Lifeboat Collection

RNLI lifeboat Arab I at the quay, Padstow, Cornwall. 1883-1900
The lifeboat Arab I under sail off the quay at Padstow with the railway yards in the background. The lifeboat has a full compliment of women

SS Asturias, ocean liner, built in 1926, served during the Second World War, and was used as the Titanic in the 1957 film, A Night to Remember. Date: late 1940s

RNLI lifeboat Arab II at Harlyn Bay, St Merryn, Cornwall. Around 1908
The RNLI Lifeboat Arab II being towed across the sands at Harlyn Bay to be launched, followed by a mixed group of men, women and children

Crew of the Barry lifeboat Arthur and Blanche Harris Frederick Batten and Eric Fry (right) at the tiller on board the boat. Standing left is Mr. Emlyn Davies. 14th March 1970

The former Longhope lifeboat T. G. B ON962, seen here leaving Littlehampton
The former Longhope lifeboat T.G.B ON962, seen here leaving Littlehampton, Sussexs after being repaired follow the capsizing of the vessel

Crewmen of the Fishguard and Goodwick Lifeboat: left to right: Ken Bean, Ieuan Bateman, Noel Murrow, Roy Williams, Jack Jenkins, Glyn Bateman, Richard Fowles, George Bateman and Byron Nichols

Coveracks new lifeboat, 1954
Coveracks new lifeboat, William Taylor of Oldham, being hauled up the slipway on 24th July 1954. It cost 25, 000 to build. Cornwall. Date: 1954

RMS Olympic, cruise ship of the White Star Line, WW1
RMS Olympic, cruise ship of the White Star Line, seen here from a seaplane whilst on war service during WW1. Date: 1914-1918

Skopelos Sky shipwreck at Port Isaac, Cornwall. 15th December 1979
The wreck of the Greek Skopelos Sky cargo vessel which ran aground at Hells Mouth, Port Isaac in December 1979 during hurricane force winds

Binding Sail After a Gale, 1881 (oil on canvas)
VFS109708 Binding Sail After a Gale, 1881 (oil on canvas) by Emslie, Alfred Edward (1848-1897); 67.3x101 cm; Private Collection; English, out of copyright

The new motor lifeboat Robert and Marcella Beck in Plymouth before its naming ceremony in Plymouth, Devon. 3rd July 1927

Tenbys new 47 foot long Tyne Class lifeboat, the RFA Sir Galahad, arrives at the Tenby RNLI station yesterday. 14th July 1986

John McDermott, coxswain of the Hoylake lifeboat with crew members Richard Martindale, Alan Tolley. Steve Armitage and Jeff Kernighan. 4th October 1990

The Barry lifeboat RNLB Rachel and Mary Evans at Barry docks. Circa 1961

The crew of the New Brighton lifeboat seen here aboard their new vessel The Edmund and Mary Robinson. The boat a Watson 41 lifeboat was built by Groves & Gutteridge of Cowes, Isle of Wight

Last known photo of Captain Smith of RMS Titanic
RMS Titanic - extremely rare first generation press photograph taken by Dr McLean from the tender Ireland as she brought mail and a handful of passengers to the Titanic

The new lifeboat Augustus and Laura is named by Lady Frances Osborne at Newbiggin. 24th June 1939

Keeping a lookout during exercises of the Barry lifeboat in the Bristol Channel is crew member Mr. Emlyn Davies. 14th May 1970

Carving a wake in the winter grey waters of the Bristol Channel, the Barry lifeboat Arthur and Blanche Harris sets out on an exercise. 13th March 1970

Celebrating the 175th anniversary at the RNLI station, Atlantic college, St. Donats. Pictured here are students Richard Noyes, aged 18 of St

A Tight Fit
9th October 1926: The lifeboat being pulled through the streets of Port Isaac, Cornwall in England. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

RAF lifeboats to the rescue
RAF motor boats rescuing a pilot who has crash landed at sea. The boats were built at the British Power Boats works at Southampton and with 100 h.p. engines, could travel at 26 miles per hour

Ramsgate lifeboat men on board stranded ship
Ramsgate lifeboat men with passengers on board a ship caught on the Goodwin Sands. Date: 19th century

View of the harbour, Clovelly, Devon
View of the harbour at Clovelly, Devon. Date: 1960s

ELLIS ISLAND, 1921. Italian immigrants arriving at Ellis Island aboard the S. S
ELLIS ISLAND, 1921. Italian immigrants arriving at Ellis Island aboard the S.S. Regina d Italia. Photograph, 1921

Medals Awarded for Gallantry or Life-Saving at Sea - top row (L-R) Stanhope gold medal awarded by the Royal Humane Society for the bravest life-saving deed of the year

The Rescue (oil on canvas)
REA196693 The Rescue (oil on canvas) by Beechey, Richard Bridges (1808-95); 88.9x136.5 cm; Private Collection; eRoyal Exchange Art Gallery at Cork Street, London; English, out of copyright

A new lifeboat, the Will and Fanny Kirby, launched at Seaham Harbour to replace the George Elmy which capsized with the loss of eight men. 21st September 1963

Vivienne Whiteright, Mandy Clarke, and Phillipa Lewis, female crew members of the Little and Broadhaven lifeboat operating the beat at St Brides Bay, Pembrokeshire. 3rd February 1990

Two young men put their heads through a comic cartoon cutout on Mumbles Pier, South Wales. See also PD000563 - ME No.12480486 for similar image without people Date: 1992

Survivors Of The Rms Titanic In One Of Her Collapsible Lifeboats, Just Before Being Picked Up By The Carpathia. Woman Are Sharing In The Rowing

Alvsborg Bridge, Gothenburg (Goteborg), Sweden
Alvsborg Bridge, suspension bridge over the Gota River, Gothenburg (Goteborg), Sweden. It was built in 1966. Date: circa 1960s

Greatheads Lifeboat 2
In a heavy sea, Greatheads lifeboat puts out to the aid of a vessel in distress : the helmsman stands aft, the look- out in the bows, the ten oarsmen row as best they can. Date: 1791

Liverpool Lifeboat
A lifeboat in Liverpool docks, circa 1890. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Coastguard Station and Promenade, Cromer, North Norfolk. Now the site of the wonderful RNLI Henry Blogg Museum and Rocket House Cafe (I recommend the dressed Cromer crab salad...). Date: circa 1905

Tight Squeeze
The Port Isaac Cornwall lifeboat being dragged through the very narrow streets of the town at its launch. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

The Wreck of the Liner "Mohegan"on the Manacle Rocks, the Porthoustock Lifeboat rescuing the Crew (litho)
1063677 The Wreck of the Liner " Mohegan" on the Manacle Rocks, the Porthoustock Lifeboat rescuing the Crew (litho) by Nash

Page from The Graphic entitled Our Coastguard
A page from The Graphic entitled Our Coastguard, detailing the work of smugglers and lifeboat crews in 1892. 1892

The Lifeboat Men. People You See, from Teddy Bear magazine, 1966. Date: 1966

Silhouetted against the waters of Moelfre Bay, Anglesey, Wales, Captain Evans watches from the lifeboat house as the crew practice a launch. 20th June 1969

The naming ceremony of the new Barry Dock lifeboat the Arthur and Blanche Harris, was performed on Saturday afternoon at Barry Docks by Lady Traherne, the wife of the Lord Lieutenant of Glamorgan

Coxswain of the Barry Lifeboat Mr. Frank Tinsley watches the life line land on the rocks of the Barry shore after he had fired the rocket carrying the line set up a breeches buoy during an exercise

Tenby lifeboat crew, 1953

The Battle of Chatham, 1667 (oil on canvas)
3087147 The Battle of Chatham, 1667 (oil on canvas) by Stoop, Willem van der (c.1620-69); 142x236 cm; Skokloster Castle, Sweden; (add.info)

Sea Battle of the Anglo-Dutch Wars The Battle of Lowestoft, William van de Velde the Younger, 1633-1707, Dutch

The Wreck of the indian Chief, 1881: Distribution of Medals to the Crew
The Wreck of the " indian Chief", 1881: Distribution of Medals to the Crew of the Ramsgate Lifeboat by the Duke of Edinburgh

The Launch of a New Lifeboat at Cullercoats Northumberland, Engraving 1884, Uk, Britain
THE LAUNCH OF A NEW LIFEBOAT AT CULLERCOATS NORTHUMBERLAND, ENGRAVING 1884, UK, britain, british, europe, united kingdom, great britain, european

The Newbiggin lifeboat Richard Ashley is hauled back to its shed after a rescue attempt off the Northumberland coast. 16th May 1962

Former Ark Royal skipper Rear Admiral Wilfred Graham (second from left) and secretary Stan Green (third left) with lifeboatmen at Newbiggin as they inspect the new Atlantic 21 semi inflatable inshore

Coxswain of Mumbles Lifeboat Derek Scott, aged 43 of Mumbles Road, Southend, Gower pictured with the RNLI rescue craft at Mumbles Head. 14th August 1972

The crew of the city of Bradford III at Humber Lifeboat Station at Spurn Point on the Humber Estuary in East Yorkshire. They are front coxswain Robertson Buchan

Tenby lifeboat coxswain Alan Thomas at the Tenby lifeboat station before being presented with the Royal national Lifeboat Institutions silver medal for gallantry in London. 22nd May 1990

Fowey Town Crier, Fowey, Cornwall. July 1992

Boat Drill on USS Washington, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Boat Drill on USS Washington, between c1910 and c1915. USS Washington was renamed the Seattle in Nov. 1916

Card. Vannutelli at New York, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service
Card. Vannutelli at New York, 1910

Marines aboard Prairie, 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
Marines aboard Prairie, 1911

Signal of Distress, 1890. Creator: Winslow Homer
Signal of Distress, 1890. In the foreground a group of sailors watch as fellow crew members prepare to board a lifeboat and reach safety

Drill, Holland America Line - life boats ready to launch, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Drill, Holland America Line - life boats ready to launch, between c1910 and c1915

Life boats launched, Holland America line, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Life boats launched, Holland America line, between c1910 and c1915

Boat drill KAISER WILHELM II, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Boat drill KAISER WILHELM II, between c1910 and c1915

Life boat drill, Holland America Line - putting boats over the side, between c1910 and c1915

Life boat device on S.S. Imperator, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Life boat device on S.S. Imperator, between c1910 and c1915. Shows a model of the S.S. Imperator, an ocean liner of the Hamburg America Line

"The Ramsgate Life-boat: Morning after a Heavy Gale - Weather Moderating"...by E.W Cooke. R.A
"The Ramsgate Life-boat: Morning after a Heavy Gale - Weather Moderating" - from the picture by E.W Cooke. R.A. 1864. Engraving of a painting

Swim or Sink
Ania Zwara

An engraving depicting the loss of the Royal Mail steamship Amazon on her maiden voyage, 4th January 1852
5311055 An engraving depicting the loss of the Royal Mail steamship Amazon on her maiden voyage, 4th January 1852. 104 of the 162 persons on board lost

A wreck on the Goodwin Sands (engraving)
8631401 A wreck on the Goodwin Sands (engraving) by Wright, Henry Charles Seppings (1850-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: A wreck on the Goodwin Sands. Illustration from Black and White)

Coastwise: Hauled to Safety (b/w photo)
8671410 Coastwise: Hauled to Safety (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hauled to Safety)

Sea Adventure: The wreck of the "Indian Chief" (colour litho)
8668760 Sea Adventure: The wreck of the "Indian Chief" (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The SS Germanic, 1850
3478493 The SS Germanic, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the SS Germanic picking up members of the crew of the stricken ship. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Henry Greathead's design of a lifeboat, 1850
3331041 Henry Greathead's design of a lifeboat, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Henry Greathead's design of a lifeboat. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Henry Greathead's design of a lifeboat, 1850
3331039 Henry Greathead's design of a lifeboat, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Henry Greathead's design of a lifeboat. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The lifeboat Quiver at Margate Kent, 1850
3331036 The lifeboat Quiver at Margate Kent, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the lifeboat Quiver at Margate Kent being launched to go to help a ship in danger)

The crew of the Caister lifeboat rescuing a survivor from a fishing smack wrecked on the Barber Sand, 1850
3331031 The crew of the Caister lifeboat rescuing a survivor from a fishing smack wrecked on the Barber Sand, 1850; (add.info)

Lower the Lifeboat, 1850
3478533 Lower the Lifeboat, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration titled Lower the Lifeboat depicting a man shouting during a raging storm. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The launching of a lifeboat into the water, 1850
3331021 The launching of a lifeboat into the water, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the launching of a lifeboat into the water. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The testing a self-righting lifeboat in the yard of the National Lifeboat Institution, 1850
3331018 The testing a self-righting lifeboat in the yard of the National Lifeboat Institution, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the testing a self-righting lifeboat in the yard of the National)

Wood & Roger's system for lowering a lifeboat from a moving ship, 1850
3330876 Wood & Roger's system for lowering a lifeboat from a moving ship, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving of a Wood & Roger's system for lowering a lifeboat from a moving ship)

A lifeboat capsizing because of difficulty of lowering from the boat, 1850
3330875 A lifeboat capsizing because of difficulty of lowering from the boat, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a lifeboat capsizing because of difficulty of lowering from the boat)

The launching of a Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboat into the water, 1850
3331026 The launching of a Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboat into the water, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the launching of a lifeboat into the water)

The launching of a lifeboat into the water, 1850
3331015 The launching of a lifeboat into the water, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the launching of a lifeboat into the water. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The crowds gathered to watch the launch of a lifeboat in Manchester, 1850
3331009 The crowds gathered to watch the launch of a lifeboat in Manchester, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the crowds gathered to watch the launch of a lifeboat in Manchester)

The lowering of a passenger into a lifeboat, 1850
3330872 The lowering of a passenger into a lifeboat, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the lowering of a passenger into a lifeboat. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805, c.1836 (oil on canvas)
7337699 The Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805, c.1836 (oil on canvas) by Chambers, George the Elder (1803-40); 73.7x120.7 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The launching of a Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboat into the water, 1850
3331029 The launching of a Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboat into the water, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the launching of a lifeboat into the water)

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"Lifeboat: A Lifeline in the Vast Ocean" In the early 20th century, as the majestic SS Asturias sailed across the vast ocean, a sense of security prevailed knowing that the former Longhope lifeboat T. G. B ON962 stood ready to rescue those in need. Leaving Littlehampton with unwavering determination, it symbolized hope and courage. The RNLI lifeboat Arab II at Harlyn Bay, Cornwall in 1908 showcased the dedication of brave souls who risked their lives to save others. Similarly, Arab I at Padstow's quay between 1883-1900 embodied resilience and selflessness amidst treacherous waters. Crewmen like Ken Bean and Ieuan Bateman from Fishguard and Goodwick Lifeboat exemplified heroism as they fearlessly faced turbulent waves. The crew of Barry lifeboat Arthur and Blanche Harris Frederick Batten and Eric Fry demonstrated unity and camaraderie during perilous missions. Coverack's new lifeboat in 1954 brought a renewed sense of safety to its community while RMS Olympic served as a luxurious cruise ship for White Star Line before being repurposed during WW1—a testament to adaptability even amid chaos. A poignant image captures Captain Smith—the last known photo taken—of RMS Titanic before tragedy struck. It serves as a reminder that even great vessels can falter but also highlights how crucial they are when disaster strikes. The haunting Skopelos Sky shipwreck off Port Isaac on December 15th, 1979 stands as a stark reminder of nature's power over man-made structures—an event where lifeboats played an essential role in saving lives amidst turmoil. Sometimes referred to as "Tight Squeeze, " these remarkable boats navigate narrow passages with precision—showcasing not only their maneuverability but also their ability to reach those stranded or injured in inaccessible areas.