J W Archer (ON 685) | National Historic Ships

Registration number 2451

Status Registered

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As BRIGHTER HOPE, Barling Creek off River Crouch

Previous names

1924 - 1957 J W Archer
1957 - 2011 Brighter Hope

Details

Function Service Vessel

Subfunction Lifeboat

Location Teesmouth

Vessel type Watson Class Lifeboat

Current use Ongoing conservation

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder White, J Samuel & Co Ltd, Cowes, Isle of Wight

Built in 1923

Hull material Wood

Rig None

Number of decks 1

Number of masts 1

Propulsion Motor

Number of engines 1

Primary engine type Inboard diesel

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam

12.50 feet (3.81m)

Depth

3.50 feet (1.07m)

Length: Overall

45.00 feet (13.73m)

History

J W ARCHER is the second of a small class of ten 45 ft Watson (cabin) single screw lifeboats built for the RNLI under ON685 She was built in 1923 by J Samuel White of Cowes, Isle of Wight and is of double diagonal construction, mahogany on oak frames. Her engine was built by Russel Newberry. After commissioning, the vessel was stationed at Teesmouth, North Yorkshire from 1924 to 1950 including an illustrious wartime service. In 1950 she went on to serve at the RNLI lifeboat station at Amble and then to the Reserve Fleet from 1954 to 1957 when she was sold out of service. Launched 37 times and saved 120 lives Renamed BRIGHTER HOPE, she became a fishing vessel based in Hartlepool until 1970 when she was sold to a buyer in Essex where she lay on her mooring for the next 40 years. Rescued by her present owners she returned to her original home on Teesmouth in 2010 to undergo a full restoration, but this did not happen.

Update, October 2022: Vessel for sale.