RNLB George Elmy

[Tynesider]

Leaving royal Quays on probably her last ever sea trip to Seaham the George Elmy with escort old trawler the Rachel Douglas

See RACHEL DOUGLAS at: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=22920

[magoonigal]

A few moments of "Moving Pictures" of her trip.

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/loca ... -1-5794924

[teesships]

Another news item covering her background: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-23026788

This was the lifeboat that tragically capsized off Seaham in November 1962.

Ron

[Tynesider]

Hi Ron

Yes 9 people tragically lost there lives when she capsized, 5 RNLI crew plus 4 rescued fisherman.

I am all for restoration of old boats/ships but this one I think in all due respect should have been left alone.

I only hope now any entrance fee to the museum is all donated back to the RNLI to help try in saving other.

[northeast]

I remember the day well, we found the name board from the coble on the beach at Coatham.
I too am a bit surprised that the folk of Seaham want this reminder of the tragedy, but it is part of their heritage and a poignant reminder of the perils of the sea.

[magoonigal]

I can see both sides of the story but I'm surprised the RNLI did not destroy her after the tragedy as they have done with other boats.

She was built by Groves and Guttridge in 1950 and paid for by a legacy provided by Miss Elmy.
She measured 35' 6" x 10' 8" and was fitted with 2 x 18 Bhp Weyburn AE4 Engines,
She served at Seaham from 1950 to 1962, being launched 26 times and saving 20 People.
As already shown, she capsized on the 17th November 1962 but was rebuilt and re-engined with Penguin 32 Bhp engines in 1963.
She served in the reserve fleet from 1963 till 1969 being launched 9 times and saving 2 lives. Further service at Poole followed from 1969 till 1972 when she was launced 12 times and saved 3 lives.

She was sold out of service in 1972.
Subsequent ex Lifeboat names were Gabrielle K, Bonny Girl, Samantha H, Ellen Louise, Miza and finally she regained her old name in 2009 (I think!) when under restoration at Fred Crowell's boatyard at South Shields.

Our oldest spotting of her was in June 1988 as Gabrielle K at Yarmouth. Subsequent ones record her as being ashore by the Coastguard Station at Holyhead and date from 2003.