Bristol Channel

Helen Smitton is a non self-righting Watson 38’ built by the Thames Ironworks in 1910. She was one of the first lifeboats built with an engine, a Wolseley 37hp petrol engine capable of driving her at 7.25 knots. The propeller is positioned in a midships tunnel; the original being variable pitch. She could also be driven by oars and dipping lug rig, the engine being considered an auxiliary. Being a wide-beamed non self-righter with good lines, she apparently sails very well and is easily driven.
Her hull and decks are two-layered double diagonal Honduras mahogany on Canadian rock elm frames and stringers. The floors are iron. Between each layer of hull/deck is a layer of calico coated with white lead paste. All the fastenings are naval brass, bronze or copper with iron fastenings being used where iron fittings are present. She has a fixed iron ballast keel weighing 1.5 tons and a triangular drop keel that passes through the fixed keel.

Water that accumulates on the weather deck is drained via freeing ports directly through the hull skin. The engine is located within a watertight compartment, the air for the engine being drawn via the aft compartment so that any water entering the intake system drains into the bilges. Unusually, the engine exhausts midships, just above the waterline, the fumes being directed to the leeward side of the vessel by a system of valves.

Helen Smitton is, at present, basically a bare hull in poor condition with many structural problems. Many of her original fittings do, however, still remain. She is, at present, without an engine and the owner is seeking support in providing the major items of equipment, such as the engine installation, sails and equipment associated with fitting out a motor vessel.

She is being restored by Malcolm Brown, Restoration Consultant /Industrial Archaeologist, at his workshop near Dale, Pembrokeshire.

None notified, please let us know if you have any additional information.