Lifeboat George Pickard

[Guest]

Hi All

The former Peterhead (Scotland) lifeboat George Pickard which was built in 1897 has sunk on Newcastle's Quayside (North East England) and is presently causing a navigational hazard.

Before it sank it was considered to be the oldest lifeboat in Britain still afloat.

It had been converted into a day boat for rod fishing. An engine having been fitted as originally it was powered by oars and human strength.

The boat is named after a Yorkshire industrialist who donated money to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute and during her service the George Pickard has saved 50 lives.

Regards

Steve Ellwood

[AubreyDale]

Many thanks for posting this.

I passed the news to the man who runs the Historic Lifeboat Owners Association.

He expressed his sorrow at losing this one.

[Guest]

Hi Aubrey

There are plans to recover the George Pickard - she isn't very deep at that point in the River Tyne, so all isn't 'lost'  :-)

Regards

Steve Ellwood

[Guest]

Ellwood wrote:
Hi All

The former Peterhead (Scotland) lifeboat George Pickard which was built in 1897 has sunk on Newcastle's Quayside (North East England) and is presently causing a navigational hazard.

Before it sank it was considered to be the oldest lifeboat in Britain still afloat.

It had been converted into a day boat for rod fishing. An engine having been fitted as originally it was powered by oars and human strength.

The boat is named after a Yorkshire industrialist who donated money to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute and during her service the George Pickard has saved 50 lives.

Regards

Steve Ellwood

Hi All

Good news is that George Pickard was lifted from the River Tyne today. Lets hope she can once again be restored to a working boat!

Regards

Steve Ellwood

[AubreyDale]

Fingers crossed.

[Guest]

AubreyDale wrote:
Fingers crossed.

Hi Aubrey

Unfortunately your 'finger crossing' didn't have the desired effect - this piece of news from this morning's edition of the Newcastle Journal - courtesy of:
http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/

"Historic 1897 lifeboat sinks in the Tyne Jul 4 2007
by Chris Robinson, The Journal
 
THE former owner of a slice of maritime history which sank in the Tyne was last night