Registration number 2812
Status Registered
a12admin

Previous names

  • Sheffield
  • Imshi
  • Elizabeth

Details

Function Service Vessel
Subfunction Lifeboat
Location Conwy
Vessel type Self Righter 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 1947
Hull material Wood
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 2
Primary engine type Diesel
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Length: Overall
35.50 feet (10.82m)
Breadth: Beam
10.67 feet (3.25m)
Tonnage: Gross
8.00

History

TILLIE MORRISON was built as a carriage-launched self-righting lifeboat by J Samuel White of Cowes in 1947 and served at Bridlington (1947-1952) and Llandudno (1953-1959).  During her service in Llandudno, Tillie was launched 17 times and saved eight lives, and was able to carry 30 survivors together with her crew of eight.

Of the early RNLI lifeboats stationed in Llandudno, TILLIE MORRISON is the only one remaining; she was the first RNLI self-righting motor lifeboat with twin engines, and twin propellers.

She was then sold out of service to become first a yacht (IMSHI) at Bristol and then a fishing vessel  at Rhyl.  As ELIZABETH she was based on the Tyne and Hartlepool before returning to North Wales in 2014.

In July 2014, following a public appeal for funds, the Llandudno-based social enterprise Ships’ Timbers discovered TILLIE MORRISON, as an abandoned fishing vessel in Hartlepool, and bought her.  She was then brought back to North Wales, and has since been kept within an open area of hard standing at Deganwy Marina.

Ships’ Timbers aim is to restore TILLE MORRISON to her original form as a former RNLI lifeboat, and estimate an approximate restoration cost of between £50-70,000.  As a fully restored early wooden RNLI lifeboat, she will be a tourist attraction, and provide an opportunity for people to learn about RNLI wooden boat construction, and the service history of the vessel. A condition survey will be carried out, to provide restoration options for the vessel.  Plans for TILLIE MORRISON include: her engines being taken to Coleg Llandrillo’s (Llandrillo College)'s Rhyl site, and kept on display for the students to learn about; Costing the restoration of the vessel, explore funding options, and begin to seek funds; Deciding the conservation option for the vessel and planning the conservation programme as a grassroots project; Opening an exhibition space at Bodafon Farm Park with interpretation boards. 

Key dates

  • 1947

    Built by J Samuel White of Cowes

  • 1947/53

    Served  as Bridlington lifeboat

  • 1953/59

    Served as Llandudno lifeboat

  • 1959

    Sold out of service and became yacht Imshi

  • 1984

    Became a fishing boat at Rhyl

  • 2011/2012

    Served as fishing boat at Tyne and Hartlepool

Sources

www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20060302.former-llandudno-rnli-lifeboat-moved-farm-park/

Own this vessel?

If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk

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