Hoylake Lifeboat Museum acquires William Cantrell Ashley lifeboat in new link-up with Liverpool

Nov 9 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

HOYLAKE Lifeboat Museum has acquired another historic lifeboat in a new link-up with Liverpool.

The William Cantrell Ashley, a twin-engined Liverpool-class lifeboat, was brought from Looe in Cornwall to the city last week.

Her new home will be the Albert Dock, where members of the public will be able to view and sail in her.

Museum volunteers hope she will encourage visitors to make the trip to Wirral to see the museum’s principal collection in Hoylake.

The museum already has the Louise Stephens, Chapman and Thomas Corbett lifeboats.

Hoylake Lifeboat Museum chairman John Parr said “Liverpool’s Dock Board Trustees founded the world’s first lifeboat station at Formby Point in 1776.

“There followed a series of Dock Board lifeboat stations as far afield as Hoylake, Hilbre Island and North Wales.

“The Liverpool-class lifeboat honours that pioneering contribution.”

The Liverpool class lifeboat originated towards the end of the 19th Century and became the backbone of the RNLI from the 1930s until the 1980s.

The 62-year-old lifeboat is on long-term loan from a local benefactor and the museum trust hopes that public support will enable them to complete her purchase.

Hoylake Lifeboat Museum is being developed at the former RNLI station on the promenade after a long-running campaign.

In the summer, a £400,000 fundraising appeal was launched to preserve and restore the boathouse to its former glory and develop facilities for visitors.

Mr Parr said the museum hoped to offer opportunities for young people to learn sailing techniques through its links with local groups and sea cadets.

For more information, visit www.hoylakelifeboatmuseum.com