The Northumberland Premium

 

In 1849 the South Shields lifeboat "Providence" capsized with the loss of twenty men. Algernon, 3rd Duke of Northumberland promoted a national competition to design the classic lifeboat. Entrants were required to submit plans, costs and a model which were to be put before a panel of judges. In the "Report of the Committee appointed to examine the Lifeboat models for the 1851 Northumberland Premium" one of the entrants is from Jersey.

This was Francis Grellier of St Helier who submitted a proposal for a lifeboat which was 30 ft in overall length and 23 ft on the keel, it was to be 7 ft 6 ins in the beam with a depth of 3 ft 6 ins. The completed boat would weigh 24 cwt and be powered by 12 oars. The cost of Grellier's submission was £75.

 

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