Lifeboat Duke of Northumberland

My main interest is Holyhead lifeboats or at least vessels with connections with Holyhead and therefore I have no details of the fast lifeboat William Hillary (ON 725) but it could make an interesting model. There is a small plan and details included in Nicholas Leech’s book “RNLI Motor Lifeboat”, page 42. These must have been obtained from the National Maritime Museum as they hold all the older lifeboat plans.

The steam lifeboats Duke of Northumberland (ON 231) and Queen (ON 404) although similar were in fact totally different. The builder’s model of the Queen is (or was) in the foyer of the RNLI’s headquarters at Pool. The builder’s model of the Duke of Northumberland was on display in the Science museum until a few years ago when it was removed, presumably into storage.

My researches into the DofN took over 10 years at no small expense and I really like its uniqueness. It took over 2,500 hours to build. Over 500 hours was spent in getting the water jet, or more correctly “hydraulic” propulsion system working. Resorting to building my own pump and valve system. Virtually reproducing the original system in miniature but with electric as the motive power not steam as the original. The original DofN centrifugal pump moved a ton of water per second. My model pump discharged approximately 150 lbs per minute or roughly equivalent a scale two tons per second. Very pleasing

A picture of my model appeared on the front cover of the May 2004 issue of Model Boats although there was no article. I am more interested in modelling than writing about it. I tried to model her as she was for the rescue of the crew of the SS Harold in February 2008 for which the Cox’n William Owen was awarded a Gold medal and each of the ten crew receiving Silver medals.

Neither the RNLI or the National Maritime Museum have any drawings of the DofN. Anyone who might wish to think about modelling the DofN would benefit from looking at the article on the lifeboat on page 192 of the excellent publication “The Engineer” dated Sept. 5 1890. Unfortunately I cannot provide copies of this as I have had to sign copyright agreements for the reproduction of this article and many other sources of information. My collection of information on the vessel now fills to overflowing two large lever arch files.

The original still exists on the north bank of the River Mersey at Spike Island, Widnes adjacent to the Ready Mix offices and what was their ready mix plant. Very badly corroded, waste concrete and test cubes from the plant engulf what remains; she makes a very sad sight and is very badly corroded. (See the photo attached.) The remains are listed in the “International Directory of Historic Ships”.

There was a few years back a short thread on this forum about the DofN.

**LINK**

I’ve added a few pictures in my albums if anyone’s interested.

I will attempt to help as much as possible but to a certain extent my hands are tied because of copyright and to be honest some unfortunate experiences with other people asking for information.

My model, along with several of my other model lifeboat and models are always on display at the Holyhead Maritime Museum in the old lifeboat house on Newry Beach, Holyhead

I hope this may be of some help.

Les Jones

Holyhead