Name William Cantrell Ashley

WILLIAM CANTRELL ASHLEY is a Liverpool class lifeboat, built by Groves and Gutteridge of Cowes in 1949, . She served at Clovelly, North Devon,and remained in service until 1968, during which time she was launched 38 times and saved 24 lives.

Sold out of service to Essex County Council  and renamed ST CHEDD, she was taken to Bradwell Field Studies Centre where she operated as a rescue boat until 1994; then transferred to East Mersea Youth Camp  still under Essex County Council. In 1996 she was purchased by Claud Sharp who had her renovated and sailed to Scarborough where she operated as a trip boat.

In 2005 she was bought by Mike Darlington and fitted with twin Betamarine 35 hp diesel engines. She operated successfully along the Cornish coast between Looe, Fowey and Polperro. In  late 2011 she was acquired by a new owner, and she joined the Hoylake Lifeboat Museum. She was permanently moored in Liverpool's historic Albert Dock, where she was a floating exhibit for the Museum and operated for day trippers and enthusiasts. 

WILLIAM CANTRELL ASHLEY was purchased privately by the current owner in April 2013. She is berthed in Penarth Marina, and is used regularly by her owner throughout the spring/summer along the South Wales and North Devon coast.