Historic Lifeboat to be Pulled Through Whitby Streets

Whitby RNLI's 103 year old rowing lifeboat to be pulled through the streets by crew as the first step in a major museum redevelopment.

The historic lifeboat, RNLB Robert & Ellen Robson,  is currently on display in the museum and is housed in the RNLI's only remaining pulling carriage. It will be pulled through Whitby on Saturday by the current lifesaving volunteers to a temporary home at Coates Marine while the renovations take place.

The lifeboat will be pulled through the streets on Saturday by approximately 24 crew members along Pier Road and then along New Quay Road and Langbourne Road. The RNLI have a obtained a Road Closure Order for Pier Road to enable the boat to be moved against the normal traffic flow. 

The team will start moving the boat at 09:30 and the lifeboat will be on display on the corner of Baxtergate/New Quay road between 11.00am and 3.30pm as part of a fundraising event.

The Rubie class RNLI lifeboat 'Robert & Ellen Robson', built in 1918, served in Whitby from 1947-1955, her last service being a historic event for the RNLI as it was the last time a rowing lifeboat was ever used in operational service.

During her time on service at Whitby the lifeboat was mainly launched to escort fishing vessels into the harbour in bad weather, however one of the more unusual services she was involved in was on 5th October 1949 when she was used to rescue seventeen geology students from Aberdeen University who were cut off on the infamous Black Nab. 

Whitby's lifeboat museum, in the town's former lifeboat station building, is a flagship for the RNLI and visited by thousands every year. The museum will close (although the shop will remain open) from 20 Sept 2021 to allow work to commence to create an exciting new visitor experience within the museum, aiming to re-open early summer 2022.

Deputy launch authority for Whitby RNLI, and museum curator Neil Williamson said:

'This is an exciting project for the museum and its volunteers. The RNLI has a rich history of lifeboating in Whitby and the pulling of the old lifeboat will be quite a sight as the boat has not moved from its current home since 2002, pulling it by hand as it would have been in the past feels like a nod to those who volunteered before us.'

The stories of Whitby lifeboat and the gallantry of the crew will still be centre stage in the new design, while giving greater opportunity to showcase the unique models, artefacts and the amazing historic pulling lifeboat.

The redevelopment aims to bring the story of Whitby lifeboat and the wider lifesaving work of the RNLI to new audiences, making greater use of interactive, visual and emotive storytelling. This story will highlight how volunteers in all roles play a key part in the work of the RNLI.

Michael Charlton who is leading the project said:

'The redevelopment gives new opportunities to inform visitors about how to stay safe by promoting local key water safety messages in a fun and informative way.  As a charity, it is important that the museum highlights how the RNLI is funded and how the public can be more involved and support, be that either via a simple donation or by leaving a legacy. Indeed the redevelopment is only possible as it is being funded by a generous gift left in a will specifically for the museum as per the wishes of the donor.'

Between 11.00am and 3.30pm, the lifeboat will be on show to the public on the junction of Baxtergate and New Quay Road, giving visitors the chance of a closer look at this unique item of RNLI history. Members of the current lifeboat crew will also be on hand to talk about the charity’s work and accept donations. As the project develops the museum is planning further opportunities to contribute locally towards creating this special piece of history for Whitby.