The 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 buiding 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 A relief boat was sent while William Cantrell Ashley was withdrawn for repair.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, were she operated as a Rescue Boat for their Water Sports Section untill 1994 when the boat was transfered to the East Mersea Youth Camp, still under the Essex County Council.
The present owners found the boat in a poor condition, in 1996, purchased the vessel and transported her to Pin Mill, near Ipswich, where a complete renovation was carried out, by Harry King and Sons, Boat Builders.
Renamed, once again, the 'William Cantrell Ashley,' the vessel sailed into Scarborough Harbour, her current homeport, on the 15th April 1997. Now fully certified and insured to carry 12 passengers and crew.
First impressions on seeing her, before this date, were "Oh dear." She looked very sad, quite badly neglected over a good number of years, but was totally original and had definite possibilities - if the price was right.
Striking lucky and finding a surveyor in the area, Peter Davis, from Wivenhoe, near Colchester, who came out and agreed to do a survey at short notice. But following that stage we nearly gave up. Peter sent a 40-page survey report, most of it bad. It seemed pretty hopeless but on discussing the situation, in detail, with Peter he assured us that the boat could be revived, at a price, and it would be a worthwhile venture. So negotiations began again with Essex County Council. A deal was done but then we needed a Boat Builder with the necessary skills to do the work and above all else, one with a great sense of humour.
Peter, having been asked, agreed to act as our agent and then after meeting Geoff King, of Harry King and Son, Boat Builders, Pin Mill, near Ipswich, we asked him to take on the actual job. This turned out to be a good decision, as Geoff is the grandson of the founder and the Kings have been building quality boats at Pin Mill since 1850.
On November 26th 1996 the boat was transported to Pin Mll. Over the next five months several visits were made and at first these were frightening. The boat was completely stripped out and back to the bare hull and, to an owner, this looks horrendous.
Gradually though, Geoff and his hard working team, cut out all the bad sections, and with great skill matched and replaced them. Then the paintwork started and the boat began to come alive again.
Geoff said that the boat, now the original 'William Cantrell Ashley' once more, would be ready to go in the water on April 3rd, so Claud and his wife Sue travelled down to witness the launching. First impressions on seeing the finished boat were astounding. For there now sat the "William Cantrell Ashley," in her full RNLI livery, a very proud Lifeboat once more.
She sailed, in the 'capable hands' of myself and my 'right hand' man and fellow crewman, Steve Murray, into Scarborough Harbour, her current home port, mid May, after punching against three days of 'heavy weather'. An interesting trip to say the least.
Claud Sharp.
