Historic lifeboat conserved for future generations

Important work starts on the 8 th August at the Dock Museum to conserve the Barrow lifeboat, Herbert Leigh, for future generations. Herbert Leigh was the longest serving lifeboat at the Barrow station up to the time of her replacement in 1982. In 31 years of service she was launched 136 times and saved 71 lives. In 1990 the Herbert Leigh came to the Dock Museum and has never seen seawater since.

“The Herbert Leigh is an important part of our maritime history and we’re proud that she’s now on the Historic Ships Register. This year we’ve been able to secure funding from the Furness Maritime Trust and funds from Barrow Borough Council in order to carry out essential conservation work. Looking after wooden vessels isn’t always easy and we’re spending almost £25,000 in order to conserve her for future generations. An experienced conservator, Simon Patterson of Openworld Yachts, will be carrying out the work during the month of August.” Sabine Skae, Collections and Exhibitions Officer at the Dock Museum.

Moving Herbert Leigh to the front of the site is currently under negotiation and if funding is available it is hoped that she’ll be moved in the summer of 2006.

“Herbert Leigh would look great behind the wavy wall at the front of the museum, looking as if she’s about to be launched.” Sabine Skae

Herbert Leigh was donated to the RNLI by the Chairman of Leigh’s Paints. She was built at the East Cowes Yard of JS White and Co. Ltd, builders of lifeboats for many years, in 1951. Originally she cost £25,855 to build. Today’s Tamar class lifeboat costs £2m to build. Herbert Leigh is a 46’9’ Watson class lifeboat and could achieve 8.25 knots. She was one of the most modern lifeboats in the RNLI on completion and needed a crew of 8 to man her.

There has been a lifeboat station at Roa Island since 1864 and the station was established by the RNLI.

Notes for editors

• More information about the Dock Museum can be found at http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/

• The Museum holds 20,000 objects from reindeer antlers to 19 th Century boats. In 2001 BAE systems, current owners of Barrow shipyards donated their collection of ship models and photographs, material that has been recognised as having national importance.

• With free admission for everyone The Dock Museum is proving popular with locals and tourists of all ages year upon year.

For further information contact:

Sabine Skae
The Dock Museum
Barrow-in-Furness
North Road
LA14 3PW
Tel: 01229 894444
Fax: 01229 811361

National Maritime Museum

Copyright in these images rests with National Historic Ships and the vessels' owners. Pictures must not be reproduced without the permission of National Historic Ships or of the owners.

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