Historic RNLI Lifeboat William & Kate Johnston Returns to the Mersey - with Videos

THE William & Kate Johnston Preservation Society (WKJPS) has been set up to see the lifeboat restored to her former glory and returned to the Mersey on Monday, 13 May 2023. This is footage of the historic lifeboat returning to the waters of the River Mersey, where this heritage asset will undergo work to restore her to her former glory. The William and Kate Johnston is a Barnett Class Lifeboat that served New Brighton Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) between:- 1923 and 1950 and was 1 of only 4 of its kind operating in the UK & Ireland. When she operated as a lifeboat, this historic vessel saved 248 lives and was launched over 96 times. She also lost a crew member during a rescue, and in the short interview on this footage, you will hear more about that tragic loss of life. Sadly, as you can see in the footage the William and Kate Johnston has fallen into disrepair and has only just been made barely seaworthy by the WKJPS. For that reason, the WKJPS is still actively seeking corporate sponsorship and private sponsorship to continue the work on the vessel in hopes that it will become both a museum piece and an educational tool for future generations to learn and experience this part of our nation's maritime history. To donate, please go to:- JustGiving.Com. You can follow the William and Kate Johnston Preservation Society on social media, on:- Facebook and on Twitter.