RNLB_William_and_Kate_Johnstone_(ON_682)

RNLB <i>William and Kate Johnstone</i> (ON 682)

RNLB William and Kate Johnstone (ON 682)

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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]

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