RNLB Thomas McCunn (ON 759)

RNLB Thomas McCunn (ON 759) is a 45ft 6in Watson-class[1] lifeboat stationed at Longhope in Orkney, Scotland,[2] from January 1933 until April 1962. During which time she was launched on service 101 times and saved 308 lives.[1] After Thomas McCunn left Longhope she was placed into the reserve fleet for ten years before being sold and used as a pleasure boat. In 2000 she was bought by Longhope Lifeboat Museum. The lifeboat is now at the centre of a display in the old slipway at Brims and is still launched on special occasions.[1]

Thomas McCunn ON 759
History
Scotland
OwnerRoyal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
BuilderGroves & 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
StationLonghope Lifeboat station, Orkney, Scotland
Cost£7120
Yard number182
Completed1932
Commissioned4/1/1933
Decommissioned1972
In service1933
FateNow housed in the Lifeboat shed in Brims where she forms the centrepiece of the museum
General characteristics
Class and type45ft 6in Watson-class
Typenon-self righting
Displacement18 tons 16 cwt
Length45 ft 6 in (13.87 m) overall
Beam12 ft 4 in (3.76 m)
Depth5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Installed powerOriginally 2 Weyburn petrol engines, the last of the petrol engine LBs designed by Watson himself. Re-engined in 1973 with 2 Mermaid diesels.
Speed9 knots (17 km/h)
Crew8
NotesOn 16 May 1999 The National Historic Ships Committee added the Thomas McCunn to the National Register of Historic Vessels (Certificate no 1515)

Design and construction

Thomas McCunn was built at the yard of Groves and Guttridge Ltd on the Isle of Wight, England.[1] Her hull is constructed using double diagonal planking of Honduras Mahogany on a framework of Teak ribs and beams with the stem and stern posts and her keel of English oak. The stern and stem posts are grown to the required shape to give the lifeboat its strength and sturdiness. The Thomas McCunn was 45 feet 6 inches (13.87 m) long and 12 feet 6 inches (3.81 m) wide. The hull is divided into seven watertight compartments, of which the engine room is one. The hull is fitted with 142 mahogany air cases, all individually made to fit into its allocated position in the hull. Her equipment included the latest innovations of the time which included a line throwing gun and an electrically powered searchlight.

Engines

The lifeboat was originally powered by two 40bhp 4-cylinder Weyburn CE4 petrol engines, but after sale by the RNLI was re-engined in 1973 with two Ford Mermaid diesel engines. The last of the petrol engines was designed by Watson himself.[1] The lifeboat had a top speed of 9 knots (17 km/h)

Service

The boat served from January 1933 - April 1962 at Longhope. During this time it was launched 101 times and saved 308 lives. From 1962 - 1972 it was a reserve-boat and has 8 launches with 7 savings during this time. In August 1972 the boat was sold and returned later to Longhope for display.

References
  1. Longhope Lifeboat Thomas McCunn ON 759
  2. OS Explorer Map: Orkney - Hoy, South Walls & Flotta: Published: Ordnance Survey: ISBN 978-0-319-23998-8

58.7797°N 3.2280°W / 58.7797; -3.2280

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