Helen Wycherley - O.N. 959

Helen Wycherley seen alongside Dawsons Quay, Middlesbrough, Teesport, North East England on 20th August 2009.

Information courtesy of the Courtmacsherry Stations web site @
http://www.courtmacs...p?g2_itemId=193

Watson-class "Helen Wycherley"

Lifeboat Details:
O.N. 959
Served from: 1969 - 1987
Type: Watson

Builder: Groves & Guttridge
LOA: 47' 0" (14.3m)
Draft: 4' 6" (1.4m)
Beam: 13' 0" (4.0m)
Hull construction: Wood, Double Diagonal
Exgines: 2 x Gardiner 120HP Diesels
Speed: 8 kt.

This class of lifeboat was not self-righting. This lifeboat's sister ship the "T.G.B" capsized in a force 9 gale and 8 crewmen died when she failed to right herself. This was around the time of arrival on station in Courtmacsherry of the "Helen Wycherly". This class of lifeboat was fitted later with a stowed air-bag which, when inflated, would aid self-righting should the need arise. It was 1974 when this feature was added to this lifeboat.

When she retired from service in 1987 this lifeboat was bought by a Mr.Twomey, a businessman in Crosshaven, and converted into an angling charter boat. However Irish Department of Marine regulations for charter vessels saw the "Helen Wycherley" again go into retirement.