© Simon Robson
1998-2003

O.N. 151 "MARY FREDERICK" 1887-1904

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Last Updated:
20^th Apr 2003

The second lifeboat for the number one station was named "MARY FREDERICK". The cost of £400 had come from a legacy of the late Mrs. M. A. Preston of Lytham. This class of lifeboat was also self-righting by design, but had water ballast tanks. She was both narrower and longer than the previous boat "GERTRUDE", measuring 34 feet long and 8 feet in beam. The new design and specification had come about after a tragedy of the Lancashire coast on 9^th December 1887 when both Southport and St. Annes lifeboats capsized with the loss of twenty seven crew. The whole question of self-righting had been revised with boats now having to able to right when full of gear and crew and with full sail. The new design featured increased capacity of the air cases in the bow and stern. The iron keel was increased in weight and the beam was narrowed.

The "MARY FREDERICK" remained on station for nearly sixteen years until 1904. She was eventually broken up after being condemned by the District Inspector of Lifeboats. Again the "MARY FREDERICK" is recorded being launched four times, mainly to escort and stand by the local fishing fleet. One notable service took place on the 26^th January 1896, when she went to the aid of the steamship "DUNDEE" of Glasgow, bound for Grangemouth. The steamer had run aground in thick fog, but had managed to send most of her crew ashore in the ship's boat. The Captain and three officers had remained aboard to try and save the ship. It quickly became apparent, with waves sweeping her deck that she was a loss. The lifeboat recovered the remaining four crew with some difficulty.

A reserve lifeboat was sent to Flamborough until a new lifeboat could be brought to station in 1905. This was the "LILY BIRD" O.N. 370, which only launched the once to stand by the local fishing fleet on the 1^st March 1905.

Picture shows a similar lifeboat - the "Queen Victoria"

 
The "Gertrude"  |  ON 549 "Forester"

Designed by Simon Robson ©1998-2004
Helmsman - Flamborough Lifeboat Station