Helen Smitton

An Invited Friend of The Harrison Butler Association
The Lifeboat built in 1910 to a design by George Lennox Watson

Helen Smitton : To Become The Oldest Motor Lifeboat Afloat
Malcolm Brown writes, “I send you details of Helen Smitton, a vessel I'm restoring. She is a 38' Watson-Class non self-righting RNLI motor lifeboat built in 1910. She was one of the first lifeboats to be built with an engine but could be sailed (dipping lug) and rowed. She was stationed at St Abbs in Berwickshire, Scotland from 1911 to 1936. When restored she will be the oldest motor lifeboat afloat. I'm hoping to launch her late 2019 or Spring 2020”.
At the HBA we all, of course, wish Malcolm the best of luck with his ambitious project. For more information about old lifeboats in general, and Helen Smitton in particular, use the links provided at the foot of this page.

Helen Smitton Statistics
Built : 1910 by Thames Ironworks & Shipbuilding Company, Blackwall, England
LOA : 38' 0"
LWL : --' -"
Beam : 10' 0"
Draught : -' -"
Displacement : - tons TM
Vessel ID : N° ON603
National Historic Ships °: N° 2220

Boat & Ship Conservation Consultant Malcolm Brown
doing work on Helen Smitton's 108 year old hull

Helen Smitton Custodians & Home Ports 
Malcolm Brown (?-2018-?) Marloes, Pembrokshire, Wales
RNLI (1910-1936) St Abbs, Berwickshire, Scotland

Helen Smitton Links
• The Watson-class lifeboat on Wikipedia
• Helen Smitton's own website

Page last updated : February 2018

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