 April Rightway South westerly moderate breeze, moderate seas Vessel stranded off Collieston CG station, crew rescued by LSA
2 June Loyal Friend Northerly moderate breeze, moderate seas Lifeboat stood by following vessel's collision with North Pier
3 December Nairn South easterly whole gale, very heavy seas Lifeboat recalled, not required
1932
14 August Whitehills lifeboat Smooth sea Towed broken down lifeboat back to port
1933
1 January Trawler Venetia Southerly strong gale, very heavy seas 9 Vessel stranded 3 miles north of Stonehaven,[23][24] vessel total loss with all hands
18 January Ben Screel Variable light breeze, heavy seas Vessel stranded off Girdleness, lifeboat stood by, crew rescued from shore
19 January General Birdwood Northerly moderate breeze, moderate seas Escorted Vessel
4 April Lifeboat launched to false alarm Lifeboat recalled after launch
3 July Cretan of Glasgow Calm and smooth seas Lifeboat not required, vessel towed by pilot tug
20/21 October Fair Isle South-easterly fresh breeze, rough seas Vessel with broken rudder, towed by other vessel. lifeboat escorted vessel back to Aberdeen
23/24 October Granero of Drammen North-easterly moderate gale, rough seas 7 Vessel stranded at Cawton Ness, crew saved by lifeboat and the LSA
29 December Strathleven of Aberdeen South-easterly moderate breeze, very heavy seas Damaged steering gear, towed in by lifeboat, stood by to other vessels
1934
1 January Fishing vessels of Gourdon & Stonehaven Lifeboat on stand-by
20 December Unknown trawler Variable light wind, smooth seas Search for vessel, nothing found
1935
14 February Local fishing boats Northerly moderate gale Search of vessels caught in gale, all safe
2 February Eldorado South-south-easterly gale, heavy seas Stood by, LSA safely landed crew north of Donmouth
24 June Balmoral Castle of Aberdeen Northerly moderate (fog), moderate seas Vessel stranded, refloated on high tide
9 September Ebor Abbey of Aberdeen West-south-westerly moderate breeze, moderate seas Lifeboat recalled, rescue by others
5 November fishing vessels Procure & Quest of Banff South-south-easterly moderate breeze, heavy seas Escorted back to port
25 December George Stroud of Aberdeen South-easterly strong breeze, heavy seas 3 1 Grounded against North Pier, 1 taken off vessel by lifeboat, 1 taken off by LSA
31 December Strathairlie of Aberdeen Light variable winds, slight swell Vessel with broken rudder, lifeboat stood by
1936
17 January WM Porter Aberdeen pilot cutter East-north-easterly fresh breeze, rough seas 3 Pilots fouled rudder on the wreck of George Stroud. Three taken off by lifeboat
21 January Local fishing boats East-south-easterly moderate gale, rough seas Stood by until vessels safely in port
6 February Pretoria of Aberdeen South-westerly moderate gale, rough seas vessel involved in collision, lifeboat assistance not required
23 February Ocean Gift of Banff East-south-easterly strong gale, very heavy seas Adrift in harbour, lifeboat crew mustered but no launch
16 December Margaret & Frances of Cockenzie South-south-westerly strong gale, very heavy seas 2 Vessel stranded off Belhelvie CG station, vessel found but a total loss
1937
21/22 January Strathebrie of Aberdeen South-easterly strong gale, very heavy seas Vessel taken into tow
23 January Utility of Aberdeen South-easterly strong gale, strong flood vessel hung on stern moorings, vessel towed to fishmarket
26 January Fairy of Kings Lynn South-easterly gale, very heavy seas 7 See description Service and rescues section
16 April Paul Rykens of Aberdeen Calm, dense fog Vessel stranded, re-floated under own power
RNLB J & W (ON 722), Relief (Watson-class)
30 December Calvinia of Aberdeen North-north-westerly moderate breeze vessel lost prop, search aborted after vessel was towed into Aberdeen by others
1938
25 August Carry On Variable fog banks, slight swell Vessel aground, towed off by lifeboat
4 December Branch of Montrose Southerly moderate gale, rough seas Reported in difficulties, search carried out, vessel towed to port by others
1939
22 January Unknown vessel reported capsized East-south-easterly slight breeze, slight seas Search carried out but nothing found
World War II
15 September Vessel reported torpedoed North easterly moderate breeze Launched to scene, recalled, not required
10 October Solstad of Oslo South-easterly storm. heavy seas Search carried out, vessel towed to port by others
31 October Cairnmona[25] of Newcastle upon Tyne Easterly light to moderate breeze, rough seas Vessel torpedoed off Rattray Head by U-13,[26] survivors landed by others
12 December Cimbria of Copenhagen Crew mustered only, no launch
18 December Trinity NB[27] of Aberdeen West-south-westerly, moderate seas 3 Vessel reported bombed, search carried out, no trace found, survivors picked up by Danish schooner Start
1940
9 January Gowrie[28] of Dundee vessel sunk by enemy aircraft four miles east of Stonehaven, crew rescued by others, search carried out for wreckage but nothing found
9 January Feddy[29] of Copenhagen South-south-westerly fresh breeze 2 Vessel bombed and on fire, crew members taken off, escorted vessel.
9 January Ivan Kondrup[29] of Copenhagen South-south-westerly fresh breeze 1 Vessel bombed. reached port under own steam, one crewman missing
10 January Feddy[29] of Copenhagen South-south-westerly light breeze vessel towed into Aberdeen
9 February Lily of Aberdeen South-westerly wind, moderate swell 3 Vessel disabled, found by lifeboat and taken into tow
3 March Unknown bombed vessel reported North-westerly moderate breeze, slight seas Search carried out but nothing found
18 July Shipping convoys attacked off Aberdeen on 17 July[30] Lifeboat and crew on standby at the station
20 October Conakrain[31] of Freetown East-south-easterly breeze, rough seas Torpedo damaged in air attack of Girdleness,[32] taken into tow by tug, escorted by lifeboat
21 October Conakrain[31] of Freetown 2 Two taken off vessel in Aberdeen bay in heavy weather
23 October Conakrain[31] of Freetown Easterly moderate gale, moderate seas 23 Crewmen taken off vessel at request of the Royal Navy
1941
3 April Cairnie East-south-easterly force 7 to 8, very heavy seas 7 Vessel bombed and in distress, Aberdeen harbour entrance, steering damaged and grounded[33]
24 July Unknown vessel Calm, smooth seas search carried out, nothing found
8 August Unknown vessel lifeboat on stand-by only
2 October RAF aircraft Westerly force 4, moderate seas ditched pilot rescued by others, lifeboat recalled
1942
13 March Unknown vessel South-south-westerly force 6, heavy seas No record kept of launch
3 March HMS Hyderabad and the tug Bruno Southerly force 3 to 4, smooth seas Both vessels grounded, lifeboat towed of tug, corvette refloated herself
4 April Bon Accord of Aberdeen No record kept of the launch
1943
2 April Unknown vessel No record kept of the launch
7 April Schooner Else of Thisted, Denmark North force 6 to 9, very rough seas Vessel towed into port with lifeboat escorting
29 November Trevorian of St Ives Smooth seas No record kept of the launch
1944
23 October Keilehaven of Rotterdam South-easterly breeze force 3 to 4, growing swells 40 Crew abandoned ship to US ship, but some returned to vessel by lifeboat
1945
10/11 April Albert Victor of Vága Easterly breeze force 3 to 4, breaking surf 9 run aground, lifeboat took off crew and pilot
13 April Maria of IJmuiden Light easterly breeze Lifeboat stood by
RNLB John Russel (ON 699) Relief (Watson-class)
30 July May Lily of Peterhead Slight seas Vessel with engine failure, lifeboat made search, vessel made port under own power
19 October HM Motor Fishing Vessel 1172 South-south-easterly breeze force 3 to 5, moderate to rough seas 5 Vessel disabled, towed into Aberdeen by lifeboat
19 December T L Devlin of Granton Southerly breeze force 5 to 7 Escorted vessel to port
21 December Sparkling Star of Peterhead Light southerly wind, smooth seas Fouled prop, self-cleared, lifeboat stood down
1946
20 January Spurs of Grimsby vessel aground in navigation channel, lifeboat damaged whilst standing by
7 August Harmonious II of Aberdeen South-westerly breeze force 2 to 3, light to moderate seas 6 Broken down vessel, towed into port
1947
20 October Harvest Gleaner of Buckie South-south-westerly breeze force 5, moderate seas Towed into port by others, lifeboat stood down
1948
5 February Northman of Aberdeen Southerly breeze force 4 to 6 Both vessel and lifeboat grounded, pulled off by tug
1949
13 January Welbeckof Grimsby South-westerly breeze force 2, smooth to slight seas Lifeboat then tug towed vessel off
23 September Alirmay of Aberdeen South-easterly breeze force 3 to 4 Lifeboat recalled, not required
24 September Brightside Easterly breeze force 1 to 2, slight seas Stranded vessel, crew landed by others, lifeboat recalled
1950
19 September Saga of Aberdeen South-south-easterly force 8 to 9, very high seas Vessel with engine failure, Aberdeen lifeboat recalled
19 September Saga of Aberdeen South-south-easterly force 8 to 9, very high seas Second launch to vessel towed by Peterhead lifeboat, Aberdeen lifeboat escorted
26 September Lyndburn of Aberdeen North-easterly force 4, rough seas 1 Vessel grounded, lifeboat takes off 1
1951
14 February Yawl Glen of Aberdeen South-easterly force 3 to 4, slight seas 2 Vessel broken down, towed into port by lifeboat

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): Work: Chapter 5, 100 Years On, page 44. ISBN 1-85260-419-0
  3. ↑ Trewren, Norman (1985). The Lifeline: a History of the Aberdeen Lifeboat Station 1925-1985. N. Trewren. pp. 13, 69. ISBN 978-0-9510738-0-3 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ↑ Rescue at Sea: By Evans, Clayton: Published by Conway (2003): ISBN 0-85177-934-4
  5. 1 2 Trewren 1985, p. 9.
  6. ↑ Title: The Lifeline – The History of the Aberdeen Lifeboat Station 1925 - 1985. Author: Trewren, Norman. Publisher: 1985 N. Trewren. Work: Chapter 2, RNLB Emma Constance, pages 9–15. ISBN 0 9510738 0 X
  7. ↑ Trewren 1985, p. 13.
  8. 1 2 3 Trewren 1985, pp. 10–13.
  9. ↑ "Aberdeen Ships". Aberdeen Built Ships – Ben Torc. www.aberdeenships.com. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  10. ↑ Shipwrecks of the North of Scotland. Author: Baird, R N. Publisher: Birlinn Ltd; Ill edition (13 Oct 2003). Work: The Wreck of the Ben Torc, page 11. ISBN 978-1841582337
  11. ↑ "Canmore – Gregness Coastguard Station". Details and Information of the CG station at Gregness. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  12. ↑ Shipwreck Index of the British Isles: Vol 4 Scotland. Author: Larn, Richard. Larn, Bridget. Publisher: Lloyds Register of Shipping (31 Dec 1998). Work:The Wreck of the Ben Torc – Location. ISBN 978 1900839013
  13. ↑ "Ben Torc – Greg ness North Sea". Details and Information of the wreck site of the Ben Torc at Gregness. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  14. ↑ Trewren 1985, p. 10.
  15. ↑ "Aberdeen Ship – George Stroud". Ship Details of the George Stroud. www.aberdeenships.com. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  16. 1 2 3 Trewren 1985, pp. 26–27.
  17. 1 2 3 Lifeboat Gallantry – RNLI Medals and how they were won. Author: Cox, Barry. Publisher:Spink & Son Ltd and the RNLI. Work: Page 268, SINCLAIR, Thomas Marshall. ISBN 0 907605 89 3
  18. ↑ Trewren 1985, pp. 32–37.
  19. 1 2 Lifeboat Gallantry – RNLI Medals and how they were won. Author: Cox, Barry. Publisher: Spink & Son Ltd and the RNLI. Work: Page 270, SINCLAIR, Thomas Marshall, WEIR Alexander, MASSON, John. ISBN 0 907605 89 3
  20. ↑ "SS Fairy – Balmedie Aberdeen". Details and Information of the wreck site of the Kings Lynn Collier Fairy. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  21. ↑ Trewren 1985, p. 69.
  22. ↑ "The Glasgow Herald – Scottish news". Newspaper report of the HM Drifter Lunar Bow. Glasgow Herald – google.com/Newspapers. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  23. ↑ "FV Venetia (A560) (+1932)". Details of the fishing vessel Venetia and its wreck location. www.wrecksite. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  24. ↑ "Venetia – Holehead - North Sea". Details and Information of the wreck site of the Trawler Venetia. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  25. ↑ "Cairnmona – British steamship". Description and details of the ship and its loss. uboat.net. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  26. ↑ "Ships hit by U13". WWII U-boat Successes - Ships hit by U-13. uboat.net. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  27. ↑ "Trinity NB (1914 - 1939)". Details of the fishing vessel Trinity NB and its wreck location. www.wrecksite. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  28. ↑ "Gowrie Cargo ship (1909 - 1940)". Details of the cargo ship Gowrie and its wreck location. www.wrecksite. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  29. 1 2 3 "German attacks on Danish ships". Newspaper report on attacks to Danish shipping in 1940. Trove – Digitalized Newspapers. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  30. ↑ "Battle of Britain – Timeline". Reference to the Convoy attack of 17 July 1940. The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, Douglas Bader House, Horcott Hill, Fairford, Gloucestershire, GL7 4RB, UK. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  31. 1 2 3 "Ships Histories – Conakrian". Description and details of the SS Conakrian. SEAtheShips – Ship Histories. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  32. ↑ "British and Other Navies in World War 2 Day-by-Day – Naval Events, October 1940 (Part 2 of 2) Tuesday 15th - Thursday 31st". Section detailing Sunday 20 October – reference to SS Conakrian. Naval-History.Net. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  33. ↑ "Cairnie Cargo Ship (1891 – 1940)". Details of the cargo ship Cairnie and its wreck location. www.wrecksite. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
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