RNLB Thomas McCunn (ON 759) facts for kids
Thomas McCunn ON 759
|
|
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 Scotland |
|
| Owner | Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) |
| Builder | Groves & Guttridge, Cowes, Isle of Wight, England |
| Official Number: | ON 759 |
| Donor: | Supplied by money given to RNLI from the legacy of Mr W McCunn of Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland |
| Station | Longhope Lifeboat station, Orkney, Scotland |
| Cost | £7120 |
| Yard number | 182 |
| Completed | 1932 |
| Commissioned | 4/1/1933 |
| Decommissioned | 1972 |
| In service | 1933 |
| Fate | Now housed in the Lifeboat shed in Brims where she forms the centrepiece of the museum |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 45ft 6in Watson-class |
| Type | non-self righting |
| Displacement | 18 tons 16 cwt |
| Length | 45 ft 6 in (13.87 m) overall |
| Beam | 12 ft 4 in (3.76 m) |
| Depth | 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) |
| Installed power | Originally 2 Weyburn petrol engines, the last of the petrol engine LBs designed by Watson himself. Re-engined in 1973 with 2 Mermaid diesels. |
| Speed | 9 knots (17 km/h) |
| Crew | 8 |
| Notes | On 16 May 1999 The National Historic Ships Committee added the Thomas McCunn to the National Register of Historic Vessels (Certificate no 1515) |
RNLB Thomas McCunn (ON 759) is a special type of lifeboat called a 45ft 6in Watson-class class. This boat was stationed at Longhope in Orkney, Scotland. It served there from January 1933 until April 1962. During its time at Longhope, the Thomas McCunn was launched 101 times to help people. It successfully saved 308 lives!
After leaving Longhope, the Thomas McCunn was kept in a special reserve fleet for ten years. Later, it was sold and used as a pleasure boat. In 2000, the Longhope Lifeboat Museum bought it. Today, this historic lifeboat is the main display at the old slipway in Brims. Sometimes, it is even launched for special events.
Building the Thomas McCunn
The Thomas McCunn was built by Groves and Guttridge Ltd. Their shipyard was on the Isle of Wight, England. The boat's hull (the main body) was made using a special method. It had two layers of Honduras Mahogany wood planks laid diagonally. These planks were placed over a strong frame of Teak wood ribs and beams.
The front part (called the stem) and the back part (the stern post) were made from English oak. The bottom of the boat, called the keel, was also made of English oak. These parts were shaped naturally to give the lifeboat extra strength. The Thomas McCunn was 45 feet 6 inches (13.87 m) long and 12 feet 6 inches (3.81 m) wide.
The hull of the boat was divided into seven sections that were completely sealed off. This meant water could not get from one section to another. One of these sections was for the engines. The hull also had 142 special air cases made of mahogany. Each one was custom-made to fit perfectly inside the boat. The lifeboat also had the newest tools for its time. These included a gun that could shoot a line to people in trouble and an electric searchlight.
Lifeboat Engines
When it was first built, the Thomas McCunn had two 40-horsepower, 4-cylinder Weyburn CE4 petrol engines. These were the last petrol engines designed by Watson himself for lifeboats. After the RNLI sold the boat, its engines were changed in 1973. It was given two Ford Mermaid diesel engines instead. The lifeboat could travel at a top speed of 9 knots (17 km/h).
Service History
The Thomas McCunn served at the Longhope station from January 1933 to April 1962. During this time, it was launched 101 times and saved 308 lives.
From 1962 to 1972, the boat became a reserve lifeboat. This means it was kept ready to help if other lifeboats needed support. During these ten years, it was launched 8 times and helped save 7 more lives. In August 1972, the boat was sold. Later, it returned to Longhope to be put on display for everyone to see.
Images for kids
-
The Thomas McCunn inside the Brims Lifeboat Museum.
