Ex. RNLB Watson Class GERTRUDE

Wooden Ships Comments on this Ex. RNLB Watson Class GERTRUDE

Ex. RNLB Gertrude (ON847) is a 46’ open cockpit Watson Class lifeboat built in 1945.

She served at Holy Island between 1946-1968, then Exmouth 1968-1970, Sheerness 1970-1974, relief lifeboat 1974-1980 and lastly in Fowey from 1980-1981.

She was the last of the open cockpit Watson class boats to be launched.

In same private ownership since 1981, she has been based out of Mevagissey and used solely for private family trips and RNLI events.

Due to bereavement in the family, the boat has not been used for several years, although the engines are run up regularly and the boat has been slipped for maintenance when required.

The originality of this lifeboat is astounding, she has not been converted in anyway, still retaining her floatation chambers with cork boxes in large parts of the hull, the small mahogany panelled cabin forward and open cockpit aft.

Length on Deck                          46’