StoneRoad2013's photos with the keyword: rowing lifeboat

"William Riley of Birmingham & Leamington" being recovered after one of her failed attempts to get alongside the "Rohilla" [wrecked on Saltwick Nab, 30 October 1914, her remains are just visible in the background].

This postcard was labelled as a Tyne Pilots convention. I disagree. It shows a Lifeboat Regatta, these took place as regular challenges between lifeboat crews to time rowing over a set route. Of course, "visiting" crews had to get there, and local "lightweight" boats such as Rubie class "William Riley" would have had *some* advantage. It is possible that Pilots would be crew members, along with local fishermen and seafarers.

When the RNLI unveiled the memorial to lifeboat crew who lost their lives attempting to save others (ie on a service) there were two lifeboats present. A Tamar class, (ON nnnn,: 16-nn), one of the newest all-weather boats, and William Riley (ON 594) was there to represent all the older boats.

The gloss finish on the blue hull paint.

The original hull paint and resin have contracted into the weave of the glass fibre fabric that was used to sheath the hull.

The finished rudder and tiller hung on William Riley. The rudder is normally controlled using ropes, by the coxswain. (the bright spots are sunlight coming in some ventilation openings in the ridge of the roof )

A replacement rudder was made by laminating oak sections, and then cutting out the required shape. This process was used to try to eliminate warping. So far, it has worked!