1.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The Society's key objectives and aims are;
A. To promote the preservation and appreciation of the Ex-RNLI CLASSIC LIFEBOAT 'William Cantrell Ashley, ON 871 and disseminate educational and historical information on its social and economic importance to the development of the whole community.B. To repair and refurbish the Classic Lifeboat 'William Cantrell Ashley' and thereafter to maintain it for the future as an example of a Classic Lifeboat in a seaworthy condition and also to:a) Display the vessel in a manner that makes it readily available and open to anyone interested in viewing, touring and inspecting it.b) Provide fully trained and experienced crewmen in order that as many people, who wish to do so, can take a trip, out to sea, on a genuine RNLI Lifeboat.c) Make the vessel open and available to Education Establishments (a floating school), Outward Bound Organisations, Sea Cadets, potential and inspirational Lifeboat Crews and ALL other interested organisations. This to include, 'The Cremated Ashes of the Dear Departed Reverently Scattered at Sea from a Lifeboat. Organised and carried out with dignity by the sympathetic crew of the 'William Cantrell Ashley'.d) To co-operate and work with all organisations dedicated to Preservation, with particular emphasis on Marine Wild Life. To offer assistance, transport, information exchange and the collection of data and statistics to such organisations as the RSPCA, DEFRA etc and any and all other similar organisation that would benefit from an association with the Scarborough Marine Heritage Society.e) Use the vessel and the Society to promote heritage and research.f) Make available, through the Scarborough Marine Heritage Society, talks, tours, lectures and educational literature based on the 'William Cantrell Ashley' and its previous association with the RNLI.g) Offer assistance and support, where ever practical and possible to any and all other organisations whose aims and ambitions can be identified as being along the same lines and aspirations as those of the Scarborough Marine Heritage Society.C. Identifying Scarborough as the home of the Lifeboat and to be fully operational by the 3rd May 2005.It is the Society's intention to purchase the former RNLI Lifeboat 'William Cantrell Ashley, ON 871' and it is the society's intention to restore this Lifeboat to full working order and work closely with and give full support to other Scarborough Harbour Users and Ex-RNLI Classic Lifeboat owners.
The Society also aims to promote research into the development and use of the Lifeboat and to preserve traditional skills and knowledge. To further these aims a database of currently used Lifeboats with historical notes is to be maintained.
Voluntary work, employment of local craftsmen, Lifeboat men (currently serving and retired) and other advisers, information gathering, production of educational displays and publicity materials, links with other societies and the use of the Internet will be used to further these aims.
2.
BACKGROUND
With progress, following research and development, and the invention an innovation of new materials and changing circumstances the RNLI continually redesign and update their Lifeboats. This can result in the rapid move forward from one type and design of lifeboat to another thus rendering those left behind, though still in remarkable good condition, redundant. Most are held in a reserve fleet for a short period before being sold off to other countries, for use as lifeboats, or to the private sector. As lifeboats are designed and built for a specific purpose the result is that the private sector can do little with them unless they modify and vandalise them beyond recognition and turn them into nothing more than a short lived pleasure craft. Fortunately a few slip through the net and avoid this fate. The 'William Cantrell Ashley was one such vessel and of its 'class' is believed to be one of only two in its original configuration and possibly, though not confirmed beyond doubt, the only one still afloat.
3. LIFEBOAT 'William Cantrell Ashley'. A SHORT BIOGRAPHY.
The original funding for the William Cantrell Ashley was provided by the legacy of one Mr Charles Ashley, who died in Menton, France, in 1906. Having given funding for one lifeboat during his lifetime, he bequeathed his estate to the RNLI and William Cantrell Ashley O.N. 871 was the ninth built out of his generosity.
Built in the Isle of White, by Groves and Gutteridge in 1949 the boat is a 35'-6", Self-righting, Liverpool Class. Overall Weight 8 tonnes, 15cwt. The original engines were two 18 bhp, Weyburn A.E.4 petrol engines and the total building cost was £10,964. She was designated "O.N. 871 William Cantrell Ashley" and was the sixth Lifeboat stationed at Clovelly, North Devon, where there has been a Lifeboat Station since 1870.
Taking up station on the 7th September 1949 a notable service was performed on the 13th November 1949, when together with the Ilfracombe Lifeboat, the William Cantrell Ashley was launched to go to the assistance of the Spanish Steam Ship 'Monte Gurugu,' when the crew of 38 were all taken off by the Ilfracombe Lifeboat. Clovelly's then Coxswain, George Lamey, was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal and all the crew later received Diplomas of Merit from "The Spanish Society of Saving the Shipwrecked."
The official naming ceremony was held on the 27th June 1950 and the Earl of Fortescue presided. Sir Arthur Reed JP, a member of The Committee of Management, handed the boat to Clovelly on behalf of the donor and the Institution and she was named, "William Cantrell Ashley," by the Countess of Fortescue.
On the 24th February 1951 the boat was severely damaged, when blown off the slipway, while attempting to launch, on service, in a severe gale. A relief boat was sent while William Cantrell Ashley was withdrawn for repair.
On the 16th September 1954, Coxswain George Lamey was awarded a Bronze Medal, by the RNLI, for his part in the service to the ketch, "Progress" of Bideford, when the crew of three, the ship's cat and her new born kittens, and a Canary were all taken off in a NW gale and a very rough sea.
A collective 'Letter of Thanks' was sent to the Coxswain and Shore Helpers for their part in the service to the Navel Auxiliary Tanker 'Green Ranger' on the 17th November 1962.
During the refit in 1964 the engines were removed and replaced with Penguin, 32bhp Diesels, either side.
The 'William Cantrell Ashley' was replaced at Clovelly in 1968 by a 70ft Cruising Lifeboat and was sold out of service to Essex County Council, having been credited with 38 Service Launches, which resulted in the saving of 24 lives. A proud record.
The 'William Cantrell Ashley' was renamed "St Chedd" and taken to Bradwell Field Studies Centre, where she operated as a Rescue Boat for their Water Sports Section until 1994 when the boat was transferred to the East Mersea Youth Camp, still under the Essex County Council.
The boat was found in a poor condition, in 1996, and transported to Pin Mill, near Ipswich, where renovations were carried out, by Harry King and Sons, Boat Builders.
Renamed, once again, the 'William Cantrell Ashley,' the vessel was brought into Scarborough Harbour, her current homeport, certified seaworthy by Peter Davis, Marine Surveyor, from Wivenhoe, near Colchester, and insured to carry 12 passengers and crew.
4.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE/TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS
There are 4 Executive Members/Trustees with a further number of ordinary members living in Scarborough and much further afield.
Eric Boardman Taylor - Retired JP, Company Director and Businessman. Former Y.T.S. Tutor and National Examination Board Business Studies Lecturer, (NEBBS). Currently RNLI Management.
John Claud Sharp - Passenger vessel owner/skipper. NCH. 2nd Coxswain RNLI Lifeboats (Retired - 31 years service). Yacht-master Offshore (commercial) Command Certificate. Lifeboat Operations/ Search and Rescue Certificate. Radio Operators Long Range Certificate. Radio Operators DSC Certificate. Radar Technician. Fire Fighting Certificate. First Aid Certificate. HCITB Training Certificate. Clait IT Certificate.
Stephen Murray - Retired Industrial Research and Development Engineer, HNC. Eng, MIMH, MIWSE. Businessman. Coastguard Officer. Member of Management of The Cambridge (Drug and Alcohol Abuse) Centre. Area Police Panel. Currently trustee of Home & Dry (Scarborough Foyer). Member of the RNLI. Boatman's License. Radio Operators License. RYA Navigation Certificate. First Aid Certificate. Clait IT Certificate. RSA Internet Technologies. RSA 1 Typing. Web Site Designing. HNC Computing. City and Guilds Teaching Diploma.
John Percy Porter - Credit Control Manager. Director and Chairman of Knipe Point Owners Association Ltd. Radio Amateur License held for 35 years. RNLI Crew Member for 23 years. Currently Deputy Head Launcher Scarborough Lifeboat Station. RNLI Volunteer Presenter and Authorised Representative.
5.
SURVEY
Once purchased the Lifeboat will be subjected to a full survey.
6.
INSURANCE
Once purchased the Lifeboat will be insured with Hayes Parsons Marine through brokers Rudge Insurance Brokers, at an estimated cost of £605 pa. (Inflation linked).
The Society will take out Public Liability Insurance to cover all other activities.
7.
MOORING and BERTHING.
The Lifeboat will be berthed and operate out of Scarborough Harbour from a mooring provided by the Scarborough Harbour Authority at a current annual cost of £950. (Inflation linked).
8.
BANKING
An account has been opened with the Yorkshire Bank Plc, 24 Huntress Row, Scarborough, Account No. 26729820, and four signatories with a minimum of any two to sign.
9.
ADMINISTRATION
The necessary administration procedures have been put in place with officers elected.
The office equipment currently used by the Society is old, slow and lacks capacity, therefore application is to be made for funding for new equipment to enhance the Society's capabilities and produce its own 'in house' brochures, newsletters and promotional material thereby reducing costs, i.e. a tool for the Society.
10.
CHARITY STATUS
The Society has adopted the model constitution drawn up by the Charity Commissioners and the Society is to be registered with them and Companies House under the Companies Acts 1985 and 1989 a company limited by guarantee.
11.
LEGALITIES
The Society will be registered, as a fundraising tool, with Scarborough Borough Council under the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 at a cost of £35.00 for the first year and £17.50 per annum thereafter.
It is proposed to appoint a Solicitor to advise the Society as and when required.
It is proposed to appoint a Chartered Accountant to prepare the accounts of the Society for submission to the Membership and the Charities Commission and Companies House.
The Society will register as a Charity.
The Society will register with Companies House.
12.
EMPLOYEES/EMPLOYMENT
The Society does not propose to employ anyone at this stage, as members with their various skills will be offering their services voluntarily. The Society will look to employing a part-time skipper from May 2005. The overall scheme will provide continued employment with local firms during restoration and ongoing maintenance.
13.
LOCAL LINKS
These will be forged with:
a)Local Youth Clubs. (Including Scouts, Guides, Boys' Brigades etc).b)Scarborough and District Sea Cadets.c)Scarborough Museum.d)Scarborough Evening News and Filey and Hunmanby Mercury.e)Scarborough and District Tourist and Information Centres. f)Yorkshire Post Newspapers.g)Yorkshire Life Magazine.h)Dales Diary Magazine. i)Radio York. j)Yorkshire Coast Radio.k)Yorkshire Television. l)Tyne-Tees Television.m)DEFRA. n)Yorkshire and Humberside Ports Training Authority. o)Hull University, Scarborough Campus, Marine Division. p)Scarborough IT Centre. q)St John's Ambulance.r)Clovelly and surrounding areas, Devon.s)Graham School, Scarborough (Sea Training Division).t)Army and Air Force Cadet Corps u) North Yorkshire Police (Scarborough) - Youth Projects.
v) Sea - Life Centre, Scarborough.
14.
PUBLICITY
The Society proposes to produce Brochures and in house News Letters, Members Information Sheets and any other publicity material that will directly benefit the Society.
15.
PRESIDENT and PATRON.
Mr Richard Whitely, TV Presenter is the Society President
and
Mr Paul Hudson, TV Weather Presenter is the Society Patron.
A web site has been set up under http://ScarboroughMHS.homestead.com
and an active e-mail address, scarboroughmhs@ic24.net
16.
FUNDING INITIAL
A number of sources have been identified and will be pursued.
Members have contributed to open a Bank Account and several small donations have been received.
Further substantial funding is required to see the project to fruition.
17.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
A syllabus is to be designed to cover the following;
VHF Radio Operator (Ship to ship, ship to shore), Radar Operator, Navigation, Boat Handling, Survival Techniques, Boat Maintenance/Marine Engineering, Local History, First Aid at Sea, the Role of the Coastguard. It is envisaged that the course will commence in May 2005 and run to the end of September. It will be run on this time schedule year on year.
Links are to be forged with the following:
Scarborough Marine Engineers Ltd, Scarborough: Northern Marine Electrics, Scarborough: Yorkshire Coast College: GNJ Engineering, Scarborough and A & E Woodward Ltd, Hull.
Further advice will be sought from the Merchant Navy Training Board, Sea Fish Authority, R.Y.A. and the Learning and Skills Council.
The Society is looking to be an approved/accredited training provider with access to skilled/experienced-qualified trainers. The Society shall also look to industry backing with entry into a proper partnership for this, primarily, youth/young persons project.
18.
TOURISM
This features in the Society's objectives and plan to make the Lifeboat 'William Cantrell Ashley' a tourist attraction. There is, for example, an opportunity to take groups (maximum of twelve) on geological surveys to the North and South of Scarborough: trips, South, to the seal colonies under Lebberston and Gristhorpe cliffs and the bird colonies at Gristhorpe and Filey Brigg and all other wild life to be found, in their natural habitat, along the coast: scenic trips North to Burniston, Cloughton, (where Dinosaur remains have been found), Hayburn Wyke, Ravenscar, Robin Hoods Bay, Whitby Highlight, Saltwick Bay and Whitby.
There are other opportunities, which will be investigated as to their legal and commercial feasibility.
19.
TERMS:
We are committed to running the project for a minimum of ten years. It follows that the overall plan and training syllabus that is laid down will be followed year on year throughout this period and beyond.
20.
FUTURE REQUIREMENTS
The Society wish to operate all year round from the gantry moorings, in Scarborough Harbour, and funding will be sort to finance this and all ongoing operations.
