Tubular lifeboats were effectively a type of catamaran, or raft, with a flat deck mounted between two buoyant tubes. The decks of the boats were approximately above the water. The first version was constructed by Russel & Oswald, and operated at between 1850 and 1852. The later lifeboat was the design of Messrs. Richardson, of Bala, Merionethshire. The boats were usually 12, 14 or 16-oared, with sails available for suitable conditions.

A tubular lifeboat was first placed in service at in 1856 by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Even though just six more of this type were constructed for the Institution, tubular lifeboats were in service with the RNLI for a combined period of 83 years. They operated primarily at just two stations, and .

Design The vessel was constructed from two iron cylinders, each approximately in length and in diameter, divided into watertight compartments. The iron plating of the cylinders was thick, and each compartment featured openings at the top to allow for the removal of any water ingress via pumping. The four end compartments were fitted with airtight bladders, while the two central compartments were filled with cork shavings.

The ends of the cylinders were tapered, curved, and turned inward to converge at a raised point at both the bow and stern. The cylinders were braced together, resulting in an overall width of . Above, a platform was mounted measuring in length and in width.

The vessel was classified as a "Pulling and Sailing" (P&S) lifeboat, typically equipped with 12 to 16 oars, steered by a rudder, and rigged with two lug sails, a jib, and topsails for use in favourable weather conditions. Its buoyancy allowed it to carry up to 80 men, and it remained stable even if all occupants were positioned on one side.

History The primary Tubular lifeboat was designed by Henry Richardson and his son Henry Thomas Richardson, both of Aber Hirnant, Bala, in North Wales. Their first vessel, Challenger, was navigated from Liverpool, around Land's End, finally reaching its destination of Ramsgate, having successfully endured rough weather near St Davids and Padstow. It was sold for use in Portugal.

Following the loss of six lifeboat men when their lifeboat capsized in January 1853, all confidence in their 'Beeching' constructed lifeboat was lost. At the request of the Rhyl lifeboat committee, a tubular lifeboat was commissioned by the RNLI, with a view to evaluating its performance. In February 1856, the new 32-foot tubular lifeboat, constructed by William Lees of Manchester, was launched, and towed from Manchester to Rhyl.

When Henry T. Richardson, then of Brynhrfryd, Pwllheli, died on 21 November 1878, he bequeathed to the RNLI, on the death of his wife, the sum of £10,000, to include the provision of two tubular lifeboats, their ongoing maintenance, and the opening of a lifeboat station at .

When the time came, in 1891, a lifeboat station was established at . A 35-foot 7in tubular lifeboat, Caroline Richardson (ON 287), was provided, but it was not liked by the crew. It served just one year at Pwllheli, being launched just once. In fact, such was the dislike for this type of boat that the RNLI went to court to gain permission to reallocate the funds to standard type lifeboats, which was granted. Caroline Richardson (ON 287) was transferred to .

In the end, just two RNLI stations would find favour in the tubular lifeboat, Rhyl and . A tubular lifeboat would serve at Rhyl from 1856 to 1939, a period of 83 years, with the last boat, Caroline Richardson (ON 398), on station for 42 years.

Tubular lifeboats ON Name Built Station Comments – Russell & Oswald Life Raft 1850 1850–1852 x (10-oared) (P&S) lifeboat, built by Russell & Oswald.Built of Iron. – Challenger 1851 1852–???? Oporto, Portugal x (14-oared) (P&S) lifeboat, built by William Lees of Manchester, costing £130.Prototype vessel, sold for service in Oporto Portugal.70 1856 1856–1867 x (12-oared) (P&S) lifeboat, provided from RNLI funds, built by William Lees of Manchester, costing £200.Renamed Morgan in 1867. Morgan 1867–1893 Legacy of Mrs Morgan of CheltenhamSent away for repairs in 1868, returned in 1869. Rescue1862 1863–1866 x (14-oared) (P&S) lifeboat, funded by the RNLI, built by J. Hamilton Jr. of Liverpool, costing £230.Withdrawn from service in 1866, completely rebuilt, returned as Willie & Arthur. Willie & Arthur 1867–1876 x (14-oared) (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Mr J. Leather of Liverpool. – No. 1 1870 1870–1894 Liverpool x (16-oared) (P&S) lifeboat, built by William Lees of Manchester, costing £130.Operated by Mersey Docks and Harbour Company. 71 Willie & Arthur 1876 1876–1890 New Brighton No.1 x (14-oared) (P&S) lifeboat, gift of Mr J. Leather of Liverpool, built by J. Hamilton, Jnr, of Liverpool, costing £562-10s-0d.Condemned and sold, 1890. Pre-625 Stuart Hay 1878 1878–1888 New Brighton No.2 x (12-oared) (P&S) lifeboat, gift of J. Hay & Co. of Liverpool, built by J. Hamilton, Jnr, of Liverpool, costing £500.Broken up in 1888221Henry Richardson1888 1888–1890 x (14-oared) (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Mr H. T. Richardson of Bala, built by the Naval Construction and Armament Co. of Barrow-in-Furness, costing £637.Broken up in 1898. 1890–1892 1893–1898 New Brighton No.1287Caroline Richardson1891 1891–1892 x (14-oared) (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Mr H. T. Richardson of Bala, built by Mechan of Glasgow, costing £633.Broken up in 1899. 1892–1897 1897–1899 Relief fleet 398 1896 1897–1939 x (12-oared) (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Mr H. T. Richardson of Bala, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £548.Scrapped in 1952.

See also List of RNLI stations List of former RNLI stations Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats

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